Use of sequential fracturing and controlled release of pressure to enhance production of oil from low permeability formations
AssigneeUnion Oil Company of California
InventorsAaron T. Rhoten, Matthew A. Norris, Gregory S. Craley, Paul E. Crossman, Anthonius W. Vervloet
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Abstract
Hydrocarbon production from a low permeability formation is increased by fracturing a production interval in the formation and restricting the release of pressure from the fracture to lengthen the time that the reservoir pressure remains above the fracture collapse pressure.
Claims49
A method for producing hydrocarbon from a hydrocarbon-containing subterranean formation, the method comprising the sequential steps of:
- (a) fracturing at least a portion of the subterranean formation with a first fluid by injecting the first fluid into the subterranean formation through a well;
- and
- (b) producing the hydrocarbon from the formation through the same well while restricting the release of pressure from the formation fractured in step (a) to lengthen the time that the reservoir pressure remains above the fracture collapse pressure.
A method for producing hydrocarbon from a hydrocarbon-containing subterranean formation, the method comprising the sequential steps of:
- (A) drilling and casing a wellbore which penetrates the subterranean formation;
- (B) perforating the casing at a first production interval in the subterranean formation to form a first set of perforations;
- (C) fracturing at least a portion of the subterranean formation with a first fluid by injecting the first fluid through the first set of perforations;
- (D) producing the hydrocarbon from the formation through the first set of perforations while restricting the release of pressure from the formation fractured in step (C) to lengthen the time that the reservoir pressure remains above the fracture collapse pressure;
- (E) isolating the first production interval within the wellbore with a material impervious to the first fluid;
- (F) perforating the casing at a second production interval in the wellbore;
- (G) fracturing at least a portion of the formation with a second fluid by injecting the second fluid through the second set of perforations to fracture at least a portion of the subterranean formation;
- and
- (H) producing the hydrocarbon from the formation through the second set of perforations while restricting the release of pressure from the formation fractured in step (G) to lengthen time that the reservoir pressure remains above the fracture collapse pressure.
A method for producing oil from an oil-containing low permeability formation, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) fracturing at least a portion of the formation with steam;
- and
- (b) producing the oil from the fractured formation through a means for controlling liquid flow while maintaining the temperature and pressure on the upstream side of, and adjacent to the liquid flow control means, at levels where steam does not form.
A method for producing oil from an oil-containing low permeability formation, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) fracturing at least a portion of the formation with a fluid selected from the group consisting of liquid water and gas by injecting the fluid into the subterranean formation through a well;
- and
- (b) producing oil from the formation through the same well while restricting the release of pressure from the formation fractured in step (a) to lengthen time that the reservoir pressure remains above the fracture collapse pressure.
A method for producing oil from an oil-containing, low permeability formation, the method comprising the sequential steps of:
- (a) drilling and casing a wellbore which penetrates the subterranean formation;
- (b) perforating the casing at a first production interval in the subterranean formation to form a first set of perforations;
- (c) fracturing at least a portion of the formation with a first fluid by injecting the fluid through the first set of perforations to fracture at least a portion of the subterranean formation;
- and
- (d) producing oil from the formation through the first set of perforations while restricting the release of pressure from the formation fractured in step c) to lengthen the time that the reservoir pressure remains above the fracture collapse pressure.
A method for producing hydrocarbon from a hydrocarbon-containing subterranean formation, the method comprising the sequential steps of:
- (a) fracturing at least a portion of the subterranean formation with a first fluid by injecting the first fluid into the subterranean formation through a well;
- and
- (b) producing the hydrocarbon from the formation through the same well while restricting the release of pressure from the formation fractured in step (a) to lengthen the time that the reservoir pressure remains above the fracture collapse pressure, wherein step (b) includes the steps of simultaneously producing a first portion of the hydrocarbon with the aid of artificial lift and producing a second portion of the hydrocarbon without the aid of artificial lift, commingling the first and second portions, monitoring the temperature or pressure of the commingled hydrocarbon fluids, and using the monitored temperature or pressure information to regulate the rate at which the first portion of the hydrocarbon is produced with the aid of the artificial lift.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.