Cold fluid hydraulic fracturing process for mineral bearing formations

Patent · Tue Apr 28 00:00:00 EDT 1987

OSTI ID:6591629

Perkins, T K

A method is described for hydraulically fracturing a subterranean formation region to stimulate the production of recoverable fluids comprising the steps of: providing a wellbore extending into the formation region and means for conducting fluid between the wellbore and the formation region; injecting a relatively cold liquid into the formation region through the wellbore at a rate which will result in substantial cooling of the formation region below the nominal preinjection temperature of the formation region so as to lower the stresses exerted within the formation region; increasing the pressure of the cold liquid being injected at a predetermined time after commencing injection of the cold liquid to a valve which will initiate a fracture in the cooled portion of the formation region; injecting a leakoff control agent with the cold liquid in sufficient amounts to provide further flooding of the formation region but to control the shape of the flood front progressing outward from the fracture; and injecting liquid into the fracture containing a quantity of proppant material for maintaining the fracture in a propped open condition upon release of pressure in the wellbore and the formation region due to the injected liquid.

• Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Co., Los Angeles, CA
• Patent Number(s): US 4660643
• OSTI ID: 6591629
• Resource Relation: Patent File Date: Filed date 13 Feb 1986
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
OIL WELLS
HYDRAULIC FRACTURING
COOLING
ENHANCED RECOVERY
FRACTURING FLUIDS
PETROLEUM
PRESSURIZING
PROPPING AGENTS
RESERVOIR TEMPERATURE
STRESS RELAXATION
TEMPERATURE CONTROL
WELL STIMULATION
COMMINUTION
CONTROL
ENERGY SOURCES
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FRACTURING
FUELS
RECOVERY
RELAXATION
STIMULATION
WELLS
020300* - Petroleum- Drilling & Production