Patent ID: 7726399
Filing Date: 2010-06-01
Classification: C09K,E21B,Y02C

Abstract:
1. A method for enhancing the productivity of a formation having natural fractures comprising: creating a fracture in the formation by pumping into the formation, at a rate and pressure sufficient to initiate the fracture, a pad fluid or slurry containing an ultra lightweight (ULW) proppant, the ULW proppant having an apparent specific gravity less than or equal to 2.45 and an average particle size between from about 12/20 to about 40/100 mesh, wherein the ULW proppant has a tendency not to settle from the fluid or slurry upon introduction of the fluid or slurry into at least some of the natural fractures in the formation; bridging the ULW proppant in at least some of the natural fractures; and pumping a fracturing fluid containing a proppant into the formation, wherein the flow of the fracturing fluid to at least some of the natural fractures is impeded by the bridged ULW proppant in the natural fractures and wherein the created fracture is extended by the impeded fracturing fluid within the created fracture and further wherein such natural fractures exhibit conductivity to produced fluids.