Method of forming a plurality of spaced substantially parallel fractures from a deviated well bore
This patent describes a method of forming a plurality of spaced substantially parallel fractures in a subterranean formation from a deviated well bore penetrating the formation. It comprises the steps of: drilling a substantially vertical well bore into the formation; forming a fracture in the formation by applying hydraulic pressure to the formation by way of the well bore; determining the in situ least principal stress direction in the formation from the fracture; drilling a deviated well bore from the substantially vertical well bore into the formation at an angle and in a direction substantially parallel to the in situ least principal stress direction in the formation; placing casing in the deviated well bore; creating a plurality of spaced fracture initiation points in the well bore by forming a set of perforations of a predetermined number and size through the casing into the formation at the location of each of the fracture initiation points whereby a limited known flow rate of fracturing fluid will flow through each set of perforations at the initiation points upon the application of hydraulic pressure under predetermined conditions thereto; and simultaneously applying hydraulic pressure under the predetermined conditions to all of the sets of perforations at the fracture initiation points to simultaneously form a plurality of spaced substantially parallel fractures in the formation extending in direction transverse to the in situ least principal stress direction from the well bore.
- Assignee:
- Halliburton Co., Duncan, OK
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4850431
- Application Number:
- PPN: US 7190806A
- OSTI ID:
- 5463770
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: 6 May 1988
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Anomalous fracture-extension pressure in granitic rocks
Method to create parallel vertical fractures in inclined wellbores