Method of forming a plurality of spaced substantially parallel fractures from a deviated well bore

Patent · Tue Jul 25 04:00:00 EDT 1989

OSTI ID:5463770

Austin, C E; Rose, R E

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
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
03 NATURAL GAS
030300 -- Natural Gas-- Drilling
Production
& Processing
COMMINUTION
DIRECTIONAL DRILLING
DRILLING
FRACTURING
HYDRAULIC FRACTURING
NATURAL GAS WELLS
OIL WELLS
PRESSURIZING
STIMULATION
WELL CASINGS
WELL STIMULATION
WELLS