Sequential hydraulic fracturing of a subsurface formation

Patent · Tue Sep 26 04:00:00 EDT 1989

OSTI ID:7014619

Vogt, Jr, T C; Hale, M W; Sellers, J R

This patent describes a method for propagating a vertical hydraulic fracture in an earth formation surrounding a borehole wherein the original in-situ stresses favor a horizontal fracture. It comprises: pumping a first fracturing fluid into the formation at a first depth within the borehole so that a first fracturing pressure is applied to the formation by the first fracturing fluid to propagate a horizontal fracture as favored by the original in-situ stresses of the formation. The propagation of the horizontal fracture altering the original in-situ stresses in the formation; injecting a propping material into the horizontal fracture while maintaining the first fracturing pressure in the horizontal fracture in sufficient amount to prevent relaxation of the altered in-situ stresses in the formation after the pumping of the first fracturing fluid is terminated and the first fracturing pressure is removed; terminating the pumping of the first fracturing fluid into the horizontal fracture to remove the first fracturing pressure from the formation, pumping a second fracturing into the formation at a second depth within the borehole within the field of the altered in-situ stresses,; and terminating the pumping of the second fracturing fluid to the vertical fracture to remove the second fracturing pressure from the formation.

• Assignee: Mobil Oil Corp., New York, NY
• Patent Number(s): US 4869322
• Application Number: PPN: US 7-254560A
• OSTI ID: 7014619
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
COMMINUTION
ENERGY SOURCES
ENHANCED RECOVERY
FOSSIL FUELS
FRACTURING
FUELS
HYDRAULIC FRACTURING
OIL WELLS
PETROLEUM
PROPPING AGENTS
PUMPING
RECOVERY
STIMULATION
WELL STIMULATION
WELLS