Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090125280 | Methods for geomechanical fracture modeling - The present invention relates generally to methods for designing and optimizing the number, placement, and size of fractures in a subterranean formation and more particularly to methods that account for stress interference from other fractures when designing and optimizing the number, placement, and size of fractures in the subterranean formation. The present invention optimizes the number, placement and size of fractures in a subterranean formation. The present invention determines one or more geomechanical stresses induced by each fracture based on the dimensions and location of each fracture, including surface deformations caused by each fracture. The present invention determines a maximum number of fractures and a predicted stress field based on the geomechanical stresses induced by each of the fractures. | 05-14-2009 |
20100326659 | WELLBORE LASER OPERATIONS - Methods, systems, and devices related to downhole wellbore operations such as drilling and completing wells in an earth formation include a laser device. | 12-30-2010 |
20110017458 | Method for Inducing Fracture Complexity in Hydraulically Fractured Horizontal Well Completions - A method of inducing fracture complexity within a fracturing interval of a subterranean formation comprising characterizing the subterranean formation, defining a stress anisotropy-altering dimension, providing a wellbore servicing apparatus configured to alter the stress anisotropy of the fracturing interval of the subterranean formation, altering the stress anisotropy within the fracturing interval, and introducing a fracture in the fracturing interval in which the stress anisotropy has been altered. A method of servicing a subterranean formation comprising introducing a fracture into a first fracturing interval, and introducing a fracture into a third fracturing interval, wherein the first fracturing interval and the third fracturing interval are substantially adjacent to a second fracturing interval in which the stress anisotropy is to be altered. | 01-27-2011 |
20110042083 | Method of improving waterflood performance using barrier fractures and inflow control devices - The present invention is directed to a method of hydrocarbon production from a hydrocarbon reservoir. The method includes providing a substantially horizontal wellbore having at least one productive interval within a hydrocarbon reservoir and forming at least one non-conductive transverse fracture in the reservoir along the substantially horizontal wellbore. An injection well is also provided. A fluid is injected into the reservoir through the injection well to displace hydrocarbons within the reservoir toward a production portion of the substantially horizontal wellbore. Hydrocarbons are drained from the reservoir into at least one production interval of the substantially horizontal wellbore. Fluid production from the at least one production interval into the substantially horizontal wellbore flows through an inflow control device that can restrict the fluid flow. A non-conductive transverse fracture can form a barrier within the reservoir to divert injected fluids to increase sweep efficiency and reduce the influx of injected fluids into the production interval. | 02-24-2011 |
20110061869 | Formation of Fractures Within Horizontal Well - Producing transverse fractures in a horizontal well may be achieved at a relatively lower fracturing pressure by forming one or more tunnels extending from the horizontal wellbore. One or more tunnels may be formed at each location along the horizontal wellbore where a transverse fracture is desired. The tunnel(s) may be formed mechanically, optically, or hydraulically. Further, fracturing may be formed at a lower pressure than would otherwise be required to form transverse fractures from a horizontal wellbore. According to some implementations, the transverse fractures may be formed without isolating a portion of the horizontal wellbore. | 03-17-2011 |
20110209868 | FRACTURING A STRESS-ALTERED SUBTERRANEAN FORMATION - A well bore in a subterranean formation includes a signaling subsystem communicably coupled to injection tools installed in the well bore. Each injection tool controls a flow of fluid into an interval of the formation based on a state of the injection tool. Stresses in the subterranean formation are altered by creating fractures in the formation. Control signals are sent from the well bore surface through the signaling subsystem to the injection tools to modify the states of one or more of the injection tools. Fluid is injected into the stress-altered subterranean formation through the injection tools to create a fracture network in the subterranean formation. In some implementations, the state of each injection tool can be selectively and repeatedly manipulated based on signals transmitted from the well bore surface. In some implementations, stresses are modified and/or the fracture network is created along a substantial portion and/or the entire length of a horizontal well bore. | 09-01-2011 |
20110220359 | Methods Relating to Modifying Flow Patterns Using In-Situ Barriers - A method comprises providing a fluid source in a subterranean formation; providing a wellbore in the subterranean formation; and providing an in-situ barrier, wherein the in-situ barrier is disposed within the subterranean environment and modifies the flow pattern of at least one fluid within the subterranean formation that is provided by the fluid source and flows towards the wellbore. | 09-15-2011 |
20120160484 | Method of Improving Waterflood Performance using Barrier Fractures and Inflow Control Devices - Methods including providing a substantially horizontal wellbore having at least one productive interval within a hydrocarbon reservoir and forming at least one non-conductive transverse fracture in the reservoir along the substantially horizontal wellbore. An injection well is also provided. A fluid is injected into the reservoir through the injection well to displace hydrocarbons within the reservoir toward a production portion of the substantially horizontal wellbore. Hydrocarbons are drained from the reservoir into at least one production interval of the substantially horizontal wellbore. Fluid production from the at least one production interval into the substantially horizontal wellbore flows through an inflow control device that can restrict the fluid flow. A non-conductive transverse fracture can form a barrier within the reservoir to divert injected fluids to increase sweep efficiency and reduce the influx of injected fluids into the production interval. | 06-28-2012 |
20130000906 | WELLBORE LASER OPERATIONS - Methods, systems, and devices related to downhole wellbore operations such as drilling and completing wells in an earth formation include a laser device. | 01-03-2013 |
20130008653 | WELLBORE LASER OPERATIONS - Methods, systems, and devices related to downhole wellbore operations such as drilling and completing wells in an earth formation include a laser device. | 01-10-2013 |
20130008656 | WELLBORE LASER OPERATIONS - Methods, systems, and devices related to downhole wellbore operations such as drilling and completing wells in an earth formation include a laser device. | 01-10-2013 |
20130008657 | WELLBORE LASER OPERATIONS - Methods, systems, and devices related to downhole wellbore operations such as drilling and completing wells in an earth formation include a laser device. | 01-10-2013 |
20130008658 | WELLBORE LASER OPERATIONS - Methods, systems, and devices related to downhole wellbore operations such as drilling and completing wells in an earth formation include a laser device. | 01-10-2013 |
20130008659 | WELLBORE LASER OPERATIONS - Methods, systems, and devices related to downhole wellbore operations such as drilling and completing wells in an earth formation include a laser device. | 01-10-2013 |
20130240211 | Method for Inducing Fracture Complexity in Hydraulically Fratured Horizontal Well Completions - A method of inducing fracture complexity within a fracturing interval of a subterranean formation comprising characterizing the subterranean formation, defining a stress anisotropy-altering dimension, providing a wellbore servicing apparatus configured to alter the stress anisotropy of the fracturing interval of the subterranean formation, altering the stress anisotropy within the fracturing interval, and introducing a fracture in the fracturing interval in which the stress anisotropy has been altered. A method of servicing a subterranean formation comprising introducing a fracture into a first fracturing interval, and introducing a fracture into a third fracturing interval, wherein the first fracturing interval and the third fracturing interval are substantially adjacent to a second fracturing interval in which the stress anisotropy is to be altered. | 09-19-2013 |