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

Process for the selective orientation of fractures created in underground geologic formations

Patent ·
OSTI ID:6543709

This process for fracturing underground geologic formations is characterized by the fact that the plane of maximum compression forces is modified from that of the natural tectonic pattern by the addition of artificial compression forces generated by injection of a liquid under pressure into a well drilled at a lateral spacing from a previously created fracture. Upon subsequent fracturing, this arrangement causes an orientation of the new fracture to the approx. perpendicular to that of the original fracture. This process is intended to facilitate the recovery of natural resources such as oil or gas.

Assignee:
Energy Research and Development Administration
Patent Number(s):
FR 2316430
OSTI ID:
6543709
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English