Abstract: A method for remediating a hydrocarbon-contaminated region of a subterranean body of groundwater to destroy or reduce the initial concentration levels of hydrocarbon contaminants. A plurality of mutually spaced wells are provided which intersect the groundwater region. A treating flow of acetic acid is provided from one or more of the wells into the groundwater region, to establish acidic conditions. A turbulent flow of an aqueous solution of ferrous ion into the groundwater region is generated for mixing with the acidified groundwater, thereby providing a catalyst for disassociation of hydrogen peroxide. A treating flow of hydrogen peroxide solution from one or more of the wells into the groundwater region is then provided, so that the hydrogen peroxide may undergo a Fenton-like reaction in the presence of the acidic conditions and ferrous ion to generate hydroxyl free radicals for oxidizing the contaminants. An apparatus system for practicing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for remediating a hydrocarbon-contaminated region of a subterranean body of groundwater to destroy or reduce the initial concentration levels of hydrocarbon contaminants. A plurality of mutually spaced wells are provided intersecting the groundwater region, and the existence of acceptable continuity and well interflow paths for the said region is determined by generating a test flow of a solution of hydrogen peroxide from one of the wells and monitoring pH changes at each other of the wells as a function of time to detect a pH drop of at least 0.2. Subsequent to detecting the pH drop, a treating flow of the hydrogen peroxide solution is provided from one or more of the wells. A system to enable the foregoing is also disclosed.

Abstract: Process and apparatus in which a hydrocarbon-bearing well formation, penetrated by a borehole, is treated with apparatus located outside the well by injecting gases into the well to elevate the pressure and temperature within the well formation so as to stimulate the formation through the effects of thermal stress and high pressure gas flow. The apparatus includes a gas generator of the type in which a reactant, such as hydrogen peroxide, is decomposed by a catalyst to form high temperature decomposition gases, such as steam and oxygen, and an air compressor for injecting compressed air into the well to aid in raising the pressure within the well formation so as to stimulate the formation, thereby increasing the permeability of the formation and the subsequent flow of fluids from the formation into the well after stimulation.

Abstract: Method and apparatus in which a hydrocarbon-bearing well formation penetrated by a borehole is fractured with apparatus located outside the well by injecting gases into the well to elevate the pressure and temperature within the well formation and to maintain the elevated pressure and temperature until the formation is fractured, the apparatus including a gas generator of the type in which a fuel, such as hydrogen peroxide, is decomposed by a catalyst to form high temperature decomposition gases, such as steam and oxygen, and an air compressor for injecting compressed air into the well to aid in raising the pressure within the well formation so as to pack the decomposition gases into the formation and to maintain the raised pressure until the formation is fractured.