Processes for hydraulic fracturing

Abstract

There is provided a process of stimulating a subterranean formation via a wellbore fluid passage of a cased wellbore. The process includes, with a perforating gun, perforating at least casing to form at least one or more perforations effecting fluid communication, via the wellbore fluid passage, between a first zone of the subterranean formation and a treatment fluid source. Treatment fluid is then injected via the wellbore fluid passage, from the treatment fluid source to the first zone such that fracturing of the first zone is effected. The injecting of the treatment fluid is then suspended. A perforating gun is then deployed within the wellbore fluid passage via wireline. The casing is then perforated to form at least one or more perforations effecting fluid communication, via the wellbore fluid passage, between a second zone of the subterranean formation and the treatment fluid source. While both of the first zone and the second zone are disposed in fluid communication, via the wellbore fluid passage, with the treatment fluid source, injecting treatment fluid from the treatment fluid source and into the wellbore fluid passage with effect that at least a fraction of the injected treatment fluid is directed to the second zone such that fracturing of the second zone is effected.

1 . A process of stimulating a subterranean formation via a wellbore fluid passage of a wellbore, comprising;
 injecting treatment fluid, via the wellbore fluid passage, from a treatment fluid source to a first zone within the subterranean formation such that fracturing of the first zone is effected;   effecting fluid communication, via the wellbore fluid passage, between a second zone within the subterranean formation and the treatment fluid source;   while both of the first zone and the second zone are disposed in fluid communication, via the wellbore fluid passage, with the treatment fluid source, injecting treatment fluid from the treatment fluid source and into the wellbore fluid passage with effect that at least a fraction of the injected treatment fluid is directed to the second zone such that fracturing of the second zone is effected.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . The process as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 prior to the effecting fluid communication between a second zone within the subterranean formation and the treatment fluid source, suspending the injecting of the treatment fluid.   
     
     
         4 . The process as claimed in  claim 1 ;
 wherein the wellbore is at least partially cased with casing, and the wellbore fluid passage is defined within the casing;   and wherein each one of: (i) the effecting fluid communication between the first zone and the treatment fluid source, and (ii) the effecting fluid communication between the second zone and the treatment fluid source, independently, includes perforating at least the casing to effect fluid communication with the wellbore fluid passage.   
     
     
         5 . The process as claimed in  claim 4 ;
 wherein the perforating of the casing that effects the fluid communication between the first zone and the wellbore fluid passage is with effect that one or more first zone perforations are created;   and wherein the perforating of the casing that effects the fluid communication between the second zone and the wellbore fluid passage is with effect that one or more second zone perforations are created;   and wherein the minimum distance between the set of one or more first zone perforations and the set of one or more second zone perforations is at least five (5) metres.   
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . The process as claimed in  claim 1 ;
 wherein a first interface is disposed between the first zone and the wellbore;   and wherein a second interface is disposed between the second zone and the wellbore;   and wherein the lithology of the first zone at the first interface is the same, or substantially the same, as the lithology of the second zone at the second interface.   
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . The process as claimed in  claim 1 ;
 wherein a first interface is disposed between the first zone and the wellbore;   and wherein a second interface is disposed between the second zone and the wellbore;   and wherein the identifiable stratigraphy of the first zone at the first interface is the same, or substantially the same, as the identifiable stratigraphy of the second zone at the second interface.   
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . The process as claimed in  claim 1 ;
 wherein a first interface is disposed between the first zone and the wellbore;   and wherein a second interface is disposed between the second zone and the wellbore;   and wherein the stress magnitude of the first zone at the first interface is the same, or substantially the same, as the stress magnitude of the second zone at the second interface.   
     
     
         16 . The process as claimed in  claim 1 ;
 wherein a first interface is disposed between the first zone and the wellbore;   and wherein a second interface is disposed between the second zone and the wellbore;   and wherein the depth of the first interface is within a maximum distance of less than 50 metres of the depth of the second interface.   
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . The process as claimed in  claim 1 ;
 wherein the minimum distance between the first and second zones is at least five (5) metres.   
     
     
         21 . The process as claimed in  claim 1 ;
 wherein the supplying to the second zone is induced at least by stress that is induced within the formation by the injecting of the treatment fluid to the first zone.   
     
     
         22 . The process as claimed in  claim 1 ;
 wherein the first and second zones are disposed within a shale formation.   
     
     
         23 . The process as claimed in  claim 22 ;
 wherein the injecting of treatment fluid to the second zone is induced at least by both of: (i) stress that is induced within the formation by the injecting of the treatment fluid to the first zone, and (ii) stress effected by water imbibition into the one or more fractures effected within the first zone.   
     
     
         24 . The process as claimed in  claim 1 ;
 wherein the first zone is not mechanically isolated from the wellbore fluid passage while the injecting of treatment fluid to the second zone via the wellbore fluid passage is being effected.   
     
     
         25 . A process of stimulating a subterranean formation via a wellbore fluid passage of a cased wellbore, comprising;
 with a perforating gun, perforating at least casing to form at least one or more perforations effecting fluid communication, via the wellbore fluid passage, between a first zone of the subterranean formation and a treatment fluid source;   injecting treatment fluid, via the wellbore fluid passage, from the treatment fluid source to the first zone such that fracturing of the first zone is effected;   suspending the injecting of the treatment fluid;   deploying a perforating gun within the wellbore fluid passage;   perforating at least casing to form at least one or more perforations effecting fluid communication, via the wellbore fluid passage, between a second zone of the subterranean formation and the treatment fluid source;   while both of the first zone and the second zone are disposed in fluid communication, via the wellbore fluid passage, with the treatment fluid source, injecting treatment fluid from the treatment fluid source and into the wellbore fluid passage with effect that at least a fraction of the injected treatment fluid is directed to the second zone such that fracturing of the second zone is effected.   
     
     
         26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . The process as claimed in  claim 25 ;
 wherein the second zone is disposed uphole relative to the first zone.   
     
     
         28 . The process as claimed in  claim 25 ;
 wherein the minimum distance between the set of one or more first zone perforations and the set of one or more second zone perforations is at least five (5) metres.   
     
     
         29 . The process as claimed in  claim 25 ;
 wherein a first interface is disposed between the first zone and the wellbore;   and wherein a second interface is disposed between the second zone and the wellbore;   and wherein the lithology of the first zone at the first interface is the same, or substantially the same, as the lithology of the second zone at the second interface.   
     
     
         30 . The process as claimed in  claim 29 ;
 wherein the identifiable stratigraphy of the first zone at the first interface is the same, or substantially the same, as the identifiable stratigraphy of the second zone at the second interface.   
     
     
         31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . The process as claimed in  claim 25 ;
 wherein a first interface is disposed between the first zone and the wellbore;   and wherein a second interface is disposed between the second zone and the wellbore;   and wherein the identifiable stratigraphy of the first zone at the first interface is the same, or substantially the same, as the identifiable stratigraphy of the second zone at the second interface.   
     
     
         33 . (canceled) 
     
     
         34 . The process as claimed in  claim 25 ;
 wherein a first interface is disposed between the first zone and the wellbore;   and wherein a second interface is disposed between the second zone and the wellbore;   and wherein the stress magnitude of the first zone at the first interface is the same, or substantially the same, as the stress magnitude of the second zone at the second interface.   
     
     
         35 . The process as claimed in  claim 25 ;
 wherein a first interface is disposed between the first zone and the wellbore;   and wherein a second interface is disposed between the second zone and the wellbore;   and wherein the depth of the first interface is within a maximum distance of less than 50 metres of the depth of the second interface.   
     
     
         36 . (canceled) 
     
     
         37 . (canceled) 
     
     
         38 . (canceled) 
     
     
         39 . The process as claimed in  claim 25 ;
 wherein the minimum distance between the first and second zones is at least five (5) metres.   
     
     
         40 . The process as claimed in  claim 25 ;
 wherein the supplying to the second zone is induced at least by stress that is induced within the formation by the injecting of the treatment fluid to the first zone.   
     
     
         41 . The process as claimed in  claim 25 ;
 wherein the first and second zones are disposed within a shale formation.   
     
     
         42 . The process as claimed in  claim 41 ;
 wherein the injecting of treatment fluid to the second zone is induced at least by both of: (i) stress that is induced within the formation by the injecting of the treatment fluid to the first zone, and (ii) stress effected by water imbibition into the one or more fractures effected within the first zone.   
     
     
         43 . The process as claimed in  claim 25 ;
 wherein the first zone is not mechanically isolated from the wellbore fluid passage while the injecting of treatment fluid to the second zone via the wellbore fluid passage is being effected.   
     
     
         44 . A process of stimulating a subterranean formation including a pre-existing cased wellbore having a fluid passage that is disposed in fluid communication with uphole and downhole zones within the subterranean formation, wherein, for each one of the zones, one or more openings or ports extend through the casing for effecting fluid communication with the zone, the process comprising:
 sealing, or substantially sealing fluid communication, via the wellbore fluid passage, between a source of treatment fluid and the downhole zone;   after the fluid communication, via the wellbore fluid passage, between the source of treatment fluid and the downhole zone is sealed or substantially sealed, injecting treatment fluid, via the wellbore fluid passage, from the source to the uphole zone;   suspending the injection of the treatment fluid;   unsealing fluid communication between the source and the downhole zone; and   after the unsealing of the fluid communication, and while both of the uphole and downhole zones are disposed in fluid communication with the source via the wellbore fluid passage, injecting treatment fluid from the source and into the wellbore fluid passage with effect that at least a fraction of the injected treatment fluid is directed to the downhole zone such that fracturing of the downhole zone is effected.   
     
     
         45 . The process as claimed in  claim 44 ;
 wherein at least the uphole zone has been previously fracced.   
     
     
         46 . The process as claimed in  claim 44 ;
 wherein a first interface is disposed between the uphole zone and the wellbore;   and wherein a second interface is disposed between the downhole zone and the wellbore;   and wherein the lithology of the uphole zone at the first interface is the same, or substantially the same, as the lithology of the downhole zone at the second interface.   
     
     
         47 . (canceled) 
     
     
         48 . (canceled) 
     
     
         49 . The process as claimed in  claim 44 ;
 wherein a first interface is disposed between the uphole zone and the wellbore;   and wherein a second interface is disposed between the downhole zone and the wellbore;   and wherein the identifiable stratigraphy of the uphole zone at the first interface is the same, or substantially the same, as the identifiable stratigraphy of the downhole zone at the second interface.   
     
     
         50 . (canceled) 
     
     
         51 . The process as claimed in  claim 44 ;
 wherein a first interface is disposed between the uphole zone and the wellbore;   and wherein a second interface is disposed between the downhole zone and the wellbore;   and wherein the stress magnitude of the uphole zone at the first interface is the same, or substantially the same, as the stress magnitude of the downhole zone at the second interface.   
     
     
         52 . The process as claimed in  claim 44 ;
 wherein a first interface is disposed between the uphole zone and the wellbore;   and wherein a second interface is disposed between the downhole zone and the wellbore;   and wherein the depth of the first interface is within a maximum distance of less than 50 metres of the depth of the second interface.   
     
     
         53 . (canceled) 
     
     
         54 . (canceled) 
     
     
         55 . (canceled) 
     
     
         56 . The process as claimed in  claim 44 ;
 wherein the minimum distance between the uphole and downhole zones is at least five (5) metres.   
     
     
         57 . The process as claimed in  claim 44 ;
 wherein the supplying to the downhole zone is induced at least by stress that is induced within the formation by the injecting of the treatment fluid to the uphole zone.   
     
     
         58 . The process as claimed in  claim 44 ;
 wherein the uphole and downhole zones are disposed within a shale formation.   
     
     
         59 . The process as claimed in  claim 58 ;
 wherein the injecting of treatment fluid to the downhole zone is induced at least by both of: (i) stress that is induced within the formation by the injecting of the treatment fluid to the uphole zone, and (ii) stress effected by water imbibition into the one or more fractures effected within the uphole zone.   
     
     
         60 . The process as claimed in  claim 44 ;
 wherein the uphole zone is not mechanically isolated from the wellbore fluid passage while the injecting of treatment fluid to the downhole zone via the wellbore fluid passage is being effected.