| abstract |
Methods for enhancing existing wells, such as increasing the diameter of an existing well by hydrothermal spallation are provided. Such methods may include providing a housing comprising a reaction chamber and a catalyst element held within the reaction chamber, providing at least one jet nozzle (29), contacting one or more unreacted fluids or solids with the catalyst element (25), wherein the unreacted fluid or solid is adapted to react with the catalyst element, thus generating a reacted fluid, and emitting the reacted fluid through the at least one nozzle, wherein the at least one nozzle may be directed to a production zone of an internal wall of the existing well. |