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US5161618A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Multiple fractures from a single workstring

Assignee: Mobil Oil AS
•
Filing: 1991-08-16
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Granted: 1992-11-10
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Expires: 2011-08-16
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Abstract

Abstract 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.

Inventors

  • 👤 Lloyd G. Jones
  • 👤 Malcolm K. Strubhar
  • 👤 William P. Donlon

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-24 19:53
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/25; E21B43/26

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim 98 words
A method for producing multiple fractures in a single operation from a single wellbore which, in turn, penetrates a fracture interval which includes a plurality of zones which break down under different pressures, said method comprising: isolating a section of the wellbore which lies substantially adjacent said fracture interval; delivering fracturing fluid through alternate flowpaths directly adjacent different levels within said isolated section which lie substantially adjacent said respective zones within said isolated section; continuing delivery of fracturing fluid directly to said different levels within said isolated section to thereby fracture the different zones within said fracture interval.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 98 words
A method for producing multiple fractures in a single operation from a single wellbore which, in turn, penetrates a fracture interval which includes a plurality of zones which break down under different pressures, said method comprising: isolating a section of the wellbore which lies substantially adjacent said fracture interval; delivering fracturing fluid through alternate flowpaths directly adjacent different levels within said isolated section which lie substantially adjacent said respective zones within said isolated section; continuing delivery of fracturing fluid directly to said different levels within said isolated section to thereby fracture the different zones within said fracture interval.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said fracturing fluid is delivered simultaneously through said alternate flowpaths.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said alternate flowpaths are formed of individual conduits whose lower ends terminate substantially adjacent the respective different levels.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said fracturing fluid is delivered to said alternate flowpaths by a workstring which is positioned within said wellbore.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 33 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said alternate flowpaths are formed by openings which are spaced along the lower end of said workstring and positioned to lie substantially adjacent the respective different levels.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 37 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said alternate flowpaths are formed by a plurality of shunt tubes positioned within the lower end of said workstring which have their respective lower ends terminating substantially adjacent said different levels.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US2970645A Cited
US3289762A Cited
US3712379A Cited
US4424859A Cited
US4867241A Cited
US4945991A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1995-11-10 1996-05-11 1996-11-10 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1999-11-10 2000-05-11 2000-11-10 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2003-11-10 2004-05-11 2004-11-10 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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