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The Hydro-Impact
In-Situ Seismic Stimulation Tool Simply nothing in the earth like it |
How it
Works
Figure 1 shows the Hydro-Impact™ tool and associated
equipment required for generating shock waves in a borehole. The
Hydro-Impact™ tool has two modified tubing pumps consisting of two barrels
that contain two plungers connected with sucker rods. Several joints of
specialized tubing connect the two barrels. Simultaneous lifting of the
plungers compress liquid trapped inside the specialized tubing and, at the
top of stroke of the pumping unit, the plunger exits the top of barrel and
generates a powerful hydrodynamic shock wave within less than 50 ms. The
shockwave moves through the perforations and propagates through the
formation at speeds as great as 1.5 miles/sec. The shockwave has a power
ranging from 2 to 10 Mw and pressure at the wave front in excess 3,500 psi.
Because the wave passes through the wellbore casing and cement in a matter
of microseconds, it does not damage the completion. As well, the time is
insufficient to fracture the rock. The shockwave transforms into a high
energy elastic wave as it travels distance of up to 1 mile in all
directions. ... More...
