System and Methods for Controlled Fracturing in Formations

摘要

Controlled fracturing in geologic formations is carried out by a system for generating fractures. The system comprises: a plurality of electrodes for placing in boreholes in a formation with one electrode per borehole, for the plurality of electrodes to define a fracture pattern for the geologic formation; a first electrical system for delivering a sufficient amount of energy to the electrodes to generate a conductive channel between the pair of electrodes with the conductivity in the channel has a ratio of final to initial channel conductivity of 10:1 to 50,000:1, wherein the sufficient amount of energy is selected from electromagnetic conduction, radiant energy and combinations thereof; and a second electrical system for generating electrical impulses with a voltage output ranging from 100-2000 kV, with the pulses having a rise time ranging from 0.05-500 microseconds and a half-value time of 50-5000 microseconds.

主权项

1. A system for generating fractures in geologic formation, the system comprising:
a plurality of electrodes for placing in boreholes in a formation with one electrode per borehole, for the plurality of electrodes to define a fracture pattern for the geologic formation; a first electrical system for delivering a sufficient amount of energy to the electrodes to generate at least a conductive channel between a pair of electrodes with the conductivity in the channel having a ratio of final to initial channel conductivity of 10:1 to 50,000:1, the sufficient amount of energy applied to the electrodes to generate the conductive channel is selected from electromagnetic conduction, radiant energy and combinations thereof; a second electrical system for generating electrical impulses with a voltage output ranging from 100-2000 kV, with the pulses having a rise time ranging from 0.05-500 microseconds and a half-value time of 50-5000 microseconds; wherein the application of the electrical pulses generate multiple fractures surrounding and within the conductive channel by disintegration of minerals and inorganic materials and pyrolysis of organic materials in the formation.