Methods for recovering light hydrocarbons from shale using thermally-induced microfractures
US9664023B1 · kind B1 · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 22, 2016 |
| Grant date | May 30, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 22, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B43/2605
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
One or more specific embodiments herein includes a method for hydraulically re-fracturing a shale formation comprising injecting oxidizer through a horizontal wellbore into a fracture in the shale formation comprising pores containing hydrocarbon gas or liquid, and recovering some of the hydrocarbon gas or liquid from the shale formation. Some of the injected oxidizer combusts and increases the temperature of a portion of the shale formation and of the hydrocarbon gas or liquid contained in some of the pores in the shale formation, at least some of the hydrocarbon liquid is heated and turns to hydrocarbon gas, the pressure of some of the hydrocarbon gas increases to a point sufficient to cause formation of new fractures, and some of the hydrocarbon gas passes from the pores through some of the new fractures and can be thereafter recovered. Preferably, one or more specific embodiments further comprises injecting hydraulic fracturing fluid into the first fracture after the one or more second fractures is formed, sometimes referred to as re-fracing.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.