US3797576A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for breaking up rocks containing liquid or gaseous hydrocarbons by means of explosives
Assignee: Total Compagnie Francaise des Petroles SA
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Filing: 1971-05-21
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Granted: 1974-03-19
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Expires: 1991-05-21
Abstract
Abstract Oblique holes are drilled into a formation from a well bore hole, packed with explosive charges, and simultaneously detonated. The holes are drilled at the same level and angle with respect to the bore hole, and are evenly spaced around its periphery. An implementing apparatus includes a tool carrier that is lowered into the bore hole and anchored in place, a flexible shaft drilling tool that is lowered into the carrier, and a packing tool for placing the charges.
Inventors
- 👤 J Azalbert
- 👤 A Giraud
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 12:13
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B49/00; E21B49/02; E21B49/06; E21B4/00; E21B43/00; E21B43/25; E21B43/26; E21B43/263; E21B7/00; E21B7/04; E21B7/06; E21B7/061
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
238 words
In a method for breakIng up the earth formations surrounding a petroleum well by 1. drilling subsidiary holes radiating from the petroleum well, 2. placing explosive charges in the subsidiary holes, and 3. detonating the charges, the improvement wherein the subsidiary holes are drilled by: a. anchoring a tool carrier having an orientation device at the depth of the formation to be broken, b. lowering within said tool carrier a tool including a rigid body with a passage for guiding a flexible shaft carrying a drilling means, said passage coming out at an opening in the tool carrier and having the same axis as the hole to be drilled, c. returning the flexible shaft into its guide device after drilling a first hole, d. changing the orientation of the tool, e. drilling a second and or more additional holes in the same manner, f. returning said tool to the surface, g. lowering a second tool equipped with an orientation device into the tool carrier, said second tool carrying as many flexible tubes and guide bodies as there are subsidiary drill holes, each of the tubes containing an explosive charge, a detonator, and a packing means, h. pushing said flexible tubes to the inside of said subsidiary drill holes, i. ejecting said charges, detonator, and packing means into the drill holes, j. removing the tool carrier and its tool back to the surface, and k. detonating the charges simultaneously.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
238 words
In a method for breakIng up the earth formations surrounding a petroleum well by 1. drilling subsidiary holes radiating from the petroleum well, 2. placing explosive charges in the subsidiary holes, and 3. detonating the charges, the improvement wherein the subsidiary holes are drilled by: a. anchoring a tool carrier having an orientation device at the depth of the formation to be broken, b. lowering within said tool carrier a tool including a rigid body with a passage for guiding a flexible shaft carrying a drilling means, said passage coming out at an opening in the tool carrier and having the same axis as the hole to be drilled, c. returning the flexible shaft into its guide device after drilling a first hole, d. changing the orientation of the tool, e. drilling a second and or more additional holes in the same manner, f. returning said tool to the surface, g. lowering a second tool equipped with an orientation device into the tool carrier, said second tool carrying as many flexible tubes and guide bodies as there are subsidiary drill holes, each of the tubes containing an explosive charge, a detonator, and a packing means, h. pushing said flexible tubes to the inside of said subsidiary drill holes, i. ejecting said charges, detonator, and packing means into the drill holes, j. removing the tool carrier and its tool back to the surface, and k. detonating the charges simultaneously.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein the distance from the bottom of the subsidiary drill hole to the axis of the well is between 50 and 300 cm, and the diameter of the hole is from one-sixth to one-third the diameter of the well.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
8 words
placing explosive charges in the subsidiary holes, and
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
8 words
placing explosive charges in the subsidiary holes, and
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein a. at least two subsidiary holes are drilled, b. said holes are identical and are distributed symmetrically around the axis of the well, and c. an identical explosive charge is placed at the bottom of each hole.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
205 words
detonating the charges, the improvement wherein the subsidiary holes are drilled by: a. anchoring a tool carrier having an orientation device at the depth of the formation to be broken, b. lowering within said tool carrier a tool including a rigid body with a passage for guiding a flexible shaft carrying a drilling means, said passage coming out at an opening in the tool carrier and having the same axis as the hole to be drilled, c. returning the flexible shaft into its guide device after drilling a first hole, d. changing the orientation of the tool, e. drilling a second and or more additional holes in the same manner, f. returning said tool to the surface, g. lowering a second tool equipped with an orientation device into the tool carrier, said second tool carrying as many flexible tubes and guide bodies as there are subsidiary drill holes, each of the tubes containing an explosive charge, a detonator, and a packing means, h. pushing said flexible tubes to the inside of said subsidiary drill holes, i. ejecting said charges, detonator, and packing means into the drill holes, j. removing the tool carrier and its tool back to the surface, and k. detonating the charges simultaneously.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
205 words
detonating the charges, the improvement wherein the subsidiary holes are drilled by: a. anchoring a tool carrier having an orientation device at the depth of the formation to be broken, b. lowering within said tool carrier a tool including a rigid body with a passage for guiding a flexible shaft carrying a drilling means, said passage coming out at an opening in the tool carrier and having the same axis as the hole to be drilled, c. returning the flexible shaft into its guide device after drilling a first hole, d. changing the orientation of the tool, e. drilling a second and or more additional holes in the same manner, f. returning said tool to the surface, g. lowering a second tool equipped with an orientation device into the tool carrier, said second tool carrying as many flexible tubes and guide bodies as there are subsidiary drill holes, each of the tubes containing an explosive charge, a detonator, and a packing means, h. pushing said flexible tubes to the inside of said subsidiary drill holes, i. ejecting said charges, detonator, and packing means into the drill holes, j. removing the tool carrier and its tool back to the surface, and k. detonating the charges simultaneously.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein the angle of the axis of the subsidiary hole with respect to the axis of the well is between 20* and 70*.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein core samples are taken from the holes after they are drilled and before they are loaded with the explosive charges.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as defined in claim 5 wherein the core sampling is implemented by attaching a core sampler at the end of the flexible shaft and by rotating and advancing the flexible shaft.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein the pushing of said flexible tubes is arrested before their ends have reached the bottoms of the drill holes, and the charges, detonator, and packing means in the tubes are simultaneously ejected into the holes.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-03-18 | 1977-09-17 | 1978-03-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-18 | 1981-09-17 | 1982-03-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-18 | 1985-09-17 | 1986-03-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |