Hydraulic fracturing in salt and potash formations

Conference · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1970 · Symp. Salt, (Proc.); (United States)

OSTI ID:7082887

Manker, E A

Extensive development programs have been conducted for the past several years to devise techniques for the economical solution mining of potash from the deeper areas of the large Canadian potash deposit. Economic considerations indicate that mining procedures utilizing wells connected by hydraulic fracturing could be attractive. Initial attempts to establish a fracture communication between adjacent wells by initiating a fracture at the base of a potash seam were not productive. The communication appeared to be established momentarily, but it could not be maintained. The selected fracture point was a clay seam which, although thin, appeared to be continuous and to provide a weak plane in the deposit. Analysis of the experiment appeared conclusive in demonstrating that a fracture path along the clay seam was not established and consequently that these weakness planes were not suitable for fracture propagation. A different technique was developed and applied successfully. This new technique offers a high probability of success in initial fractures and virtually guarantees a high percentage of successful fractures in a production well field. (12 refs.)

• Research Organization: Garrett Research and Development Co. Inc.
• OSTI ID: 7082887
• Report Number(s): CONF-690456-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Symp. Salt, (Proc.); (United States) Journal Volume: 2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
024000 -- Petroleum-- Storage-- (-1989)
58 GEOSCIENCES
580300* -- Mineralogy
Petrology
& Rock Mechanics-- (-1989)
ALKALI METAL COMPOUNDS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBONATES
CAVITIES
COMMINUTION
COST
CRACK PROPAGATION
ECONOMICS
FRACTURING
HYDRAULIC FRACTURING
MINING
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POTASSIUM CARBONATES
POTASSIUM COMPOUNDS
SALT CAVERNS
SOLUTION MINING
STORAGE
STORAGE FACILITIES
UNDERGROUND STORAGE
WELL COMPLETION