Initial evaluation of fracturing oil shale with propellants for in situ retorting, Phase 2
A series of field experiments was carried out to gather preliminary information on the use of propellant charges to create horizontal fractures in oil shale beds for in situ retorting. Development of a propellant tool specifically designed to create horizontal fractures, and testing of various sizes and designs of the tool to create fractures in oil shale beds were carried out simultaneously. Ten prototype tools with energy yields from 2 pounds to 60 pounds were fired at depths ranging from 10 feet to 60 feet. Ten preshot observation holes and 13 postshot core holes were used to gather information and to serve as injection wells to inject air into the formation for permeability tests. Most shots vented large volumes of gas or water from observation holes 13 to 20 feet distant, indicating that a horizontal fracture communicating from the shot point to the observation hole had been created. Shot-related horizontal fracturing was noted in most core holes at the same depth as the shot point. Air injection tests on all holes showed a significant increase in permeability after the shots.
- Research Organization:
- Western Research Inst., Laramie, WY (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- FC21-86MC11076
- OSTI ID:
- 5602591
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/MC/11076-3064; ON: DE92001146
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Initial evaluation of fracturing oil shale with propellants for in situ retorting
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Related Subjects
AIR
INJECTION
OIL SHALES
IN-SITU RETORTING
EXPLOSIVE FRACTURING
EXPLOSIVES
FIELD TESTS
INJECTION WELLS
PERMEABILITY
BITUMINOUS MATERIALS
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DECOMPOSITION
ENERGY SOURCES
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FRACTURING
FUELS
GASES
IN-SITU PROCESSING
INTAKE
MATERIALS
PROCESSING
RETORTING
ROCKS
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
SHALES
TESTING
WELLS
040401* - Oil Shales & Tar Sands- In Situ Methods
True & Modified