Patent · US Active

Method of fracturing multiple zones within a well

US9121272B2 · kind B2 · utility

15Cited by
24References
52Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 5, 2011
Grant dateSep 1, 2015
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 3, 2033

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
  • CPC primaryE21B43/14
  • WIPO fieldCivil engineering
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A method of fracturing multiple zones within a wellbore formed in a subterranean formation is carried out by forming flow-through passages in two or more zones within the wellbore that are spaced apart from each other along the length of a portion of the wellbore. The flow-through passages within each zone have different characteristics provided by orienting the flow-through passages in directions in each of the two or more zones relative to a selected direction to provide differences in fracture initiation pressures within each of the two or more zones. A fracturing fluid is introduced into the wellbore in a fracturing treatment. The fracturing fluid in the fracturing treatment is provided at a pressure that is above the fracture initiation pressure of one of the two or more zones to facilitate fracturing of said one of two or more zones while remaining below the fracture initiation pressure of any other non-fractured zones of the two or more zones. The process is repeated for at least one or more non-fractured zones of the two or more zones.

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