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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Subterranean drilling method

Patent ·
OSTI ID:6305503
An object of the invention is to reduce the cost of producing oil and gas by nuclear stimulation of subterranean formations. A method is described for forming a subterranean cavity communicated with the surface through a drilled hole. The steps include (1) drilling a hole from the surface of the ground to the subterranean situs at which the cavity is to be located; (2) suspending an explosive at the lower end of the hole on a flexible suspending member extended downward in the hole from the surface; (3) packing the hole around the suspending member with a stemming material; (4) detonating the explosive; and (5) drilling out the stemming material in the hole to communicate the cavity formed by the explosion with the surface. (4 claims)
Assignee:
TUL; EDB-81-114523
Patent Number(s):
US 3623555
OSTI ID:
6305503
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English