US3937283A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Formation fracturing with stable foam
Assignee: Dow Chemical Co
•
Filing: 1974-10-17
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Granted: 1976-02-10
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Expires: 1994-10-17
Abstract
Abstract Stable foam within specified quality range is used as a fracturing fluid or to extend fractures in subterranean formations.
Inventors
- 👤 Roland E. Blauer
- 👤 Clarence J. Durborow
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 07:22
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09K; C09K8/00; C09K8/60; C09K8/62; C09K8/70; C09K8/703; E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/25; E21B43/26; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S507/00; Y10S507/922
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
A method of extending an initially fractured subterranean formation penetrated by a well bore with a stable foam, said foam comprising a mixed dispersion of a liquid base, a surfactant, a propping agent and a gas such that the Mitchell quality of said foam at the temperature and fracture extension pressure of the formation, as derived from the formula: ##EQU3## where Γ tp = the Mitchell derived quality V sg = the volume of saturated gas (excluding gas in solution if any) V f = the volume of foam is between the range of 0.5236 to 0.9999; injecting said foam into said well bore and increasing the pressure of said foam against said formation to reopen and/or extend said initial fracture of said formation.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
124 words
A method of extending an initially fractured subterranean formation penetrated by a well bore with a stable foam, said foam comprising a mixed dispersion of a liquid base, a surfactant, a propping agent and a gas such that the Mitchell quality of said foam at the temperature and fracture extension pressure of the formation, as derived from the formula: ##EQU3## where Γ tp = the Mitchell derived quality V sg = the volume of saturated gas (excluding gas in solution if any) V f = the volume of foam is between the range of 0.5236 to 0.9999; injecting said foam into said well bore and increasing the pressure of said foam against said formation to reopen and/or extend said initial fracture of said formation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method in accord with claim 1 wherein said liquid base is oil.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method in accord with claim 1 wherein said liquid base is water.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method in accord with claim 1 wherein said liquid base is an acid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method in accord with claim 1 wherein said gas is from the group consisting of air, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, normally gaseous and normally liquid hydrocarbon gases.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method of claim 1 wherein said foam includes a formation treating agent and is still within said Mitchell quality.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method of claim 6 wherein said formation treating composition is a clay swelling inhibitor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method of claim 6 wherein said composition is an acid capable of reacting with said formation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
86 words
A stable foam composition for fracturing subterranean hydrocarbon bearing formation comprising, a mixed dispersion of a liquid base, a surfactant, a propping agent and a gas such that the Mitchell quality of said foam at the temperatures and break-down pressures of the formation as derived from the formula: ##EQU4## where Γ tp = the Mitchell derived quality V sg = the volume of saturated gas (excluding gas in solution if any) V f = the volume of foam is between the range of 0.5236 to 0.9999.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
86 words
A stable foam composition for fracturing subterranean hydrocarbon bearing formation comprising, a mixed dispersion of a liquid base, a surfactant, a propping agent and a gas such that the Mitchell quality of said foam at the temperatures and break-down pressures of the formation as derived from the formula: ##EQU4## where Γ tp = the Mitchell derived quality V sg = the volume of saturated gas (excluding gas in solution if any) V f = the volume of foam is between the range of 0.5236 to 0.9999.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
11 words
The composition of claim 9 wherein said liquid base is oil.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
11 words
The composition of claim 9 wherein said liquid base is water.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The composition of claim 9 wherein said gas is from the group consisting of air, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, normally gaseous and normally liquid hydrocarbon gases.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
123 words
A method of initially fracturing a subterranean formation penetrated by a well bore within a stable foam, said foam comprising a mixed dispersion of a liquid base, a surfactant, a propping agent and a gas such that the Mitchell quality of said foam at the temperature and pressures of the formation at the time of treatment as derived from the formula: ##EQU5## where Γ tp = the Mitchell derived quality V sg = the volume of saturated gas (excluding gas in solution if any) V f = the volume of foam is between the range of 0.5236 to 0.9999; injecting said foam into said well bore and increasing the pressure of said foam against said formation until break-down and fracture of said formation.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
123 words
A method of initially fracturing a subterranean formation penetrated by a well bore within a stable foam, said foam comprising a mixed dispersion of a liquid base, a surfactant, a propping agent and a gas such that the Mitchell quality of said foam at the temperature and pressures of the formation at the time of treatment as derived from the formula: ##EQU5## where Γ tp = the Mitchell derived quality V sg = the volume of saturated gas (excluding gas in solution if any) V f = the volume of foam is between the range of 0.5236 to 0.9999; injecting said foam into said well bore and increasing the pressure of said foam against said formation until break-down and fracture of said formation.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method in accord with claim 13 wherein said liquid base is oil.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method in accord with claim 13 wherein said liquid base is water.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method in accord with claim 13 wherein said liquid base is an acid.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method in accord with claim 13 wherein said gas is from the group consisting of air, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, normally gaseous and normally liquid hydrocarbon gases.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method of claim 13 wherein said foam includes a formation treating agent and is still within said Mitchell quality.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method of claim 18 wherein said formation treating composition is a clay swelling inhibitor.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method of claim 18 wherein said composition is an acid capable of reacting with said formation.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-02-09 | 1979-08-11 | 1980-02-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-02-09 | 1983-08-11 | 1984-02-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-02-09 | 1987-08-11 | 1988-02-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |