Methods of treating subterranean formations utilizing servicing fluids comprising liquefied petroleum gas and apparatus thereof
Methods relating to servicing fluids that comprise gelled liquefied petroleum gas or servicing fluids that comprise a conventional gelled hydrocarbon fluid with liquefied petroleum gas are provided. In one embodiment, the methods of the present invention comprise providing a LPG servicing fluid comprising LPG and a gelling agent; pressurizing the LPG servicing fluid with one or more high-pressure pumps; introducing proppant particulates into at least a portion of the LPG servicing fluid using one or more high pressure pumps; and introducing the LPG servicing fluid comprising proppant particulates into at least a portion of a subterranean formation at a rate and pressure sufficient to create or enhance at least one or more fractures therein. In one embodiment, a gelling agent may be metered into the LPG on-the-fly.
1. A method comprising:
providing a LPG servicing fluid comprising LPG and a gelling agent;
providing proppant particulates suspended in a hydrocarbon carrier fluid;
pressurizing the LPG servicing fluid with one or more high-pressure pumps operating at 1,000 psi or more;
introducing the proppant particulates suspended in a hydrocarbon carrier fluid into at least a portion of the LPG servicing fluid using one or more high pressure pumps operating at 1,000 psi or more; and
introducing the LPG servicing fluid comprising proppant particulates into at least a portion of a subterranean formation at a rate and pressure sufficient to create or enhance at least one or more fractures therein;
wherein the proppant particulates are introduced to the LPG servicing fluid after pressurizing the LPG servicing fluid with the one or more high pressure pumps but before introducing the LPG servicing fluid to the portion of the subterranean formation.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the LPG servicing fluid further comprises a delayed release breaker.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the proppant particulates are introduced into the LPG servicing fluid using a floating piston pump.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the proppant particulates are introduced into the LPG servicing fluid using a positive displacement pump.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the amount of the proppant particulates in the hydrocarbon carrier fluid is at least 20 pounds per gallon.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein a computerized processor regulates introducing proppant particulates into the LPG servicing fluid.
7. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
introducing a pad of gelled LPG or ungelled LPG to the subterranean formation to initiate fracturing thereof, before introducing the LPG servicing fluid comprising proppant particulates to the subterranean formation.
8. A method comprising:
providing LPG;
providing a gelling agent;
providing proppant particulates suspended in a hydrocarbon carrier fluid;
metering the gelling agent into the LPG on-the-fly to form a LPG servicing fluid;
pressurizing the LPG servicing fluid with one or more high-pressure pumps operating at 1,000 psi or more;
introducing the proppant particulates suspended in a hydrocarbon carrier fluid into at least a portion of the LPG servicing fluid using one or more high pressure pumps operating at 1,000 psi or more; and
introducing the LPG servicing fluid into at least a portion of a subterranean formation;
wherein the proppant particulates are introduced to the LPG servicing fluid after pressurizing the LPG servicing fluid with the one or more high Pressure pumps but before introducing the LPG servicing fluid to the portion of the subterranean formation.
9. The method of claim 8 wherein the LPG servicing fluid further comprises a delayed release breaker.
10. The method of claim 8 wherein the proppant particulates are introduced into the LPG servicing fluid using a floating piston pump.
11. The method of claim 8 wherein the proppant particulates are introduced into the LPG servicing fluid using a positive displacement pump.
12. The method of claim 8 wherein a computerized processor regulates introducing proppant particulates into the LPG servicing fluid.
13. A method comprising:
providing a LPG servicing fluid comprising LPG and a gelling agent;
pressurizing the LPG servicing fluid with one or more high-pressure pumps operating at 1,000 psi or more;
introducing proppant particulates into at least a portion of the LPG servicing fluid using a floating piston pump operating at 1,000 psi or more; and
introducing the LPG servicing fluid comprising proppant particulates into at least a portion of a subterranean formation at a rate and pressure sufficient to create or enhance at least one or more fractures therein.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein the LPG servicing fluid further comprises a delayed release breaker.
15. The method of claim 13 wherein a computerized processor regulates introducing the proppant particulates to the LPG servicing fluid.
16. The method of claim 13 further comprising:
introducing a pad of gelled LPG or ungelled LPG to the subterranean formation to initiate fracturing thereof, before introducing the LPG servicing fluid comprising proppant particulates to the subterranean formation.
17. A method comprising:
providing LPG;
providing a gelling agent;
metering the gelling agent into the LPG on-the-fly to form a LPG servicing fluid;
pressurizing the LPG servicing fluid with one or more high-pressure pumps operating at 1,000 psi or more;
introducing proppant particulates into at least a portion of the LPG servicing fluid using a floating piston pump operating at 1,000 psi or more; and
introducing the LPG servicing fluid into at least a portion of a subterranean formation.
18. The method of claim 17 wherein the LPG servicing fluid further comprises a delayed release breaker.
19. The method of claim 17 wherein a computerized processor regulates introducing the proppant particulates to the LPG servicing fluid.
20. The method of claim 17 further comprising:
introducing a pad of gelled LPG or ungelled LPG to the subterranean formation to initiate fracturing thereof.