Nuclear Stimulation

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[This picture shows how easily natural gas can flow through porous sandstone formations.]

In a natural gas field, a well is drilled down to reach the layer in which the natural gas is trapped. Once this level is reached, the natural gas should easily seep into the well and flow upward and out into a natural gas distribution network.

Of course, this is under the ideal circumstances, and this is illustrated to the right.

However, in certain cases, the sandstone is "tight" and the natural gas is unable to successfully flow through the formation to the well. Such a well is illustrated below.

[This picture shows how difficult it is for natural gas to seep through tight sandstone formations.]

[This picture demonstrates how nuclear stimulation destroys tight sandstone, thus making it easier to get the natural gas.]

In this you can either not drill or you can attempt to stimulate the flow of the natural gas. Although this is not the only way to stimulate the flow of natural gas, nuclear devices can be placed underground and detonated in order to crack the sandstone.

The development of this technology was considered critical by US Government and worthy of mention by President Richard Nixon, who on June 4, 1971, delivered a "Special Message to the Congress on Energy Resources" describing efforts to reduce the current shortage of natural gas. In the message, Nixon states "this relatively clean form of energy is in even greater demand to help satisfy air quality standards. Our present supply of natural gas is limited, however, and we are beginning to face shortages which could intensify as we move to implement the air quality standards." Nixon noted that federal effort to help alleviate the shortage included "Progress in nuclear stimulation experiments which seek to produce natural gas from tight geologic formations which cannot presently be utilized in ways which are economically and environmentally acceptable." The policy of the United States was set: Nuclear Stimulation was going to be used to alleviate the impending natural gas shortage.

Continue to see Underground Nuclear Cavern

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