Patent attributes
A method of increasing hydrocarbon production by hydraulic fracturing in shale formations by using an a-seismic process of cyclic injection of cooled aqueous fluid at a low rate with shut-in periods to induce tensile failure in the formation and create a fracture network of high and very high conductivity fractures with sufficient lateral extension in a completed well. A final single cycle of aqueous fluid and proppant is used in which the volume of proppant has been determined from measurements of the downhole pressure. Further fracture parameters being: volume of the very high conductivity fractures, lateral extension of the very high conductivity fractures, surface of the very high conductivity fractures and estimation of the global fracture network shape are determined and analysed after each injection cycle.
