Formation fracturing
US5360068A · kind A · utility
121Cited by
7References
9Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 19, 1993 |
| Grant date | Nov 1, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 19, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B43/2605
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
An oxygenated foam is injected into a hydrocarbon-bearing reservoir within a diatomite-containing subsurface formation to hydraulically form a fracture within the reservoir. Combustion is initiated between the oxygenated foam and hydrocarbons within the reservoir to burn the formation and alter diatomite within the burned area into a hardened, more highly permeable material. The reservoir may again be fractured to shatter the hardened diatomite to further increase reservoir permeability and form a self-propped fracture within the reservoir.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.