초록 ▼

Process and apparatus in which a hydrocarbon-bearing well formation, penetrated by a borehole, is treated with apparatus located outside the well by injecting gases into the well to elevate the pressure and temperature within the well formation so as to stimulate the formation through the effects of

Process and apparatus in which a hydrocarbon-bearing well formation, penetrated by a borehole, is treated with apparatus located outside the well by injecting gases into the well to elevate the pressure and temperature within the well formation so as to stimulate the formation through the effects of thermal stress and high pressure gas flow. The apparatus includes a gas generator of the type in which a reactant, such as hydrogen peroxide, is decomposed by a catalyst to form high temperature decomposition gases, such as steam and oxygen, and an air compressor for injecting compressed air into the well to aid in raising the pressure within the well formation so as to stimulate the formation, thereby increasing the permeability of the formation and the subsequent flow of fluids from the formation into the well after stimulation.

대표청구항 ▼

The process for increasing the yield of hydrocarbons from an underground hydrocarbon-bearing formation by stimulating the formation, the formation having internal fissures and being penetrated by a well including a borehole having an opening adjacent ground level, the process comprising the steps of

The process for increasing the yield of hydrocarbons from an underground hydrocarbon-bearing formation by stimulating the formation, the formation having internal fissures and being penetrated by a well including a borehole having an opening adjacent ground level, the process comprising the steps of: placing and connecting a decomposition gas generator in position outside the well for supplying a relatively large volume of hot decomposition gas under pressure to the opening of the borehole; essentially sealing the connection between the decomposition gas generator and the borehole opening so as to enable the establishment of elevated pressures within the formation; operating the gas generator to generate decomposition gas and inject the decomposition gas into the formation at a relatively high flow velocity and relatively high temperature, said high temperature being less than the thermal ignition temperature of the hydrocarbons in the formation; and continuing operation of the decomposition gas generator to increase the pressure within the formation to an elevated relatively high pressure until the formation is stimulated. Apparatus for increasing the yield of hydrocarbons from an underground hydrocarbon-bearing well formation by fracturing the formation, the formation having internal fissures and being penetrated by a well including a borehole having an opening adjacent ground level, said apparatus comprising: decomposition gas generator means for operating to generate decomposition gas under pressure and in a relatively large volume at a relatively high velocity and a relatively high temperature, said high temperature being less than the thermal ignition temperature of the hydrocarbons in the formation; means for placing and connecting the decomposition gas generator means in position outside the well for injecting said high temperature decomposition gas under pressure and in a relatively large volume at high velocity through the opening of the borehole and into the formation; and means for essentially sealing the connection between the decomposition gas generator means and the borehole opening so as to enable the injection of the high volume, high velocity decomposition gas into the formation to attain elevated pressures within the well at least until the formation is stimulated.