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Patent US4078610A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4078610A
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Low friction loss method for fracturing a subterranean geothermal earth formation
Assignee: Texaco Inc
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Filing: 1976-05-17
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Granted: 1978-03-14
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Expires: 1996-05-17
Abstract
Abstract A low friction loss process for fracturing subterranean formations where the fracturing fluid includes a metal-plated, polymer-coated propping agent. Useful polymers include low-density polyethylene, polypropylene, etc.
Inventors
- 👤 George B. Arnold
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 20:27
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/25; E21B43/26; E21B43/267; E21B43/16; E21B43/24; F; F03; F03G; F03G4/00; F03G4/074; F24; F24T; F24T10/00; F24T10/20; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
A low friction loss method for fracturig a subterranean hot geothermal earth formation penetrated by a well, wherein a fracturing fluid is injected through the well and into the earth formation at a high velocity to cause fracturing of the formation whereby the rate of heat transfer between the formation and the formation fluid is improved, which comprises injecting into the formation a fracturing fluid to which there has been added an electrolessly metal-plated, metal shot propping agent coated with a thermoplastic polymer, and injecting the resulting mixture into the formation via the said well.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
95 words
A low friction loss method for fracturig a subterranean hot geothermal earth formation penetrated by a well, wherein a fracturing fluid is injected through the well and into the earth formation at a high velocity to cause fracturing of the formation whereby the rate of heat transfer between the formation and the formation fluid is improved, which comprises injecting into the formation a fracturing fluid to which there has been added an electrolessly metal-plated, metal shot propping agent coated with a thermoplastic polymer, and injecting the resulting mixture into the formation via the said well.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the said fracturing fluid is selected from the group consisting of aqueous fluids and hydrocarbon fluids.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the said fracturing fluid is water.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the said fracturing fluid is crude oil.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the said fracturing fluid is kerosene.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the said thermoplastic polymer is selected from the group consisting of low-density polyethylene, high-density polyethylene, polypropylene and polycarbonates.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the said resulting mixture contains from about 0.2 to about 5.5 pounds per gallon of the said propping agent.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the said fracturing mixture comprises a fracturing fluid selected from the group consisting of aqueous fluids and hydrocarbon fluids, the said electrolessly plated propping agent is selected from the group consisting of nickel-plated steel shot and cobalt-plated steel shot and the said thermoplastic is selected from the group consisting of low-density polyethylene, high-density polyethylene, polypropylene and polycarbonates.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the said fracturing mixture comprises water containing about 2.1 pounds per gallon of low-density, polyethylene-coated, nickel-plated, steel shot.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the said metal-plated propping agent is electrolessly plated steel shot.
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) | 1981-03-13 | 1981-09-12 | 1982-03-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-03-13 | 1985-09-12 | 1986-03-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-03-13 | 1989-09-12 | 1990-03-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |