This disclosure provides a stackable propellant module for use inside of a gas generation canister. The modules are designed to enable them to be individually fired rather than as a unitary mass, as done in conventional configurations. This enables the generation of a controlled pressure profile rather than an uncontrolled pressure profile determined by the environmental conditions downhole, such as temperature and pressure.

Methods and systems for performing injection treatments in subterranean formations stimulated by the ignition of propellants are provided. In some embodiments, the methods comprise: igniting a propellant in one or more secondary boreholes in a subterranean formation to at least partially rupture at least a region of the subterranean formation near the secondary boreholes; introducing a fracturing fluid into a first production well bore in the subterranean formation in or near the ruptured region of the subterranean formation at or above a pressure sufficient to create or enhance at least a primary fracture in the subterranean formation that extends into at least a portion of the ruptured region of the subterranean formation; and introducing a displacement fluid into one or more of the secondary boreholes or an injection well bore in the subterranean formation that comprises one or more fractures penetrating the ruptured region of the subterranean formation.

Methods and systems for performing injection treatments in subterranean formations stimulated by the ignition of propellants are provided. In some embodiments, the methods comprise: igniting a propellant in one or more secondary boreholes in a subterranean formation to at least partially rupture at least a region of the subterranean formation near the secondary boreholes; introducing a fracturing fluid into a first production well bore in the subterranean formation in or near the ruptured region of the subterranean formation at or above a pressure sufficient to create or enhance at least a primary fracture in the subterranean formation that extends into at least a portion of the ruptured region of the subterranean formation; and introducing a displacement fluid into one or more of the secondary boreholes or an injection well bore in the subterranean formation that comprises one or more fractures penetrating the ruptured region of the subterranean formation.

A downhole tool (1) for manipulating a target, includes a housing (2). The housing includes an inner surface (5) configured for mounting to a tubular carrier; and an outer surface (10). At least one chamber (20) is provided between the inner surface (5) and the outer surface (10) and contains at least one propellant source (22) and an ignition system. One or more outlets (12) lead from the chamber (20) to the outer surface (10), for combustion products from the at least one propellant source. The downhole tool may be employed for perforating and may be included in a hydraulic fracturing assembly. A method of hydraulic fracturing in a wellbore using the tool is provided.

A downhole tool (1) for manipulating a target, includes a housing (2). The housing includes an inner surface (5) configured for mounting to a tubular carrier; and an outer surface (10). At least one chamber (20) is provided between the inner surface (5) and the outer surface (10) and contains at least one propellant source (22) and an ignition system. One or more outlets (12) lead from the chamber (20) to the outer surface (10), for combustion products from the at least one propellant source. The downhole tool may be employed for perforating and may be included in a hydraulic fracturing assembly. A method of hydraulic fracturing in a wellbore using the tool is provided.

Systems and methods for steam fracking may provide for fracking at a lower cost, providing faster cycles, higher pressure, and more perforation, thereby making a safer system and less expensive method. A high-energy spark initiator may be maneuvered into a horizontal drill hole where a petroleum-bearing formation is fractured for trapped petroleum to flow out through cracks and into the horizontal borehole and pumped to the surface for collection. The horizontal borehole may be flooded with slickwater which may submerge the spark initiator. A high-energy electric charge may be sparked across the contacts on the spark initiator, followed by a high energy steam explosion caused by the heat of the spark. This may heat the water in the borehole near the initiator into high-pressure live steam which forces slickwater into the formation's cracks, opening the cracks wider where the slickwater sand will pack into cracks to hold them open.

Systems and methods for steam fracking may provide for fracking at a lower cost, providing faster cycles, higher pressure, and more perforation, thereby making a safer system and less expensive method. A high-energy spark initiator may be maneuvered into a horizontal drill hole where a petroleum-bearing formation is fractured for trapped petroleum to flow out through cracks and into the horizontal borehole and pumped to the surface for collection. The horizontal borehole may be flooded with slickwater which may submerge the spark initiator. A high-energy electric charge may be sparked across the contacts on the spark initiator, followed by a high energy steam explosion caused by the heat of the spark. This may heat the water in the borehole near the initiator into high-pressure live steam which forces slickwater into the formation's cracks, opening the cracks wider where the slickwater sand will pack into cracks to hold them open.

Methods and systems for characterizing fractures in a subterranean formation are provided. The method includes introducing an encapsulated explosive unit into a casing located in a wellbore within the subterranean formation and maintaining the encapsulated explosive unit in a stage of the casing. The method also includes detonating the encapsulated explosive unit within the stage to generate a pressure wave that passes through a group of perforations and into the fractures and measuring a reflected pressure wave using a pressure sensor coupled to the bridge plug to produce a pressure measurement. The method further includes converting the pressure measurement into an acoustic signal correlated with the pressure measurement by an acoustic signal generator contained in the bridge plug and transmitting the acoustic signal to apply acoustic pressure on a fiber optic cable coupled to an exterior surface of the casing.

Methods and systems for characterizing fractures in a subterranean formation are provided. The method includes introducing an encapsulated explosive unit into a casing located in a wellbore within the subterranean formation and maintaining the encapsulated explosive unit in a stage of the casing. The method also includes detonating the encapsulated explosive unit within the stage to generate a pressure wave that passes through a group of perforations and into the fractures and measuring a reflected pressure wave using a pressure sensor coupled to the bridge plug to produce a pressure measurement. The method further includes converting the pressure measurement into an acoustic signal correlated with the pressure measurement by an acoustic signal generator contained in the bridge plug and transmitting the acoustic signal to apply acoustic pressure on a fiber optic cable coupled to an exterior surface of the casing.

This document relates to energetic salts that contain an organic cation and an oxidizing anion and methods of using the energetic salt compositions, including methods of hydraulic fracturing, pressure pulse fracturing, formation damage removal, and lowering the viscosity of heavy oil.