Mechanical energy assisted hydraulic fracturing
OwnerJohn Mastroianniinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Technology for fracturing subterranean geological features during fracturing operations, which includes generating mechanical energy, propagating mechanical energy, and applying mechanical energy to the subterranean geological feature. Application of mechanical energy to the subterranean geological feature may lower fluid friction, extend fracture propagation, and enhance hydrocarbon recovery. Various mechanical energy sources may generate, propagate, and/or apply mechanical energy to the subterranean geological feature, including seismic vibrator trucks, variable-depth piers, surface piers, and scalable deep probes.
Claims20
A method of fracturing a subterranean geological feature, the method comprising:
- generating mechanical energy at a surface proximate to a wellbore, such that the mechanical energy propagates through a subsurface to the subterranean geological feature;
- applying the mechanical energy to the subterranean geological feature, such that the materials of the subterranean geological feature cyclically compress and dilate;
- and
- applying pressure to the subterranean geological feature.
A method of fracturing a subterranean geological feature, the method comprising:
- determining mechanical energy information;
- generating mechanical energy, based on the determined mechanical energy information, at a surface proximate to a wellbore, such that the mechanical energy propagates through a subsurface to the subterranean geological feature;
- and
- applying mechanical energy to the subterranean geological feature, such that the materials of the subterranean geological feature cyclically compress and dilate.
A method of fracturing a subterranean geological feature, the method comprising:
- generating mechanical energy at a surface proximate to a wellbore, such that the mechanical energy propagates through a subsurface to the subterranean geological feature;
- applying mechanical energy to the subterranean geological feature, such that the materials of the subterranean geological feature cyclically compress and dilate;
- and
- fracturing the subterranean geological feature.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.