Patent · US Expired

Method of evaluating subsurface fracturing operations

US4836280A · kind A · utility

19Cited by
7References
13Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateSep 29, 1987
Grant dateJun 6, 1989
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 29, 2007

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
  • CPC primaryE21B49/008
  • WIPO fieldCivil engineering
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A method of performing a mini-frac operation wherein the effects of the compressibility of the fracturing fluid and the increase in fracturing fluid temperature are considered. The mini-fracturing operation is performed and the pressure decline is observed at selected intervals over a determined time period. The observed pressure decline values are adjusted to compensate for fluid compressibility and/or for temperature increase. A correlation term is determined which is utilized to determine parameters of the formation and fracture. The parameters of the fracturing operation are then determined in response to the adjusted pressure decline values. The parameters may be adjusted in response to the compensation for temperature and fluid compressibility either by adjusting the observed pressure decline values and comparing them to a known reference, or by establishing new reference values for the well to be correlated with the observed pressure decline to determine a correlation term.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.