Explosive pellet
AssigneeSchlumberger Technology Corporation
InventorsGary L. Rytlewski, Jorge Lopez De Cardenas, Raymond Dickes, Philip Kneisl, Timothy A. Andrzejak
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An explosive pellet for characterizing a fracture in a subterranean formation is provided. The pellet can include a casing having a detonation material and an explosive material disposed within the casing. The pellet can also include a nonexplosive material moveably disposed within the casing. Movement of the nonexplosive material can generate a predetermined amount of energy in the form of friction-generated heat sufficient to detonate the explosive material.
Claims20
An explosive pellet, comprising:
- a casing;
- a detonation material disposed within the casing;
- an explosive material disposed within the casing;
- and
- a nonexplosive material moveably disposed within the casing, wherein movement of the nonexplosive material generates a predetermined amount of energy in the form of friction-generated heat sufficient to detonate the explosive material.
A method for characterizing a fracture in a subterranean formation, comprising:
- introducing a fluid having a plurality of pellets disposed therein into a wellbore, each pellet comprising:
- a casing;
- a detonation material disposed within the casing;
- an explosive material disposed within the casing;
- and
- a nonexplosive material moveably disposed within the casing, wherein movement of the nonexplosive material generates a predetermined amount of energy in the form of friction-generated heat sufficient to detonate the explosive material;
- increasing a pressure of the fluid to form the fracture in the subterranean formation, wherein at least a portion of the pellets are disposed within the fracture;
- exploding at least a portion of the pellets;
- and
- receiving one or more signals from the exploded pellets.
A method for characterizing a fracture in a subterranean formation, comprising:
- introducing a fluid having a plurality of pellets disposed therein into a wellbore, each pellet comprising:
- a casing;
- a detonation material disposed within the casing;
- and
- an explosive material disposed within the casing, wherein the detonation material detonates the explosive material when the fluid reaches a predetermined temperature;
- increasing a pressure of the fluid to form the fracture in the subterranean formation, wherein at least a portion of the pellets are disposed within the fracture;
- initiating an exothermic reaction of the fluid, wherein the fluid comprises:
- about 5 vol % to about 50 vol % of a metallic powder;
- about 50 vol % to about 95 vol % water;
- and
- about 0.1 vol % to about 3 vol % of a gelling agent;
- exploding at least a portion of the pellets when the fluid reaches the predetermined temperature;
- and
- receiving one or more signals from the exploded pellets.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.