Liquified petroleum gas fracturing methods

Abstract

Methods of tailoring a hydrocarbon fracturing fluid for a subterranean formation are disclosed. Fluid in the subterranean formation has a fluid temperature. A first critical temperature of a hydrocarbon fluid is adjusted to a critical temperature above the fluid temperature by adding a liquefied petroleum gas component to the hydrocarbon fluid to produce the hydrocarbon fracturing fluid. The liquefied petroleum gas component has a second critical temperature, and the hydrocarbon fluid comprises liquefied petroleum gas. A hydrocarbon fracturing fluid made by these methods are also disclosed. Methods of treating a subterranean formation are also disclosed. A hydrocarbon fracturing fluid is introduced into the subterranean formation, the hydrocarbon fracturing fluid having a critical temperature that is above a fluid temperature of the hydrocarbon fracturing fluid when the hydrocarbon fracturing fluid is in the subterranean formation. The hydrocarbon fracturing fluid is subjected to pressures above the formation pressure.

1 - 33 . (canceled) 
     
     
         34 . A method of treating a subterranean formation, the method comprising:
 introducing a hydrocarbon fracturing fluid comprising liquefied petroleum gas into the subterranean formation;   subjecting the hydrocarbon fracturing fluid to pressures above the formation pressure; and   shutting-in the hydrocarbon fracturing fluid in the subterranean formation for a period of at least 4 hours.   
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34  in which the hydrocarbon fracturing fluid is shut-in for a period of at least 24 hours. 
     
     
         36 . A method of treating one or more hydrocarbon reservoirs penetrated by a well, the method comprising:
 introducing hydrocarbon fracturing fluid comprising liquefied petroleum gas through the well into a first zone of the one or more hydrocarbon reservoirs;   subjecting the hydrocarbon fracturing fluid in the first zone to pressures above the formation pressure of the first zone;   introducing hydrocarbon fracturing fluid comprising liquefied petroleum gas through the well into a second zone of the one or more hydrocarbon reservoirs;   subjecting the hydrocarbon fracturing fluid in the second zone to pressures above the formation pressure of the second zone; and   at least partially removing the hydrocarbon fracturing fluid from the first zone and the second zone.   
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36  in which the well is a predominantly horizontal well penetrating a hydrocarbon reservoir and the first zone and the second zone are both in the hydrocarbon reservoir. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 36  in which the well is a predominantly vertical well penetrating at least a first hydrocarbon reservoir and a second hydrocarbon reservoir and the first zone comprises at least a portion of the first hydrocarbon reservoir and the second zone comprises at least a portion of the second hydrocarbon reservoir. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 36  further comprising shutting in the first zone before introducing hydrocarbon fracturing fluid into the second zone. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39  in which the first zone is shut-in for a period of at least 4 hours. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 36 , further comprising shutting in the second zone before at least partially removing the hydrocarbon fracturing fluid from the second zone. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 36  in which the hydrocarbon fracturing fluid introduced into the first zone has a different composition from the hydrocarbon fracturing fluid introduced into the second zone.