Method and apparatus for stimulating a subterranean formation using liquefied natural gas

Abstract

Liquefied natural gas is used as a fracturing fluid to stimulate production of hydrocarbons from and/or injectability of fluids into subterranean formations. Proppants may be blended with the LNG prior to pumping the liquefied natural gas into the well. Optionally, the liquefied natural gas is heated after it is pumped and before it is introduced into the subterranean formation.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This is the first application filed for the present invention. MICROFICHE APPENDIX [0002] Not applicable. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0003] This invention generally relates to well fracturing and well stimulation operations, and, in particular, to a fracturing fluid and method of fracturing a subterranean formation to stimulate production of fluids from a well, or to improve permeability of the subterranean formation to facilitate injection of fluids into the well. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0004] Most subterranean formations used for producing oil and gas, coal bed methane, tar sands, oil shale, or shale gas formations require some form of stimulation to enhance hydrocarbon flow from the formations to make or keep them economically viable. Likewise, most subterranean formations used for fluid storage or disposal require some form of stimulation to enhance fluid flow into those formations. The fracturing of subterranean formations to stim...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0021] The invention therefore provides a fracturing fluid and methods for fracturing wells that are fully compatible with subterranean formations. The fracturing fluids are universally available at a reasonable cost, are environmentally compatible, and are commercially recoverable after stimulation is co

Problems solved by technology

First, in many parts of the world the water required for these fluids is difficult and expensive to obtain.

Second, transfer and disposal of used aqueous fluids is problematic.

It is well understood that dumping used fracturing fluids laden with chemical treatments and hydrocarbons into the sea is not an environmentally sound practice.

In most land jurisdictions the fluids must be disposed of in deep underground formations, which is expensive and may have unpredictable environmental consequences.

Third, aqueous fluids are by nature incompatible with most hydrocarbons and many subterranean formation compositions.

The mixing of aqueous fracture fluids with oil production is also undesirable, so fracturing fluids must be “flowed back” from a fractured well, separated from the oil and gas, and then disposed of in some way.

There is inevitable loss of hydrocarbons during the flow back, separation, and transportation, which all results in a loss of time before commercializatio

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