Patent ID: 9103206
Filing Date: 2015-08-11
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
1. A method of increasing the fracture resistance of a low permeability formation, comprising: emplacing a wellbore fluid in a wellbore through the low permeability formation having a permeability of less than about 1 mD, the wellbore fluid comprising: squeezing the wellbore fluid into the low permeability formation at a pressure above an initial or a re-opening fracture pressure of the formation such that fractures are formed in the formation; allowing the wellbore fluid to enter the fractures; bridging and sealing the mouths of the fractures with the solid particulate bridging material of the wellbore fluid to form a substantially impermeable bridge proximate the mouth of the fractures thereby strengthening the formation; and holding the increased pressure for an amount of time sufficient for setting of the settable carrier fluid of the wellbore fluid in the fractures.