US3835928A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of creating a plurality of fractures from a deviated well
Assignee: Mobil Oil AS
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Filing: 1973-08-20
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Granted: 1974-09-17
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Expires: 1993-08-20
Abstract
Abstract This specification discloses a method of forming from a deviated well a plurality of vertically disposed fractures spaced a substantial distance apart in a subterranean formation having a known preferred fracture orientation. A deviated well is provided which extends from the surface of the earth and penetrates the subterranean formation at an angle of at least 10* measured from the vertical. The well is oriented such that it penetrates the subterranean formation in a direction transversely of the preferred fracture orientation. A first fracture initiation point is formed to establish fluid communication between the interior of the well and the subterranean formation. Hydraulic pressure is applied through the first fracture initiation point to the subterranean formation to form and propagate a first vertically disposed fracture into the formation in the direction of the preferred fracture orientation. Thereafter, a second fracture initiation point is formed at a predetermined horizontal distance from the first fracture initiation point. The second fracture initiation point is isolated from fluid communication with the first fracture initiation point and hydraulic pressure is applied through the second point to the subterranean formation to form and propagate a second vertically disposed fracture into the formation in the direction of the preferred fracture orientation. This procedure may be repeated as desired to form from the deviated well other vertically disposed fractures which extend into the formation in the direction of the preferred fracture orientation.
Inventors
- 👤 M Strubhar
- 👤 E Glenn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 20:12
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/25; E21B43/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
194 words
A method of forming a plurality of vertically disposed fractures communicating with a well penetrating a subterranean earth formation having a preferred fracture orientation, comprising: a. providing a well which extends from the surface of the earth and penetrates said subterranean formation at an angle of at least 10* measured from the vertical and extends into said formation in a direction transversely of said preferred fracture orientation; b. forming a first fracture initiation point in said well to provide fluid communication intermediate said well and said foramtion; c. applying hydraulic pressure via said first fracture initiation point to form and propagate a first vertically disposed fracture into said formation along the direction of said preferred fracture orientation; d. forming a second fracture initiation point at a predetermined and substantial horizontal distance from said first fracture initiation point to provide fluid communication intermediate said well and said formation; e. isolating from fluid communication said second fracture initiation point from said first fracture initiation point; and f. applying hydraulic pressure via said second fracture initiation point to form and propagate a second vertically disposed fracture into said formation along the direction of said preferred fracture orientation.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
194 words
A method of forming a plurality of vertically disposed fractures communicating with a well penetrating a subterranean earth formation having a preferred fracture orientation, comprising: a. providing a well which extends from the surface of the earth and penetrates said subterranean formation at an angle of at least 10* measured from the vertical and extends into said formation in a direction transversely of said preferred fracture orientation; b. forming a first fracture initiation point in said well to provide fluid communication intermediate said well and said foramtion; c. applying hydraulic pressure via said first fracture initiation point to form and propagate a first vertically disposed fracture into said formation along the direction of said preferred fracture orientation; d. forming a second fracture initiation point at a predetermined and substantial horizontal distance from said first fracture initiation point to provide fluid communication intermediate said well and said formation; e. isolating from fluid communication said second fracture initiation point from said first fracture initiation point; and f. applying hydraulic pressure via said second fracture initiation point to form and propagate a second vertically disposed fracture into said formation along the direction of said preferred fracture orientation.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
176 words
A method of forming a plurality of vertically disposed fractures communicating with a cased well penetrating a subterranean earth formation having a preferred fracture orientation, comprising; a. providing a cased well which extends from the surface of the earth and penetrates said subterranean formation at an angle of at least 10* measured from the vertical and extends into said formation in a direction transversely of said preferred fracture orientation; b. forming a first opening in said casing to provide a first fracture initiation point; c. applying hydraulic pressure through said first opening to form a first vertically disposed fracture communicating with said well and extending into said formation along the direction of said preferred fracture orientation; d. forming a second opening in said casing to provide a second fracture initiation point; e. isolating from fluid communication said second opening from said first opening; and f. applying hydraulic pressure through said second opening to form a second vertically disposed fracture communicating with said well and extending into said formation along the direction of said preferred fracture orientation.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
176 words
A method of forming a plurality of vertically disposed fractures communicating with a cased well penetrating a subterranean earth formation having a preferred fracture orientation, comprising; a. providing a cased well which extends from the surface of the earth and penetrates said subterranean formation at an angle of at least 10* measured from the vertical and extends into said formation in a direction transversely of said preferred fracture orientation; b. forming a first opening in said casing to provide a first fracture initiation point; c. applying hydraulic pressure through said first opening to form a first vertically disposed fracture communicating with said well and extending into said formation along the direction of said preferred fracture orientation; d. forming a second opening in said casing to provide a second fracture initiation point; e. isolating from fluid communication said second opening from said first opening; and f. applying hydraulic pressure through said second opening to form a second vertically disposed fracture communicating with said well and extending into said formation along the direction of said preferred fracture orientation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 2 further cOmprising repeating steps (d)-(f) and forming as desired other vertically disposed fractures communicating with said well and extending into said formation along the direction of said preferred fracture orientation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said subterranean formation is a liquid hydrocarbon-bearing formation and said predetermined and substantial distance is at least 10 feet.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said subterranean formation is a hydrocarbon gas-bearing formation and said predetermined and substantial distance is at least 20 feet.
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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) | 1977-09-16 | 1978-03-18 | 1978-09-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-16 | 1982-03-18 | 1982-09-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-16 | 1986-03-18 | 1986-09-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |