Abstract: Methods are provided that include the steps of providing wells in a formation, establishing one or more fractures (12) in the formation, such that each fracture intersects at least one of the wells (16, 18), placing electrically conductive material in the fractures, and generating electric current through the fractures and through the material such that sufficient heat (10) is generated by electrical resistivity within the material to pyrolyze organic matter in the formation into producible hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A method for optimizing the rate at which a given acid should be injected into a carbonate-containing rock formation during an acid injection process. The first step of the method calculates the Damkohler numbers for regimes in which kinematic force, diffusion rate and reaction rate control. The Damkohler numbers are then used to calculate the rate of growth of wormholes as a function of flux, taking into account compact dissolution, wormholing, and uniform dissolution. The calculated function is used to calculate an optimum flux for the formation. The optimum flux is then used to calculate an optimum injection rate at a given point in the acid injection process.

Abstract: A subsurface formation surrounding a borehole is hydraulically fractured when a fracturing fluid is supplied down through the borehole by way of a fluid injection line from the surface of the earth. Pressure drop is measured along the injection line as fracturing fluid flows therethrough. Both fracture closure and minimum in-situ stress are determined at the point where such pressure drop is equal only to a hydrostatic pressure difference along the injection line.

Abstract: Method of hydraulic fracturing of a subterranean formation comprising drilling a deviated wellbore in a direction parallel to a desired fracture direction, and supplying fracturing fluid through the wellbore to the formation. The average net pressure on the fluid is maximized in a fracture formed in the formation by pumping the fracturing fluid at a maximum rate, and by using a high viscosity fracturing fluid. Maximization of the average net pressure acts to extend the fracture in a direction parallel to the direction of the wellbore. The amount of the extension of the fracture is a function of the ratio of the average net pressure to the horizontal stress difference, whereby the higher the ratio, the greater the amount of the extension.

Abstract: A seismic system is placed in a predetermined orientation with respect to a surface of a formation, and a low viscosity substance is introduced between the sensor system and the surface of the formation. The substance has a composition formulated for stiffening in situ by increasing viscosity to provide a mechanical bond and an acoustical signal transmission coupling between the sensor system and the formation. After completion of the seismic operation, the stiffened substance is contacted with a stimulus for breaking the stiffened substance and thereby break the mechanical bond. Thereafter, the sensor system is recovered.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of hydraulically fracturing a first zone with a first fluid and an adjacent second zone with a second fluid which preferably is chemically reactive with the first fluid to produce a precipitate or gel upon contact therewith. Preferably the fluids are separated from one another in the wellbore and are pumped into their respective zones at approximately the same rate so that they spread radially outward from the wellbore into the formation. Upon contact, the two fluids react with one another to form a precipitate or gel at the interface between the two zones thereby arresting further fracture propagation between the zones.

Abstract: A method of forming fractures from a highly deviated or horizontal well bore penetrating a subterranean formulation. A well bore is drilled horizontally into a formation and the deviation in the direction of the well bore from the direction of the least principal horizontal stress is determined. Perforations or notches then are produced in casing cemented in the well bore. The notching is effected in such a manner that the direction of the perforation or notch is made perpendicularly to the direction of the least principal horizontal stress in the subterranean formation. A fracturing fluid then is introduced into the well bore at a predetermined rate and pressure to fracture the formation at the fracture initiation points created by the notches whereby fracture reorientation is minimized or eliminated.