Wellbore pressure transducer

Patent · Tue Nov 08 04:00:00 EST 1977

OSTI ID:6568339

Shuck, L Z

Subterranean earth formations containing energy values are subjected to hydraulic fracturing procedures to enhance the recovery of the energy values. These fractures are induced in the earth formation by pumping liquid into the wellbore penetrating the earth formation until the pressure of the liquid is sufficient to fracture the earth formation adjacent to the wellbore. The present invention is directed to a transducer which is positionable within the wellbore to generate a signal indicative of the fracture initiation useful for providing a timing signal to equipment for seismic mapping of the fracture as it occurs and for providing a measurement of the pressure at which the fracture is initiated. The present invention relates generally to apparatus employed in the fracturing of subterranean earth formations and, more particularly, to a transducer which may be inserted into the wellbore so as to provide a signal at the surface indicative of the initiation of the fracture. In the recovery of energy values, such as petroleum, from subterranean earth formations, it has been a common practice to fracture the earth formation to enhance the recovery of the energy values. The usual procedure for fracturing the earth formation is to introduce a high-pressure fluid into a wellbore until the pressure of the fluid is sufficient to rupture the subterranean earth formation and extend a fracture therefrom into the earth formation for distances up to several hundred feet. This allows for increased recovery of the energy values due to the increased exposure of the earth formation to drainage paths. During the fracturing procedure, it is desirable to provide a mapping of the fracture with respect to its directional orientation and configuration away from the wellbore. Seismology procedures have been valuable for showing or providing such a description of the fracture as it is initiated and extends away from the wellbore.

• Assignee: Dept. of Energy
• Patent Number(s): None
• OSTI ID: 6568339
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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COMMINUTION
ENERGY SOURCES
ENHANCED RECOVERY
FAILURES
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FRACTURES
FRACTURING
FUEL GAS
FUELS
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GASES
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NATURAL GAS
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PETROLEUM
TRANSDUCERS
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