Methods for Etching Fractures and Microfractures in Shale Formations
AssigneeHalliburton Energy Services, Inc.
InventorsPhilip D. NGUYEN, Jim D. WEAVER
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of treating a subterranean formation includes providing a treatment fluid comprising particles of at least one of a hydrolysable in-situ acid generator and a hydrolysable in-situ chelating agent generator. The treatment fluid is combined with a carrier fluid and is introduced into a subterranean formation. The particles are placed in fractures or microfractures where, upon the hydrolyzing of the acid or chelating agent generator, etching of the faces of the fractures or microfractures occurs.
Claims20
A method of treating a wellbore in a subterranean formation comprising:
- providing a first fluid comprising particles of at least one of a hydrolysable in-situ acid generator, a hydrolysable in-situ chelating agent generator, and mixtures thereof;
- providing a carrier fluid;
- placing a first stream comprising the first fluid and the carrier fluid into a zone in a shale formation, said zone comprising at least one of fractures and microfractures;
- allowing at least one component of said first stream to hydrolyze;
- and
- etching the faces of the at least one of fractures and microfractures.
A method comprising:
- placing a first stream comprising particles of at least one of a hydrolysable in-situ acid generator, a hydrolysable in-situ chelating agent generator, and mixtures thereof, and a carrier fluid into a wellbore in a subterranean formation, said formation comprising at least one of fractures and microfractures;
- allowing at least one component of said first stream to hydrolyze;
- and
- etching the faces of the at least one of fractures and microfractures.
A method comprising:
- providing a wellbore in a subterranean formation comprising at least one of fractures and microfractures;
- providing a tackifying agent;
- providing a first carrier fluid;
- placing a first stream comprising the tackifying agent and the first carrier fluid into a shale formation to contact the at least one of fracture faces and microfracture faces;
- providing a first treatment comprising particles of at least one of a hydrolysable in-situ acid generator, a hydrolysable in-situ chelating agent generator, and mixtures thereof;
- providing a second carrier fluid;
- placing a second stream comprising the first treatment component and second carrier fluid into a zone in the shale formation, said zone comprising at least one of fractures and microfractures;
- allowing at least one component of said first treatment component to hydrolyze;
- and
- etching the faces of the at least one of fractures and microfractures.
A well treatment system comprising:
- a well treatment apparatus configured to:
- provide a first fluid comprising particles of at least one of a hydrolysable in-situ acid generator, a hydrolysable in-situ chelating agent generator, and mixtures thereof;
- provide a carrier fluid;
- place a first stream comprising the first fluid and the carrier fluid into a zone in a shale formation, said zone comprising at least one of fractures and microfractures;
- allow at least one component of said first stream to hydrolyze;
- and
- etch the faces of the at least one of fractures and microfractures.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.