Method of uniform rubblization for limited void volume blasting

Patent · Tue Jun 08 00:00:00 EDT 1982

OSTI ID:6271258

Redpath, B B; Ricketts, T E

There is provided a method of forming an in situ oil shale retort in a retort site within a subterranean formation containing oil shale. The in situ oil shale retort contains a fragmented permeable mass of formation particles. A first portion of formation is excavated from within the boundaries of the retort being formed to form at least one void. The surface of the formation defining such a void provides at least one free face extending through the formation. The second portion of formation is left within the boundaries of the retort being formed to be explosively expanded toward the void. At least two arrays of explosive charges are formed in the second portion of formation wherein the first array of explosive charges has a first burden distance and the second array of explosive charges has a second burden distance wherein the second burden distance is less than the first burden distance. Explosive is detonated for explosively expanding the second portion of formation toward the void to form a fragmented permeable mass of formation particles containing oil shale in the subterranean formation for forming an in situ oil shale retort.

• Assignee: Occidental Oil Shale Inc
• Patent Number(s): US 4333684
• OSTI ID: 6271258
• Resource Relation: Patent File Date: Filed date 2 Oct 1980; Other Information: PAT-APPL-193119
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

04 OIL SHALES AND TAR SANDS
IN-SITU RETORTING
EXPLOSIVE FRACTURING
OIL SHALES
EXPANSION
VOIDS
BITUMINOUS MATERIALS
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COMMINUTION
DECOMPOSITION
ENERGY SOURCES
FOSSIL FUELS
FRACTURING
FUELS
IN-SITU PROCESSING
MATERIALS
PROCESSING
RETORTING
040300* - Oil Shales & Tar Sands- Drilling
Fracturing & Mining
040401 - Oil Shales & Tar Sands- In Situ Methods
True & Modified