Propping complex fracture networks in tight formations
AssigneeHalliburton Energy Services, Inc.
InventorsPhilip D. Nguyen, Jeff T. Fleming
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Generally, methods for propping complex fracture networks in tight subterranean formations may involve introducing a first treatment fluid comprising a first base fluid and a first propping agent having a mean particulate size distribution ranging from about 0.5 microns to about 20 microns into a fracture network in a subterranean formation; and then introducing a second treatment fluid comprising a second base fluid and a second propping agent having a mean particulate size distribution greater than about 35 microns into the fracture network.
Claims14
A method comprising the following steps in order:
- introducing a first treatment fluid comprising a first base fluid and a first propping agent having a mean particulate size distribution ranging from about 0.5 microns to about 20 microns at a pressure sufficient to create or extend at least a portion of a fracture network in a zone of a subterranean formation, wherein the first propping agent is substantially spherical and comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of sand, bauxite, glass materials, polytetrafluoroethylene materials, nut shell pieces, cured resinous particulates comprising nut shell pieces, seed shell pieces, cured resinous particulates comprising seed shell pieces, fruit pit pieces, cured resinous particulates comprising fruit pit pieces, wood, and combinations thereof;
- and then
- introducing a second treatment fluid comprising a second base fluid and a second propping agent having a mean particulate size distribution of about 100 microns to about 800 microns into the fracture network in the zone;
- and then
- introducing the first treatment fluid into the zone of the fracture network;
- and then
- introducing the second treatment fluid into the zone of the fracture network.
A method comprising the following steps in order:
- (a) introducing into a first zone of a subterranean formation a first treatment fluid comprising a first base fluid and a first propping agent having a mean particulate size distribution ranging from about 0.5 microns to about 20 microns at a pressure sufficient to create or extend at least a portion of a fracture network in the first zone, wherein the first propping agent is substantially spherical and comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of sand, bauxite, glass materials, polytetrafluoroethylene materials, nut shell pieces, cured resinous particulates comprising nut shell pieces, seed shell pieces, cured resinous particulates comprising seed shell pieces, fruit pit pieces, cured resinous particulates comprising fruit pit pieces, wood, and combinations thereof;
- (b) then, introducing into the first zone a second treatment fluid comprising a second base fluid and a second propping agent having a mean particulate size distribution of about 100 microns to about 800 microns at a pressure sufficient to create or extend at least a portion of the fracture network in the zone;
- (c) then, repeating steps (a) and (b) at least once in the first zone;
- (d) then, isolating a second zone of the subterranean formation from the first zone;
- and
- (e) then, repeating steps (a)-(c) in the second zone of the subterranean formation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.