Method for optimizing hydraulic fracturing through control of perforation orientation
US5318123A · kind A · utility
103Cited by
10References
9Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 11, 1992 |
| Grant date | Jun 7, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 11, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B43/26
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
An improved method for fracturing oil wells is disclosed and claimed herein. In particular, the present invention involves the determination of the direction of fracture propagation, i.e., perpendicular to the minimum stress existing within a given formation and the alignment of perforations produced by a variety of perforating devices with the previously determined direction of fracture propagation. The methods disclosed and claimed herein will eliminate many problems encountered in the prior art, including reducing the pressure required to initiate fractures and reducing the undesirable effects of near well bore tortuosity.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.