Hydraulic fracturing method employing a fines control technique

Patent · Tue Nov 18 04:00:00 EST 1986

OSTI ID:7200215

Stowe, L R

A method is described for controlling fines or sand in an unconsolidated or loosely consolidated formation or reservoir penetrated by at least one wellbore where hydraulic fracturing is used in combination with control of the critical salinity rate and the critical fluid flow velocity. The method comprises: (a) placing at least one wellbore in the reservoir; (b) hydraulically fracturing the formation via the wellbore with a fracturing fluid which creates at least one fracture; (c) placing a proppant comprising a gravel pack into the fracture; (d) determining the critical salinity rate and the critical fluid flow velocity of the formation or reservoir surrounding the wellbore; (e) injecting a saline solution into the formation or reservoir at a velocity exceeding the critical fluid flow velocity and at a saline concentration sufficient to cause the fines or particles to be transferred and fixed deep wihtin the formation or reservoir without plugging the formation, fracture, or wellbore; and (f) producing a hydrocarbonaceous fluid from the formation or reservoir at a velocity such that the critical flow velocity is not exceeded deep within the formation, fracture, or wellbore.

• Assignee: Mobil Oil Corp., New York, NY
• Patent Number(s): US 4623021
• OSTI ID: 7200215
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
COMMINUTION
CRITICAL FLOW
CRITICAL VELOCITY
DEPTH
DIMENSIONS
ENERGY SOURCES
ENHANCED RECOVERY
FLOW RATE
FLUID FLOW
FLUID INJECTION
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FRACTURING
FRACTURING FLUIDS
FUELS
HYDRAULIC FRACTURING
OIL WELLS
PETROLEUM
PROPPING AGENTS
RECOVERY
SALINITY
SAND CONSOLIDATION
STIMULATION
VELOCITY
WELL STIMULATION
WELLS