Method of subsurface reservoir fracturing using electromagnetic pulse energy

Abstract

A method for initiating and/or propagating fractures in a hydrocarbon reservoir, to improve fluid-flow permeability and hydrocarbon production. The method comprises the use of at least one electromagnetic energy pulse to both heat the reservoir rock and water within, causing thermal pressurization, and initiate electrokinetic pressurization.

1 . A method for initiating and propagating fractures in a hydrocarbon reservoir, the method comprising the steps of:
 a. applying at least one electromagnetic energy pulse to a portion of the reservoir;   b. allowing application of the at least one electromagnetic energy pulse to expand pore fluids within the portion of the reservoir;   c. allowing the expansion of the pore fluids to increase pore pressure; and   d. allowing the increased pore pressure to create mechanical stresses in the portion of the reservoir exceeding fracture stress of the portion of the reservoir, initiating and propagating fractures in the reservoir.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein a series of the electromagnetic energy pulses are applied to the portion of the reservoir. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein a plurality of the electromagnetic energy pulses are applied to the portion of the reservoir. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the electromagnetic energy pulses are periodically applied to the portion of the reservoir. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step before step a of determining a suitable pulse strength for the at least one electromagnetic energy pulse. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the at least one electromagnetic energy pulse is applied by radiating the at least one electromagnetic energy pulse so as to propagate the at least one electromagnetic energy pulse at least partially through the portion of the reservoir. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the expansion of the pore fluids results from thermal pressurization and electrokinetic pressurization. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the expansion of the pore fluids results at least partially from vaporization of connate water in the portion of the reservoir. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the fractures comprise micro-cracks. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the micro-cracks reduce strength of the portion of the reservoir, enabling propagation of the fractures. 
     
     
         11 . A method for improving permeability in a hydrocarbon reservoir, the method comprising the steps of:
 a. applying at least one electromagnetic energy pulse to a portion of the reservoir;   b. allowing application of the at least one electromagnetic energy pulse to expand pore fluids within the portion of the reservoir;   c. allowing the expansion of the pore fluids to increase pore pressure; and   d. allowing the increased pore pressure to create mechanical stresses in the portion of the reservoir exceeding fracture stress of the portion of the reservoir, fracturing the portion of the reservoir to improve the permeability.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein a series of the electromagnetic energy pulses are applied to the portion of the reservoir. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein a plurality of the electromagnetic energy pulses are applied to the portion of the reservoir. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the electromagnetic energy pulses are periodically applied to the portion of the reservoir. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising the step before step a of determining a suitable pulse strength for the at least one electromagnetic energy pulse. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the at least one electromagnetic energy pulse is applied by radiating the at least one electromagnetic energy pulse so as to propagate the at least one electromagnetic energy pulse at least partially through the portion of the reservoir. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the expansion of the pore fluids results from thermal pressurization and electrokinetic pressurization. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the expansion of the pore fluids results at least partially from vaporization of connate water in the portion of the reservoir. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the mechanical stresses reduce shear strength of the portion of the reservoir, causing the fracturing. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the mechanical stresses cause tensile failure of the portion of the reservoir, causing the fracturing. 
     
     
         21 . A method for improving production of hydrocarbon from a reservoir, the method comprising the steps of:
 a. applying at least one electromagnetic energy pulse to a portion of the reservoir;   b. allowing application of the at least one electromagnetic energy pulse to expand pore fluids within the portion of the reservoir;   c. allowing the expansion of the pore fluids to increase pore pressure;   d. allowing the increased pore pressure to create mechanical stresses in the portion of the reservoir exceeding fracture stress of the portion of the reservoir, initiating and propagating fractures in the reservoir; and   e. producing the hydrocarbon through the fractures.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21  wherein a series of the electromagnetic energy pulses are applied to the portion of the reservoir. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21  wherein a plurality of the electromagnetic energy pulses are applied to the portion of the reservoir. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the electromagnetic energy pulses are periodically applied to the portion of the reservoir. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising the step before step a of determining a suitable pulse strength for the at least one electromagnetic energy pulse. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the at least one electromagnetic energy pulse is applied by radiating the at least one electromagnetic energy pulse so as to propagate the at least one electromagnetic energy pulse at least partially through the portion of the reservoir. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the expansion of the pore fluids results from thermal pressurization and electrokinetic pressurization. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the expansion of the pore fluids results at least partially from vaporization of connate water in the portion of the reservoir. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the fractures comprise micro-cracks. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29  wherein the micro-cracks reduce strength of the portion of the reservoir, enabling propagation of the fractures. 
     
     
         31 . A method of hydrocarbon reservoir stimulation, the method comprising the steps of:
 a. applying at least one electromagnetic energy pulse to a portion of a reservoir;   b. allowing application of the at least one electromagnetic energy pulse to expand pore fluids within the portion of the reservoir;   c. allowing the expansion of the pore fluids to increase pore pressure;   d. allowing the increased pore pressure to create mechanical stresses in the portion of the reservoir exceeding fracture stress of the portion of the reservoir, initiating and propagating fractures in the reservoir; and   e. producing hydrocarbon through the fractures.   
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31  wherein a series of the electromagnetic energy pulses are applied to the portion of the reservoir. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 31  wherein a plurality of the electromagnetic energy pulses are applied to the portion of the reservoir. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 31  wherein the electromagnetic energy pulses are periodically applied to the portion of the reservoir. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 31  further comprising the step before step a of determining a suitable pulse strength for the at least one electromagnetic energy pulse. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 31  wherein the at least one electromagnetic energy pulse is applied by radiating the at least one electromagnetic energy pulse so as to propagate the at least one electromagnetic energy pulse at least partially through the portion of the reservoir. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 31  wherein the expansion of the pore fluids results from thermal pressurization and electrokinetic pressurization. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 31  wherein the expansion of the pore fluids results at least partially from vaporization of connate water in the portion of the reservoir. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 31  wherein the fractures comprise micro-cracks. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39  wherein the micro-cracks reduce strength of the portion of the reservoir, enabling propagation of the fractures.