Patent · US Active

Heterogeneous proppant placement in a fracture with removable extrametrical material fill

US9863230B2 · kind B2 · utility

29Cited by
13References
29Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 12, 2012
Grant dateJan 9, 2018
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 12, 2032

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
  • CPC primaryC09K8/80
  • WIPO fieldBasic materials chemistry
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A method of injecting well treatment fluid including proppant and proppant-spacing filler material through a wellbore into the fracture, heterogeneously placing the proppant in the fracture in a plurality of proppant clusters or islands spaced apart by the material, and removing the filler material to form open channels around the pillars for fluid flow from the formation through the fracture toward the wellbore. The proppant and channelant can be segregated within the well treatment fluid, or segregated during placement in the fracture. The filler material can be dissolvable particles, initially acting as a filler material during placement of the proppant in the fracture, and later dissolving to leave the flow channels between the proppant pillars. The well treatment fluid can include extrametrical materials to provide reinforcement and consolidation of the proppant and/or to inhibit settling of the proppant.

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