US4669546A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method to improve vertical hydraulic fracturing in inclined wellbores
Assignee: Mobil Oil AS
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Filing: 1986-01-03
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Granted: 1987-06-02
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Expires: 2006-01-03
Abstract
Abstract 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.
Inventors
- 👤 Alfred R. Jennings, Jr.
- 👤 Malcolm K. Strubhar
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 20:17
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/25; E21B43/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
A method for creating vertical hydraulic fractures in an inclined wellbore, having a casing therein, which penetrates a hydrocarbonaceous formation comprising: (a) placing at least one in-line opening within the wellbore casing on the low side of said wellbore casing which opening is sufficient to allow the creation of at least one vertical fracture in said formation; and (b) generating hydraulically a force sufficient to vertically fracture said formation in the area of said in-line opening, as a result of said force being longitudinally directed through said in-line opening and thereafter vertically downwardly and thereafter vertically upwardly due to in-situ rock stresses.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
102 words
A method for creating vertical hydraulic fractures in an inclined wellbore, having a casing therein, which penetrates a hydrocarbonaceous formation comprising: (a) placing at least one in-line opening within the wellbore casing on the low side of said wellbore casing which opening is sufficient to allow the creation of at least one vertical fracture in said formation; and (b) generating hydraulically a force sufficient to vertically fracture said formation in the area of said in-line opening, as a result of said force being longitudinally directed through said in-line opening and thereafter vertically downwardly and thereafter vertically upwardly due to in-situ rock stresses.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method as recited in claim 1 where in step (a) said in-line opening comprises at least one perforation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method as recited in claim 1 where in step (a) said in-line opening comprises at least one notch.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as recited in claim 1 where in step (a) said in-line opening comprises at least two perforations with zero degree phasing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method as recited in claim 1 where in step (a) said in-line opening comprises perforations which are placed in-line at the rate of at least four perforations per foot.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method as recited in claim 1 where after step (b) hydrocarbonaceous fluids are produced from said wellbore.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
101 words
A method for creating vertical hydraulic fractures in an inclined wellbore, having a casing therein, which penetrates a formation comprising: (a) placing at least one in-line opening within the wellbore casing on the low side of said wellbore casing which opening is sufficient to allow the creation of at least one vertical fracture in said formation; and (b) generating hydraulically a force sufficient to vertically fracture said formation in the area of said in-line opening, as a result of said force being longitudinally directed through said in-line opening and thereafter vertically downwardly and thereafter vertically upwardly due to in-situ rock stresses.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
101 words
A method for creating vertical hydraulic fractures in an inclined wellbore, having a casing therein, which penetrates a formation comprising: (a) placing at least one in-line opening within the wellbore casing on the low side of said wellbore casing which opening is sufficient to allow the creation of at least one vertical fracture in said formation; and (b) generating hydraulically a force sufficient to vertically fracture said formation in the area of said in-line opening, as a result of said force being longitudinally directed through said in-line opening and thereafter vertically downwardly and thereafter vertically upwardly due to in-situ rock stresses.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method as recited in claim 7 where in step (a) said in-line opening comprises at least one perforation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method as recited in claim 7 where in step (a) said in-line opening comprises at least one notch.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as recited in claim 7 where in step (a) said in-line opening comprises at least two perforations with zero degree phasing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method as recited in claim 7 where in step (a) said in-line opening comprises perforations which are placed in-line at the rate of at least four perforations per foot.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
116 words
A method for hydraulically fracturing an inclined or deviated wellbore, having a casing therein, which penetrates a hydrocarbonaceous formation comprising: (a) placing at least one in-line opening within the wellbore casing on the low side of said wellbore casing which opening is sufficient to allow the creation of at least one substantially vertical fracture in said formation; and (b) generating hydraulically a force sufficient to vertically fracture said formation in the area of said in-line opening, as a result of said force being longitudinally directed through said in-line opening and thereafter outwardly which results in a single, downwardly and extensive fracture without regard to the direction of said inclined wellbore compared to the preferred fracture azimuth.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
116 words
A method for hydraulically fracturing an inclined or deviated wellbore, having a casing therein, which penetrates a hydrocarbonaceous formation comprising: (a) placing at least one in-line opening within the wellbore casing on the low side of said wellbore casing which opening is sufficient to allow the creation of at least one substantially vertical fracture in said formation; and (b) generating hydraulically a force sufficient to vertically fracture said formation in the area of said in-line opening, as a result of said force being longitudinally directed through said in-line opening and thereafter outwardly which results in a single, downwardly and extensive fracture without regard to the direction of said inclined wellbore compared to the preferred fracture azimuth.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method as recited in claim 12 where in step (a) said in-line opening comprises at least one perforation.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method as recited in claim 12 where in step (a) said in-line opening comprises at least one notch.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as recited in claim 12 where in step (a) said in-line opening comprises at least two perforations with zero degree phasing.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method as recited in claim 12 where in step (a) said in-line opening comprises perforations which are placed in-line at the rate of at least four perforations per foot.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method as recited in claim 12 where after step (b) hydrocarbonaceous fluids are produced from said wellbore.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-06-01 | 1990-12-01 | 1991-06-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-06-01 | 1994-12-01 | 1995-06-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-06-01 | 1998-12-01 | 1999-06-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |