The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 26, 1991
Filed:
Jun. 04, 1990
Robert C Kramm, Plano, TX (US);
Robert H Lane, Plano, TX (US);
Atlantic Richfield Company, Los Angeles, CA (US);
Abstract
Method for fracturing coal seams to improve the production (e.g. methane and/or water) therefrom. A water-based fracturing fluid is injected into the coal seam under pressure wherein the fracturing fluid contains both a wetting agent and a dispersant. The wetting agent contacts the fines which are formed during the fracturing of the coal and converts them from 'hydrophobic' to 'hydrophilic' while the dispersant serves to disperse and suspend the fines within the fracturing fluid. This prevents early screen-out of the fines from the fracturing fluid which allows the fluid to propagate fractures of longer lengths into a coal seam before the fines settle out to block further flow through a fracture.