Application of propellants for controlled pressurization of boreholes in geologic media

Conference · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1985

OSTI ID:5699162

Cuderman, J F

Experiments have been conducted in ash-fall tuff and in Appalachian Devonian shale using propellants for controlled pressurization and fracturing of wellbores. Experimental measurements include borehole pressure history, radial and tangential stress and acceleration produced in the formation, and pretest and posttest formation transmissivity and borehole tv scans. For ash-fall tuff experiments conducted at the Department of Energy's Nevada Test Site, mineback was conducted to reveal fracturing behavior. The pressure risetime is found to be the key variable governing fracture behavior. Depending on choice of propellant, one can specify burn rates to obtain single or multiple fracture planes or borehole crushing. The peak pressure attained is of a secondary importance and appears to be a function of in situ stress and loading rate. While this paper summarizes the results of experiments in ash-fall tuff and Devonian shale, the fracture technique developed appear to be generally applicable to most rock types. Other potential applications are briefly summarized including use of propellant fracturing technique for tailored dynamic loading of geologic media.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-76DP00789
• OSTI ID: 5699162
• Report Number(s): SAND-85-0662C; CONF-850614-3; ON: DE85009504
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
422000* -- Engineering-- Mining & Underground Engineering-- (1980-)
BITUMINOUS MATERIALS
BLACK SHALES
BOREHOLES
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CAVITIES
CHATTANOOGA FORMATION
ENERGY SOURCES
FAILURES
FOSSIL FUELS
FRACTURES
FUELS
GEOLOGIC FORMATIONS
MATERIALS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NEVADA TEST SITE
OIL SHALES
PRESSURIZING
PROPELLANTS
TUFF
US DOE
US ORGANIZATIONS