This is a method for increasing the permeability of an underground formation adjacent a well bore. The first step is to plug existing fractures in the formation from the interwell area to a location near the well bore. Next, the bore of the well and the fracture immediately adjacent to the bore are filled with a liquid explosive which is stemmed. Then the explosive is detonated, forming new fractures into the previously unfractured portion of the formation.
A method for stimulating a producing well by introducing an explosive into perforation tunnels which communicate between the reservoir and the well bore and detonating the explosive while maintaining the well bore at about reservoir pressure and relatively free of explosive.
A process for enlarging or widening rock fractures in order to facilitate the recovery of deposits, such as oil or gas, comprising the emplacement of an aluminothermic mixture of aluminum and ferric oxide, and its subsequent ignition. Preferably, slag-forming products are also placed into the cavity, so as to prevent closure of the fractures after termination of the combustion process.
A method for controlling movement of liquids and solids through a subterranean fracture comprising placing a bed of a propping agent in the lower portion of a vertical fracture in a subterranean formation; placing a substantially impermeable solid material in the fracture over the proppant bed; then, directing a fluid through the fracture at a pressure sufficient to displace at least a portion of the propping agent below the solid material without displacing the solid material, and to form a fluid flow channel between the solid material and the remaining portion of the proppant bed.
A process for decreasing total fluid flow through a large natural or induced fracture where smaller multiple fractures are created. These multiple fractures each have a smaller aperture than said natural or induced fracture. The combined fluid flow through said multiple fractures is sufficiently less than the total fluid flow through said large fracture, thereby decreasing fluid bypass and improving sweep efficiency.
A method for effecting high impulse fracturing in a stratified formation penetrated by a well where multiple fractures are first induced in a lower zone. Thereafter, said fractures and the well area within and adjacent said lower zone are filled with a gel mixture which solidifies. A gel plug is thus formed in said lower zone. High impulse fracturing is instituted in a higher zone which is filled with a gel mixture similarly as in said lower zone. High impulse fracturing and forming a solid gel within the induced fractures and area within the well adjacent the fractured zone are continued until each desired zone has been fractured. The gel plug prevents high impulse energy from entering fractures of previously fractured zones resulting in deeper fracture penetration.
