US3998271A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multiple fracturing of subterranean formations
Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Co
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Filing: 1975-10-31
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Granted: 1976-12-21
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Expires: 1995-10-31
Abstract
Abstract A method of fracturing subterranean formations wherein a formation is fractured and propped two or more times to increase the width of the propped fracture.
Inventors
- 👤 Claude E. Cooke, Jr.
- 👤 John W. Graham
- 👤 Thomas W. Muecke
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 16:13
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09K; C09K8/00; C09K8/60; C09K8/62; E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/25; E21B43/26; E21B43/261; E21B43/267
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
81 words
A method of fracturing a subterranean formation penetrated by a well which comprises: a. injecting through said well and into said formation a fracturing fluid for forming a fracture therein; b. placing particulate propping agent in said fracture; c. consolidating at least a portion of said propping agent into a permeable mass; d. injecting through said well and into said formation a fracturing fluid to refracture said formation; and e. introducing particulate material into said fracture produced by said refracturing step.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
81 words
A method of fracturing a subterranean formation penetrated by a well which comprises: a. injecting through said well and into said formation a fracturing fluid for forming a fracture therein; b. placing particulate propping agent in said fracture; c. consolidating at least a portion of said propping agent into a permeable mass; d. injecting through said well and into said formation a fracturing fluid to refracture said formation; and e. introducing particulate material into said fracture produced by said refracturing step.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the step of introducing particulate propping agent into said fracture is performed to produce a multilayer pack.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the particulate propping agent is a particulate material coated with a fusible thermosetting resin, and wherein the step of consolidating said propping agent is performed by causing said thermosetting resin to fuse and cure to thereby bond said particles together.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as defined in claim 3 wherein said fusible thermosetting resin is a one-step, resole-type phenolic resin.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as defined in claim 4 wherein said resin is an base-catalyzed phenol formaldehyde.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as defined in claim 3 wherein said resin is fusible at the normal temperature of said formation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein the particulate material injected into the formation in step (e) includes particles coated with a fusible thermosetting resin.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as defined in claim 7 wherein the thermosetting resin is a one step, resole-type phenolic resin which is fusible at the normal temperature of said formation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as defined in claim 7 wherein the particles are high-strength glass beads coated with the fusible, thermosetting resin.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US3070160A
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US2986538A
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US3138205A
Cited
US3431977A
Cited
US3537529A
Cited
US3757862A
Cited
US3929191A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-12-21 | 1980-06-21 | 1980-12-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-12-21 | 1984-06-21 | 1984-12-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-12-21 | 1988-06-21 | 1988-12-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |