Method of Treating A Formation Using Deformable Proppants

Abstract

A substance and method for treating a subterranean formation using hydraulic fracturing. A non-metallic, substantially deformable, proppant particle is “elastically flexible” or “plastically compressible” and adapted for use at concentrations which will substantially create a partial monolayer. The method for treating a formation with a non-metallic deformable proppant, includes the steps of injecting a carrier fluid into the formation, the carrier fluid carrying an amount of the deformable proppant, wherein the carrier fluid is injected at a pressure and a flow rate sufficient to create or open an existing fracture or fracture network in the formation, and placing at least a portion of the deformable proppant in the fracture, the deformable proppant forming substantially a partial monolayer in the fracture, and reducing the pressure and/or the flow rate sufficient to allow the fracture in the formation to at least partially close, wherein at least a portion of the deformable proppant remains in the fracture to prop open at least a portion of the fracture.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method of treating a subterranean formation with a non-metallic deformable proppant, comprising the steps of:
 a. injecting a carrier fluid into the formation, the carrier fluid carrying an amount of the deformable proppant, wherein the carrier fluid is injected at a pressure and a flow rate sufficient to open a fracture in the formation;   b. placing at least a portion of the deformable proppant in the fracture, the deformable proppant forming a partial monolayer in the fracture; and   c. reducing the pressure and/or the flow rate sufficient to allow the fracture in the formation to at least partially close,   wherein at least a portion of the deformable proppant remains in the fracture to prop open at least a portion of the fracture.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the amount of the deformable proppant is selected such that the proppant is placed in the fracture in a monolayer or 1.0 layer thick. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the amount of the deformable proppant is between about 10 and 40 kg/m 3  of carrier fluid. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the amount of the deformable proppant is between about 25 and 100 kg/m 3 of carrier fluid. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the amount of the deformable proppant is less than about 200 kg/m 3 of carrier fluid. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fracture extends through the formation in a direction that defines a generally horizontal component. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fracture extends through the formation in at least one direction including both a vertical component and a horizontal component.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the carrier fluid is a gas, a liquid, a foam or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the proppant is elastically, plastically, or elastically and plastically deformed under a closure stress. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the closure stress is between about 20 MPa and about 80 MPa. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the proppant has an elastic deformation resistance and a plastic deformation resistance, and the closure stress is greater than the elastic deformation resistance and the closure stress is less than the plastic deformation resistance. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the proppant is deformed when a closure stress is applied. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the proppant includes a single polymer or a combination of polymers that are layered or coated to create a particle. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the proppant includes a solid outer shell or layers of polymer that encase an inner fluid. 
     
     
         15 . A method of treating a formation with a non-metallic deformable proppant, comprising the steps of:
 a. applying a treatment cycle comprising the steps of:
 i. injecting a carrier fluid into the formation, the carrier fluid carrying an amount of the deformable proppant, wherein the carrier fluid is injected at a pressure and a flow rate sufficient to open a fracture in the formation; 
 ii. placing at least a portion of the deformable proppant in the fracture, the deformable proppant forming a partial monolayer in the fracture; and 
 iii. reducing the pressure and/or the flow rate sufficient to allow the fracture in the formation to at least partially close, wherein at least a portion of the deformable proppant remains in the fracture to prop open at least a portion of the fracture; and 
   b. repeating the treatment cycle at least one time.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the proppant includes a single polymer or a combination of polymers that are layered or coated to create a particle. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the proppant includes a solid outer shell or layers of polymer that encase an inner fluid.