Enhancing complex fracture geometry in subterranean formations
US10436004B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 23, 2015 |
| Grant date | Oct 8, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 23, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B33/12
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
Methods including isolating a first treatment zone comprising an opening into a subterranean formation. A high-viscosity treatment fluid (HVTF) is introduced through the opening and incrementally increased fracturing rate steps (IIFRSs) are applied to create or enhance a dominate fracture, wherein between each IIFRS a downhole pressure slope over time will increase, decline, or stabilize at a measured pressure slope. The measured pressure slope is evaluated to determine whether an increasing pressure slope, a stabilizing pressure slope, or a declining pressure slope exists to determine whether and when to apply a subsequent IIFRS. The result is increasing a volume of the dominate fracture due to efficient dominate fracturing with generated back pressure until a first maximum fracturing rate is reached.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.