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Liquid carbon dioxide cleaning of wellbores and near-wellbore areas using high precision stimulation

  • US 7,677,317 B2
  • Filed: 12/18/2006
  • Issued: 03/16/2010
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2006
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A method for fracturing a fluid bearing formation having a wellbore comprising the steps of:

  • introducing a quantity of fracturing fluid into said wellbore sufficient to fracture said formation;

    introducing a treatment medium comprising liquid carbon dioxide into said wellbore; and

    vaporizing at least a portion of said treatment medium;

    wherein the steps of introducing a quantity of fracturing fluid into said wellbore and introducing a treatment medium comprising liquid carbon dioxide into said wellbore comprise the steps of;

    regulating pressure within said wellbore and said formation such that at least a portion of said treatment medium remains in a liquid state following injection into said wellbore;

    inserting a length of tubing into said wellbore such that an annulus is created between said tubing and said wellbore;

    pumping said treatment medium through said tubing;

    pumping said fracturing fluid into said annulus;

    injecting said treatment medium into said fracturing fluid to create a second fluid;

    impinging said second fluid against said formation;

    creating at least one fracture in said formation;

    driving said second fluid into said formation; and

    releasing said pressure within said wellbore.

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