Method for hydraulic fracture propagation in hydrocarbon-bearing formations
US4635719A · kind A · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 24, 1986 |
| Grant date | Jan 13, 1987 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 24, 2006 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B49/006
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A hydrocarbon-bearing strata in a hydrocarbon producing well is fractured using a fracture pressure which will not propagate the fracture into adjacent overlying and underlying non-producing strata. The least principal compressive stress S.sub.3 of the hydrocarbon bearing strata and the adjacent overlying and underlying strata are determined by the relationship ##EQU1## where S.sub.1 is the maximum principle compressive stress, P.sub.F is the pore fluid pressure, and u is the coefficient of friction. The fracturing pressure is selected to be greater than S.sub.3 for the hydrocarbon bearing strata but less than S.sub.3 for the adjacent overlying and underlying non-producing strata. Hydrocarbon bearing formations suitable for hydraulic fracturing can also be identified.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.