THE TECHNOLOGY HAS A HISTORY, AND WE ARE PART OF IT
The history of the development of this technology begins in 1976, when the Ministry of Medium Machine Building of the USSR set a task to develop technical means and methods for controlling the permeability of rock formations in situ, preparing them for further exploitation using well-based methods. To address this task, scientific schools such as MDI, PNDIKhT, VNII Promtekhnologii (Moscow), as well as several enterprises involved in uranium ore extraction under the Ministry, were engaged. Technical tools were developed and created based on theoretical and experimental research. The studies included:
- Research on the effects of the electrohydraulic effect;
- Institute developments on the use of compressed air effects;
- The possibility of using acoustic fields for deposit development;
- Results of studies on the capillary effect;
- Processes of formation fracturing along planes of minimum strength;
- Electrical methods of influence;
- Effects of vibration and vibro-impact oscillations on productive oil-bearing formations.
The basis of this approach lies in dilatant decompaction phenomena.
To implement the model of dilatant decompaction of rock formations in situ, work began on creating technical means to control the permeability of rock masses.
In creating these technical means, a comprehensive laboratory-industrial experimental method was applied, with step-by-step analysis and comparison of results.
Research was conducted in three stages:
1
Laboratory tests were carried out on a well-simulator stand to study the main parameters of shock force waves.
2
On an appropriate derrick stand, core samples of rock were tested for permeability under static and wave loading.
3
On real wells in uranium mining areas, nodes and devices for generating and transmitting impulse waves into the formation were tested and refined.
The results of these studies became the basis for the development of technical means to control the permeability of rock formations in situ.
As a result of the research, in 1980–1982, the first prototype installations for generating force waves (UGSV-2) were manufactured and tested in industrial conditions. They were designed to alter the permeability of the near-wellbore and inter-well spaces, change the filtration properties of the formation, and eliminate gas and solid formation clogging. During experimental tests of the UGSV-2 units, several new design solutions were developed.
Further industrial tests confirmed the possibility of effective force wave transmission from the surface in a specified direction to change the permeability of rock masses in situ. Additionally, methods were developed to adjust force wave impact depending on the structural and mineralogical composition of the formation, and several correlations were established.
The industrial research and design solutions allowed for the creation of a more advanced force wave generation unit. During 1986–1987, experimental UGSV-3 units were produced, tested, and sent for operation to four uranium mining enterprises of the former USSR.
In 1987, these units were demonstrated at the Exhibition of Achievements of National Economy (VDNKh) in Moscow.
From 1986 to 2000, over 300 wells in Ukraine, Russia, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan were processed during underground uranium leaching.
In 1988–1989, using UGSV units, a previously non-operational block for well-based sulfur extraction at the Yavorivsky VO “Sulfur” was processed and commissioned due to insufficient permeability.
From 1995–2000, work was conducted to restore and increase the flow rates of water wells in the ARC and many regions of Ukraine (Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, etc.).
Starting in 1997, the idea arose to test the technology on oil, gas, and injection wells, since most fields initially have low permeability or suffer reduced productivity due to long-term operation and deteriorating hydrodynamic properties.
Based on this, increasing the permeability of productive formations, i.e., enhancing their filtration properties, became a necessary condition for boosting oil and gas production.
Considering that UGSV units had been effective for uranium leaching wells at depths of 200–500 meters, and that oil and gas wells can reach depths of up to 5,000 meters, the technology was improved.
To assess the effectiveness of pneumatic equipment and wave propagation considering waveguide losses, in 1997–1998, pneumatic force wave generation units processed 4 oil, 1 gas, and 1 injection gas wells.
As a result, the production of processed oil wells (up to 2,000 m depth) increased, and gas and injection wells reached their design parameters. The studies showed that pneumatic equipment is effective only at depths up to 2,000 m.
To achieve more efficient results, new, more effective, and mobile hydraulic units were developed, along with a new well treatment technology that allows rock masses to be processed with minimal expenditure and in shorter timeframes.
The new hydraulic equipment differed from pneumatic in that it increased shock wave energy nearly fourfold, improved energy efficiency, and transmitted the shock wave through the tubing string rather than directly through the wellbore, using a reflector container at the end to avoid affecting the cement sheath.
This allowed for higher energy efficiency, precise interval treatment, and minimal fluid loss in the waveguide.
From 1999–2001, 8 oil and 2 gas wells were treated with hydraulic units with positive results. Analyses showed that all treated intervals demonstrated increased fluid intake, and with proper well selection and geophysical surveys, hydrocarbon production increased after impulse force wave treatment.
These developments formed the basis for further refinement of equipment and enhancement of oil and gas well treatment technology.
HERE BEGINS THE HISTORY OF LLC “UKRAINIAN IMPULSE INDUSTRY” IN IMPLEMENTING THE DILATANT DECOMPACTION TECHNOLOGY
The results of treatments were summarized and analyzed in terms of feedback between the physical-mechanical properties of the processed rock mass and its loading regime. An automatic control system for the loading process was introduced, enabling operation with low- and high-frequency shock waves of varying energy automatically.
The technology was refined, and the equipment upgraded.
To improve formation filtration characteristics, the following were created:
- Impulse-wave complex with hydraulic impulse generator “HYDRAULICS-1G”
- Impulse-wave complex with pneumatic impulse generator “PNEUMATICS-1P”
These allow for a fundamentally new approach to assessing field prospects and increasing well production.
In 2012, these complexes were manufactured along with a full set of permits for operations under pressure in the oil and gas sector, and work resumed.
In 2012, these complexes were manufactured along with a full set of permits for operations under pressure in the oil and gas sector, and work resumed.
From October 31 to November 17, 2012, at the NGVU “Okhtyrkanaftogaz” of PJSC “Ukrnafta”, LLC “Ukrainian Impulse Industry” conducted pilot-industrial tests of the technology on the near-wellbore zone of production and injection wells using impulse-wave dilatant decompaction.
The tests were conducted under the Technical Meeting Protocol of PJSC “Ukrnafta” dated August 15, 2012, according to the approved test program and methodology (September 24, 2012).
Tests were performed on three wells of the Bugruvaty field (No. 454, No. 79, No. 334) using the company’s hydraulic equipment.
Key evaluation criteria:
- Increase in oil and gas production after near-wellbore impulse-wave treatment (NWZP);
- Reduction of skin effect or change in wellhead pressure before and after NWZP;
- Economic effect after NWZP.
Results showed additional oil and gas production and improved hydrodynamic parameters. For example, the skin factor of well 454 decreased from 22.24 to 2.88, indicating a significant improvement in the near-wellbore zone. Wells 79 and 334 showed a faster decline in wellhead pressure.
More details on pilot-industrial results are provided in the CASES section.
We continued our work in Kazakhstan at JSC Volkovgeologia, focusing on in-situ uranium leaching.
We are on-site at the production facility
Operations continued in Kazakhstan at JSC “VOLKOVGEOLOGY” in underground uranium leaching, using hexagonal (cellular) leaching schemes.
Under confidentiality agreements, field names, well numbers, initial data, and results cannot be disclosed. Measurements are taken both at the surface and at depth using downhole manometers.
We continue to improve the technology and equipment, and explore new applications of dilatant decompaction and fatigue effects in rock masses.
We sincerely hope that the developed dilatant decompaction theory, impulse-wave technology, and equipment will continue to advance both in Ukraine and abroad, and that this information will be useful and interesting to you.
**We continue to refine our technology and equipment, as well as explore new applications for dilatant rock-decompaction and fatigue effects in geological formations.
We sincerely hope that the theory of dilatant decompaction, along with the impulse-wave technology and equipment developed and implemented by our team, will continue to advance both in Ukraine and abroad — and that this information proves valuable and useful to you.**