Hydraulic fracturing method employing a fines control technique

Patent · Tue Nov 18 00:00:00 EST 1986

OSTI ID:7200215

Stowe, L R

A method is described for controlling fines or sand in an unconsolidated or loosely consolidated formation or reservoir penetrated by at least one wellbore where hydraulic fracturing is used in combination with control of the critical salinity rate and the critical fluid flow velocity. The method comprises: (a) placing at least one wellbore in the reservoir; (b) hydraulically fracturing the formation via the wellbore with a fracturing fluid which creates at least one fracture; (c) placing a proppant comprising a gravel pack into the fracture; (d) determining the critical salinity rate and the critical fluid flow velocity of the formation or reservoir surrounding the wellbore; (e) injecting a saline solution into the formation or reservoir at a velocity exceeding the critical fluid flow velocity and at a saline concentration sufficient to cause the fines or particles to be transferred and fixed deep wihtin the formation or reservoir without plugging the formation, fracture, or wellbore; and (f) producing a hydrocarbonaceous fluid from the formation or reservoir at a velocity such that the critical flow velocity is not exceeded deep within the formation, fracture, or wellbore.

• Assignee: Mobil Oil Corp., New York, NY
• Patent Number(s): US 4623021
• OSTI ID: 7200215
• Resource Relation: Patent File Date: Filed date 14 Nov 1984
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
OIL WELLS
HYDRAULIC FRACTURING
CRITICAL FLOW
CRITICAL VELOCITY
DEPTH
ENHANCED RECOVERY
FLOW RATE
FLUID INJECTION
FRACTURING FLUIDS
PETROLEUM
PROPPING AGENTS
SALINITY
SAND CONSOLIDATION
WELL STIMULATION
COMMINUTION
DIMENSIONS
ENERGY SOURCES
FLUID FLOW
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FRACTURING
FUELS
RECOVERY
STIMULATION
VELOCITY
WELLS
020300* - Petroleum- Drilling & Production