Encapsulated microenergetic material
AssigneeLawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
InventorsJeffery James Roberts, Roger D. Aines, Eric B. Duoss, Christopher M. Spadaccini, Kevin S. Vandersall
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Providing high energy materials that can be placed in previously created fractures and activating them in place to extend or change an existing fracture system. Also detecting the location of fractures or permeable pathways and a means to assess the extent and efficiency of proppant emplacement.
Claims27
An encapsulated microenergetic material apparatus for fracturing a geological formation having existing fractures or mapping fractures in the geological formation, comprising:
- energetic material, and
- a polymer shell, wherein said energetic material is encapsulated in said polymer shell.
A method of making an encapsulated microenergetic material for fracturing a geological formation having existing fractures or mapping fractures in the geological formation, comprising the steps of:
- providing an energetic material, and
- encapsulating said energetic material in a polymer shell.
A method of fracturing a geological formation having existing fractures;
- comprising the steps of:
- encapsulating energetic materials to produce encapsulated microenergetic materials,
- positioning said encapsulated microenergetic materials in the existing fractures of the geological formation, and
- detonating said encapsulated microenergetic materials.
A method of mapping fractures in a geological formation, comprising the steps of:
- encapsulating energetic materials to produce encapsulated microenergetic materials,
- positioning said encapsulated microenergetic materials in the fractures in the geological formation,
- detonating said encapsulated microenergetic materials, and
- mapping the fractures in the geological formation.
A method of fracturing a geological formation having existing fractures wherein the geological formation may need future improvement, comprising the steps of:
- encapsulating energetic materials to produce encapsulated microenergetic materials,
- positioning said encapsulated microenergetic materials in the existing fractures of the geological formation,
- waiting for the need for future improvement, and
- detonating said encapsulated microenergetic materials to fracture the geological formation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.