Quartz School for Well Site Supervisors

Module – 12
Well Completions

Section – 6
Explosives for Perforating

Quartz School. Module 12: Well Completions / Section 6: Explosives for Perforating
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 ORIENTATION TO EXPLOSIVES

Session Objectives:
• Explain the classification of explosives and give at
least one example of each.
• List the temperature ratings of the most commonly
used explosives.
• Describe the extra precautions that need to be
taken with HMX explosives.

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 Overview of Explosives

• Nature of Explosives
• Classifications of Explosives
• Characteristics of Specific Explosive
Compounds

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 Nature of Explosives
• Explosive — any substance or device that will
suddenly release its energy i.e., it is a form of
pressure release.

No Second Chance
with Explosives

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Difference- High and Low Explosives

Physics High Explosive Low Explosive

Nature Of Ignition Detonates Ignites
Time To Gas Microsecond Millisecond
Velocity Of Reaction ~5 miles/sec ft/sec
Pressure (psi) ~4 million ~50 thousand

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 Classification of Explosives
Chemical
Chemical
Explosives
Explosives

Flammable
Flammable Low
Low High
High
Solids
Solids (Rapid
(Rapid Burning)
Burning) (Detonating)
(Detonating)

Baker Charges Black Powder

American HT Primary
Primary High
High Secondary
Secondary High
High
(Igniter needles,
CST cartridges, and
CPST charges)
Lead Azide RDX, HMX,
(Detonators) HNS, PETN
(Shaped Charges and
Detonating Cords)

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 High and Low Explosives
Low Explosives High Explosives
Deflagrating Explosives: Detonating Explosives:
Slower reaction time and High rates of reactions
less pressure build-up. and pressure build-up.

Primary High or Secondary High

Initiating Explosives Explosives
Extremely sensitive. Normally requires a
Detonation can be detonator to set off. May
initiated by any small detonate if heated in
disturbance. confinement.

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 Low Explosives
• Black Powder • American High Temp
• Composition: • Composition:
– Saltpeter KN03, Sulfur, – 86% Ammonium
Charcoal Perchlorate/14% Carbazole
• Characteristics: • Characteristics:
– Fine black powder – White Powder
– Flash point 500oF approx. – Flash point: 550oF
– One hour rating: 450oF – One hour rating: 450oF
• Applications: • Applications:
– Primer igniters, squibs – Sample Taker (CST)
– BST/CPST power cartridges

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Primary High Explosive - Lead Azide
• Composition: Pb(N3)2
• Characteristics:
– Very sensitive to friction
– Self-detonates when heated sufficiently at atmospheric
pressure
– Flash Point: 625oF Æ point at which it starts to become
gas
– Temp. rating depends on purity and confinement
effects
• Application:
– Detonators only

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 Secondary High Explosive - RDX
• Composition:
– Cyclotrimethylene trinitramine (C3H6NG6O6)
• Characteristics:
– White crystalline solid (dyed pink)
– Melting point of 388oF, crystal density 1.82 g/cc
– Detonation velocity of 8,400 m/sec
– Outgasses or decomposes harmlessly when heated or burned at
atmospheric pressure
– Self-detonates if heated in confinement above 180oC or 365oF
– Rated at 340oF for the one hour rating at atmospheric pressure
– Rated at 330oF for the one hour rating when exposed to well pressure
– Insoluble in water or alcohol
• Application:
– Detonating cord
– Shaped charges (all except high temperature)

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Secondary High Explosive - PETN
• Composition:
– Pentaerythritol tetranitrite (C5H8N4O12 )

• Characteristics:
– White crystalline substance
– More sensitive than RDX
– Rated temperature of 250oF for one hour
– Melting point 284oF
– Self-detonating above 400oF at atmospheric pressure.
– Insoluble in water, detonates when wet

• Application:
– Detonating cord and shaped charges (HEGS)

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 Secondary High Explosives - PSF
• Composition:
– Picryl-Sulfone
• Characteristics:
– Yellow powder
– Flash Point 585oF
– Rated at 470oF for one hour
• Application:
– Shaped charges
– High temperature detonating cord

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Secondary High Explosives - HMX
• Composition:
– Cyclotetramethylene Tetranitramide (C4H8N8O8)
• Characteristics:
– White crystalline solid, crystal density 1.90 g/cc
– Melting point of 275o C.
– Detonation velocity 9,124 m/sec
– Self-detonation of pure HMX when heated to 327o C at
atmospheric pressure
– Generally rated to 400o F for one hour.
– Increased impact sensitivity when exposed above 330o F
• Need to handle with care
• Application:
– Detonating cord
– Tubular goods cutter
– Shaped charges

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Secondary High Explosives - HNS
• Composition:
– Hexonitrostilbene (C14H6N6O12)
• Characteristics:
– Crystalline solid, crystal 1.74 g/cc
– Melting point of 317o C
– Detonation velocity 7,000 m/sec.
– Outgasses or decomposes when heated or
burned at atmospheric pressure
– One hour rating 500o F
• Application:
– Metallic covered cords
– Loaded string cutters

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Temperature Ratings Summary - 1 hr.
HNS/HTX Detonating Cord, Shaped Charges

PSF Detonating Cord, Shaped Charges

HMX Detonating Cord, Shaped Charges

RDX Det. Cord, Shaped Charges

PETN HEGS-highly efficient gun system

0 100 200 300 400 500

Temperature (°F)

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 Time vs. Temperature

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Relative Sensitivity To Mechanical Shock

Sensitivity HMX
Above
330°F

Lead Azide PETN RDX HMX American

HT

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HMX and Temperature > 330 deg F

•HMX at 330 ºF has a phase change

which increases its impact sensitivity
•If unshot guns need to be pulled from
the well:
–For 48 hrs do not unload the guns
–After 48 hrs HMX is safe to handle

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Temperature Effects Overview
•Ratings:
–Temperature: RDX < HMX < HNS/HTX
–Performance: HNS < HTX < RDX < HMX
•When Time-Temp limits are exceeded:
–HMX or RDX
–< 300 ºF
–Reduced Performance
–Charges likely to burn not autodetonate
–> 300 ºF
–Charges may burn or autodetonate
–HMX > 330 ºF becomes sensitive (wait 48hrs
before pulling out of hole)
–HNS/HTX is not known to autodetonate
•Might lose performance or burn
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