Oil and gas production enhancement using electrical means
US4667738A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 29, 1985 |
| Grant date | May 26, 1987 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 29, 2005 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B43/2405
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
Disclosed is a method and apparatus for enhancing oil and/or gas production from a subterranean well by using high energy, short duration electrical pulses to fracture underground rock formations containing entrapped oil or gas. The invention obviates the large power requirements of the prior art devices by generating a series of constant pulses having different durations into the rock formation to determine its characteristic impedance. Once the characteristic impedance has been determined, a second pulse having an amplitude and duration matching this characteristic impedance is discharged into the rock formation to alter its dynamic characteristics. A third pulse is then discharged into the rock formation to cause its fracture.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.