A method comprising: introducing a first fluid into a wellbore above a fracture gradient of a subterranean formation penetrated by the wellbore to create a first plurality of fractures within a first portion of the subterranean formation; introducing a second fluid comprising at least one acid component into the wellbore above the fracture gradient of the subterranean formation penetrated by the wellbore to create a second plurality of fractures within a second portion of the subterranean formation; allowing the second fluid to enter at least one natural fracture in the first or second portion of the subterranean formation allowing the acid component to dissolve at least a portion of the subterranean formation to form one or more induced fractures in fluidic communication with the natural fracture, at least some of the first plurality of fractures, and at least some of the second plurality of fractures.

A method for the fracking or stimulation of a hydrocarbon-bearing formation, said method comprising the steps of: providing a wellbore in need of stimulation; inserting a plug in the wellbore at a predetermined location; inserting a perforating tool and a spearhead or breakdown acid into the wellbore; positioning the tool at said predetermined location; perforating the wellbore with the tool thereby creating a perforated area; allowing the spearhead acid to come into contact with the perforated area for a predetermined period of time sufficient to prepare the formation for fracking or stimulation; removing the tool from the wellbore; and initiating the fracking of the perforated area using a fracking fluid. Also disclosed is a corrosion inhibiting composition for use with the acid composition.

A method of stimulating fluid production from a well includes defining a candidate stimulation treatment including injection of a slurry comprising acid and proppant, based on measurements of the formation. Fracture propagation and fluid transport in the formation are simulated using particle-in-cell techniques. Etching of rock by the injected acid is simulated. Rock compaction is simulated, including compaction around etched and propped portions of a fracture. A predicted fluid conductivity for acid-stimulated fracture is calculated based on the simulation of fracture geometry and a final stimulation treatment is defined based on the predicted fluid conductivity. An acid-proppant slurry is injected into the formation according to the final stimulation treatment.

A method for the stimulation of a hydrocarbon-bearing formation, said method comprising the steps of providing a wellbore in need of stimulation; inserting a plug in the wellbore at a location slightly beyond a predetermined location; inserting a perforating tool having an outside surface and a spearhead or breakdown acid composition into the wellbore, wherein said outside surface of said tool is pre-treated prior to downhole insertion with a grease containing a first corrosion inhibitor adapted to eliminate/minimize/reduce the corrosion inflicted upon it by the exposure of the acid for the duration of the fracking or stimulation and wherein said acidic composition comprises a second corrosion inhibitor which reacts with said first corrosion inhibitor to generate a corrosion protective layer onto said surface; positioning the tool at said predetermined location; perforating the wellbore with the tool thereby creating a perforated area; allowing the spearhead acid to come into contact with the perforated area for a predetermined period of time sufficient to prepare the formation for stimulation; removing the tool from the wellbore; and initiating the fracking of the perforated area using a stimulation fluid. Also disclosed is a corrosion inhibiting compound or composition for use with the acid composition.

A system and method for harnessing geothermal energy using fracturing of hot rock. The system has at least a first well and a second well. The method involves introducing an alkali metal downhole in a first well. A solution is also introduced into the first well. The solution produces an exothermic reaction with the alkali metal. The gas and heat fracture the hot rock producing fractures. The fractures fluidly connects the first well to the second well. A solution, such as water, can be pumped through the first well, through the fractures, and into the second well. The hot rock passes geothermal energy to the water which can then be utilized.

Methods for the fracking or stimulation of a hydrocarbon-bearing formation are provided in multiple embodiments. According to one method, it comprises the steps of: providing a wellbore having a casing; inserting a plug in the wellbore at a predetermined location; inserting a perforating tool and an acidic composition into the wellbore; wherein the acidic composition includes a corrosion inhibiting composition comprising at least two compounds selected from: Group A-I, and wherein at least two compounds are selected from different groups of the Groups A-I.

The disclosure provides methods and systems for recovering a target mineral from a mineral-bearing deposit. One or more first wells and one or more second wells are drilled into the deposit, each well having a substantially vertical section and a substantially horizontal section, the horizontal section of the second wells located above the horizontal section of the first wells. At least one channel from the horizontal section of each first well toward the horizontal section of the second wells is established. A fluid is injected into the deposit from the horizontal section of the first wells to form one or more slots. A brine is recovered from the horizontal section of the second wells, forming a cavity. A salt solution is then injected into the cavity from the horizontal section of the second wells and a target mineral-enriched solvent is recovered from the first wells.

The invention includes methods for stimulating a hydrocarbon-bearing formation by perforating a wellbore and introducing an acidic composition in the wellbore. A preferred embodiment includes inserting an isolation plug in the wellbore at a predetermined location followed by inserting a perforating tool and a breakdown acid into the wellbore. The wellbore is perforated by the tool to create a perforated area. The breakdown acid is allowed to come into contact with the perforated area for a predetermined period of time sufficient to prepare the formation for stimulation. The tool is then removed from the wellbore wherein stimulation of the perforated area is thereby initiated. Also disclosed is a corrosion inhibiting composition for use with the acidic composition.

Systems and methods for predicting and optimizing the effects of acidizing treatment of carbonate rock are disclosed. The disclosed methods predict the conflicting effects of increased production (i.e., wormhole creation) and reduced rock compressive strength due to acid rock reactions. The mechanical stability of stimulated wellbores, such as horizontal wellbores, can be determined under different acidizing conditions, such as acid type and volume. The acidizing conditions can be optimized to maximize short and long-term production.

A method for the fracking or stimulation of a hydrocarbon-bearing formation, said method comprising the steps of: providing a wellbore in need of stimulation; inserting a plug in the wellbore at a predetermined location; inserting a perforating tool and a spearhead or breakdown acid into the wellbore; positioning the tool at said predetermined location; perforating the wellbore with the tool thereby creating a perforated area; allowing the spearhead acid to come into contact with the perforated area for a predetermined period of time sufficient to prepare the formation for fracking or stimulation; removing the tool from the wellbore; and initiating the fracking of the perforated area using a fracking fluid. Also disclosed is a corrosion inhibiting composition for use with the acid composition.