Pulse fracturing device and method
First Claim
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1. A system for inducing fracture in at least a portion of a geologic structure adjacent a borehole, comprising:
- a pair of electrodes disposed in a confined volume consisting essentially of a fluid medium, the pair of electrodes defining a spark gap therebetween;
a primary electrical system comprising;
a power supply, in electrical communication with the electrodes;
an energy storage component configured and arranged to store energy for discharging to the electrodes an electric pulse such that energy is delivered to the electrodes for a length of time greater than about 100 μ
s and at an energy level of greater than about 1 kJ per pulse;
whereinthe primary electrical system is configured and arranged to generate a spark in the spark gap in between the pair of electrodes and develop a current between the electrodes, thereby resulting in heating of the fluid medium in the confined volume; and
the fluid medium in the confined volume forms an expanding gas, thereby increasing pressure in the fluid medium generating an acoustic wave in the fluid medium, the acoustic wave being an ordinary acoustic wave having frequency, duration and amplitude sufficient for pressure to be applied relatively uniformly to the geologic structure inducing fractures in at least a portion of the geologic structure.
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Abstract
A method of inducing fracture in at least a portion of a geologic structure includes inducing acoustic waves into a fluid medium present in a borehole extending at least partially into the structure. Embodiments may include preheating or pressurizing the fluid medium prior to inducing the acoustic wave therein. A device for fracturing at least a portion of a geologic structure includes electrodes for producing a spark to generate ordinary acoustic waves in the fluid medium. Embodiments may include structures for preheating or pressurizing the fluid medium prior to inducing the acoustic wave therein.
30 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A system for inducing fracture in at least a portion of a geologic structure adjacent a borehole, comprising:
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a pair of electrodes disposed in a confined volume consisting essentially of a fluid medium, the pair of electrodes defining a spark gap therebetween; a primary electrical system comprising;
a power supply, in electrical communication with the electrodes;
an energy storage component configured and arranged to store energy for discharging to the electrodes an electric pulse such that energy is delivered to the electrodes for a length of time greater than about 100 μ
s and at an energy level of greater than about 1 kJ per pulse;wherein the primary electrical system is configured and arranged to generate a spark in the spark gap in between the pair of electrodes and develop a current between the electrodes, thereby resulting in heating of the fluid medium in the confined volume; and the fluid medium in the confined volume forms an expanding gas, thereby increasing pressure in the fluid medium generating an acoustic wave in the fluid medium, the acoustic wave being an ordinary acoustic wave having frequency, duration and amplitude sufficient for pressure to be applied relatively uniformly to the geologic structure inducing fractures in at least a portion of the geologic structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A device for inducing fracture in at least a portion of a geologic structure adjacent a borehole when placed in a borehole, comprising:
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a pair of electrodes defining a spark gap therebetween, the electrodes are configured to be disposed in a confined volume consisting essentially of a fluid medium; wherein the electrodes receive electric current pulses at an energy level of greater than about 1 kJ per pulse for at least 100 μ
s which forms an electric arc between the pair of electrodes and thereby produces a pressure pulse in the fluid medium generating an acoustic wave in the fluid medium, the acoustic wave being an ordinary acoustic wave having frequency, duration and amplitude sufficient for pressure to be applied relatively uniformly to the geologic structure to induce fractures in at least a portion of the geologic structure adjacent the borehole. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification