Reactive stimulation of oil and gas wells

Abstract

A method and apparatus for stimulating producing strata in oil or gas wells. The formation is penetrated using existing shaped charges, and an oxygen-rich material then is introduced into the producing formation. Thus, oxygen is available within the formation to sustain an explosive reaction with the existing formation hydrocarbons acting as fuel. This explosive reaction will cause fracturing of the formation and will counteract plugging that often results from the use of conventional shaped charges. In one embodiment, a container encloses shaped charges surrounded by oxygen-rich material. The shaped charges are ignited first, perforating the well casing and any surrounding cement. Additional explosive charges at each end of the container then are ignited. This forces the oxygen-rich material into the perforation tunnels. Alternately, the oxygen can be a part of the shaped charge and projected into the formation with the shaped charge to accomplish the same results.

Description

[0001] This application claims the benefit of the filing date of provisional application Ser. No. 60 / 502,703, entitled “Reactive Stimulation of Oil and Gas Wells,” filed Sep. 12, 2003, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to methods and devices for stimulating producing formations in oil and gas wells to increase production. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] The quantity of oil and gas production from a hydrocarbon bearing strata into a borehole is influenced by many physical factors. Darcey's flow equation, which defines flow in a well, takes into account the reservoir constants of temperature, viscosity, permeability, reservoir pressure, pressure in the borehole, thickness of the producing strata, and the area exposed to flow. [0004] It has long been known that increasing the exposed flow area in a producing well increases production. For example, it is known that drilling a larger diameter hole exp...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011] The present invention is directed to apparatus for stimulating production from a hydrocarbon-containing formation in an oil or gas well. The apparatus comprises a container sized to be received and supported in the well at a level adjacent the formation. At least one shaped charge is supported within the container. The shaped charge is adapted, when ignited, to perforate the formation and to initiate a burn of hydrocarbons therein. The apparatus includes a supply of oxygen-rich material supported within the container and adapted to be introduced explosively into the formation with the shaped charge. In this way, the burn of hydrocarbons therein is extendable. The apparatus further includes at least one igniter for detonating the shaped charge.

[0012] Still further, the present invention comprises a method for stimulating production from a hydrocarbon-containing formation in an oil or gas well. The method comprises perforating the formation using a shaped charge and introducing an oxygen-rich material to the formation. Thus, the burn of the hydrocarbons is enhanced.

Problems solved by technology

However, use of these agents is somewhat limited where the producing strata are cemented behind steel casing.

However, the fine material from the pulverized rock and the shaped charge particles can have a detrimental effect on fluid flow in the area around the perforation.

Debris from the spent charge as well as fragments and particles from the pulverized formation tend to plug the perforations and obstruct passages in the fractured formation.

Secondly, the extended burning or explosion in the treated statum causes further fracturing of the formation.

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