# US 8,783,350 B2 · Processes for fracturing a well > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,783,350 B2 - Document ID: US8783350B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/210,473 - Filed: 2011-08-16 - Published: 2013-02-21 - Granted: 2014-07-22 - Earliest claimed: 2011-08-16 - Assignees: Marathon Oil Company - Applicants: Philip M Snider - Inventors: Philip M Snider - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8783350B2 ## CPC - E21B 43/26: by forming crevices or fractures - E21B 23/06: for setting packers - E21B 33/124: Units with longitudinally-spaced plugs for isolating the intermediate space - E21B 33/1285: {by fluid pressure} - E21B 43/12: Methods or apparatus for controlling the flow of the obtained fluid to or in wells (E21B43/25 takes precedence; valve arrangements E21B34/00) - E21B 43/14: Obtaining from a multiple-zone well - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS ## Abstract Processes and systems for fracturing a formation are disclosed. Tools that may be selectively opened and closed are positioned on a tubular liner that in turn is positioned within a subterranean well bore. Separate pairs of packers are also attached to and positioned along the tubular liner so as to straddle each tool. Fracturing fluid is pumped from the surface through the tubular and open tool and past a pair of packers at a temperature and injection rate which causes contraction of the tubular liner. Thereafter, the velocity of the fracturing fluid is sufficient to set the pair of packers adjacent the open tool. Continued pumping of fracturing fluid is directed by the set packers into the adjacent subterranean environs at a pressure sufficient to fracture the subterranean environs. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A process comprising: pumping a first volume of fracturing fluid through at least a portion of tubing positioned in a subterranean well bore and through a first port in the tubing at a velocity sufficient to deform two first packers that are carried on said tubing into sealing engagement with the well bore, said first port being positioned between said two first packers; pumping said first volume of fracturing fluid through said first port at a pressure sufficient to fracture a subterranean environs; and thereafter pumping a second volume of fracturing fluid through at least the portion of tubing positioned in a subterranean well bore and through a second port in the tubing at a velocity sufficient to deform two second packers that are carried on said tubing into sealing engagement with the well bore, said second port being positioned between said two second packers. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1 wherein said first volume of fracturing fluid is directed into said subterranean environs adjacent said first port. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1 wherein said first port remains open while pumping the second volume of fracturing fluid through the second port. ### Claim 4 A process comprising: pumping a stimulation fluid through a liner positioned in an open hole of a subterranean well for a period of time sufficient to allow a majority of movement of said liner due to a change in temperature and pressure caused by the stimulation fluid to occur; and thereafter increasing the rate at which the stimulation fluid is pumped to actuate at least one packer that is positioned on the exterior of said liner. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The process of claim 4 wherein said open hole is substantially horizontal. ### Claim 6 A process comprising: pumping a first volume of fracturing fluid within an annulus formed between a subterranean well bore and a tubular positioned within said subterranean well bore at a velocity sufficient to deform two first packers into sealing engagement with the well bore; pumping at least a portion of said first volume of fracturing fluid into said subterranean environs in proximity to said at least one first packer at a pressure sufficient to fracture said subterranean environs; and thereafter pumping a second volume of fracturing fluid within said annulus at a velocity sufficient to deform two second packers into sealing engagement with the well bore. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The process of claim 6 wherein said first volume of fracturing fluid is pumped through a first port in said tubular and said at least a portion of said first volume of fracturing fluid is directed into said subterranean environs adjacent said first port. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The process of claim 7 wherein said at least one first packer is two first packers and said first port is positioned between said two first packers. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The process of claim 6 wherein said subterranean well bore is an open hole. ### Claim 10 (depends on 6) The process of claim 6 wherein fluids produced from said subterranean environs is produced to the surface of the earth through said tubular. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The process of claim 10 wherein said at least one first packer is designed to inhibit flow in both directions along said annulus. ### Claim 12 A process comprising: actuating two first packers into sealing engagement with a subterranean well bore adjacent a first opened port in a tubular positioned in said subterranean wellbore, said actuation caused by the flow rate of fracturing fluid and, said tubular having a plurality of closed ports and packers adjacent to each of said plurality of closed ports which are not actuated. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The process of claim 12 further comprising: actuating at least one second packer into sealing engagement with said subterranean well bore adjacent a second opened port in a the tubular positioned in said subterranean well bore. ### Claim 14 A process comprising: pumping a first volume of fracturing fluid through at least a portion of tubing positioned in a subterranean well bore at a velocity sufficient to deform at least one packer that is carried on said tubing into sealing engagement with the well bore, wherein said first volume of fracturing fluid is pumped through a first port in said tubing; and thereafter, pumping said first volume of fracturing fluid at a pressure sufficient to fracture a subterranean environs, wherein said first volume of fracturing fluid is directed into said subterranean environs adjacent said first port; closing said first port; pumping a second volume of fracturing fluid through at least a portion of the tubing positioned in the subterranean well bore at a velocity sufficient to deform at least one second packer that is carried on said tubing into sealing engagement with the well bore; and thereafter, pumping said second volume of fracturing fluid at a pressure sufficient to fracture a subterranean environs. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The process of claim 14 wherein said first volume of fracturing fluid is pumped through a second port in said tubing and said first volume of fracturing fluid is directed into said subterranean environs adjacent said second port. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The process of claim 15 wherein two packers are carried on said tubing and said second port is positioned between said two packers. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The process of claim 14 wherein said first port is closed by blocking the interior of the tubing string between the first port and the second port. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The process of claim 17 wherein said second volume of fracturing fluid is pumped through a second port in said tubing and said second volume of fracturing fluid is directed into said subterranean environs adjacent said second port. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The process of claim 18 wherein two packers are carried on said tubing and said second port is positioned between said two packers. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The process of claim 17 wherein said subterranean well bore is an open hole. ### Claim 21 (depends on 17) The process of claim 17 wherein fluids from said subterranean environs are produced to the surface of the earth through said tubular. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The process of claim 21 wherein said at least one second packer is designed to inhibit flow in both directions along said annulus. ### Claim 23 (depends on 17) The process of claim 17 wherein the interior of the tubing string is fully blocked. ### Claim 24 A process comprising: pumping a first volume of fracturing fluid through a first port in a tubular positioned within a subterranean well bore and within an annulus formed between the subterranean well bore and the tubular at a velocity sufficient to deform at least one first packer into sealing engagement with the well bore; and thereafter, pumping at least a portion of said first volume of fracturing fluid into said subterranean environs adjacent said first port and in proximity to said at least one first packer at a pressure sufficient to fracture said subterranean environs; closing said first port; pumping a second volume of fracturing fluid within said annulus at a velocity sufficient to deform at least one second packer into sealing engagement with the well bore; and thereafter, pumping at least a portion of said second volume of fracturing fluid into said subterranean environs in proximity to said at least one second packer at a pressure sufficient to fracture said subterranean environs. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The process of claim 24 wherein said second volume of fracturing fluid is directed into said subterranean environs adjacent said second port. ### Claim 26 (depends on 24) The process of claim 24 wherein said first port is closed by blocking the interior of the tubing string between the first port and the second port. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The process of claim 26 wherein the interior of the tubing string is fully blocked.