METHOD OF FORMING A PLURALITY OF SPACED SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL FRACTURES FROM A DEVIATED WELL BORE

摘要

An improved method of forming a plurality of spaced substantially parallel fractures in a subterranean formation from a deviated well bore penetrating the formation is provided. The method comprises drilling a substantially vertical well bore into the formation and forming an initial fracture therein by applying hydraulic pressure to the formation. The in situ least principal stress direction in the formation is determined from the initial fracture and a deviated well bore is then drilled from the substantially vertical well bore into the formation at an angle and in a direction substantially parallel to the in situ least principal stress direction in the formation. Casing is placed in the deviated well bore, and a plurality of spaced fracture initiation points are created therein by forming a set of perforations of predetermined number and size through the casing and into the formation at the location of each of the fracture initiation points. Hydraulic pressure is applied under predetermined conditions to the sets of perforations at the fracture initiation points simultaneously to thereby extend a plurality of spaced substantially parallel fractures in the formation from the deviated well bore.