Method and apparatus for fracturing oil and gas strata
Patent
·
OSTI ID:5172841
A method and apparatus are described for fracturing hydrocarbon-bearing formations. A high pressure pipe has its lower end sealed in a well bore, and dispersed outlets are formed explosively through the pipe and seal at a fuel-producing stratum of the well. A mechanically driven hydraulic pump connected to the top of the pipe fills the pipe and exposed surfaces of the stratum to be fractured with fracturing liquid at an intermediate pressure. A first valve in the pipe between the pump and downwardly extending pipe is then closed. A second valve connecting the upper end of the pipe with an explosion chamber is closed while an explosive charge in the nature of a blank artillery shell is locked in the explosion chamber. The second valve is opened and the charge is exploded to create a very high over-pressure in the pipe. The over-pressure transmitted through the liquid creates multiple radiating fractures in the stratum. The valves are then reversed and the pump is again operated to force more fluid plus a quantity of a granular proppant such as fine sand into the newly created fractures. The explosive step may be repeated with the same or progressively stronger explosive charges. (12 claims)
- Assignee:
- A.M.S. McColl
- Patent Number(s):
- US 3848674
- OSTI ID:
- 5172841
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
03 NATURAL GAS
030900 -- Natural Gas-- Artificial Stimulation
Plowshare-- (-1989)
45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
450100 -- Military Technology
Weaponry
& National Defense-- Chemical Explosions & Explosives
COMMINUTION
CONTROL EQUIPMENT
ENERGY SOURCES
ENHANCED RECOVERY
EQUIPMENT
EXPLOSIONS
EXPLOSIVE FRACTURING
EXPLOSIVE STIMULATION
FLOW REGULATORS
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FRACTURING
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS FUELS
GASES
NATURAL GAS
NATURAL GAS WELLS
OIL WELLS
PETROLEUM
PIPES
PUMPS
RECOVERY
RESERVOIR ROCK
STIMULATION
UNDERGROUND EXPLOSIONS
VALVES
WELL STIMULATION
WELLS
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
03 NATURAL GAS
030900 -- Natural Gas-- Artificial Stimulation
Plowshare-- (-1989)
45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
450100 -- Military Technology
Weaponry
& National Defense-- Chemical Explosions & Explosives
COMMINUTION
CONTROL EQUIPMENT
ENERGY SOURCES
ENHANCED RECOVERY
EQUIPMENT
EXPLOSIONS
EXPLOSIVE FRACTURING
EXPLOSIVE STIMULATION
FLOW REGULATORS
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FRACTURING
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS FUELS
GASES
NATURAL GAS
NATURAL GAS WELLS
OIL WELLS
PETROLEUM
PIPES
PUMPS
RECOVERY
RESERVOIR ROCK
STIMULATION
UNDERGROUND EXPLOSIONS
VALVES
WELL STIMULATION
WELLS