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

Project Gasbuggy--status report

Conference ·
OSTI ID:6383288

Project Gasbuggy, a joint government-industry experiment to test the effectiveness of underground nuclear explosions for stimulating oil and gas production from low permeability reservoirs, was approved by the Atomic Energy Commission in Nov. 1965. Two preshot wells were drilled and tested, starting in Feb. 1967, at the expense of El Paso Natural Gas Co. as part of their $1.8 million share of the $4.7 million project cost. Drilling of the emplacement hole to provide an 18-1/2-in. ID cased hole for a 26-kiloton explosive commenced in June 1967. All technical and safety programs are scheduled for a shot-readiness date of Oct. 18, 1967. Preshot core, log, and test data and hydrological data obtained in accordance with the reservoir evaluation program developed by the primary technical participants (El Paso Natural Gas Co., Bureau of Mines, and Lawrence Radiation Laboratory--Livermore, Calif.) revealed that the Pictured Cliffs gas reservoir at the test location met the criteria for site acceptability including considerations of safety. Preshot reservoir and production data are given and programs related to safety, public information, and post- shot exploration are discussed.

OSTI ID:
6383288
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English