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US 9,556,721 B2Granted
Dual-pump formation fracturing
AssigneeSchlumberger Technology Corporation
InventorsIn Chul Jang, Mark Milkovisch
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods comprising conveying a downhole tool within a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation, wherein the downhole tool comprises a first pump and a second pump, and wherein at least one operational capability of the first and second pumps is substantially different. A fracture is initiated in the subterranean formation by pumping fluid into the formation using the first pump. The fracture is propagated in the subterranean formation by pumping fluid into the formation using the second pump.
Claims16
A method, comprising:
- conveying a downhole tool within a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation, wherein the downhole tool comprises a first pump and a second pump both disposed within the downhole tool, and wherein the second pump has a larger displacement than the first pump;
- isolating a portion of the wellbore comprising inflating a pair of external packers of the downhole tool positioned on opposing sides of an outlet of a probe;
- initiating a fracture in the subterranean formation after isolating the portion of the wellbore by pumping fluid into the formation using the first pump via the probe, wherein initiating the fracture using the first pump comprises pumping fluid into the isolated portion of the wellbore;
- stopping operation of the first pump in response to detecting initiation of the fracture;
- propagating the fracture in the subterranean formation by pumping fluid into the formation using the second pump via the probe, wherein propagating the fracture using the second pump comprises pumping fluid into the isolated portion of the wellbore;
- measuring a fracture pressure of the formation after initiating the fracture but before propagating the fracture;
- and
- measuring a closure pressure of the formation after propagating the fracture.
5 more elements
A method, comprising:
- conveying a downhole tool to a first depth within a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation, wherein the downhole tool comprises a first pump and a second pump both disposed within the downhole tool, and wherein the second pump has a larger displacement than the first pump;
- and
- without further conveying the downhole tool within the wellbore:
- isolating a portion of the wellbore;
- pumping fluid into the isolated portion of the wellbore with the first pump via a probe utilizing a first flow rate and a first pressure to initiate a fracture in the subterranean formation after isolating the portion of the wellbore;
- stopping operation of the first pump and enabling operation of the second pump in response to detecting initiation of the fracture;
- pumping fluid into the isolated portion of the wellbore with at least the second pump via the probe utilizing a second flow rate and a second pressure to propagate the fracture;
- measuring a fracture pressure of the formation after initiating the fracture but before propagating the fracture;
- and
- measuring a closure pressure of the formation after propagating the fracture.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.