Method and materials for manipulating hydraulic fracture geometry
US11326435B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 11, 2021 |
| Grant date | May 10, 2022 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 11, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B43/261
- WIPO fieldBasic materials chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A method for manipulating hydraulic fracture geometry. In one embodiment, the method comprises injecting a fracturing fluid into a well to generate one or more hydraulic fractures in a subsurface rock formation and then substantially draining any fluids from the one or more hydraulic fractures. The method may further comprise injecting a hydrophilic polymer and one or more crosslinking agents into the well to subsequently form low-density hydrogels which may then screen out only each tip of the one or more hydraulic fractures. A working fluid may then be injected into the well to increase fracture width of the one or more hydraulic fractures without substantially increasing fracture length. In an alternative embodiment, the hydrophilic polymer may be fully crosslinked by the one or more crosslinking agents and injected as pre-formed particle gels (PPGs) which may also screen out only each tip of the one or more hydraulic fractures.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.