Hydraulic fracturing in hydrocarbon reservoirs

Abstract

A subterranean zone can be treated by introducing an acid-generating material and a proppant to the subterranean zone. Fractures are created in the subterranean zone using the acid-generating material. The proppant is positioned within the created fractures to keep the fractures open.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for treating a subterranean zone, the method comprising:
 introducing an acid-generating material and a proppant to the subterranean zone;   creating fractures in the subterranean zone using the acid-generating material; and   positioning the proppant within the created fractures to keep the fractures open.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein introducing the acid-generating material and the proppant to the subterranean zone comprises:
 mixing the acid-generating material and the proppant to form a mixture; and   introducing the mixture to the subterranean zone.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the mixture comprises a plurality of layers, each of the layers comprising the acid-generating material and the proppant. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the subterranean zone comprises carbonate mineral. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein creating the fractures in the subterranean zone using the acid-generating material comprises:
 generating an acid in the subterranean zone with the acid-generating material; and   reacting the carbonate mineral with the generated acid.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the acid-generating material comprises a degradable ester. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the degradable ester comprises polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the proppant has a maximum dimension less than or equal to 100 micrometers (μm). 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the proppant has a maximum dimension less than or equal to 1 μm. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the proppant has a maximum dimension less than or equal to 100 nanometers (nm). 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein introducing the acid-generating material and the proppant to the subterranean zone comprises:
 coating the proppant with the acid-generating material to form coated proppant; and   introducing the coated proppant to the subterranean zone.