Method for Generating Self-Propped Hydraulic Fractures
AssigneeQuidnet Energy Inc.
InventorsHoward Schmidt, Scott Wright, Bunker Hill, Henry Lau
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Abstract
A method for generating self-propped hydraulic fractures. In one embodiment, the method comprises injecting three fluid stages sequentially, each with successively higher viscosity, comprising a pad, a sealing slurry, and a displacement fluid which may be referred to as a sweep. Compositions of each of the three fluid stages are provided, each of which may be selected based upon characteristics of the formation being treated or upon one or more characteristics of the desired fracture.
Claims19
A method of generating a self-propped hydraulic fracture, comprising:
- injecting a first fluid into a wellbore, wherein the first fluid has a viscosity from one to one thousand centipoise;
- injecting a second fluid into the wellbore, wherein the second fluid has a viscosity from ten to five thousand centipoise and is loaded between 5% and 30% by weight with particles of varying composition;
- and
- injecting a third fluid into the wellbore, wherein the third fluid has a viscosity of one hundred to one million centipoise;
- wherein the three fluids are injected such that each successive injection fluid has a viscosity equal to or greater than the viscosity of the preceding fluid.
A method of generating a self-propped hydraulic fracture, comprising:
- injecting a first fluid into a wellbore, wherein the first fluid has a viscosity from one to one thousand centipoise;
- injecting a second fluid into the wellbore, wherein the second fluid has a viscosity from ten to five thousand centipoise and is loaded between 5% and 30% by weight with particles of varying composition and
- injecting a third fluid into the wellbore, wherein the third fluid has a viscosity of one hundred to one million centipoise and comprises a chemical component which causes the third fluid’s viscosity to reduce, or break, over a predetermined period of time;
- wherein the three fluids are injected such that each successive injection fluid has a viscosity equal to or greater than the viscosity of the preceding fluid.
A method of generating a self-propped hydraulic fracture, comprising:
- injecting a first fluid into a wellbore, wherein the first fluid has a viscosity from one to one thousand centipoise;
- injecting a second fluid into the wellbore, wherein the second fluid begins as a fluid with viscosity from ten to five thousand centipoise but becomes more viscous, or even solid, over time;
- and is loaded between 5%-30% by weight with particles of varying composition;
- and
- injecting a third fluid into the wellbore, wherein the third fluid has a viscosity of one hundred to one million centipoise, has a chemical breaker which reduces its viscosity over time, and contains particles between 0.01% and 5% by weight;
- wherein the three fluids are injected such that each successive injection fluid has a viscosity equal to or greater than the viscosity of the preceding fluid, and may also sequentially exhibit greater shear thickening behavior.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.