Ralph W Veatch

US Patent:

20120175121, Jul 12, 2012

Filed:

Jan 4, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/343111

Inventors:

Ralph W. Veatch - Tulsa OK, US

International Classification:

E21B 43/26

US Classification:

1663081

Abstract:

Method is provided for increase production rate and improving economics of hydraulic fracturing of a well where a fracture can be formed extending a greater distance than the thickness of the pay zone in the well. A settling fluid containing proppant is injected to form a bank or pile of proppant that extends beyond the pay zone.

US Patent:

49934910, Feb 19, 1991

Filed:

Apr 24, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/342407

Inventors:

Ian D. Palmer - Tulsa OK
David C. Gardner - Broken Arrow OK
Ralph W. Veatch - Tulsa OK
G. Michael Kutas - Farmington NM

Assignee:

Amoco Corporation - Chicago IL

International Classification:

E21B 43267

US Classification:

166280

Abstract:

This invention pertains to a novel method of fracturing subterranean coal formations as a means for stimulating the production of coalbed methane. A highly conductive proppant pack is emplaced in the fracture during the fracturing treatment that has a particle size gradient ranging from about 40/70 mesh at the leading tip of the fracture to about 12/20 mesh at the trailing base of the fracture. The fracturing process is conventional in the sense that the materials and equipment used in the process are well known. The manner in which such materials and equipment are used to fracture coal degasification wells is new.