Hydraulic fracturing method

Patent · Tue Apr 17 04:00:00 EST 1973

OSTI ID:6921766

Clampitt, R L

A method of fracturing a subterranean porous formation penetrated by a well bore consists of injecting down the well and into the formation, at a pressure sufficient to fracture the formation, a fracturing fluid comprising an aqueous gel. The gel consists of water to which has been added: a water-thickening amount of a water-soluble cellulose ether; a water-soluble compound of a polyvalent metal wherein the metal present is capable of being reduced to a lower polyvalent valence state and which is sufficient to gel said water when the valence of the metal is reduced to a lower valence state; and an amount of a water-soluble reducing agent which is effective to reduce at least a portion of the metal to a lower valence state. (25 claims)

• Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Co.
• Patent Number(s): US 3727688
• OSTI ID: 6921766
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
03 NATURAL GAS
030300 -- Natural Gas-- Drilling
Production
& Processing
ADDITIVES
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
COMMINUTION
ETHERS
FLUIDS
FRACTURING
HYDRAULIC FRACTURING
NATURAL GAS WELLS
OIL WELLS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
OXIDIZERS
VISCOSITY
WELL COMPLETION
WELLS