Patent · US Expired

Wellbore guided hydraulic fracturing

US5482116A · kind A · utility

131Cited by
5References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 10, 1993
Grant dateJan 9, 1996
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 10, 2013

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
  • CPC primaryE21B49/006
  • WIPO fieldCivil engineering
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

Method of hydraulic fracturing of a subterranean formation comprising drilling a deviated wellbore in a direction parallel to a desired fracture direction, and supplying fracturing fluid through the wellbore to the formation. The average net pressure on the fluid is maximized in a fracture formed in the formation by pumping the fracturing fluid at a maximum rate, and by using a high viscosity fracturing fluid. Maximization of the average net pressure acts to extend the fracture in a direction parallel to the direction of the wellbore. The amount of the extension of the fracture is a function of the ratio of the average net pressure to the horizontal stress difference, whereby the higher the ratio, the greater the amount of the extension.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.