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US 2003/0196800 A1Published application
Tracking of particulate flowback in subterranean wells
AssigneeHalliburton Energy Services, Inc.
InventorsPhilip D. Nguyen, Jimmie D. Weaver, Johnny A. Barton
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Compositions and methods for tracking the transport of particulate solids during the production of hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation.
Claims37
A method of treating a subterranean formation having multiple zones penetrated by a well bore comprising:
- providing a plurality of particulate compositions comprising a particulate material and a tracking material, wherein the tracking material is selected from the group consisting of metals, metal salts of organic acids, phosphorescent pigments, fluorescent pigments, photoluminescent pigments, oil soluble dyes, oil dispersible dyes and oil dispersible pigments, and wherein each particulate composition comprises a different tracking material;
- introducing a different particulate composition into each zone in the subterranean formation through a well bore;
- flowing fluid back from the subterranean formation whereby at least a portion of at least one of the particulate compositions flows back from the subterranean formation;
- and
- identifying each zone in which the at least one particulate composition was introduced by detecting the tracking compositions coated on the particulate composition or in the fluid that flows back from the subterranean formation.
2 more elements
A method of propping multiple fractures in a subterranean formation penetrated by a well bore comprising:
- placing a proppant composition in each fracture in the subterranean formation, wherein each proppant composition comprises particulate material and a tracking composition, and wherein each proppant composition comprises a different tracking composition;
- flowing fluid back from the subterranean formation whereby at least a portion of at least one of the proppant compositions flows back from the subterranean formation;
- and
- identifying each fracture in which the at least one proppant composition was placed by detecting the tracking compositions coated on the particulate or in the fluid that flows back from the subterranean formation.
1 more element
A traceable proppant composition for treating a subterranean formation having multiple zones penetrated by a well bore comprising:
- a particulate material;
- and
- a tracking material, wherein the tracking material is selected from the group consisting of metals, metal salts of organic acids, phosphorescent pigments, fluorescent pigments, photoluminescent pigments, oil soluble dyes, oil dispersible dyes and oil dispersible pigments.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.