IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,111,767
Granted Patent B2
US 11,111,767 · App. 16/544,749 · Granted Sep 7, 2021

Apparatus, systems, and methods for fracturing a geological formation

Inventor: Edward O. Anders (Sun City West, AZ)
Assignee: THE ANDERS FAMILY LIVING TRUST
E21B43/26E21B33/12E21B33/128E21B34/06E21B34/10E21B34/12E21B34/14E21B43/164E21B43/267E21B2200/06Y02P90/70
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,111,767
App. No.
16/544,749
Granted
Sep 7, 2021
Kind
B2
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 (34)

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, comprising the steps of:

(i) providing a fracking fluid at a pressure of about 8,000 psi to about 15,000 psi, wherein the fracking fluid is substantially free of proppant;

(ii) adding at least one proppant to the fracking fluid; and

(iii) injecting the fracking fluid with proppant into the interior channel;

(b) accelerating the fracking fluid in the interior channel in a downhole direction to a velocity of from about 10 to about 150 feet per second; and

(c) abruptly decelerating fracking fluid flow.

2. A method of kinetically fracking a subterranean structure according to claim 1 , wherein the fracking fluid is provided in an overburdened pressure zone at a pressure of about 15,000 psi.

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

4. 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.

5. 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.

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

7. 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 from about 1,000,000 ft lbs to more than about 12,000,000 ft lbs.

8. A method of kinetically fracking a subterranean structure according to claim 1 , wherein abruptly decelerating the fracking fluid occurs in a well from at about 10,000 feet deep or deeper.

9. 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) providing a fracking fluid at a pressure of about 8,000 psi to about 15,000 psi;

(c) accelerating the fracking fluid in the interior channel in a downhole direction to a velocity of from about 10 to about 150 feet per second; and

(d) abruptly decelerating fracking fluid flow.

10. A method of kinetically fracking a subterranean structure according to claim 9 , wherein the fracking fluid is provided in an overburdened pressure zone at a pressure of about 15,000 psi.

11. A method of kinetically fracking a subterranean structure according to claim 9 , wherein abruptly decelerating the fracking fluid occurs in a well from at about 10,000 feet deep or deeper.

12. A method of kinetically fracking a subterranean structure according to claim 9 , further comprising repeating steps (c) and (d).

13. A method of kinetically fracking a subterranean structure according to claim 9 , wherein abruptly decelerating fracking fluid flow further comprises closing the string apertures, sealing the interior liner cavity, or combinations thereof.

14. A method of kinetically fracking a subterranean structure according to claim 9 , wherein accelerating a fracking fluid in the interior channel in a downhole direction further comprises injecting a gas into the interior channel.

15. 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) providing a fracking fluid at a pressure of about 8,000 psi to about 15,000 psi;

(c) accelerating the fracking fluid in the interior channel in a downhole direction to a velocity of from about 100 to about 150 feet per second; and

(d) abruptly decelerating fracking fluid flow.

16. A method of kinetically fracking a subterranean structure according to claim 15 , wherein the fracking fluid is provided in an overburdened pressure zone at a pressure of about 15,000 psi.

17. A method of kinetically fracking a subterranean structure according to claim 15 , wherein abruptly decelerating the fracking fluid occurs in a well from at about 10,000 feet deep or deeper.

18. A method of kinetically fracking a subterranean structure according to claim 15 , further comprising repeating steps (c) and (d).

19. A method of kinetically fracking a subterranean structure according to claim 15 , wherein abruptly decelerating fracking fluid flow further comprises closing the string apertures, sealing the interior liner cavity, or combinations thereof.

20. A method of kinetically fracking a subterranean structure according to claim 15 , wherein accelerating a fracking fluid in the interior channel in a downhole direction further comprises injecting a gas into the interior channel.

Continuity (5)
Continuation 16136014 · Sep 19, 2018
Division 15175816 · Jun 7, 2016
Division 14696357 · Apr 24, 2015
Provisional Application 61983836 · Apr 24, 2014
Related Publication 20200003038A1 · Jan 2, 2020
Cited By (8)
US 12,315,317 US 12,418,633 US 12,544,601 US 12,553,626 US 12,605,572 US 12,658,019 US 12,664,870 US 12,734,376