Nuclear frac jobs proposed in Colorado
Continental Oil Co. and Austral Oil Co. have asked the Atomic Energy Commission to approve 2 separate projects to stimulate gas production in western Colorado. They have requested 3 nuclear devices be detonated in the tests. Continental's proposed shot is set for the Douglas Creek area, 17 miles S. of Rangely in Rio Blanco County, Colo. A 40-kiloton nuclear explosive would be fired in the Mancos B zone at a depth of about 2,700 ft. Reservoir studies have been made, but Continental is currently drilling and testing additional wells to determine the best location. Austral is proposing that two 50-kiloton explosives be fired simultaneously in the same well bore in the Mesaverde Formation of Rulison Field, 45 miles NE. of Grand Junction, in Garfield County, Colo. The 2 devices would be spaced about 1,000 vertical ft apart and thus create a larger chimney zone. The depth would be between 6,500 and 9,000 ft. The companies have proposed that the tests follow ''Project Gasbuggy,'' a similar nuclear experiment proposed by El Paso Natural Gas Co. and approved by AEC.
- OSTI ID:
- 6522502
- Journal Information:
- Oil Gas J.; (United States), Journal Name: Oil Gas J.; (United States) Vol. 64:50; ISSN OIGJA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
030900* -- Natural Gas-- Artificial Stimulation
Plowshare-- (-1989)
COLORADO
ENERGY SOURCES
EXPLOSIONS
EXPLOSIVE STIMULATION
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS FUELS
GASES
NATURAL GAS
NATURAL GAS WELLS
NORTH AMERICA
NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS
RESERVOIR ROCK
ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGION
STIMULATION
USA
WELL STIMULATION
WELLS