True in situ fracturing experiment--preliminary results

Conference · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1978 · Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6681780

Stevens, A L; Parrish, R L; Turner, Jr, T F

A true in situ oil shale retort bed preparation experiment has been performed using an explosive slurry inserted and detonated in pre-formed horizontal hydraulic fractures. The objective was to test this method for producing a distributed fracture network with sufficient porosity and permeability for retorting. Numerous diagnostic and evaluation measurements were performed during the course of the experiment for initial site evaluation, hydraulic fracture assessment, explosive insertion and detonation performance, and post-detonation fracture and permeability assessment. Results show an extensive degree of fracturing; however, the fracture-induced permeability is essentially limited to the enlarged pre-formed hydraulic fracture horizons into which the explosive slurry was inserted and detonated.

• Research Organization: Sandia Labs
• OSTI ID: 6681780
• Report Number(s): CONF-781003-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States) Journal Volume: SPE-7513
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

04 OIL SHALES AND TAR SANDS
040401* -- Oil Shales & Tar Sands-- In Situ Methods
True & Modified
58 GEOSCIENCES
580300 -- Mineralogy
Petrology
& Rock Mechanics-- (-1989)
BITUMINOUS MATERIALS
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COMMINUTION
DECOMPOSITION
ENERGY SOURCES
EXPLOSIVE FRACTURING
FOSSIL FUELS
FRACTURING
FUELS
HYDRAULIC FRACTURING
IN-SITU PROCESSING
IN-SITU RETORTING
MATERIALS
OIL SHALES
PERMEABILITY
POROSITY
PROCESSING
RESERVOIR ROCK
RETORTING