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:
Jul. 02, 2002
Filed:
Dec. 23, 1998
J. Ernest Brown, Bixby, OK (US);
Roger J. Card, Tulsa, OK (US);
Erik B. Nelson, Broken Arrow, OK (US);
Schlumberger Technology Corporation, Sugarland, TX (US);
Abstract
The improved recovery of hydrocarbons from subterranean formations by hydraulically fracturing a subterranean formation is accomplished. Fracturing fluids using a viscoelastic surfactant fluid containing wormlike micelles are useful to improve recovery of hydrocarbons and limit the loss of fracturing fluid into the formation fracture face. The invention further relates to novel fracturing methods useful for increasing hydrocarbon production, limiting connate water production, resisting fracturing fluid loss into the subterranean formation, and reducing the equipment requirements in mixing and pumping fracturing fluid. The action of micelles of surfactant in aqueous zones of the subterranean formation facilitates the flowback of increased amounts of hydrocarbons once a fractured well is placed back on production.