Mapping fracture dimensions
US7134492B2 · kind B2 · utility
53Cited by
13References
30Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 14, 2004 |
| Grant date | Nov 14, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 26, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B43/267
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
Hydraulic fracture dimensions and, optionally, fracture closure pressure and time are determined by adding particulate matter that discharges to create an acoustic signal to the proppant, allowing the particulate matter to discharge, and detecting the acoustic signal with geophones or accelerometers. The particulate matter may be spheres or fibers. The discharge may be explosion, implosion, detonation, or rapid combustion or ignition. The discharge may be triggered by fracture closure or by chemical reaction.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.