Placement and Detonation Method for Explosive Fracturing (Patent No: 938547)

Inventor: Bullen, Ronald S.

Location: Calgary

Comments: N/A

Description: THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EX LUSIVE PROPERTIY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. A method of stimulating formations surrounding an earth borehole by the use of a liquid explosive, comprising the steps of: positioning a packer in the earth borehole above the formations to be stimulated, said packer having an opening therethrough; injecting a liquid explosive through said opening in said packer into the formations; positioning an explosive charge in said opening in said packer so that said explosive charge extends through said opening and is proximate the formations containing the liquid explosive, and lowering a detonator to activate the explosive charge.

2. A method of stimulating the formations surrounding a well bore by the use of a liquid explosive, comprising the steps of: hydraulically fracturing the formations to develop cracks therein; installing a packer with a central opening and a one-way valve in said central opening above the formations to be stimulated; injecting a liquid explosive into the well bore through the central opening in said packer and the one-way valve in said central opening and into the cracks in said formation; installing an explosive charge through the central opening in said packer so that said explosive charge is proximate the formations containing the liquid explosive; and lowering a detonator to explode said explosive charge and liquid explosive.

3. A method of stimulating the formations surrounding a well bore by the use of a liquid explosive, said well bore being cased by a' suitable casing, comprising: installing a plug in said casing below the formations to be stimulated; perforating the casing in the area of said formations to be stimulated; hydraulically fracturing the formations to develop cracks therein; installing a packer above the formations to be stimulated, said packer including a central opening and a one-way valve in said central opening; injecting a liquid explosive into the well bore through the central opening in said packer and into the cracks in said formations; cleaning the well bore above said packer; and installing an explosive charge through the central opening in said packer so that said explosive charge is proximate the formations containing the liquid explosive; and lowering a detonator to explode said explosive charge and liquid explosive.

4. Apparatus for stimulating formations surrounding an earth borehole, comprising: a packer that may be positioned in said borehole, said packer including a passage that allows fluid to pass through said packer; means for preventing fluid from passing upward through said passage in said packer; a charge tube including an elongated portion that is adapted to be positioned in said passage, said charge tube including an explosive and means for allowing said charge tube to be retrieved; and means for detonating said explosive, said means for detonating said explosive including a shaped charge positioned in a housing adapted to be lowered into said well bore and a fish neck connected to said housing for allowing said housing and shaped charge to be retrieved.