PULSED FRACTURING METHOD AND APPARATUS
First Claim
1. A method for fracturing a subterranean geological formation, comprising:
- establishing a substantially static fluid pressure in a well in the geological formation, wherein the substantially static pressure is less than a threshold pressure that fractures the geological formation; and
generating a pressure pulse in the well such that the pressure pulse combined with the substantially static pressure forms a plurality of fractures in the geological formation.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The branching of fractures in shale formations surrounding a wellbore can be enhanced so that more rock surface is exposed in the formation and more hydrocarbon resources can be recovered using smaller quantities of fracturing fluids. The branching of the fractures can be enhanced by establishing a substantially static sub-threshold fluid pressure in a well in a geological formation, and generating a pressure pulse in the well such that the pressure pulse combined with the substantially static sub-threshold fluid pressure forms a plurality of fractures in the geological formation. An arc jet insertable into a passage in the geological formation and having an electric arc channel can be used to generate the pressure pulse.
11 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for fracturing a subterranean geological formation, comprising:
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establishing a substantially static fluid pressure in a well in the geological formation, wherein the substantially static pressure is less than a threshold pressure that fractures the geological formation; and generating a pressure pulse in the well such that the pressure pulse combined with the substantially static pressure forms a plurality of fractures in the geological formation. - 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 for fracturing a subterranean geological formation, comprising:
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establishing a sub-threshold substantially static fluid pressure in a well in the geological formation; generating a pressure pulse in the well such that the pressure pulse combined with the substantially static pressure forms a plurality of fractures in the geological formation, wherein the pressure pulse is generated by an arcjet.
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18. An apparatus for fracturing a subterranean geological formation from a passage extending through the geological formation, comprising:
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an arc jet insertable into the passage and having an electric arc channel, wherein the arc channel contains a fluid; a pulsed electrical power supply in communication with the arc jet; and means for transmitting electrical energy from the pulsed electrical power supply to the arc jet, wherein the pulsed electrical power supply transmits electrical energy to the arc jet to generate an electric arc in the fluid in the arc channel thereby generating a pressure pulse for generating a plurality of fractures in the geological formation.
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Specification