Methods of Pressurizing a Wellbore to Enhance Hydrocarbon Production

Abstract

Some methods of producing hydrocarbons from a formation include pressurizing a formation by pumping fluid into a portion of a wellbore having one or more first fractures in fluid communication with the formation, while the formation is pressurized, restricting fluid communication between the formation and the wellbore via the first fracture(s), and, while fluid communication between the formation and the wellbore via the first fracture(s) is restricted, producing hydrocarbons from the formation via one or more second fractures of the wellbore that are in fluid communication with the formation. Some methods include, while fluid communication between the formation and the wellbore via the first fracture(s) is restricted, creating the second fracture(s).

1 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A method of producing hydrocarbons from a formation, the method comprising:
 pressurizing a formation via one or more first fractures and one or more second fractures of a wellbore, wherein the first fracture(s) and the second fracture(s) are in fluid communication with the formation;   while the formation is pressurized, restricting fluid communication between the formation and the wellbore via the first fracture(s); and   while fluid communication between the formation and the wellbore via the first fracture(s) is restricted, producing hydrocarbons from the formation via the second fracture(s).   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein at least one of the second fracture(s) is disposed between adjacent ones of the first fracture(s) in a direction along the wellbore. 
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein:
 during pressurizing the formation, pressure within the portion of the wellbore reaches a maximum pressure; and   when fluid communication between the formation and the wellbore via the first fracture(s) is restricted, pressure within the portion of the wellbore is within 20% of the maximum pressure.   
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the wellbore is horizontal. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the formation has an average permeability that is less than approximately 0.5 mD, optionally, less than approximately 0.1 mD.