US2011061869A1PendingUtilityA1

Formation of Fractures Within Horizontal Well

41
Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERV INCPriority: Sep 14, 2009Filed: Sep 14, 2009Published: Mar 17, 2011
Est. expirySep 14, 2029(~3.1 yrs left)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Hazim H. AbassAshraf M. TahiniMohamed SolimanDavid L. Meadows
E21B 43/26E21B 43/305
41
PatentIndex Score
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Claims

Abstract

Producing transverse fractures in a horizontal well may be achieved at a relatively lower fracturing pressure by forming one or more tunnels extending from the horizontal wellbore. One or more tunnels may be formed at each location along the horizontal wellbore where a transverse fracture is desired. The tunnel(s) may be formed mechanically, optically, or hydraulically. Further, fracturing may be formed at a lower pressure than would otherwise be required to form transverse fractures from a horizontal wellbore. According to some implementations, the transverse fractures may be formed without isolating a portion of the horizontal wellbore.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of forming transverse fractures extending from a horizontal wellbore comprising:
 forming a wellbore within a subterranean zone, the wellbore having a horizontal wellbore portion;   forming a tunnel extending from the horizontal wellbore portion into the subterranean zone towards the overburden, the tunnel formed with a length adapted to initiate a fracturing extending from the tunnel along a longitudinal axis thereof being influenced insignificantly by the horizontal wellbore portion;   applying fluid pressure to an interior of the horizontal wellbore portion at a location proximate the tunnel to form a fracture extending from the tunnel along a longitudinal axis thereof; and   propagating the initiated fracture to encompass the horizontal wellbore portion.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein forming a tunnel extending from the horizontal wellbore portion into the subterranean zone towards the overburden comprises:
 inserting a tool in the horizontal wellbore portion; and   orienting the tool into a desired orientation to form the tunnel.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein forming a tunnel extending from the horizontal wellbore portion into the subterranean zone towards the overburden comprises:
 forming a first tunnel extending from a first portion of the horizontal wellbore portion; and   forming a second tunnel extending from a second portion of the horizontal wellbore portion opposite the first portion.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein forming a tunnel extending from the horizontal wellbore portion into the subterranean zone towards the overburden comprises forming the tunnel with one of a hydrajet, a laser, or a drilling tool. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein forming the tunnel with a hydrajet comprises:
 disposing a hydrajet into the horizontal wellbore portion at a desired location therein;   orienting the hydrajet to form the tunnel; and   operating the hydrajet to impinge a fluid flow onto a surface of the horizontal wellbore portion to form the tunnel.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein forming the tunnel with a laser comprises:
 disposing a laser into the substantially horizontal wellbore portion;   orienting the laser to form the tunnel; and   operating the laser to form the tunnel.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein forming the tunnel with a drilling tool comprises:
 disposing a drilling tool into the substantially horizontal wellbore portion;   orienting the drilling tool to form the tunnel; and   operating the drilling tool to form the tunnel.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein forming a tunnel extending from the horizontal wellbore portion into the subterranean zone towards the overburden comprises forming a tunnel extending from the horizontal wellbore portion into the subterranean zone towards the overburden at two or more different locations along an axial length of the horizontal wellbore portion. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising isolating a portion of the horizontal wellbore at a location of the tunnel before applying the fluid pressure. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein forming a tunnel extending from the horizontal wellbore portion into the subterranean zone towards the overburden comprises forming the tunnel with a length of at least one and a half (1.5) times a radius of the horizontal wellbore portion. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein forming a tunnel extending from the horizontal wellbore portion into the subterranean zone towards the overburden comprises forming the tunnel with a length of at least three (3) times a radius of the horizontal wellbore portion. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein forming a tunnel extending from the horizontal wellbore portion into the subterranean zone towards the overburden comprises forming the tunnel with a length of at least six (6) times a radius of the horizontal wellbore portion. 
     
     
         13 . A wellbore system comprising:
 a horizontal wellbore extending through a subterranean zone; and   at least one tunnel extending from the horizontal wellbore into the subterranean zone towards the overburden, the at least one tunnel having a length adapted to form transverse fractures relative to the horizontal wellbore.   
     
     
         14 . The wellbore system of  claim 13 , wherein at least a portion of the horizontal wellbore comprises a slanted portion and wherein the tunnel extends from the slanted portion of the horizontal wellbore. 
     
     
         15 . The wellbore system of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one tunnel extending from the horizontal wellbore into the subterranean zone towards the overburden comprises:
 a first substantially vertical tunnel extending from a first portion of the horizontal wellbore; and   a second substantially vertical tunnel extending from a second portion of the horizontal wellbore along a perimeter thereof opposite the first portion.   
     
     
         16 . The wellbore system of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one tunnel having a length adapted to form transverse fractures relative to the horizontal wellbore comprises a tunnel having a length of at least one and a half (1.5) times a radius of the horizontal wellbore. 
     
     
         17 . The wellbore system of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one tunnel having a length adapted to form transverse fractures relative to the horizontal wellbore comprises a tunnel having a length of at least three (3) times a radius of the horizontal wellbore. 
     
     
         18 . The wellbore system of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one tunnel having a length adapted to form transverse fractures relative to the horizontal wellbore comprises a tunnel having a length of at least six (6) times a radius of the horizontal wellbore. 
     
     
         19 . A method of forming fractures transverse to a horizontal wellbore comprising:
 forming a wellbore having a horizontal wellbore portion within a subterranean zone;   forming a tunnel extending from the horizontal wellbore portion into the subterranean zone towards the overburden, the tunnel formed with a length such that the horizontal wellbore portion has insignificant effects on formation of a fracture extending from the tunnel along a longitudinal axis thereof;   applying fluid pressure to an interior of the horizontal wellbore portion at a location proximate the tunnel to form the fracture extending from the tunnel along the longitudinal axis thereof; and   propagating the initiated fracture to encompass the horizontal wellbore portion.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein forming a tunnel extending from the horizontal wellbore portion into the subterranean zone towards the overburden comprises forming the tunnel with a length of at least one and a half (1.5) times a radius of the horizontal wellbore portion. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein forming a tunnel extending from the horizontal wellbore portion into the subterranean zone towards the overburden comprises forming the tunnel with a length of at least three (3) times a radius of the horizontal wellbore portion. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein forming a tunnel extending from the horizontal wellbore portion into the subterranean zone towards the overburden comprises forming the tunnel with a length of at least six (6) times a radius of the horizontal wellbore portion. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein forming a tunnel extending from the horizontal wellbore portion into the subterranean zone towards the overburden comprises:
 inserting a tool in the horizontal wellbore portion; and   orienting the tool into a desired orientation to form the tunnel.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein forming a tunnel extending from the horizontal wellbore portion into the subterranean zone towards the overburden comprises forming the tunnel with one of a hydrajet, a laser, or a drilling tool. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein forming a tunnel extending from the horizontal wellbore portion into the subterranean zone towards the overburden comprising forming a tunnel at two or more different locations along an axial length of the horizontal wellbore portion. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising isolating a portion of the horizontal wellbore portion at a location of the tunnel before applying the fluid pressure.

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