Mobil Oil Corporation

Malcolm K Strubhar

Alfred R Jennings, Jr

John L Fitch

Lawrence R Stowe

John C Healy

Lloyd G Jones

William L Medlin

George P Moeckel

William P Donlon

A Wadood El-Rabaa

This specification discloses a method of hydraulic fracturing a subterranean formation wherein two horizontally spaced-apart wells are provided and completed to communicate with the formation. Hydraulic fluid pressure is sequentially applied to create and propagate vertical fractures into the formation and to create a vertical fracture that communicates both wells.

Two well hydrocarbon producing method using multiple fractures

This specification discloses a method of hydraulic fracturing a subterranean formation wherein two horizontally spaced-apart wells are provided and completed to communicate with the formation. Hydraulic fluid pressure is sequentially applied to create and propagate vertical fractures into the formation and to create a vertical fracture that communicates both wells. This specification further disclosed the creation of an enhanced fracture drainage pattern in a hydrocarbon-bearing formation and producing hydrocarbons from the formation via a single producing well.

Two well hydrocarbon producing method

A method for fracturing a subterranean formation containing desired natural resources in which controlled pulse fracturing (CPF) is combined with hydraulic fracturing in a second wellbore along with hydraulic fracturing in a first wellbore. Multiple radial vertical fractures are created by CPF in the second wellbore by a solidifiable gel material which is directed into created fractures during a subsequent hydraulic fracturing procedure. During this procedure, multiple vertical hydraulic fractures initiate in and propagate away from CPF created fractures thereby bringing the second wellbore fracture system into fluid communication with the fracture system of the first wellbore.

Method for enhancement of sequential hydraulic fracturing using control

A seismic system is placed in a predetermined orientation with respect to a surface of a formation, and a low viscosity substance is introduced between the sensor system and the surface of the formation. The substance has a composition formulated for stiffening in situ by increasing viscosity to provide a mechanical bond and an acoustical signal transmission coupling between the sensor system and the formation. After completion of the seismic operation, the stiffened substance is contacted with a stimulus for breaking the stiffened substance and thereby break the mechanical bond. Thereafter, the sensor system is recovered.

Coupling and recovering seismic detection sensors

A method for gravel packing a wellbore where a resin-coated sand or 'gravel' is utilized. First, the wellbore is perforated at the productive interval in a manner sufficient to hydraulically fracture the formation. Afterwards, the formation is hydraulically fractured via a frac fluid containing a resin-coated sand. During this fracturing operation, a resultant fracture is propped with the resin-coated sand. The frac fluid is pumped down the wellbore until 'screen out' occurs at perforations in the wellbore. The resin-coated sand is allowed to remain in the fracture, perforations, and wellbore until a permeable, porous consolidated mass is formed. After the mass has formed, excess consolidated sand is removed from the wellbore. When the formation is produced, formation solids are contained by the consolidated mass in the fracture and perforations.

Method for the control of solids accomanying hydrocarbon production from

A method for producing multiple fractures by a single operation from a single wellbore which penetrates a fracture interval which, in turn, includes a plurality of zones which break-down under different fracturing pressures. Fracturing fluid is delivered from a workstring directly to different levels within a section of the wellbore which lies adjacent the fracture interval through a plurality of alternate paths which, in turn, lie substantially adjacent to the zones to be fractured.

Multiple fractures from a single workstring

Method for the control of solids accompanying hydrocarbon production

A hydraulic fracturing process for inducing simultaneously, multiple vertical fractures in a deviated well bore located in a subterranean formation for the removal of resources therefrom, particularly hydrocarbonaceous fluids. Said process results in increased recovery of hydrocarbonaceous fluids when combined with steam-flooding, solvent or surfactant stimulation processes. The wellbore is selectively perforated with holes sufficiently apart that multiple vertical fractures are produced. This occurs when the fracturing fluid rate through the limited holes causes a pressure drop across said holes sufficient to divert said fluid through essentially all of said holes.

Limited entry, multiple fracturing from deviated wellbores

A method for completion of an inclined or deviated well having an in-line opening on its lower side. A work string tubing is removed and a production tube having a slotted liner is directed through a gelled fluid. The gelled fluid is removed and an in-casing gravel pack is placed within said wellbore. Hydrocarbonaceous fluids are then produced from said wellbore.

Technique for improving gravel pack operations in deviated wellbores

A production well is completed through a subterranean oil or gas reservoir. The well employs a well casing with perforation tunnels for fluid communication with the reservoir. A sand screen tubing is located in juxtaposition with the perforation tunnels with an annular section being formed between the casing and the sand screen tubing. A fracturing fluid and gravel packing sand is injected through the annular section and perforation tunnels into the reservoir. The injection is terminated when the fracture is complete and the perforation tunnels and annular section are filled with gravel packing sand. The oil or gas in the reservoir is then produced through the gravel packed well casing and the sand screen.

Hydraulic fracturing and gravel packing method employing special sand

A method for improving vertical hydraulic fracturing of an inclined wellbore through in-line openings in said wellbore. Via this method, the initiation, growth, and propagation of vertical fractures are controlled.

Method to improve vertical hydraulic fracturing in inclined wellbores

A subsurface oil or gas reservoir is hydraulically fractured by injecting a fracturing fluid through perforations in the casing of a well penetrating into such subsurface reservoir. The fracturing fluid contains a clay stabilizing agent for stabilizing clay particles or fines along the face of the resulting formation fracture. A proppant comprising a gravel packing sand is injected into the fracture. Oil or gas is then produced from the reservoir through the fracture into the well.

Hydraulic fracturing method employing special sand control technique

A method for controlling the vertical growth of hydraulic fractures in subterranean formations. The fracturing gradients of adjacent formations are determined. The fluid density necessary to inhibit the propagation of a hydraulic fracture from one adjacent formation into the other is determined from the fracturing gradients. A fracturing fluid is prepared having the necessary density for inhibiting such hydraulic fracture propagation.

Method for controlling the vertical growth of hydraulic fractures

A well casing penetrating a plurality of subterranean hydro carbon-bearing formations is perforated adjacent select ones of such hydrocarbon-bearing formations that are expected to exhibit at least a minimum pressure increase during fracturing operations. A fracturing fluid is pumped down the well through the perforations, and into the formations so as to fracture each of the select formations during a single fracturing operation.

Method for fracturing a plurality of subterranean formations

This specification discloses a method of recovering thermal energy from a coal formation having a preferred vertical fracture orientation. An injection well and a production well are provided to extend into the coal formation and a vertical fracture is formed by hydraulic fracturing techniques and propagated into the coal formation to communicate with both the wells. The vertical fracture is propped in the lower portion only. A combustion-supporting gas is injected into the propped portion of the fracture and the coal is ignited. Injection of the combustion-supporting gas is continued to propagate a combustion zone along the propped portion of the fracture and hot product gases generated at the combustion zone are produced to recover the heat or thermal energy of the coal. Water may also be injected into the fracture to transport the heat resulting from the combustion of the coal to the production well for recovery.

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Irving, TX, United States of America

Malcolm K Strubhar