GEOFRAC: an explosives stimulation technique for a geothermal well

Conference · Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1982

OSTI ID:5093502

Mumma, D M; McCullough, F Jr; Schmidt, E W; Pye, D S; Allen, W C; Pyle, D; Hanold, R J

The first known use of explosives for stimulating a geothermal well was successfully conducted in December 1981 with a process called GEOFRAC. The 260/sup 0/C well was located at the Union Oil Company's Geysers Field in northern California. For the initial test, 364 kg of a new explosive called HITEX II was placed at a depth of 2256 meters and detonated to verify techniques. The explosive was contained in an aluminum canister to separate it from the well fluids. In the second test, 5000 kg of explosive was used representing a column length of approximately 191 meters. The explosive was detonated at a depth of 1697 meters in the same well. The results of these tests show that HITEX II can be safely emplaced and successfully detonated in a hot geothermal well without causing damage to the well bore or casing.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Lab., NM (USA); Physics International Co., San Leandro, CA (USA); Rocket Research Co., Redmond, WA (USA); Union Oil Co. of California, Los Angeles (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• OSTI ID: 5093502
• Report Number(s): LA-UR-82-2020; CONF-821007-13; ON: DE82019563
• Resource Relation: Conference: Annual goethermal resources council meeting, San Diego, CA, USA, 11 Oct 1982; Other Information: Portions of document are illegible
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
GEOTHERMAL WELLS
EXPLOSIVE STIMULATION
DETONATIONS
EXPLOSIVE FRACTURING
GEYSERS GEOTHERMAL FIELD
TESTING
COMMINUTION
FRACTURING
GEOTHERMAL FIELDS
STIMULATION
WELL STIMULATION
WELLS
Geothermal Legacy
150906* - Geothermal Engineering- Reservoir Stimulation & Extraction Technology