Patent · US Active

Methods of increasing fracture resistance in low permeability formations

US9103206B2 · kind B2 · utility

1Cited by
9References
37Claims
0Family size

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Key dates

Filing dateAug 1, 2008
Grant dateAug 11, 2015
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 10, 2030

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
  • CPC primaryE21B33/138
  • WIPO fieldCivil engineering
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A method of increasing the fracture resistance of a low permeability formation that includes emplacing a wellbore fluid in a wellbore through the low permeability formation, the wellbore fluid comprising: a settable carrier fluid; and a solid particulate bridging material; increasing the pressure in the wellbore such that fractures are formed in the formation; allowing the settable carrier fluid to enter the fractures; bridging and sealing the mouths of the fractures to form a substantially impermeable bridge proximate the mouth of the fractures thereby strengthening the formation; and holding the increased pressure for an amount of time sufficient for setting of the carrier fluid in the fractures is disclosed.

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