Methods and treatment fluids for microfracture creation and microproppant delivery in subterranean formations
US11041114B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 4, 2017 |
| Grant date | Jun 22, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 4, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC09K2208/28
- WIPO fieldBasic materials chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Systems, methods, and compositions for creating microfractures within subterranean formations and delivering microproppant particles into microfractures within subterranean formations are provided. In some embodiments, the methods include: providing a treatment fluid that comprises an aqueous base fluid, a surfactant, and a plurality of microproppant particles having a mean particle diameter of about 100 microns or less; introducing the treatment fluid into a subterranean formation at or above a pressure sufficient to initiate the formation of at least one microfracture within the subterranean formation; and allowing at least a portion of the microproppant particles to enter the at least one microfracture within the subterranean formation.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.