Methods For Fracturing Subterranean Formations

摘要

Methods of fracturing a subterranean formation are described wherein sintered ceramic proppants are used in at least two different stages. Each stage can utilize the same or a different type of proppant relative to one or more of the other stages, and the same or a different type of fracturing fluid relative to one or more of the other stages. At least one of the stages uses a proppant having a monodispersity of 3-sigma distribution or lower. A first stage can be used that exhibits at least one proppant performance property having a first value. A second stage can be used that exhibits the same proppant performance property as the first stage but at a value that differs from the first value by at least 10%.

主权项

1. A method of fracturing a subterranean formation comprising introducing at least a first proppant and a second proppant into the formation, wherein each of the first proppant and the second proppant comprises a plurality of sintered ceramic proppants, each of the first proppant and the second proppant has a mean particle size, the first proppant or the second proppant or both are sintered ceramic proppants that are monodispersed with a distribution that is a 3-sigma distribution or lower with a width of the total distribution being 5% or less of the mean particle size, the first proppant is introduced in a first stage, the second proppant is introduced in a second stage, the first stage exhibits at least one proppant performance property having a first value, and the second stage exhibits the same proppant performance property as the first stage but at a second value that differs from the first value by at least 10%.