Abstract
Both the United States and the USSR have conducted experimental programs in the application of underground nuclear explosions to peaceful uses, particularly as related to the petroleum industry. Both nations recognize that the explosive creation of an extensive pattern of fractures in a reservoir will increase current production and ultimate recovery percentages. Both nations also appear fully aware of and able to control radiologic and seismic hazards. However, in the United States at least, the cost of the nuclear device deters wider use.
A comparative review of the published data from both countries on the geologic environments chosen for these nuclear-explosion programs clearly indicates significant differences in approach and objectives. The two American projects, Gasbuggy and Rulison, involve the detonation of single devices at moderate depth within expansion-drive natural gas reservoirs consisting of stratigraphic traps in thick, low-permeability clastic rocks of Cretaceous age; the resultant stimulation hopefully will raise submarginal deposits to commercial levels. The USSR projects involve the detonation of multiple nuclear devices at moderate depths within or below depletion- or water-drive oil or gas reservoirs consisting of structural or stratigraphic traps in thick, moderately permeable carbonates of late Paleozoic age; the resultant intensification hopefully will increase production and ultimate recovery and thus decrease exploitation costs in currently commercial deposits.
