Method and apparatus for increasing the concentration of proppant in well stimulation techniques
US4569394A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 29, 1984 |
| Grant date | Feb 11, 1986 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 29, 2004 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B43/26
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A method and apparatus are shown for treating a subsurface earth formation penetrated by a well bore. A proppant is blended with a foamable carrier to form a slurry and the slurry is pressurized to a desired pressure. A gas is added to the pressurized slurry to form a foam. Proppant is then added pneumatically to the pressurized slurry after foaming the slurry and the pressurized fluid is injected into the well bore. The proppant is fed to a manifold which is connected to a source of pressurized gas whereby the application of gas pressure to the manifold serves to blow the proppant into the pressurized foam stream. The foam containing the proppant is then injected into the well in the conventional manner to prop open the fracture.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.