Method of fracturing using ultra lightweight proppant suspensions and gaseous streams

US8109336B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Baker Hughes Holdings LLC · US

Inventors

• Richard S. Wheeler · Ralls, US
• Chandler C. Newhall · Brighton, US
• Roger R. Myers · Oil City, US
• Brian N. Ward · Diemelstraße, US
• Brian B. Beall · Spring, US
• Harold Dean Brannon · Magnolia, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 28, 2011
• Grant date: Feb 7, 2012
• Expiry date: Mar 28, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C09K2208/30
• WIPO field: Basic materials chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

In a method of hydraulically fracturing a hydrocarbon-bearing subterranean formation, a proppant stage is introduced into the fracture which contains a gaseous fluid and an ultra lightweight proppant suspended in a viscosified aqueous fluid. The gaseous fluid of the proppant stage contains at least about 90 volume percent of the combination of gaseous fluid and aqueous fluid. A pad fluid may first be introduced into the formation, the pad fluid containing a gaseous fluid and, optionally, an aqueous fluid. The gaseous fluid of the pad fluid mixture typically contains at least 70 volume percent of the mixture.