Preliminary observations of postshot geology effects of Gasbuggy nuclear stimulation experiment, northeastern San Juan Basin, New Mexico

Conference · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1969 · Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5601978

Martin, W B

Project Gasbuggy, an experiment dealing with the nuclear stimulation of low-permeability reservoir strata, was the first experiment conducted jointly by industry and government. Postshot geologic investigations and studies suggest the alteration of physical rock properties at a greater radial distance from the shot point than was anticipated. Investigations of pre- and postshot conditions also suggest 3, rather than 2, zones of rock deformation: (1) chimney zone, radius of 80 ft, or approx. 0.5-acre drill site equivalent, filled with rubble, (2) shatter or crushed zone, radius of 500+ ft, or approx. a 20-acre drill site equivalent, in which extreme changes in the reservoir conditions and the physical properties of the rock have occurred, and (3) fracture zone, radius of 650 to 700 ft. or approx. a 40-acre drill site. There is some evidence to suggest that the fracture radius extends to 1,000 ft (approx. an 80-acre drill site equivalent) and possibly farther. The fracture zone should consist of a nearly infinite number of radial fracture systems distributed around the point of detonation.

• Research Organization: El Paso Natural Gas Co
• OSTI ID: 5601978
• Report Number(s): CONF-690207-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States) Journal Volume: 53:1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

03 NATURAL GAS
030900* -- Natural Gas-- Artificial Stimulation
Plowshare-- (-1989)
45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
450201 -- Military Technology
Weaponry
& National Defense-- Nuclear Explosions & Explosives-- Containment
CROSSTIE OPERATION
DEFORMATION
DISTANCE
ENHANCED RECOVERY
EXPLOSIONS
EXPLOSIVE STIMULATION
FAILURES
FRACTURED RESERVOIRS
FRACTURES
GASBUGGY EVENT
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
GEOLOGY
MINERAL RESOURCES
NATURAL GAS DEPOSITS
NATURAL GAS FIELDS
NATURAL GAS WELLS
NEW MEXICO
NORTH AMERICA
NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS
PERMEABILITY
PLOWSHARE PROJECT
RECOVERY
RESERVOIR ROCK
RESOURCES
SOUTHWEST REGION
STIMULATION
UNDERGROUND EXPLOSIONS
USA
WELL STIMULATION
WELLS