High energy gas fracturing development. Final report. [Propellant-based fracture technology]
A propellant-based fracture technology has been developed that permits control of pressure loading in a borehole in order to produce multiple fractures radiating from the wellbore. Between four and eight radial fractures are formed when a mixture of solid propellants is tailored to burn at a rate that produces a pressure pulse faster than the pulse needed to produce a single hydraulic fracture yet slower than the pulse that crushes the wellbore. The proper propellant mixture is determined using semiempirical models that predict fracture length, fracture orientation, radial stress and radial acceleration. Fracture kinetics are modeled by a finite-element model designed to predict the type of fracturing obtained, fracture length, fracture orientation, stress, and displacement. Application of the High Energy Gas Fracture (HEGF) technology to Devonian shale, where commercially economic production is dependent upon formation of conduits that enable natural gas to migrate from the shale's natural fractures into the borehole, boosted production from 6700 ft/sup 3//day (2.20 x 10/sup -3/m/sup 3//s) to 22,000 ft/sup 3//day (7.21 x 10/sup -3/m/sup 3//s). 25 references, 67 figures, 16 tables.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-76DP00789
- OSTI ID:
- 6719011
- Report Number(s):
- SAND-84-0247; GRI-84/0090; ON: DE84015691
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Portions are illegible in microfiche products. Original copy available until stock is exhausted
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
BLACK SHALES
FRACTURING
NATURAL GAS
PRODUCTION
NATURAL GAS DEPOSITS
BOREHOLES
CRACK PROPAGATION
DEVONIAN PERIOD
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FRACTURES
PROPELLANTS
WELL STIMULATION
BITUMINOUS MATERIALS
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CAVITIES
CHATTANOOGA FORMATION
COMMINUTION
DATA
ENERGY SOURCES
FAILURES
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS FUELS
GASES
GEOLOGIC AGES
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGIC FORMATIONS
INFORMATION
MATERIALS
MINERAL RESOURCES
NUMERICAL DATA
OIL SHALES
PALEOZOIC ERA
RESOURCES
STIMULATION
030900* - Natural Gas- Artificial Stimulation
Plowshare- (-1989)