Hydraulic fracturing with a refractory proppant combined with salinity control

Patent · Tue Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 1989

OSTI ID:5323000

Jennings, Jr, A R; Stowe, L R

This patent describes a method for controlling fines or sand in an unconsolidated or loosely consolidated formation, or reservoir which method additionally improves heat transfer. It comprises: placing at least one wellbore in the formation; hydraulically fracturing the formation via the wellbore via a fracturing fluid which creates at least one fracture; placing a fused refractory proppant consisting essentially of silicon carbide or silicon nitride into the fracture which proppant gravel packs the fracture while providing for increased heat transfer into the formation; determining the critical salinity rate and the critical fluid flow velocity of the formation or reservoir surrounding the wellbore; 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 clay particles to be transferred and fixed deep within the formation or reservoir without plugging the formation, fracture or wellbore; and producing via a thermal oil recovery method 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 4852650
• Application Number: PPN: US 138173A
• OSTI ID: 5323000
• Resource Relation: Patent File Date: 28 Dec 1987
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
03 NATURAL GAS
NATURAL GAS WELLS
HYDRAULIC FRACTURING
OIL WELLS
ENHANCED RECOVERY
FRACTURING FLUIDS
PROPPING AGENTS
REFRACTORIES
SAND CONSOLIDATION
WELL STIMULATION
COMMINUTION
FLUIDS
FRACTURING
RECOVERY
STIMULATION
WELLS
020300* - Petroleum- Drilling & Production
030300 - Natural Gas- Drilling
Production
& Processing