US3850247A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Placing zones of solids in a subterranean fracture
Assignee: Halliburton Co
•
Filing: 1973-08-27
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Granted: 1974-11-26
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Expires: 1993-08-27
Abstract
Abstract A fracture in a subterranean formation having zones of solids intermittently spaced throughout the fracture is formed by injecting alternating quantities of displacement liquid and carrier liquid having solids supported therein into the fracture to extend the fracture into the subterranean formation.
Inventors
- 👤 J Tinsley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 06:45
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/25; E21B43/26; E21B43/267
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
A METHOD OF FRACTURING A SUBTERRANEAN FORMATION WHICH COMPRISES THE STEPS OF: A. CONTACTING A SUBTERRANEAN FORMATION WITH A PAD LIQUID AT A PRESSURE SUFFICIENT TO PRODUCE A FRACTURE IN SAID FORMATION; B. INJECTING SAID PAD LIQUID INTO SAID PRODUCED FRACTURE AT A RATE SUFFICIENT TO OPEN SAID FRACTURE TO A WIDTH SUFFICIENT TO ACCEPT SOLIDS SUFFICIENT FOR MAINTAINING SAID FRACTURE IN SAID OPEN POSITION; C. INTRODUCING AT LEAST ONE STAGE OF CARRIER LIQUID AND DISPLACEMENT LIQUID INTO SAID PRODUCED FRACTURE AT A RATE SUFFICIENT TO EXTEND SAID FRACTURE INTO SAID FORMATION WHEREIN SAID STAGE CONSISTS ESSENTIALLY OF ONE VOLUME OF SAID CARRIER LIQUID FOLLOWED BY ABOUT 0.25 TO ABOUT 1.5 VOLUMES OF SAID DISPLACEMENT LIQUID PER UNIT VOLUME OF SAID CARRIER LIQUID AND FURTHER WHEREIN SAID CARRIER LIQUID CONSISTS SAID SOLIDS SUPPORTED THEREIN; AND D. REDUCING THE RATE OF INJECTING LIQUID INTO SAID FRACTURE TO THEREBY PERMIT SAID FRACTURE TO CLOSE ON SAID SOLIDS.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
155 words
A METHOD OF FRACTURING A SUBTERRANEAN FORMATION WHICH COMPRISES THE STEPS OF: A. CONTACTING A SUBTERRANEAN FORMATION WITH A PAD LIQUID AT A PRESSURE SUFFICIENT TO PRODUCE A FRACTURE IN SAID FORMATION; B. INJECTING SAID PAD LIQUID INTO SAID PRODUCED FRACTURE AT A RATE SUFFICIENT TO OPEN SAID FRACTURE TO A WIDTH SUFFICIENT TO ACCEPT SOLIDS SUFFICIENT FOR MAINTAINING SAID FRACTURE IN SAID OPEN POSITION; C. INTRODUCING AT LEAST ONE STAGE OF CARRIER LIQUID AND DISPLACEMENT LIQUID INTO SAID PRODUCED FRACTURE AT A RATE SUFFICIENT TO EXTEND SAID FRACTURE INTO SAID FORMATION WHEREIN SAID STAGE CONSISTS ESSENTIALLY OF ONE VOLUME OF SAID CARRIER LIQUID FOLLOWED BY ABOUT 0.25 TO ABOUT 1.5 VOLUMES OF SAID DISPLACEMENT LIQUID PER UNIT VOLUME OF SAID CARRIER LIQUID AND FURTHER WHEREIN SAID CARRIER LIQUID CONSISTS SAID SOLIDS SUPPORTED THEREIN; AND D. REDUCING THE RATE OF INJECTING LIQUID INTO SAID FRACTURE TO THEREBY PERMIT SAID FRACTURE TO CLOSE ON SAID SOLIDS.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of fracturing a subterranean formation as recited in claim 1 wherein at least two of said stages are injected into said fracture.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of fracturing a subterranean formation as recited in claim 2 wherein each volume of said carrier liquid is displaced into said fracture with about 0.5 to 1.25 volumes of said displacement liquid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of fracturing a subterranean formation as recited in claim 3 wherein said pad liquid contains an additive to substantially reduce the loss of said carrier liquid and displacement liquid into the pore spaces of the formation through which said fracture extends.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of fracturing a subterranean formation as recited in claim 3 wherein said pad liquid is injected into said fracture at a sufficient rate to open said fracture to at least twice the width of said solids.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of fracturing a subterranean formation as recited in claim 3 wherein said carrier liquid and said displacment liquid have similar viscosities.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of fracturing a subterranean formation as recited in claim 3 wherein said displacement liquid has a lower viscosity than said carrier liquid.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of fracturing a subterranean formation as recited in claim 3 wherein less of said displacement liquid is injected into said fracture following the injection of the final volume of said carrier liquid than is injected into said fracture to displace the other volumes of said carrier liquid into said fracture.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1977-11-25 | 1978-05-27 | 1978-11-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-11-25 | 1982-05-27 | 1982-11-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-11-25 | 1986-05-27 | 1986-11-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |