Patent ID: 8453743
Filing Date: 2013-06-04
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
1. A method of fracturing an openhole wellbore portion of a well, the method comprising the steps of: (A) obtaining a fracturing job design having at least one treatment interval for the openhole wellbore portion, wherein the treatment interval: (B) running a tubular string into the treatment interval, wherein the tubular string has an axial passageway; (C) before or after the step of running, forming one or more tubular string openings in the tubular string, wherein after the step of running, the one or more tubular string openings are positioned in the treatment interval; (D) except for the axial passageway of the tubular string, blocking at least 86% of the nominal cross-sectional area of the treatment interval that is between one of the ends of the treatment interval and the axially closest of the one or more tubular string openings to the one of the ends, wherein the blocking is along a summational axial length that is at least 7 times the nominal wellbore diameter, and, except for the axial passageway of the tubular string, leaving unblocked at least 4% of the nominal cross-sectional area of the treatment interval that is along an entire axial length between the one of the ends of the treatment interval and the axially closest of the one or more tubular string openings to the one of the ends; (E) pumping a fracturing fluid through the tubular string and through the one or more tubular string openings at a rate and pressure sufficient to initiate at least one fracture in the subterranean formation surrounding the treatment interval; and (F) after the step of pumping a fracturing fluid, the steps of: