Patent · US Active

Methods to create high conductivity fractures that connect hydraulic fracture networks in a well

US8607870B2 · kind B2 · utility

24Cited by
138References
29Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 19, 2010
Grant dateDec 17, 2013
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 22, 2031

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
  • CPC primaryE21B43/26
  • WIPO fieldCivil engineering
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

The invention discloses a method of treating a subterranean formation of a well bore, that provides a first treatment fluid; subsequently, pumps the first treatment fluid to initiate a network of low conductivity fractures in the subterranean formation; provides a second treatment fluid comprising a second carrier fluid, a particulate blend including a first amount of particulates having a first average particle size between about 100 and 2000 μm and a second amount of particulates having a second average particle size between about three and twenty times smaller than the first average particle size, such that a packed volume fraction of the particulate blend exceeds 0.74; and subsequently, pumps the second treatment fluid to initiate at least one high conductivity fracture in the subterranean formation, wherein the high conductivity fracture has a conductivity higher than the average of the conductivity of the low conductivity fractures and connects the network of the low conductivity fractures.

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