Method to control fracture orientation in underground formation
US5111881A · kind A · utility
73Cited by
13References
11Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 7, 1990 |
| Grant date | May 12, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 7, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B49/006
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
This invention relates to a procedure to control fracture orientation in underground formations to increase well productivity. The method is performed by hydraulically fracturing the formation and propping and plugging the fractures which result. The formation is then perforated or notched in a direction angularly disposed relative to the anticipated fracture formation and first hydraulic fracture. The presence of the first fracture will force the second fracture to propagate in a direction away from that of the first fracture. A method for simultaneously fracturing the formation in two directions is also provided.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.