Patent US3933205A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3933205A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hydraulic fracturing process using reverse flow
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-01-27
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Granted: 1976-01-20
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Expires: 1995-01-27
Abstract
Abstract Well productivity is increased by multiple hydraulic fracturing cycles. A double cycle first creates a long primary fracture by fluid injection and forms spalls by subsequently allowing the pressure in the fracture to drop below the initial fracturing pressure by discontinuing injection and shutting the well in or allowing it to flow back, resuming injection to displace said spalls longitudinally in said fracture and again discontinuing injection, whereupon the fracture is propped open by the displaced spalls. Multiple applications of this double cycle successively create transversely directed secondary long fractures. Fracture extension and fluid loss is controlled by the sandout of fine spalls at terminal ends of the fractures, supplemented when necessary by the injection of sand of selected size to filter pack the natural joint system and, in some instances, to filter pack the vertical downward extent of joints and fractures thus limiting further fractures to the upper portion of the producing formation where upward leakage is inhibited by the overburden.
Inventors
- 👤 Othar Meade Kiel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 19:19
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/25; E21B43/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 70
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
A method of well treatment by hydraulic fracturing of the formation to be treated, said fracturing including at least one double cycle comprising injection of fluid into the formation for a period of at least three minutes under pressure throughout said period sufficient to fracture the formation; planned discontinuance of said fluid injection and at least one period of reverse flow of said fluid from said formation for a period of time at least long enough to allow a significant pressure drop in said fluid, resumption of injection, and discontinuance of injection.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
92 words
A method of well treatment by hydraulic fracturing of the formation to be treated, said fracturing including at least one double cycle comprising injection of fluid into the formation for a period of at least three minutes under pressure throughout said period sufficient to fracture the formation; planned discontinuance of said fluid injection and at least one period of reverse flow of said fluid from said formation for a period of time at least long enough to allow a significant pressure drop in said fluid, resumption of injection, and discontinuance of injection.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
8 words
Method according to 1 including two double cycles.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
8 words
Method according to 1 including two double cycles.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
8 words
Method according to 1 including three double cycles.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
8 words
Method according to 1 including three double cycles.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
10 words
Method according to 1 including a plurality of double cycles.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
10 words
Method according to 1 including a plurality of double cycles.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
Method according to 1 incuding injecting fine sand with the fracturing fluid to limit the vertical conductive extent of the fracturing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
Method according to 1 incuding injecting fine sand with the fracturing fluid to limit the vertical conductive extent of the fracturing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
Method according to 1 including injecting fine sand for fluid loss control.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
Method according to 1 including injecting fine sand for fluid loss control.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
Method according to claim 1 wherein said period of reverse flow is sufficient to return .25 to 1.00 percent by volume, of the fluid injected into the formation.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
Method according to claim 1 where said period of reverse flow is sufficient to allow flow back of more than five and less than 50 barrels of said fluid.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
Method according to claim 1 wherein said period of reverse flow is greater than 20 seconds and less than 10 minutes.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
Method according to claim 1 wherein said period of reverse flow is sufficient to allow flow back of less than all recoverable fracturing fluid.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
11 words
Method according to claim 1 wherein said fluid is substantially incompressible.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
Method according to claim 1 wherein said fluid is gas free at formation and surface ambiant conditions.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
Method according to claim 1 wherein said fluid is injected into the formation for at least several minutes.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
94 words
A method of well treatment by hydraulic fracturing of the formation to be treated, said fracturing including a plurality of double cycles each of which double cycle comprises: injecting fracturing fluid into the formation at a pressure sufficient to fracture the formation, maintaining said pressure for at least three minutes, discontinuing injecting fracturing fluid into the formation, allowing at least one period of reverse flow from said formation for a period of time at least long enough to allow a significant pressure drop in said fluid, and again injecting fracturing fluid into the formation.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
94 words
A method of well treatment by hydraulic fracturing of the formation to be treated, said fracturing including a plurality of double cycles each of which double cycle comprises: injecting fracturing fluid into the formation at a pressure sufficient to fracture the formation, maintaining said pressure for at least three minutes, discontinuing injecting fracturing fluid into the formation, allowing at least one period of reverse flow from said formation for a period of time at least long enough to allow a significant pressure drop in said fluid, and again injecting fracturing fluid into the formation.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
12 words
Method according to 14 wherein the number of double cycles is two.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
12 words
Method according to 14 wherein the number of double cycles is two.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
12 words
Method according to 14 wherein the number of double cycles is three.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
12 words
Method according to 14 wherein the number of double cycles is three.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
13 words
Method according to 14 wherein the well is not produced between double cycles.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
13 words
Method according to 14 wherein the well is not produced between double cycles.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
26 words
Method according to 14 wherein each period of said discontinuing injecting fracturing fluid, except the last such period, lasts for from 5 minutes to one hour.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
26 words
Method according to 14 wherein each period of said discontinuing injecting fracturing fluid, except the last such period, lasts for from 5 minutes to one hour.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
34 words
Method according to 14 wherein the injection pressure during each double cycle subsequent to the first double cycle is significantly greater than during the first double cycle, i.e. is at least 10 percent greater.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
34 words
Method according to 14 wherein the injection pressure during each double cycle subsequent to the first double cycle is significantly greater than during the first double cycle, i.e. is at least 10 percent greater.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
39 words
Method according to 14 wherein the period of the even numbered injection is of the order 1/4 to 1/3 the period of the immediately preceding odd numbered injection, considering that the several injections are numbered consequently in chronological order.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
39 words
Method according to 14 wherein the period of the even numbered injection is of the order 1/4 to 1/3 the period of the immediately preceding odd numbered injection, considering that the several injections are numbered consequently in chronological order.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
50 words
Method of 14 wherein the periods of the several consecutive pairs of injection periods, considering the first and second injection periods as the first such pair are approximately proportional to the square root of the number of such pair, considering that the several pairs are numbered consecutively in chronological order.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
50 words
Method of 14 wherein the periods of the several consecutive pairs of injection periods, considering the first and second injection periods as the first such pair are approximately proportional to the square root of the number of such pair, considering that the several pairs are numbered consecutively in chronological order.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
51 words
Method according to 14 wherein the periods of discontinuance of injection and reverse flow, other than the last one, are such that the shut in pressure does not fall to less than 1/3 of the amount of the increase in pressure during the previous injection, thereby to avoid excessive fluid loss.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
51 words
Method according to 14 wherein the periods of discontinuance of injection and reverse flow, other than the last one, are such that the shut in pressure does not fall to less than 1/3 of the amount of the increase in pressure during the previous injection, thereby to avoid excessive fluid loss.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
32 words
Method according to 14 wherein the fracturing fluid is of the formation pressure increasing type, i.e., if injection were at constant rate, the injection pressure measured at the well head initially increases.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
32 words
Method according to 14 wherein the fracturing fluid is of the formation pressure increasing type, i.e., if injection were at constant rate, the injection pressure measured at the well head initially increases.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
28 words
Method according to claim 14 wherein said period of reverse flow is sufficient to return .25 to 1.00 percent, by volume, of said fluid injected into the formation.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
29 words
Method according to claim 14 wherein said period of reverse flow is sufficient to allow flow back of more than 5 and less than 50 barrels of said fluid.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
21 words
Method according to claim 14 wherein said period of reverse flow is greater than 20 seconds and less than 10 minutes.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
24 words
Method according to claim 14 wherein said period of reverse flow is sufficient to allow flow back of less than all recoverable fracturing fluid.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
11 words
Method according to claim 14 wherein said fluid is substantially incompressable.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
17 words
Method according to claim 14 wherein said fluid is gas free at formation and surface ambiant conditions.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
18 words
Method according to claim 14 wherein said fluid is injected into the formation for at least several minutes.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
127 words
Method of well treatment by hydraulic fracturing of the formation to be treated, said fracturing including at least one double cycle comprising injection of fluid into the formation for a period of at least three minutes under pressure throughout said period sufficient to fracture the formation, said fluid being capable of undergoing fluid loss to said formation once said formation is fractured, planned discontinuation of said fluid injection for a period of time at least long enough to allow a pressure reduction in said fluid, resumption of injection with at least a portion of the formation exposed to fluid pressure during the first said injection being the same as a portion of the formation again exposed to fluid pressure during said resumed injection, and discontinuance of injection.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
127 words
Method of well treatment by hydraulic fracturing of the formation to be treated, said fracturing including at least one double cycle comprising injection of fluid into the formation for a period of at least three minutes under pressure throughout said period sufficient to fracture the formation, said fluid being capable of undergoing fluid loss to said formation once said formation is fractured, planned discontinuation of said fluid injection for a period of time at least long enough to allow a pressure reduction in said fluid, resumption of injection with at least a portion of the formation exposed to fluid pressure during the first said injection being the same as a portion of the formation again exposed to fluid pressure during said resumed injection, and discontinuance of injection.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
9 words
Method according to claim 31 including two double cycles.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
9 words
Method according to claim 31 including three double cycles.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
11 words
Method according to claim 31 including a plurality of double cycles.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
22 words
Method according to claim 31 including injecting fine sand with the fracturing fluid to limit the vertical conductive extent of the fracturing.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
13 words
Method according to claim 31 including injecting fine sand for fluid loss control.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
27 words
Method according to claim 31 wherein said injection into the formation of fluid under pressure sufficient to fracture the formation lasts from 3 minutes to one hour.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
19 words
Method according to claim 37 wherein said planned discontinuance of such fluid injection lasts not more than 10 minutes.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
137 words
Method of well treatment by hydraulic fracturing of the formation to be treated, said fracturing including a plurality of double cycles each of which double cycle comprises: injecting fracturing fluid into the formation at a pressure sufficient to fracture the formation, said fluid being capable of undergoing fluid loss to said formation once said formation is fractured, maintaining said pressure for at least three minutes, discontinuing injecting fracturing fluid into the formation for a period of time at least long enough to allow a pressure reduction, again injecting fracturing fluid into the formation with at least a portion of the formation exposed to fluid pressure during the first said injection being the same as a portion of the formation again exposed to fluid pressure during said resumed injection, and again discontinuing injecting fracturing fluid into the formation.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
137 words
Method of well treatment by hydraulic fracturing of the formation to be treated, said fracturing including a plurality of double cycles each of which double cycle comprises: injecting fracturing fluid into the formation at a pressure sufficient to fracture the formation, said fluid being capable of undergoing fluid loss to said formation once said formation is fractured, maintaining said pressure for at least three minutes, discontinuing injecting fracturing fluid into the formation for a period of time at least long enough to allow a pressure reduction, again injecting fracturing fluid into the formation with at least a portion of the formation exposed to fluid pressure during the first said injection being the same as a portion of the formation again exposed to fluid pressure during said resumed injection, and again discontinuing injecting fracturing fluid into the formation.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
13 words
Method according to claim 39 wherein the number of double cycles is two.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
13 words
Method according to claim 39 wherein the number of double cycles is three.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
14 words
Method according to claim 39 wherein the well is not produced between double cycles.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
27 words
Method according to claim 39 wherein each period of said discontinuing injecting fracturing fluid, except the last such period, lasts for from 5 minutes to one hour.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
35 words
Method according to claim 39 wherein the injection pressure during each double cycle subsequent to the first double cycle is significantly greater than during the first double cycle, i.e. is at least 10 percent greater.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
40 words
Method according to claim 39 wherein the period of the even numbered injection is of the order 1/4 to 1/3 the period of the immediately preceding odd numbered injection, considering that the several injections are numbered consecutively in chronological order.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
51 words
Method of claim 39 wherein the periods of the several consecutive pairs of injection periods, considering the first and second injection periods as the first such pair are approximately proportional to the square root of the number of such pair, considering that the several pairs are numbered consecutively in chronological order.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
49 words
Method according to claim 39 wherein the periods of discontinuance of injection, other than the last one, are such that the shut in pressure does not fall to less than 1/3 of the amount of the increase in pressure during the previous injection, thereby to avoid excessive fluid loss.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
33 words
Method according to claim 39 wherein the fracturing fluid is of the formation pressure increasing type, i.e., if injection were at constant rate, the injection pressure measured at the well head initially increases.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
144 words
Method of well treatment by hydraulic fracturing of the formation to be treated, said fracturing including at least one double cycle comprising: injecting into said formation a fluid capable of undergoing fluid loss to said formation once said formation is fractured, continuing said injection for a period of at least three minutes. at all times during said period maintaining said fluid under a pressure sufficient to fracture the formation. then dropping the fluid pressure to give an opportunity for spalling to occur at the fracture faces, resuming injection at a time beginning at least three minutes later than the first period of injection, and discontinuing of said injection, at least a portion of the formation exposed to fluid pressure during the first period of injection being the same as a portion of the formation exposed to fluid pressure during the second period of injection.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
144 words
Method of well treatment by hydraulic fracturing of the formation to be treated, said fracturing including at least one double cycle comprising: injecting into said formation a fluid capable of undergoing fluid loss to said formation once said formation is fractured, continuing said injection for a period of at least three minutes. at all times during said period maintaining said fluid under a pressure sufficient to fracture the formation. then dropping the fluid pressure to give an opportunity for spalling to occur at the fracture faces, resuming injection at a time beginning at least three minutes later than the first period of injection, and discontinuing of said injection, at least a portion of the formation exposed to fluid pressure during the first period of injection being the same as a portion of the formation exposed to fluid pressure during the second period of injection.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
105 words
Method of well treatment by hydraulic fracturing of the formation to be treated, said fracturing including at least one double cycle comprising: injecting into said formation a fluid capable of undergoing fluid loss to said formation once said formation is fractured, continuing said injection for a period of at least three minutes, at all times during said period maintaining said fluid under a pressure sufficient to fracture the formation, discontinuing injection for a period of at least three minutes to give an opportunity for spalling to occur at the fracture faces, resuming injection, and discontinuing injection; the same formation being treated during the entire treatment.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
105 words
Method of well treatment by hydraulic fracturing of the formation to be treated, said fracturing including at least one double cycle comprising: injecting into said formation a fluid capable of undergoing fluid loss to said formation once said formation is fractured, continuing said injection for a period of at least three minutes, at all times during said period maintaining said fluid under a pressure sufficient to fracture the formation, discontinuing injection for a period of at least three minutes to give an opportunity for spalling to occur at the fracture faces, resuming injection, and discontinuing injection; the same formation being treated during the entire treatment.
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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) | 1979-01-19 | 1979-07-21 | 1980-01-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-01-19 | 1983-07-21 | 1984-01-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-01-19 | 1987-07-21 | 1988-01-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |