Apparatus and Method of Fracturing

Abstract

A method and apparatus for fracturing a formation containing a wellbore comprising the steps of (a) injecting a gel into the wellbore; (b) permitting for the gel to increase viscosity and (c) fracturing the formation in the vicinity of the gel.

1 . A method of fracturing a formation containing a wellbore comprising the steps of:
 (a) injecting a gel into the wellbore; and   (b) fracturing the formation adjacent the area of the gel.   
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1 , further including the step of permitting the gel to increase in viscosity prior to the fracturing step. 
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the gel forms a plug in the wellbore. 
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 3 , including the step of introducing a fluid into the wellbore prior to injection of the gel. 
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein the gel comprises a base fluid and a viscosifying agent. 
   
   
       6 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the base fluid is water or hydrocarbon based. 
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the viscosifying agent is a viscosifying polymer or surfactant. 
   
   
       8 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the viscosifying agent is guar, hydroxyl ethyl cellulose or derivatives thereof. 
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the viscosifying agent is a phosphate ester. 
   
   
       10 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the gel further includes a crosslinker. 
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the crosslinker is a multivalent metal ion. 
   
   
       12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the multivalent metal ion is borate, antimony, zirconium, chrome, titanium or iron. 
   
   
       13 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the gel further includes a one for more of a clay stabilizing, salt, methanol, pH adjustors, biocide and flowback enhancer. 
   
   
       14 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the gel further includes a breaker. 
   
   
       15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the breaker is an enzyme or oxidizer. 
   
   
       16 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the breaker is a persulfate, peroxide, acid or bleach. 
   
   
       17 . The method according to  claim 14  wherein the breaker is a pH buffer or caustic fluid. 
   
   
       18 . The method according to  claim 4  wherein the gel has a yield strength sufficient to minimize movement of fracturing fluid to another part of the well. 
   
   
       19 . A method of fracturing a formation containing a wellbore comprising the steps of:
 (a) inserting tubing into the wellbore to a first location in the wellbore;   (b) introducing a gel into the wellbore via the tubing sufficient at the first location; and   (c) introducing a fracturing fluid into the wellbore via the tubing to fracture the formation at the first location.   
   
   
       20 . The method according to  claim 19 , further including the step of introducing a fluid into the wellbore prior to the injection of the gel. 
   
   
       21 . The method according to  claim 19 , further including the step of permitting the gel to increase in viscosity. 
   
   
       22 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein the fracturing fluid is introduced into the gel. 
   
   
       23 . The method according to  claim 19 , further including the step of moving the tubing to a second location and repeating step (c). 
   
   
       24 . The method according to  claim 23  further including the step of introducing additional gel prior to repeating step (c). 
   
   
       25 . A new use of a gel for purposes of well stimulation, comprising the step of:
 use of a gel to isolate a well for well stimulation.   
   
   
       26 . The method according to  claim 25 , wherein the gel comprises a base fluid and a viscosifying agent. 
   
   
       27 . The method according to  claim 26 , wherein the base fluid is water or hydrocarbon based. 
   
   
       28 . The method according to  claim 26 , wherein the viscosifying agent is a viscosifying polymer or surfactant. 
   
   
       29 . The method according to  claim 26 , wherein the viscosifying agent is guar, hydroxyl ethyl cellulose or derivatives thereof. 
   
   
       30 . The method according to  claim 26 , wherein the viscosifying agent is a phosphate ester. 
   
   
       31 . The method according to  claim 27 , wherein the gel further includes a crosslinker. 
   
   
       32 . The method according to  claim 31 , wherein the crosslinker is a multivalent metal ion. 
   
   
       33 . The method according to  claim 32 , wherein the multivalent metal ion is borate, antimony, zirconium, chrome, titanium or iron. 
   
   
       34 . The method according to  claim 26 , wherein the gel further includes a one for more of a clay stabilizing, salt, methanol, pH adjustors, biocide and flowback enhancer. 
   
   
       35 . The method according to  claim 26 , wherein the gel further includes a breaker. 
   
   
       36 . The method according to  claim 35 , wherein the breaker is an enzyme or oxidizer. 
   
   
       37 . The method according to  claim 35 , wherein the breaker is a persulfate, peroxide, acid or bleach. 
   
   
       38 . The method according to  claim 35  wherein the breaker is a pH buffer or caustic fluid. 
   
   
       39 . The method according to  claim 26  wherein the gel has a yield strength sufficient to minimize movement of fracturing fluid to another part of the well. 
   
   
       40 . A bottomhole apparatus for introducing a fluid into a wellbore comprising:
 a tube including a first end connectable to tubing and a second end which is closed,   the tube including a least one slot in the side thereof, whereby fluid entering the apparatus from the first end is directed out the side of the tube.   
   
   
       41 . The bottomhole apparatus according to  claim 40 , further including a cone at the second end adapted to laterally deflect fluid out of the apparatus. 
   
   
       42 . The bottomhole apparatus according to  claim 41 , wherein the slot is an elongated slot. 
   
   
       43 . The bottomhole apparatus according to  claim 42 , further including means for coupling the apparatus to tubing.