Abstract
Gasbuggy, a 29‐kt nuclear experiment, was detonated December 10, 1967, at a depth of 4240 ft in the San Juan Basin in New Mexico. Its purpose was to develop techniques for stimulation of natural gas production from tight gas‐bearing formations. Data from four subsurface instrument stations in a boring 1500 ft from Gasbuggy indicated formation of a spherical cavity of 88 ft radius and a microfracture radius of about 480 ft. The mean peak value of reduced displacement potentials which defined the seismic source was [Formula: see text]. Calculations indicate that about 2 percent of the energy released remained in the seismic source at 1500 ft. Data from surface motion instruments distributed between surface zero and 8400 ft were similar to those observed above any other contained nuclear explosions. Spalling was indicated at all surface stations. Transient vertical displacements indicate a mound about 6.7 inches high near surface zero and extending through the most remote station where uplift was 0.3 inch.
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