Method of proppant placement in hydraulic fracturing treatment

Patent · Tue Aug 29 00:00:00 EDT 1978

OSTI ID:6794031

Slusser, M L

This specification discloses a hydraulic fracturing process for forming and propping a vertical fracture in a subterranean formation. This method is particularly applicable for large fracture treatments where fracturing fluids with little or no fluid loss additives are employed to extend long vertical fractures into the formation. It is also particularly applicable for refracturing a formation that has previously been fractured and propped with a proppant pack along the lower portion of the fracture. After a first proppant pack is deposited in the lower portion of the fracture, a slug of fracturing fluid liquid containing fluid loss additives is injected into the formation to deposit the fluid loss additives along the upper surface or leading edge of the proppant pack and thereby provide a seal along this upper edge of the proppant pack. Thereafter a high filter loss fracturing fluid with little or no fluid loss additives but containing proppants is injected via the well into the formation at a pressure and in an amount sufficient to extend the fracture further into the subterranean formation and prop the extended portion of the fracture.

• Assignee: Mobil Oil Corp.
• Patent Number(s): US 4109721
• OSTI ID: 6794031
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
03 NATURAL GAS
030900 -- Natural Gas-- Artificial Stimulation
Plowshare-- (-1989)
COMMINUTION
ENHANCED RECOVERY
FLUID INJECTION
FRACTURING
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
HYDRAULIC FRACTURING
INJECTION WELLS
NATURAL GAS DEPOSITS
NATURAL GAS WELLS
OIL WELLS
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
PROPPING AGENTS
RESOURCES
WELLS