Patent ID: 9027641
Filing Date: 2015-05-12
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
1. A method of fracturing multiple zones within a wellbore formed in a subterranean formation, the method comprising: (a) forming at least one cluster of flow-through passages in each of two or more zones within the wellbore so that the directions of all flow-through passages, which belong to the same cluster, are aligned within a single plane, and so that stresses, which act perpendicular to such planes, are different for each of the two or more zones; (b) generating a pressure pulse sufficient for forming pre-fractures in each of the two or more zones, which contain the flow-through passages; (c) introducing a fracturing fluid into the wellbore in a fracturing treatment; (d) providing a pressure of the fracturing fluid in the fracturing treatment to form a fracture with this pressure being above that of the pre-fracture propagation pressure of at least one of two or more pre-fractures within non-treated zones and this pressure of fracturing fluid being lower than the pressure of fracture propagation resumption in all treated zones; (e) isolating all the fractures within the zone being treated if there is at least one non-treated zone left; (f) repeating (d) and (e) for each pre-fracture within non-treated zones.