Methods of forming high-porosity fractures in weakly consolidated or unconsolidated formations

摘要

Methods of fracturing a subterranean formation penetrated by a well bore, that include the steps of placing a fracturing fluid comprising a first stabilizing substance into the subterranean formation at or above a pressure sufficient to create or enhance at least one fracture in the subterranean formation and placing a treatment fluid comprising a gel carrier fluid, degradable solids-free gel bodies, and solids-laden gel bodies into the fracture such that the solids-free gel bodies and the solids-laden gel bodies form multiple packs within the fracture. Breaking the gel carrier fluid and allowing the solids-free gel bodies to degrade to create a high porosity propped fracture formed of the solids-laden gel bodies wherein the propped fracture has a porosity of at least about 40%.

主权项

1. A method of fracturing a subterranean formation penetrated by a well bore, comprising:
placing a fracturing fluid comprising a first stabilizing substance into the subterranean formation at or above a pressure sufficient to create or enhance at least one fracture in the subterranean formation; placing a treatment fluid comprising a gel carrier fluid, degradable solids-free gel bodies, and solids-laden gel bodies into the fracture such that the solids-free gel bodies and the solids-laden gel bodies form multiple packs within the fracture; allowing the pressure within the subterranean formation to fall below a pressure sufficient to create or enhance at least one fracture in the subterranean formation; and, breaking the gel carrier fluid and allowing the solids-free gel bodies to degrade to create a high porosity propped fracture formed of the solids-laden gel bodies wherein the propped fracture has a porosity of at least about 40%.