Stimulation with natural gas
AssigneeSchlumberger Technology Corporation
InventorsJijo Joseph, Richard D. Hutchins, William Troy Huey, Joel Clinkscales, Philippe Enkababian, Alejandro Pena, George Waters, Salvador Ayala, J. Ernest Brown
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Apparatus, systems, and methods in which a fracturing fluid source is in fluid communication with a wellbore extending into a subterranean formation. A compressor has an input in fluid communication with a natural gas source, and has an output in fluid communication with the wellbore. The compressor is operable to compress natural gas received at the input for delivery at the output. A liquefied gas source is also in fluid communication with the wellbore.
Claims20
An apparatus, comprising:
- a fracturing fluid source in fluid communication with a wellbore extending into a subterranean formation, the fracturing fluid source comprising fracturing fluid and water;
- a natural gas source;
- a compressor having an input in fluid communication with the natural gas source, having an output in fluid communication with the wellbore, and operable to compress natural gas received at the input for delivery at the output;
- a heat recovery system to receive thermal energy from the compressor, the thermal energy to alter temperature of the fracturing fluid, water, or compressed natural gas,
- wherein a pressure of the fracturing fluid is at a higher pressure relative to a pressure of the compressed natural gas;
- and
- a liquefied gas source in fluid communication with the wellbore.
A method, comprising:
- conducting natural gas from a natural gas source located at a wellsite to a compressor located at the wellsite;
- compressing the natural gas via operation of the compressor;
- mixing the compressed natural gas with a fracturing fluid received from a fracturing fluid source located at the wellsite, thereby forming a pressurized mixture,
- wherein a pressure of the fracturing fluid is at a higher pressure relative to a pressure of the compressed natural gas;
- receiving thermal energy from the compressor to alter temperature of the fracture fluid or compressed natural gas;
- and
- fracturing a subterranean formation by introducing the pressurized mixture into a wellbore extending from the wellsite into the subterranean formation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.