# US 11,111,769 B2 · Process and system for enhanced depth penetration of an energy source

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- Number: US 11,111,769 B2
- Document ID: US11111769B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/718,818
- Filed: 2019-12-18
- Published: 2020-04-23
- Granted: 2021-09-07
- Earliest claimed: 2017-04-13
- Applicants: John Dean
- Inventors: John Dean
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11111769B2

## CPC

- E21B 43/267: reinforcing fractures by propping
- C04B 35/62807: {Silica or silicates}
- C04B 35/62839: {Carbon}
- C09K 8/64: Oil-based compositions
- C09K 8/665: {containing inorganic compounds (proppants C09K8/80)}
- C09K 8/805: {Coated proppants}
- E21B 43/003: {Vibrating earth formations}
- E21B 47/12: Means for transmitting measuring-signals or control signals from the well to the surface, or from the surface to the well, e.g. for logging while drilling
- G01V 3/24: using AC
- E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- C04B: LIME, MAGNESIA; SLAG; CEMENTS; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF, e.g. MORTARS, CONCRETE OR LIKE BUILDING MATERIALS; ARTIFICIAL STONE {(roofing granules E04D7/005)}; CERAMICS (devitrified glass-ceramics C03C10/00); REFRACTORIES; TREATMENT OF NATURAL STONE
- C09K: MATERIALS FOR MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATIONS, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
- G01V: GEOPHYSICS; GRAVITATIONAL MEASUREMENTS; DETECTING MASSES OR OBJECTS; TAGS (means for indicating the location of accidentally buried, e.g. snow-buried, persons A63B29/02)

## Abstract

A method for enhanced depth penetration of energy into a formation may include mechanically stimulating proppant in proppant-containing fractures in the formation at a first frequency to induce mechanical stress in the proppant and directing electromagnetic radiation at a second frequency into the proppant-containing fractures of the formation while mechanically stimulating the proppant, wherein the first frequency and the second frequency are the same or different and wherein the proppant includes silica.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method in a subsurface formation, comprising:
a) determining a target frequency of the formation, wherein the step of determining the target frequency of the formation comprises:
i) obtaining a sample of the formation;
ii) applying mechanical stimulation energy toward the sample at a testing frequency;
iii) measuring an impedance of the sample at the testing frequency;
iv) determining if the impedance of the sample is at a minimum;
v) altering the testing frequency if the impedance of the sample is not at the minimum;
vi) repeating steps ii)-v) until the impedance of the sample is at the minimum; and
vii) recording as the target frequency the testing frequency when the impedance of the sample is at the minimum;
b) deploying sensors configured to measure a depth of penetration of electromagnetic radiation in the formation;
c) mechanically stimulating the formation at the target frequency to induce mechanical stress in the formation;
d) directing the electromagnetic radiation at an electromagnetic frequency towards the formation while or after mechanically stimulating the formation at the target frequency in step c);
e) using the sensors to measure the depth of penetration of the electromagnetic radiation applied in step d);
f) adjusting the target frequency of the mechanical stimulation or the electromagnetic frequency based on the measurement made in step e).

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein step c) comprises using a mechanical stimulation source selected from the group consisting of piezoelectric generators, frac fluid with oscillating pressure waves, a vibration truck, and plasma sound sources.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the electromagnetic frequency is different from the target frequency.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further including a step of lifting hydrocarbons above the subsurface formation, with artificial lift or gas lift, for further processing.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further including a step of water flooding to direct a flow of hydrocarbons within the formation.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein one of the target frequency of the mechanical stimulation and the electromagnetic frequency is a resonant frequency of the formation.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the formation includes proppant-containing fractures and one of the target frequency of the mechanical stimulation and the electromagnetic frequency is a resonant frequency of the proppant.