Unique electrical detonator enhances safety in explosive operations: Case histories
The electroexplosive devices most commonly used in today`s oilfield operations include hot-wire detonators, resistorized detonators, exploding bridgewire devices, and exploding foil initiators. Each of these detonators functions differently and is subject to inherent operational, safety, and/or economic drawbacks. To overcome limitations of the present devices, a new type of electrical detonator has been designed. The new device, designated the rig-type environment detonator, utilizes semiconductor bridge technology and deflagration-to-detonation techniques with secondary explosives and does not require primary explosives, special surface firing panels, or downhole firing units in order to function. The new detonating device is insensitive to common wellsite hazards from radio transmissions, electrostatic discharge, cathodic protection, and welding, which have caused problems with other detonators, and thus, can significantly enhance operational safety. In addition, the new device is cost efficient and versatile as the different embodiments of the device allow it to be easily adapted for use with other common downhole explosive hardware and surface firing panels. A description of the qualification tests to which the new detonator has been subjected will be presented and will compare its safety and operational capabilities to that of other traditionally used devices. Case histories of its usage to date and evaluations from independent testing authorities in both the US and UK attest to its safety and reliability for oilfield explosive operations.
- OSTI ID:
- 468257
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-961003-; TRN: 96:006577-0062
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 71. annual technical conference and exhibition of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, Denver, CO (United States), 6-9 Oct 1996; Other Information: PBD: 1996; Related Information: Is Part Of 1996 SPE annual technical conference and exhibition: Production operations and engineering/general; PB: 892 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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