Method and apparatus for stimulating a subterranean formation using liquefied natural gas
OwnerDavid Smithinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Liquefied natural gas is used as a fracturing fluid to stimulate production of hydrocarbons from and/or injectability of fluids into subterranean formations. Proppants may be blended with the LNG prior to pumping the liquefied natural gas into the well. Optionally, the liquefied natural gas is heated after it is pumped and before it is introduced into the subterranean formation.
Claims54
A fracturing fluid for stimulating hydrocarbon production from a subterranean formation, the fracturing fluid comprising liquefied natural gas.
A method of stimulating a subterranean formation to increase hydrocarbon production from the subterranean formation, the method comprising:
- drawing liquefied natural gas from a liquefied natural gas source;
- pumping the liquefied natural gas at a pressure and a flow rate high enough to induce fracturing of the subterranean formation;
- and
- conducting the natural gas into the subterranean formation.
A method of stimulating a subterranean formation to increase hydrocarbon production from the subterranean formation, the method comprising:
- drawing liquefied natural gas from a liquefied natural gas source;
- pumping the liquefied natural gas at a pressure and a flow rate high enough to induce fracturing of the subterranean formation;
- heating the liquefied natural gas while it is being pumped down the well;
- and
- conducting the natural gas into the subterranean formation.
A method of fracturing a well to stimulate production or injectability, comprising:
- connecting wellhead isolation equipment to a wellhead of the a well;
- pumping liquefied natural gas down through a tubular connected to the wellhead isolation equipment and suspended in the well to a subterranean formation at a pressure and a flow rate adequate to induce fracturing in the subterranean formation;
- removing the wellhead isolation equipment and connecting hydrocarbon production equipment to the wellhead;
- and
- producing hydrocarbons from the well to recover the natural gas and produce the hydrocarbons from the subterranean formation.
A method of fracturing a well to stimulate at least one of production of fluids and injectability of fluids, comprising the steps of:
- connecting wellhead isolation equipment to a wellhead of the well;
- pumping liquefied natural gas through a heat exchanger in fluid communication with the wellhead isolation equipment and a subterranean formation of the well at a pressure and a flow rate adequate to induce fracturing in the subterranean formation;
- removing the wellhead isolation equipment and connecting hydrocarbon production equipment to the wellhead;
- and
- producing hydrocarbons from the well to recover the natural gas and produce the hydrocarbons from the subterranean formation.
A fracturing fluid for stimulating a subterranean formation, the fracturing fluid comprising liquefied methane.
A method of stimulating a subterranean formation to increase the rate of fluid injectability of a subterranean formation, the method comprising:
- drawing liquefied natural gas from a liquefied natural gas source;
- pumping the liquefied natural gas at a pressure and a flow rate high enough to induce fracturing of the subterranean formation;
- and
- conducting the liquefied natural gas into the subterranean formation.
A method of fracturing a well to stimulate production or injectability of a subterranean formation, comprising:
- connecting wellhead isolation equipment to a wellhead of the a well;
- pumping liquefied natural gas down through a cryogenically compatible tubular connected to the wellhead isolation equipment and suspended in the well to a subterranean formation at a pressure and a flow rate adequate to induce fracturing in the subterranean formation;
- maintaining the wellhead isolation equipment, cryogenically compatible tubulars, insulated pipes, and cooling conduits, connected at the well site and in the well system to permit periodic injection of liquefied natural gas into the well.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.