Method and apparatus for overbalanced perforating and fracturing in a borehole
US5551344A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 10, 1994 |
| Grant date | Sep 3, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 10, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF42D1/02
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
An overbalance technique propagates a fracture in a formation to stimulate hydrocarbon production from a wellbore. A liquid column in the wellbore is driven into the formation by a gas generator to propagate the fracture. The gas generator can be compressed gas or propellant which is placed within the wellbore near or in the liquid column. Preferably the gas generator is placed in the wellbore above the production zone. The gas generator can be conveyed via tubing, wireline, or coiled tubing. Typically the liquid is brine, water or oil. The liquid can be a resin to consolidate a weak formation, sand and gel to prop a fracture, or acid to etch a fracture face. The overbalance technique has applications to cased and openhole wellbores. In cased wellbores, the technique can be performed as the casing is perforated or after the casing is perforated.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.