Rheology controlled heterogeneous particle placement in hydraulic fracturing
US7798224B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 27, 2007 |
| Grant date | Sep 21, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 18, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC09K2208/30
- WIPO fieldBasic materials chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A method of treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore includes preparing a treatment fluid with shear thinning, non-monotonic rheological properties, injecting the treatment fluid into the subterranean formation, and inducing shear rate softening phase transition in the treatment fluid. The non-monotonic rheology properties can be such that in the relationship between shear stress (σ) versus strain rate ({dot over (γ)}), where {dot over (γ)}1<{dot over (γ)}2<{dot over (γ)}3<{dot over (γ)}4, the shear stress values are σ1<σ2σ3≦σ4, and σ3<σ2 The method can heterogeneously deposit proppant or solid acid in a fracture. A system to fracture a subterranean formation includes the fracturing fluid, a wellbore to inject the fracturing fluid to propagate a fracture in the formation, and a rate controller to inject the fracturing fluid into the subterranean formation at a minimum volumetric rate to provide a shear stress at an inlet to the fracture that exceeds σ2. The method and system can achieve heterogeneous particle placement with either proppant or solid acid.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.