Method of fracturing a geological formation

Patent · Tue Feb 27 00:00:00 EST 1990

OSTI ID:7128708

Johnson, J O

This patent describes a method of fracturing a geological formation surrounding a cased well bore. It comprises: emplacing at least one explosive charge in a well bore provided with a casing in the vicinity of the explosive charge, the charge being no larger than that necessary to initiate formation breakdown in the formation when the formation is pressurized to a pressure less than the formation breakdown pressure of the formation; emplacing a suitable fluid in the wellbore and hydraulically pressurizing the fluid to a pressure less than the formation breakdown pressure and greater than the fracture propagation pressure of the geological formation; and detonating the explosive charge while the fluid is pressurized, so as to obtain a multiplicity of fractures in the geological formation.

• Assignee: NOV; NOV-90-015031; EDB-90-091498
• Patent Number(s): US 4903772; A
• Application Number: PPN: US 7-121131A
• OSTI ID: 7128708
• Resource Relation: Patent File Date: 16 Nov 1987
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
03 NATURAL GAS
NATURAL GAS WELLS
EXPLOSIVE FRACTURING
OIL WELLS
ENHANCED RECOVERY
NATURAL GAS
PETROLEUM
WELL STIMULATION
COMMINUTION
ENERGY SOURCES
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FRACTURING
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS FUELS
GASES
RECOVERY
STIMULATION
WELLS
020300* - Petroleum- Drilling & Production
030300 - Natural Gas- Drilling
Production
& Processing