US3701383A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Fracture propping
Assignee: Shell USA Inc
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Filing: 1971-01-07
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Granted: 1972-10-31
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Expires: 1991-01-07
Abstract
Abstract Fractures within subterranean reservoir formations are propped open by injecting electroless metal plating solution at a rate that hydraulically separates the walls of the fracture while fluid is leaking into the fracture walls and, after the walls have been converted to structures which are integral and porous, disposing a fracture propping material between the fracture walls.
Inventors
- 👤 Edwin A Richardson
- 👤 Herbert W Barnes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 11:40
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/25; E21B43/26; E21B43/261; E21B43/267
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
75 words
A process for propping open a fracture within a relatively soft subterranean reservoir formation, comprising: separating the fracture walls hydraulically by pumping an electroless metal plating solution into the fracture at a rate exceeding the rate of leakage into the fracture walls; and after the fracture walls have been converted to integral and permeable structures by the plating of metal within their pores, positioning a granular fracture propping material between the walls of the fracture.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
75 words
A process for propping open a fracture within a relatively soft subterranean reservoir formation, comprising: separating the fracture walls hydraulically by pumping an electroless metal plating solution into the fracture at a rate exceeding the rate of leakage into the fracture walls; and after the fracture walls have been converted to integral and permeable structures by the plating of metal within their pores, positioning a granular fracture propping material between the walls of the fracture.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 1 in which the plating solution viscosity is at least 0.1 centipoise.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The process of claim 1 in which said electroless metal plating solution is preceded by a slug of electroless metal plating activator solution which, in turn, is preceded by a slug of relatively highly viscous fracture initiating liquid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of claim 3 in which said fracture initiating liquid is followed by an alternating sequence of slugs of said activating and plating solutions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The process of claim 4 in which an alternating sequence of slugs of said activating and plating solutions is injected both before and after the emplacement of said fracture propping material.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-10-31 | 1976-05-01 | 1976-10-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-31 | 1980-05-01 | 1980-10-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-31 | 1984-05-01 | 1984-10-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |