초록 ▼

A method of generating seismic waves in a rock mass surrounding a well comprises the steps of:(a) providing a packer and a fluid withdrawal line within the well, wherein the packer is located below the weathering zone and defines the upper limit of a working volume within the well, and the fluid wit

A method of generating seismic waves in a rock mass surrounding a well comprises the steps of:(a) providing a packer and a fluid withdrawal line within the well, wherein the packer is located below the weathering zone and defines the upper limit of a working volume within the well, and the fluid withdrawal line is adapted to withdraw fluid from the working volume; and(b) providing and detonating an air-fuel mixture in the working volume to generate seismic waves, combustion products of the detonation being withdrawn from the working volume via the fluid withdrawal line.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method of generating seismic waves in a rock mass surrounding a well, the method comprising the steps of:(a) providing a packer, a fluid withdrawal line, and a detonation transmission line, wherein the packer is located below a weathering zone and defines an upper limit of a working volume with

1. A method of generating seismic waves in a rock mass surrounding a well, the method comprising the steps of:(a) providing a packer, a fluid withdrawal line, and a detonation transmission line, wherein the packer is located below a weathering zone and defines an upper limit of a working volume within the well, the fluid withdrawal line is adapted to withdraw fluid from the working volume, and the detonation transmission line terminates at one end in the working volume; and(b) providing an air-fuel mixture in the working volume, and causing a priming detonation at a second end of the transmission line to detonate the air-fuel mixture in the working volume and thereby generate seismic waves, combustion products of the detonation of the air-fuel mixture being withdrawn from the working volume via the fluid withdrawal line. 2. A method of generating seismic waves according to claim 1, wherein step (b) is performed repeatedly. 3. A method of generating seismic waves according to claim 1, further comprising the step of filling the working volume with air before step (b). 4. A method of generating seismic waves according to claim 1, wherein the detonation transmission line expands out in a cone-shape at its terminus in the working volume. 5. A method of generating seismic waves according to claim 1, wherein an electric spark discharge initiates the priming detonation. 6. A method of generating seismic waves according to claim 1, wherein the air for the air-fuel mixture is supplied to the working volume via the detonation transmission line. 7. A method of generating seismic waves according to claim 1, wherein the fuel for the air-fuel mixture is supplied to the working volume at spaced positions along the working volume. 8. A method of generating seismic waves according to claim 1, wherein the well is a hydrocarbon well. 9. A method of generating seismic waves according to claim 8, wherein the seismic waves are for stimulating hydrocarbon production from the well. 10. An apparatus for generating seismic waves in a rock mass surrounding a well, the apparatus comprising:a packer which is locatable in the well below a weathering zone to define an upper limit of a working volume within the well;a fuel line which is locatable in the well to supply fuel for an air-fuel mixture in the working volume;a detonation transmission line which is locatable in the well to terminate at one end in the working volume whereby a priming detonation at a second end of the detonation transmission line causes the air-fuel mixture in the working volume to detonate; anda fluid withdrawal line which is locatable in the well to withdraw fluid from the working volume, whereby combustion products of the detonation of the air-fuel mixture are withdrawable via the fluid withdrawal line. 11. An apparatus for generating seismic waves according to claim 10, wherein the detonation transmission line is adapted to supply the air for the air-fuel mixture in the working volume. 12. An apparatus for generating seismic waves according to claim 10, wherein the packer is adapted to allow the fuel line, the detonation transmission line and the fluid withdrawal line to pass through the packer to the working volume. 13. An apparatus for generating seismic waves according to claim 10, wherein the detonation transmission line expands out in a cone-shape at its terminus in the working volume. 14. An apparatus for generating seismic waves according to claim 10, wherein the fuel line has spaced perforations to supply the fuel at spaced positions along the working volume. 15. An apparatus for generating seismic waves according to claim 14, wherein the perforations are uniformly spaced. 16. An apparatus for generating seismic waves according to claim 10, wherein the detonation transmission line comprises a priming unit for causing the priming detonation. 17. An apparatus for generating seismic waves according to claim 16, wherein the priming unit is an electric spark discharge generator . 18. An apparatus for generating seismic waves according to claim 10, further comprising a fuel reservoir which is connectable to the fuel line whereby the fuel line supplies fuel to the working volume from the reservoir, the amount of fuel holdable by the reservoir being variable so that a stochiometric air-fuel mixture is providable in the working volume. 19. An apparatus for generating seismic waves according to claim 10 which is installed in the well. 20. An apparatus for generating seismic waves according to claim 19, wherein the well is a hydrocarbon well. 21. Use of the apparatus of claim 10, for stimulating hydrocarbon production from the well. 22. Use of the apparatus of claim 10, for performing a seismic survey in the well.