US3768564A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of fracture acidizing a well formation
Assignee: Halliburton Co
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Filing: 1971-04-26
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Granted: 1973-10-30
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Expires: 1991-04-26
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to an improved method of fracture acidizing underground well formations so that the production of oil and gas therefrom is increased. By the method of the present invention high capacity flow channels are created and sustained in the formation, particularly in the area thereof adjacent to the well bore.
Inventors
- 👤 J Knox
- 👤 S Fredrickson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 04:16
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09K; C09K8/00; C09K8/60; C09K8/62; C09K8/72
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
117 words
A method for creating high capacity flow channels in a well formation without the use of propping agents which comprises the steps of: a. injecting acid into said formation at a pressure sufficient to create and open fractures therein; b. allowing said acid to etch the faces of said open fractures to thereby form channels in said faces; c. reducing said pressure on said formation so that said fractures are closed; d. injecting additional acid into said formation at a pressure less than said fracture pressure utilized in step (a) such that said fractures remain closed whereby said additional acid flows through and enlarges said channels to thereby form said high capacity flow channels in said formation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said acid is selected from the group consisting of aqueous solutions of hydrochloric acid, acetic acid, formic acid, hydrofluoric acid and mixtures thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said acid utilized in steps (a) and (b) is retarded acid and the additional acid utilized in step (d) is unretarded acid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said additional acid in step (d) is injected into said formation at a relatively low initial rate and progressively increased to a relatively high rate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said additional acid is unretarded at said relatively low rate and retarded at said relatively high rate.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
148 words
A method for creating high capacity flow channels in a well formation without the use of prOpping agents comprising the steps of: a. pumping a fracturing fluid into said formation at a pressure sufficient to create fractures in said formation extending outwardly from said well bore; b. pumping acid into said formation at a pressure equal to or greater than the fracturing pressure of step (a) whereby said fractures are held open and the faces thereof are etched by said acid to thereby form channels in said faces; c. reducing the pressure on said formation so that said fractures are closed; and d. pumping additional acid into said formation at a pressure sufficient to cause said additional acid to flow through and enlarge said channels formed in said faces of said fractures, but insufficient to open said fractures thereby forming said high capacity flow channels in said formation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said fracturing fluid is selected from the group consisting of water, gelled water, hydrocarbon-in-water emulsions, water-in-hydrocarbon emulsions, gelled hydrocarbons, and high viscosity hydrocarbon liquids.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said acid is selected from the group consisting of aqueous solutions of hydrochloric acid, acetic acid, formic acid, hydrofluoric acid and mixtures thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said acid utilized in step (b) is retarded acid and the additional acid utilized in step (d) is unretarded acid.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said additional acid of step (d) is pumped into said formation at a relatively low initial rate and progressively increased to a relatively high rate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said additional acid utilized in step (d) is unretarded acid at said relatively low rate and retarded acid at said relatively high rate.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-10-29 | 1977-04-30 | 1977-10-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-29 | 1981-04-30 | 1981-10-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-29 | 1985-04-30 | 1985-10-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |