Sequential hydraulic fracturing of a subsurface formation
US4869322A · kind A · utility
94Cited by
10References
2Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 7, 1988 |
| Grant date | Sep 26, 1989 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 7, 2008 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B43/26
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A subsurface formation having original in-situ stresses that favor the propagation of a horizontal fracture is penetrated by a borehole. A first fracturing fluid containing a propping material is pumped through the borehole and into the formation at a first depth to propagate a horizontal fracture which alters the in-situ stress field. The pumping of the first fracturing fluid is stopped and a second fracturing fluid is pumped through the borehole and into the formation at a second depth to form a vertical fracture within the field of altered in-situ stress.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.