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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Fracturing to interconnect wells

Patent ·
OSTI ID:6048713
Wells in a substantially impermeable subterranean earth formation that tends to fracture along nonintersecting vertical planes of natural weakness are interconnected by initially fracturing at least one of the well boreholes along its vertical plane of natural weakness, filling the fracture with a granular material, and refracturing the well borehole by pumping in a viscous fluid at a rate causing the pressure to rise above the pressure at which the first fracture was formed. The second fracture is extended into communication with an adjacent well, or a fracture extending from the adjacent well. (12 claims)
Assignee:
Shell Oil Co.
Patent Number(s):
US 3682246
OSTI ID:
6048713
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English