An integrated in situ combustion process for producing subterranean carbonaceous deposits in which the resulting flue gas of low heating value is combusted over an oxidation catalyst at substoichiometric conditions and is expanded in a gas turbine which drives the air compressor for injecting the combustion air into the underground carbonaceous deposit. An oxidation catalyst is provided for reducing carbon monoxide in the combusted flue gas comprising platinum and palladium.

In situ combustion process for the recovery of liquid carbonaceous fuels from subterranean formations

The present invention provides a method of widening or extending fractures in a subterranean formation which intersect a wellbore to enhance the flow of fluids from the formation. The enhancement is achieved by introducing an explosive gas comprising a gaseous oxidizer and a gaseous fuel and optionally a quantity of inert gas into at least one fracture intersecting the wellbore and then detonating the explosive gas. The detonation produces a pressure wave which passes down the length of the fracture. The pressure wave can cause the fracture to extend and can cause the face of the fracture to yield whereby rubble is produced within the fracture which can prop the fracture in an open position. Identical application of the method can be used to rubblize a formation for solution mining of minerals of said formation.

Method of stimulation of a subterranean formation

A subterranean formation is fractured by burning a quantity of fuel in an uncased bore hole to generate a large quantity of high pressure combustion products. These gases rapidly flow into the formation creating the fractures. The device is assembled in the well by placing a thermal ignitor in the well and delivering a quantity of fuel and oxidizer around the ignitor. The fuel and oxidizer comprise a flowable material and are either pumped or poured into the well.

Stimulating subterranean formations in the open hole

Electrically ignitable and electrically controllable explosive material (EIECEM) may be disposed within a shaped charge for deployment downhole An explosion of the EIECEM is controlled by limiting the duration of excitation at the EIECEM, for example, the duration that an electrical source provides an electrical charge, electrical current or electrical signal The shaped charge may be insulated from an electrical source to prevent explosion of the EIECEM and coupled to the electrical source to create ignite or explode the EIECEM A plurality of shaped charges may be disposed downhole and may be ignited or exploded in any suitable order The EIECEM may be ignited multiple times such that multiple explosions are created The explosion of the EIECEM creates or extends a perforation or fracture in a formation The perforation or fracture (or cavity) may be filled by a fluid to repair or plug and abandon a well

Utilizing electrically actuated explosives downhole

In downhole tools and methods related to stimulation of subterranean formations are provided. The tools and methods utilize electrically ignitable propellant to generate gas downhole that is used to generate or enhance fractures. The electrically ignitable propellant can be ignited applying electrical power to a pair of electrodes associated with the propellant. Subsequently, the ignition can be halted by ceasing to supply the electrical power. Thus, allowing for the control of the amount and location of generated gas.

System and method of delivering stimulation treatment by means of gas generation

There is disclosed herein an improved method of well stimulation involving the use of explosive mixtures performed downhole and employing the combustible components of the fossil fuel producing formation as the fuel component of the explosive mixture.

Harold S. Field

Papers

Explosive well stimulation method