Well stimulation process and low velocity explosive formulation
US4764231A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 16, 1987 |
| Grant date | Aug 16, 1988 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 16, 2007 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC06B25/10
- WIPO fieldBasic materials chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Well stimulation involving use of a liquid explosive composition in the explosive fracturing of subterranean formations such as oil and gas bearing formations. An explosive formulation comprising a nitrate ester explosive component and a phlegmatizer component is introduced into a well penetrating the formation to be fractured. The phlegmatizer component is an alkyl or alkoxy diester which is mixable with the nitrate ester and can be varied in concentration to control the detonation velocity and maximum explosive pressure. Examples of phlegmatizing agents include alkyl or alkoxy alkyl esters of adipate or azelaic acids such as dibutoxyethyl adipate or diisobutyl azelate or polyethylene glycoxy-based diesters such as triethylene glycol dipelargonate. After the formulation is detonated to fracture the formation, the well is placed on production to recover hydrocarbons at an increased rate.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.