Abstract: Well stimulation involving use of a liquid explosive composition in the explosive fracturing of subterranean formations such as oil and gas bearing formations. An explosive formulation comprising a nitrate ester explosive component and a phlegmatizer component is introduced into a well penetrating the formation to be fractured. The phlegmatizer component is an alkyl or alkoxy diester which is mixable with the nitrate ester and can be varied in concentration to control the detonation velocity and maximum explosive pressure. Examples of phlegmatizing agents include alkyl or alkoxy alkyl esters of adipate or azelaic acids such as dibutoxyethyl adipate or diisobutyl azelate or polyethylene glycoxy-based diesters such as triethylene glycol dipelargonate. After the formulation is detonated to fracture the formation, the well is placed on production to recover hydrocarbons at an increased rate.

Abstract: A package for water-in-oil explosive emulsion products is provided which includes a laminate film capable of being employed with conventional types of packaging apparatus and which provides excellent resistance to degradation as a result of contact with the external oil phase of the explosive as well as excellent structural properties both during storage and under field use conditions. The laminate film material comprises an inner sealing film means, an outer structural film means and an oil barrier means intermediate of the inner and outer films.