APPARATUS, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS FOR FRACTURING A GEOLOGICAL FORMATION

• US 20150308250A1
• Filed: 04/24/2015
• Published: 10/29/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Edward O. Anders, Jo Ann Anders
• Original Assignee: Edward O. Anders
• Inventors: Anders, Edward O.
• Granted Patent: US 9,394,778 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 2200/06 Sleeve valves
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/12 Packers; Plugs used for cementing E21B33/134, E21B33/16
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/128 with a member expanded radially by axial pressure E21B33/122, E21B33/124 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 34/06 in wells
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 34/10 operated by control fluid supplied from outside the borehole
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 34/12 operated by movement of casings or tubings
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/164 Injecting CO2 or carbonated water in combination with organic material C09K8/594
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/2605 using gas or liquefied gas
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/267 reinforcing fractures by propping
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/70 Combining sequestration of CO2 and exploitation of hydrocarbons by injecting CO2 or carbonated water in oil wells

Abstract

The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to apparatus, systems, and methods of fracturing a geological structure including the application of kinetic energy (e.g., from high velocity frack fluid) to a subterranean structure. In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to apparatus, systems, and methods for delivery of high velocity fluid to a well using a down hole valve and/or throttling system. The present disclosure relates to apparatus, systems, and methods of generating pressure using accumulators (e.g., high pressure accumulators) at the surface of a well.

Claims

1. A method of kinetically fracking a subterranean structure, the method comprising:

(a) providing a fracking string inside a perforated wellbore liner having an interior cavity, the fracking string having an interior channel and spaced-apart apertures connecting the interior string channel and the liner cavity;

(b) accelerating a fracking fluid in the interior channel in a downhole direction to a velocity of from about 40 to about 100 feet per second; and

(c) abruptly decelerating fracking fluid flow.

2. A method of kinetically fracking a subterranean structure according to claim 1 further comprising repeating steps (b) and (c).

3. A method of kinetically fracking a subterranean structure according to claim 1, wherein abruptly decelerating fracking fluid flow further comprises closing the string apertures, sealing the interior liner cavity or combinations thereof.

4. A method of kinetically fracking a subterranean structure according to claim 1, wherein the accelerating a fracking fluid in the interior channel in a downhole direction further comprises injecting the fracking fluid at a pressure of about 8,000 psi to about 10,000 psi into the interior channel.

5. A method of kinetically fracking a subterranean structure according to claim 1, wherein the accelerating a fracking fluid in the interior channel in a downhole direction further comprises:

(a) providing the fracking fluid at a pressure of about 8,000 psi to about 10,000 psi, wherein the fracking fluid is substantially free of propant;

(b) adding at least one propant to the fracking fluid; and

(c) injecting the fracking fluid with propant into the interior channel.

6. A method of kinetically fracking a subterranean structure according to claim 1, wherein accelerating a fracking fluid in the interior channel in a downhole direction further comprises injecting a gas into the interior channel at a pressure of about 8,000 psi to about 10,000 psi.

7. A method of kinetically fracking a subterranean structure according to claim 1, wherein the injected gas is carbon dioxide, nitrogen, methane, or combinations thereof.

8. A method of kinetically fracking a subterranean structure according to claim 1, wherein the fracking fluid comprises up to about 30% (V/V) gas and at least about 70% (V/V) fluid

9. A method of kinetically fracking a subterranean structure according to claim 1, wherein abruptly decelerating the fracking fluid flow further comprises delivering to the subterranean structure a kinetic energy pulse of finite duration of more than about 1,000,000.

10. A method of kinetically fracking a subterranean structure according to claim 1, wherein abruptly decelerating the fracking fluid flow further comprises delivering to the subterranean structure a kinetic energy pulse of finite duration of about 2,000,000 ft lbs to about 5,000,000 ft lbs.

11. A system for kinetically fracking a subterranean structure, the system comprising:

(a) a well in fluid communication with the subterranean structure;

(b) a well liner inside the well;

(c) a fracking string inside the well liner, the fracking string comprising a central channel;

(d) a high pressure gas accumulator in fluid communication with the central channel of the fracking string and configured to accelerate a fracking fluid downhole;

(e) a high pressure gas fluid accumulator in fluid communication with the central channel of the fracking string and configured to accelerate the fracking fluid downhole;

(f) a high pressure gas pump operably linked to the with the high pressure gas accumulator and the high pressure gas fluid accumulator; and

(g) a fluid velocity activated annular valve configured to abruptly decelerate the fracking fluid.

12. A system for kinetically fracking a subterranean structure according to claim 11 further comprising from one to about twenty additional high pressure gas pumps, each independently configured to deliver 1500 to 2000 horsepower.

13. A downhole fluid velocity activated annular valve configured for operation in a wellbore with an inserted production liner, the valve comprising:

(a) an annular body having a longitudinal axis, an interior surface configured to slide along and seal a fracking string, and an exterior surface comprising a taper, the taper extending circumferentially around the exterior surface and extending along at least a portion of the length of the body;

(b) an annular packing element contacting and surrounding the taper and configured to translate radially outwardly upon axial movement of the ramp; and

(c) at least one aperture configured to align with a corresponding hole in the fracking string and support fluid communication between the inner channel of the fracking string and the liner cavity.

14. A downhole fluid velocity activated annular valve according to claim 13 further comprising an annular housing surrounding an annular spring, the spring configured for compression and decompression with axial movement of the valve.

15. A downhole fluid velocity activated annular valve according to claim 13, wherein the maximum extent of the taper is positioned at the more downhole end of the valve and/or the minimum extent of the taper is positioned at the end of the valve nearer to the well head.

16. A downhole fluid velocity activated annular valve according to claim 13 further comprising an O-ring on the inner surface configured to sealably contact the fracking string.

17. A system for directing fluid in a subterranean structure, the system comprising:

(a) a well in fluid communication with the subterranean structure;

(b) a well liner inside the well;

(c) a fracking string inside the well liner, the fracking string comprising a central channel for carrying the fluid;

(d) a configurable slider sleeve for directing flow of the fluid;

(e) a first orifice located near the slider sleeve, a pressure drop across the first orifice being determined by the flow of the fluid; and

(f) an expandable first spring for moving the slider sleeve when the pressure drop across the first orifice falls to or below a threshold level, the movement of the slider sleeve enabling the fluid to enter an annular space between the fracking string and the well liner.

18. A system of claim 17, further comprising:

a second spring, the second spring being compressed upon the movement of the slider sleeve enabling the fluid to enter the annular space between the fracking string and the well liner.

19. A system of claim 18, further comprising:

a first snap ring for compressing or expanding the first spring; and

a second snap ring for compressing or expanding the second spring,

the first snap ring or the second snap ring being engagable with the slider sleeve.