Method for controlling sand production of formations and for optimizing hydraulic fracturing through perforation orientation
US5360066A · kind A · utility
49Cited by
16References
8Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 16, 1992 |
| Grant date | Nov 1, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 16, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B47/02
- 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 wellbore tortuosity.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.