Importance

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Abstract

Methods are disclosed for hydraulic fracturing of subterranean reservoir formations using various combinations of gelled fluid, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide base components, in association with proppant and other additives. Selected base components are pumped down a wellbore tubing while other selected base components are simultaneously pumped down the wellbore tubing-casing annulus for downhole mixing into a composite fracturing fluid in the downhole region of the wellbore proximal to the reservoir objective. Thereby, changes may be timely effected in the composite fluid composition and fluid properties, substantially immediately prior to the composite fluid entering the formation. Such real-time modifications may be effected to readily preempt screenout occurrences and may facilitate composite fluid compositions which otherwise are frequently undesirable to pump from the surface. Such composite fluid combinations include components phases of each of carbon dioxide, nitrogen and a base fluid. Proppant concentrations within the composite fluid entering the formation may be effected in real time without the wellbore-volume lag-time inherent in prior art methods.

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First Claim