Methods of hydraulic fracturing and of propping fractures in subterranean formations
AssigneeHalliburton Energy Services, Inc.
InventorsPhilip D. Nguyen, Jimmie D. Weaver, Ron A. Gibson, Johnny A. Barton
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Abstract
A method of propping at least one fracture in a subterranean formation, that comprises forming a plurality of proppant aggregates, each proppant aggregate comprising a binding fluid and a filler material, and introducing the plurality of proppant aggregates into the at least one fracture, is provided. Methods of fracturing a subterranean formation also are provided.
Claims65
A method of fracturing a subterranean formation penetrated by a well bore, comprising:
- introducing a fracturing fluid into the well bore at or above a pressure sufficient to create or enhance at least one fracture in the subterranean formation;
- forming a plurality of proppant aggregates, each proppant aggregate comprising a binding fluid and a filler material;
- and
- introducing the plurality of proppant aggregates into the at least one fracture, wherein the plurality of proppant aggregates are introduced into the at least one fracture so that each fracture is a high porosity propped fracture having a porosity of at least about 40%.
A method of fracturing a subterranean formation penetrated by a well bore, comprising:
- introducing a fracturing fluid into the well bore at or above a pressure sufficient to create or enhance at least one fracture in the subterranean formation;
- forming a plurality of proppant aggregates, each proppant aggregate comprising a curable resin composition and a filler material, the curable resin composition comprising a resin;
- and p1 introducing the plurality of proppant aggregates into the at least one fracture, wherein the plurality of proppant aggregates are introduced into the at least one fracture so that each fracture is a high porosity propped fracture having a porosity of at least about 40%.
A method of fracturing a subterranean formation penetrated by a well bore, comprising:
- introducing a fracturing fluid into the well bore at or above a pressure sufficient to create or enhance at least one fracture in the subterranean formation;
- forming a plurality of proppant aggregates, each proppant aggregate comprising an aqueous gel and a filler material;
- and
- introducing the plurality of proppant aggregates into the at least one fracture.
A method of propping at least one fracture in a subterranean formation, comprising:
- forming a plurality of proppant aggregates, each proppant aggregate comprising a binding fluid and a filler material;
- and
- introducing the plurality of proppant aggregates into the at least one fracture, wherein the plurality of proppant aggregates are introduced into the at least one fracture so that each fracture is a high porosity propped fracture having a porosity of at least about 40%.
A method of propping at least one fracture in a subterranean formation, comprising:
- forming a plurality of proppant aggregates, each proppant aggregate comprising a binding fluid and a filler material, wherein the filler material is present in each proppant aggregate in an amount in the range of from about 1 pound to about 35 pounds per gallon of the binding fluid present in each proppant aggregate;
- suspending the plurality of proppant aggregates in a carrier fluid;
- introducing the carrier fluid into the at least one fracture, the carrier fluid containing the plurality of proppant aggregates suspended therein;
- depositing at least a portion of the proppant aggregates within the at least one fracture;
- and
- recovering at least a portion of the carrier fluid from the at least one fracture.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.