Use of liquid and gel monopropellants for well stimulation

Abstract

An apparatus and process for fracturing wells is provided. In one example, an apparatus includes an electric liquid monopropellant device including a volume of electric liquid monopropellant and a detonation cord in proximity to the electric liquid monopropellant device to ignite the volume of electric liquid monopropellant upon activation of the detonation cord. The detonation cord is adapted to ignite the electric liquid monopropellant at pressures exceeding 200 psi, and in some examples, exceeding 500 or 1,000 psi. The detonation cord can be wrapped around the electric liquid monopropellant device in a variety of configurations to increase combustion rates and/or shape the event pulse of the combustion.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for fracturing wells, comprising:
 an electric liquid monopropellant device including a volume of electric liquid monopropellant, and   a detonation cord in proximity to the electric liquid monopropellant device to ignite the volume of electric liquid monopropellant upon activation of the detonation cord.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the detonation cord is adapted to ignite the electric liquid monopropellant at pressures exceeding 200 psi. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the electric liquid monopropellant operable to combust at temperatures less than 300 degrees Celsius. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the detonation cord is wrapped around the electric liquid monopropellant device. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of electric liquid monopropellant devices disposed within a well tool, and the plurality of electric liquid monopropellant devices in proximity to the detonation cord. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one shaped charge device, the at least one shaped charge device in proximity to the detonation cord to combust upon activation of the detonation cord. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one shaped charge device and the electric liquid monopropellant device are disposed within a well tool. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising electrically conductive wires in contact with the electric liquid monopropellant for sensitizing the electric liquid monopropellant prior to combustion. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus for fracturing wells, comprising:
 a container; and   an electric liquid monopropellant within the container.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , further comprising a detonation cord. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , further comprising an electrode disposed within the electric liquid monopropellant for initiating combustion thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the electrode disposed within the electric liquid monopropellant is selectively exposed to ignite the liquid monopropellant. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , further comprising an electric match disposed within the electric liquid monopropellant for initiating combustion thereof. 
     
     
         14 . A method for fracturing wells, the method comprising:
 introducing an electric liquid monopropellant into a well; and   igniting the electric liquid monopropellant in the well, wherein the pressure exceeds 200 psi.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the electric liquid monopropellant is introduced via a well gun. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the electric liquid monopropellant further comprises ceramic proppants suspended therein. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the electric liquid monopropellant is further charged by a down hole power source.