Shale treatment
AssigneeCleansorb Limited
InventorRalph Edmund HARRIS
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present technology relates to a process for enhancing hydrocarbon production from a shale formation. In particular, the present technology relates to a process wherein a treatment fluid comprising a water soluble delayed release carbonate-dissolving agent is introduced into the shale formation after or as part of a hydraulic fracturing process. The present technology also relates to a treatment fluid that can be used in such a process.
Claims21
A process for enhancing hydrocarbon production from a shale formation that comprises carbonate material, which process comprises:
- (a) providing a treatment fluid that comprises a water soluble, delayed release carbonate-dissolving agent that is dissolved in the treatment fluid;
- (b) introducing the treatment fluid into the shale formation
- (i) as part of a hydraulic fracturing process, wherein the treatment fluid contains a proppant but no other particulate material or wherein the treatment fluid contains no particulate material;
- or
- (ii) after a hydraulic fracturing process, wherein the treatment fluid contains no particulate material;
- and
- (c) allowing the water soluble, delayed release carbonate-dissolving agent to hydrolyze to produce an organic acid and/or a chelating agent to dissolve at least a portion of the carbonate material in microfractures comprised within the shale formation.
-10. (canceled)
A process for enhancing hydrocarbon production from a shale formation that comprises carbonate material, which process comprises:
- (a) providing a treatment fluid that comprises a water soluble delayed release carbonate-dissolving agent that is dissolved in the treatment fluid;
- (b) introducing the treatment fluid into the shale formation, wherein the treatment fluid contains no particulate material;
- and
- (c) allowing the water soluble delayed release carbonate-dissolving agent to hydrolyze to produce an organic acid or a chelating agent to dissolve at least a portion of the carbonate material in microfractures comprised within the shale formation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.