US4434848A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Maximizing fracture extension in massive hydraulic fracturing
Assignee: BP Corp North America Inc
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Filing: 1981-12-18
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Granted: 1984-03-06
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Expires: 2001-12-18
Abstract
Abstract During fracture treatment of a subterranean formation, multiple hydraulic fracturing cycles are performed wherein the bottomhole treating pressure of a wellbore is controlled to not exceed a maximum bottomhole treating pressure for the formation, thereby attaining maximum principle fracture extension and limiting initiation of secondary fractures transverse to the principle fracture extension.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael B. Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 21:27
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/25; E21B43/26; E21B47/00; E21B47/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
84 words
A method for fracturing a subterranean formation, comprising: (a) injecting a fracturing fluid into said formation under fracture extending conditions until the bottomhole treating pressure approaches a maximum bottomhole treating pressure for said formation; (b) discontinuing said injection of said fracturing fluid for a period of time (t) to allow the bottomhole treating pressure and the pressure along the created fracture to equalize; and (c) sequentially repeating steps (a) and (b) until the bottomhole treating pressure very nearly equals the maximum bottomhole treating pressure.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
84 words
A method for fracturing a subterranean formation, comprising: (a) injecting a fracturing fluid into said formation under fracture extending conditions until the bottomhole treating pressure approaches a maximum bottomhole treating pressure for said formation; (b) discontinuing said injection of said fracturing fluid for a period of time (t) to allow the bottomhole treating pressure and the pressure along the created fracture to equalize; and (c) sequentially repeating steps (a) and (b) until the bottomhole treating pressure very nearly equals the maximum bottomhole treating pressure.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
90 words
A method for fracturing a subterranean formation through a wellbore, comprising: (a) injecting a fracturing fluid into said formation under fracture extending conditions until the bottomhole treating pressure approaches a maximum bottomhole treating pressure for said formation; (b) discontinuing said injection of said fracturing fluid for a period of time (t) to allow the bottomhole treating pressure and the pressure along the created fracture to equalize; and (c) sequentially repeating steps (a) and (b) until the bottomhole treating pressure amounts to at least 90% of said maximum bottomhole treating pressure.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
90 words
A method for fracturing a subterranean formation through a wellbore, comprising: (a) injecting a fracturing fluid into said formation under fracture extending conditions until the bottomhole treating pressure approaches a maximum bottomhole treating pressure for said formation; (b) discontinuing said injection of said fracturing fluid for a period of time (t) to allow the bottomhole treating pressure and the pressure along the created fracture to equalize; and (c) sequentially repeating steps (a) and (b) until the bottomhole treating pressure amounts to at least 90% of said maximum bottomhole treating pressure.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
85 words
A method for fracturing a subterranean formation through a wellbore, comprising: (a) injecting a fracturing fluid into said formation under fracture extending conditions until the bottomhole treating pressure equals a maximum bottomhole treating pressure for said formation; (b) discontinuing said injection of said fracturing fluid for a period of time (t) to allow the bottomhole treating pressure and the pressure along the created fracture to equalize; and (c) sequentially repeating steps (a) and (b) until the bottomhole treating pressure equals the maximum bottomhole treating pressure.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
85 words
A method for fracturing a subterranean formation through a wellbore, comprising: (a) injecting a fracturing fluid into said formation under fracture extending conditions until the bottomhole treating pressure equals a maximum bottomhole treating pressure for said formation; (b) discontinuing said injection of said fracturing fluid for a period of time (t) to allow the bottomhole treating pressure and the pressure along the created fracture to equalize; and (c) sequentially repeating steps (a) and (b) until the bottomhole treating pressure equals the maximum bottomhole treating pressure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the bottomhole treating pressure is measured while injecting said fracturing fluid.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein time (t) is between 0.5 and 30.0 minutes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein time (t) is between 1.0 and 5.0 minutes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein said fracturing fluid contains proppants.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as in claim 7 wherein after step (c) a displacing fluid is injected into said formation.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein said fracturing fluid has a viscosity of at least 10 cp.
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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) | 1987-03-06 | 1987-09-05 | 1988-03-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-03-06 | 1991-09-05 | 1992-03-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-03-06 | 1995-09-05 | 1996-03-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |