US5386875A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for controlling sand production of relatively unconsolidated formations
Assignee: Halliburton Co
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Filing: 1993-08-18
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Granted: 1995-02-07
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Expires: 2013-08-18
Abstract
Abstract An improved method for fracturing oil wells is disclosed and claimed herein. In particular, the present invention involves the determination of the direction of fracture propagation, i.e., perpendicular to the minimum stress existing within a given formation and the alignment of perforations produced by a variety of perforating devices with the previously determined direction of fracture propagation. The methods disclosed and claimed herein will eliminate many problems encountered in the prior art, including reducing the pressure required to initiate fractures and reducing the undesirable effects of near wellbore tortuosity. A solidified compound may be placed proximate the fractures to further limit undesirable sand production.
Inventors
- 👤 James J. Venditto
- 👤 William E. Martch
- 👤 J. Michael Wilson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 11:12
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/11; E21B43/119; E21B43/25; E21B43/26; E21B47/00; E21B47/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
A method for controlling the flow of sand and other solids from a wellbore, comprising the steps of: determining the azimuthal direction of the maximum horizontal stress field within a formation having a wellbore formed therein; orienting a perforating device capable of perforating said formation Within said wellbore such that perforations produced by said perforating device are substantially aligned with said azimuthal direction of said maximum horizontal stress field; and actuating said perforation device so as to perforate said formation in the direction of said azimuthal direction of said maximum horizontal stress field; and supplying a particle retaining compound to said formation proximate said perforated formation.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
106 words
A method for controlling the flow of sand and other solids from a wellbore, comprising the steps of: determining the azimuthal direction of the maximum horizontal stress field within a formation having a wellbore formed therein; orienting a perforating device capable of perforating said formation Within said wellbore such that perforations produced by said perforating device are substantially aligned with said azimuthal direction of said maximum horizontal stress field; and actuating said perforation device so as to perforate said formation in the direction of said azimuthal direction of said maximum horizontal stress field; and supplying a particle retaining compound to said formation proximate said perforated formation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said particle retaining compound comprises a resinous fluid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of fracturing said formation generally through said perforation substantially aligned with said azimuthal direction of said maximum horizontal stress field.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said step of fracturing said formation is performed after said step of supplying a particle retaining compound to said formation proximate said perforated formation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said step of determining the direction of said maximum horizontal stress field comprises the steps of: obtaining an oriented core from said formation after a fracture has been initiated in said formation; and observing the direction of fracture propagation within said oriented core.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said step of determining the azimuthal direction of the maximum horizontal stress field comprises the steps of: obtaining an oriented core from said formation after a fracture has been initiated in said formation; and performing strain relaxation measurements on said oriented core to determine the direction of minimum principle stress existing within said core.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
83 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said step of determining the azimuthal direction of the maximum horizontal stress field comprises the steps of: measuring the cross-sectional shape of the wellbore formed in said formation before fractures are initiated in said formation; measuring the cross-sectional shape of said wellbore after fractures have been initiated in said formation; and calculating the direction of maximum horizontal stress within said formation based upon the change in the cross-sectional shape of said wellbore as determined by said measurements.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
73 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said step of determining the direction maximum horizontal stress comprises the steps of: positioning an oriented circumferential acoustic scanning tool into said wellbore; inducing fractures in said formation by performing an open hole microfrac test in said wellbore; and observing the orientation of said fractures in said formation by use of said circumferential acoustic scanning tool, said observed fractures aligned with said direction of maximum horizontal stress.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
106 words
A method for completing a well in a potentially sand producing formation comprising the steps of: determining the direction of the maximum horizontal stress field within the formation; orienting a perforating gun within said formation, said perforating gun configured to perforate said formation substantially along a single vertical plane, said perforating gun oriented with said single vertical plane extending generally in the direction of said maximum horizontal stress field; and actuating said perforating gun to perforate said formation and establish perforations in said formation extending generally in the direction of said maximum horizontal stress field; and applying a resinous compound to said formation proximate said perforations.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
106 words
A method for completing a well in a potentially sand producing formation comprising the steps of: determining the direction of the maximum horizontal stress field within the formation; orienting a perforating gun within said formation, said perforating gun configured to perforate said formation substantially along a single vertical plane, said perforating gun oriented with said single vertical plane extending generally in the direction of said maximum horizontal stress field; and actuating said perforating gun to perforate said formation and establish perforations in said formation extending generally in the direction of said maximum horizontal stress field; and applying a resinous compound to said formation proximate said perforations.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of pumping a fracturing fluid into said perforations to propagate fractures into said formation.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 10, wherein said step of pumping a fracturing fluid into said perforations is performed prior to said step of applying a resinous compound to said formation proximate said perforations.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 9, wherein said step of determining the direction of said maximum horizontal stress field within said formation comprises the steps of: obtaining an oriented core from said formation after a fracture has been initiated in said formation; and observing the direction of fracture propagation within said oriented core.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
66 words
The method of claim 9, wherein said step of determining the direction of said maximum horizontal stress field within said formation comprises the steps of: obtaining an oriented core from said formation after a fracture has been initiated in said formation; and performing strain relaxation measurements on said oriented core to determine the direction of maximum horizontal stress existing within said core and within said formation.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
85 words
The method of claim 9, wherein said step of determining the direction of said maximum horizontal stress field within said formation comprises the steps of: measuring the cross-sectional shape of the wellbore formed in said formation before fractures are initiated in said formation; measuring the cross-sectional shape of said wellbore after fractures have been initiated in said formation; and calculating the direction of maximum horizontal stress within said formation based upon the change in the cross-sectional shape of said wellbore as determined by said measurements.
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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) | 1998-02-06 | 1998-08-08 | 1999-02-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-02-06 | 2002-08-08 | 2003-02-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-02-06 | 2006-08-08 | 2007-02-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |