METHODS OF INCREASING FRACTURE RESISTANCE IN LOW PERMEABILITY FORMATIONS
First Claim
1. A method of increasing the fracture resistance of a low permeability formation, comprising:
- emplacing a wellbore fluid in a wellbore through the low permeability formation, the wellbore fluid comprising;
a settable carrier fluid; and
a solid particulate bridging material;
increasing the pressure in the wellbore such that fractures are formed in the formation;
allowing the settable carrier fluid to enter the fractures;
bridging and sealing the mouths of the fractures to form a substantially impermeable bridge proximate the mouth of the fractures thereby strengthening the formation; and
holding the increased pressure for an amount of time sufficient for setting of the carrier fluid in the fractures.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method of increasing the fracture resistance of a low permeability formation that includes emplacing a wellbore fluid in a wellbore through the low permeability formation, the wellbore fluid comprising: a settable carrier fluid; and a solid particulate bridging material; increasing the pressure in the wellbore such that fractures are formed in the formation; allowing the settable carrier fluid to enter the fractures; bridging and sealing the mouths of the fractures to form a substantially impermeable bridge proximate the mouth of the fractures thereby strengthening the formation; and holding the increased pressure for an amount of time sufficient for setting of the carrier fluid in the fractures is disclosed.
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Citations
34 Claims
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1. A method of increasing the fracture resistance of a low permeability formation, comprising:
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emplacing a wellbore fluid in a wellbore through the low permeability formation, the wellbore fluid comprising; a settable carrier fluid; and a solid particulate bridging material; increasing the pressure in the wellbore such that fractures are formed in the formation; allowing the settable carrier fluid to enter the fractures; bridging and sealing the mouths of the fractures to form a substantially impermeable bridge proximate the mouth of the fractures thereby strengthening the formation; and holding the increased pressure for an amount of time sufficient for setting of the carrier fluid in the fractures. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of drilling a wellbore through a low permeability formation, comprising:
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drilling the wellbore while circulating a first wellbore fluid into the wellbore; emplacing a wellbore fluid in a wellbore through the low permeability formation, the wellbore fluid comprising; a settable carrier fluid; and a solid particulate bridging material; increasing the pressure in the wellbore such that fractures are formed in the formation; allowing the settable carrier fluid to enter the fractures; bridging and sealing the mouths of the fractures to form a substantially impermeable bridge proximate the mouth of the fractures thereby strengthening the formation; and holding the increased pressure for an amount of time sufficient for setting of the carrier fluid in the fractures. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A method of increasing the fracture resistance of a low permeability formation, comprising:
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emplacing a wellbore fluid in a wellbore through the low permeability formation, the wellbore fluid comprising; a settable carrier fluid comprising; an oleaginous base fluid; an epoxidized natural oil; and at least one crosslinking agent; a solid particulate bridging material; and a bridge sealing material; increasing the pressure in the wellbore to above an initial or re-opening fracture pressure of the formation such that fractures are induced in the formation; allowing the settable carrier fluid to enter the fractures, the solid particulate bridging material to prop open the fractures, and the bridge sealing material to form a substantially fluid impermeable bridge proximate the mouths of the fractures, thereby strengthening the formation and preventing the fractures from further growth in length; and holding the increased pressure for an amount of time sufficient for setting of the carrier fluid in the fractures.
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34. A method of increasing the fracture resistance of a low permeability formation, comprising:
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emplacing a wellbore fluid in a wellbore through the low permeability formation, the wellbore fluid comprising; a settable carrier fluid comprising; water; and a cementious material; a solid particulate bridging material; and a bridge sealing material; increasing the pressure in the wellbore to above an initial or re-opening fracture pressure of the formation such that fractures are induced in the formation; allowing the settable carrier fluid to enter the fractures, the solid particulate bridging material to prop open the fractures, and the bridge sealing material to form a substantially fluid impermeable bridge proximate the mouths of the fractures, thereby strengthening the formation and preventing the fractures from further growth in length; and holding the increased pressure for an amount of time sufficient for setting of the carrier fluid in the fractures.
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Specification