Method and apparatus for stimulating wells with propellants
AssigneeDale Seekford
InventorDale Seekford
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Abstract
The present invention relates to apparatus and methods to stimulate subterranean production and injection wells, such as oil and gas wells, utilizing rocket propellants. Rapid production of high-pressure gas from controlled combustion of a propellant, during initial ignition and subsequent combustion, together with proper positioning of the energy source in relation to geologic formations, can be used to establish and maintain increased formation porosity and flow conditions with respect to the pay zone.
Claims29
A propellant unit for underground submersion and combustion in a production or injection well comprising:
- a propellant charge defining a bore;
- a pre-stressed tube within the bore;
- and
- a detonating member within the pre-stressed tube.
An explosive transfer cap for transferring an ignition from an upper propellant firing train to a lower propellant firing train within a producing or injection well comprising:
- a housing including a first seal and a second seal having a longitudinal axis extending therethrough;
- and
- an explosive charge between the first seal and the second seal to facilitate ignition along the longitudinal axis.
A propellant igniter for positioning within and ignition of a propellant charge comprising:
- a pre-stressed tube;
- and
- a detonating member within the tube, the detonating member substantially extending from a first end to a second end of the tube.
A carrier connector for a stimulation gun comprising:
- a carrier housing including a first end and a second end defining a longitudinal axis therethrough, the first end adapted for connection with a first propellant carrier and the second end adapted for connection with a second propellant carrier;
- a first seal adjacent the first end;
- a second seal adjacent the second end;
- and
- an explosive charge between the first seal and the second seal, the explosive charge configured to transfer an ignition along the longitudinal axis.
A propellant carrier unit for stimulating a producing or injection well comprising:
- a first propellant unit comprising:
- a first propellant charge defining a bore;
- a first pre-stressed tube within the bore;
- and
- a first detonating member within the first pre-stressed tube;
- a second propellant unit comprising:
- a second propellant charge defining a second bore;
- a second pre-stressed tube within the second bore;
- and
- a second detonating member within the second pre-stressed tube;
- and
- an explosive transfer cap disposed between the first propellant unit and the second propellant unit for passing an ignition from the first propellant unit to the second propellant unit.
A method of stimulating a producing or injection well comprising the steps of:
- providing a propellant unit comprising a propellant charge;
- pre-stressing a tube within the propellant unit to facilitate establishment of a desired initial pressure release;
- igniting the propellant unit;
- splitting the propellant charge to form a predetermined, predictable amount of propellant surface area;
- and
- generating a gas pressure within an interior of a well bore of the production or injection well.
A method of transferring an ignition from a first propellant unit to a second propellant unit within a producing or injection well comprising the steps of:
- connecting a first propellant unit to a first end of an explosive transfer cap;
- connecting a second propellant unit to a second end of the explosive transfer cap;
- igniting a first detonating member of the first propellant unit;
- transferring the ignition from the first detonating member to an explosive charge within the explosive transfer cap;
- and
- transferring the ignition from the explosive charge within the explosive transfer cap to the second detonating member.
A method of transferring an ignition from a first carrier unit to a second carrier unit within a producing or injection well comprising the steps of:
- connecting a first carrier unit to a first end of a carrier connector;
- connecting a second carrier unit to a second end of the carrier connector;
- igniting a propellant igniter of the first carrier unit;
- transferring the ignition from the first carrier unit to an explosive charge disposed within the carrier connector;
- and
- transferring the ignition from the explosive charge within the carrier connector through a bulkhead to a propellant igniter of the second carrier unit.
A method of controlling stimulation gas flow to a producing or injection well comprising the steps of:
- sizing a propellant charge of a propellant unit to correspond to a total desired stimulating gas volume to be generated;
- igniting the propellant charge within the well using a detonating member disposed within the propellant unit;
- and
- splitting the propellant a number of times corresponding to the amount of initial gas pressure to be established.
A fluid-repellant propellant material produced by the process of:
- treating a propellant surface with a primer coating;
- coating the treated propellant with a barrier coating;
- and
- allowing the treated propellant to dry.
A fluid-repellant propellant material comprising:
- a propellant treated with a primer coating;
- and
- a second coating that is adhered to the primer coating.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.