Baker Hughes Corporation

Hang Nguyen

Michael H Johnson

Benn A Voll

Kelvin D Smejkal

Lewis B Ledlow

The present invention provides a method for efficiently packing proppant in an extended reach, horizontal, open hole annulus. For a given set of fixed parameters, such as the wellbore size, screen size and formation fracture pressure, the method provides a combination of critical parameter values, including the proppant density, the mixture ratio of proppant and liquid and the pump rate which will yield an efficient and effective placement of the proppant in the annulus.

Method of packing extended reach horizontal wells

A two-fluid method for fracturing a subterranean formation to increase the production of fluids from a well therein has been discovered. In a typical operation, a fluid pad is injected into the well which essentially simultaneously fractures the formation and forms a low permeability filter cake on at least part of the fracture. A proppant transport fluid containing proppant is then injected to prop open the fracture once the pressure is decreased. The filter cake is removed to permit production to begin. Although many conventional fluids may be used for the fluid pad, one preferred fluid pad uses graded calcium carbonate particle sizes and a modified lignosulfonate as a filter control agent. Optionally, a thixotropic polymer may be present as a viscosifier.

Growing community of inventors

Spring, TX, United States of America

Hang Nguyen