A
Al_Masetti
Guest
Seems to me that was already done … minor problem with the product being slightly radioactive.
It was natural gas … has everyone scared to death.
Actually, the radioactivity probably has a relatively short half-life, so after a few years, it is not much more than background radiation.
Here are some names for interested folks to research further:
Plowshares “Atoms for Peace”]
Rio Blanco, Rulison and Other Plowshare Sites
Department of Energy [DOE] conducted the Rulison and Rio Blanco nuclear explosion tests under the umbrella of the Plowshares program, the Atomic Energy Commission’s xploration of the “peaceful” uses of nuclear explosives. The Rio Blanco and Rulison tests were designed to increase natural gas production from low-permeability sandstone.
Project Rulison detonation took place in September 1969 at a depth of 2,568 meters (8,426 feet) in a sandstone formation near Rifle, Colorado. The shot was the second of the gas production stimulation experiments in the Plowshare Program.
Project Rio Blanco test, which was located approximately 36 miles northwest of Rifle, consisted of the nearly simultaneous detonation of three 33-kiloton devices in a 2,130 meter (7,000 feet) well in May 1973. The Rio Blanco test was the third gas production stimulation experiment in the Plowshare Program.
The article said “other”, but didn’t say what the “other” was or were.
Unless they are referring to the Sedan crater at the Nevada Test Site, which was designed to demonstrate an ability to build a crater with minimal radioactive fallout. Note that it doesn’t have any ejecta; so the crater is a subsidence crater. It’s located in Area 10 … [right near Area 51 … scarey music, please! ]
The idea was to be able to dig a canal using a sequence of deep underground nuclear blasts. I think the Soviets were trying to do something like that as well. Or use one blast to build a harbor.