Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Formation fracturing technique using liquid proppant carrier followed by foam

Patent ·
OSTI ID:6534236
A process is described of hydraulically fracturing a subterranean formation penetrated by a well extending into the earth, comprising: initiating and propagating a vertical fracture in the formation by pumping into the well a mixture of a proppant and a fracturing liquid selected from the group consisting of gelled water and gelled liquid hydrocarbons at a pressure greater than the fracturing pressure and at a substantial volume; and terminating the fracturing process and closing the fracture on the proppant including ceasing the pumping of the mixture of proppant and fracturing liquid into the well and commencing the pumping of a predetermined quantity of foam into the well; and then backflowing at least a substantial quantity of the foam from the formation; and finally, shutting the well in.
Assignee:
NOV; EDB-87-107117; NOV-87-063217
Patent Number(s):
US 4665982
OSTI ID:
6534236
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English