Production test data and preliminary analysis of top chimney/cavity

Journal Article · Mon Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1975 · Nucl. Technol., v. 27, no. 4, pp. 692-704

OSTI ID:4165096

Toman, J

The reentry drilling established communication with the top Rio Blanco detonation region at a depth of 1704 m, or approximately 76 m above the top detonation center. A total of 2.8 x 10$sup 6$ m$sup 3$ (98 x 10$sup 6$ ft$sup 3$) of dry gas at standard conditions has now been produced during two separate test periods. Radioactive and chemical analysis of this gas and the modeling of the stimulated reservoir show the following main results: 1. No permeable connection exists between the top and the middle detonation regions, since no significant amount of the tracer incorporated in the center explosive canister was detected in the produced gas. As a consequence, results for the top detonation region only are available at this time. 2. The initial cavity radius is deduced to be 20 m (66 ft) or well within expectations. 3. Integration of the $sup 85$Kr produced indicates a yield of 34 +- 3 kt for the top explosive. 4. Of the approximately 1000 Ci of tritium produced in the top explosion region, approximately 5 percent is incorporated in the gas phase. 5. Pressure drawdown and buildup data are best reproduced by a two-layer reservoir model showing stimulated permeabilities approximately 10 and 30 times original formation permeabilities, and extending to a distance of approximately 3 cavity radii from the wellbore. 6. The capacity of the reservoir intercepted by the top explosive is deduced to be approximately 0.2 millidarcymeters (md-m) [0.73 millidarcy-feet (md-ft)], as contrasted with preshot estimates ranging from 1.3 md-m (4.1 md-ft) to 2.3 md-m (7.6 md-ft). Additional subsurface investigations of the other detonation regions, as well as a reevaluation of the initial reservoir properties, are in progress. (auth)

• Research Organization: Univ. of California, Livermore
• NSA Number: NSA-33-002969
• OSTI ID: 4165096
• Journal Information: Nucl. Technol., v. 27, no. 4, pp. 692-704, Journal Name: Nucl. Technol., v. 27, no. 4, pp. 692-704; ISSN NUTYB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

*CAVITIES-- RADIOACTIVITY
*NATURAL GAS-- EXPLOSIVE STIMULATION
*RIO BLANCO EVENT-- PERFORMANCE TESTING
450201* --Explosions & Explosives--Nuclear--Civil Uses
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
KRYPTON 85
N42520* --Engineering--Nuclear Explosions--Civil Uses
PERMEABILITY
PRESSURE GRADIENTS
QUALITATIVE CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
SIZE
TRITIUM