System for fracturing wells using supplemental longer-burning propellants
AssigneePropellant Fracturing & Stimulation, LLC
InventorsJohn P. Tiernan, Richard S. Passamaneck
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system for fracturing wells uses a primary propellant charge to initially produce pressures within the well in excess of the maximum fracture extension pressure of the surrounding formation, but below that which would cause damage to the well. A supplemental propellant charge burns for a substantially longer period of time than the primary propellant charge, and thereby maintains pressures within the well in excess of the maximum fracture extension pressure for a significant period of time following completion of the primary propellant burn.
Claims20
An apparatus for creating fractures in the geological formation surrounding a well comprising:
- a primary propellant charge burning to generate combustion gases at a rate sufficient to produce pressures within the well in excess of the maximum fracture extension pressure of the surrounding formation, but below a pressure that would cause damage to the well;
- and
- a supplemental propellant charge burning for a substantially longer period of time than the primary propellant charge, but maintaining pressures within the well in excess of the maximum fracture extension pressure of the surrounding formation for a significant period of time following completion of the primary propellant burn.
A method for creating fractures in the geological formation surrounding a well comprising:
- burning a primary propellant charge in the well to generate combustion gases at a rate sufficient to produce pressures within the well in excess of the maximum fracture extension pressure of the surrounding formation, but below a pressure that would cause damage to the well;
- and
- burning a supplemental propellant charge in the well for a substantially longer period of time than the primary propellant charge, but maintaining pressures within the well in excess of the maximum fracture extension pressure of the surrounding formation for a significant period of time following completion of the primary propellant burn.
An apparatus for creating fractures in the geological formation surrounding a well comprising:
- a primary propellant charge burning to generate combustion gases at a rate sufficient to produce pressures within the well in excess of the maximum fracture extension pressure of the surrounding formation, but below a pressure that would cause damage to the well;
- and
- a supplemental propellant charge having an end adjacent to the primary propellant charge that is ignited by combustion of the primary propellant charge and burns axially to generate combustion gases for a substantially longer period of time than the primary propellant charge, but maintains pressures within the well in excess of the maximum fracture extension pressure of the surrounding formation for a significant period of time following completion of the primary propellant burn.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.