Carbon dioxide fracturing process and apparatus
AssigneeL.H.B. Investment, Inc.
InventorsRonald S. Bullen, Allan T. Lillies
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Abstract
There is described a new and improved method of fracturing an underground stratigraphic formation penetrated by a well bore including the steps of pumping a stream of liquified gas into the formation to cause the fracturing thereof and then introducing proppants directly into the stream of liquified gas for injection of the proppants into the fractures. Prior to introducing the proppants into the liquid gas stream, they are cooled and pressurized to the storage temperature and pressure of the liquified gas.
Claims23
A method of fracturing an underground stratigraphic formation penetrated by a well bore comprising the steps of:
- pumping a stream of liquified gas into said formation to cause the fracturing thereof;
- introducing proppants into said stream of liquified gas for injection of said proppants into said fractures;
- and
- pressurizing and cooling said proppants to substantially the storage pressure and temperature of said liquified gas prior to introducing said proppants into said stream of liquified gas.
A method of propping open an hydraulically fractured underground stratigraphic formation penetrated by a well bore comprising the steps of:
- introducing propping agents into a stream of pressurized liquified gas, said propping agents themselves being pressurized and cooled to the pressure and temperature of the liquified gas, respectively, prior to said introduction;
- and
- pumping the mixture of said liquified gas and entrained propping agents down said well bore into said formation to deposit said proppants in the fractures formed in said formation.
Apparatus for hydraulically fracturing an underground stratigraphic formation penetrated by a well bore comprising:
- a high pressure pump for injecting a fracturing fluid down said well bore, said fluid comprising a liquified gas;
- first storage means to store said liquified gas under pressure;
- conduit means to provide fluid communication between said pump and said first storage means;
- second storage means to store proppants at a temperature and pressure substantially equal to the storage pressure and temperature of said liquified gas;
- and
- supply means to introduce the proppants from said second storage means into the liquified gas flowing through said conduit means.
A method of treating an underground stratigraphic formation penetrated by a well bore comprising the steps of:
- injecting a stream of liquified gas into said formation;
- introducing proppants into said stream of liquified gas for injection of said proppants into said formation;
- and
- pressurizing and cooling said proppants to substantially the storage pressure and temperature of said liquified gas prior to introducing said proppants into said stream of liquified gas.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.