Abstract: A method and apparatus for initiating multiple azimuth controlled vertical hydraulic fractures in unconsolidated and weakly cemented sediments from a single bore hole to control the fracture initiation and propagation of hydraulic fractures at differing azimuths, enabling greater yield and recovery of petroleum fluids from the formation. An injection casing with multiple fracture initiation sections is inserted and grouted into a bore hole. A fracture fluid carrying a proppant is injected into the injection casing and opens fracture initiation sections to dilate the formation in a direction orthogonal to the first fracture azimuth plane. Following completion of the first fracture injection, the fracture fluid is injected into the injection casing and opens a set of second and subsequent fracture initiation sections dilating the formation and initiating and propagating a second and subsequent vertical hydraulic fractures at different azimuths to the first and subsequent earlier installed fractures.

Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for initiating multiple azimuth controlled vertical hydraulic fractures in unconsolidated and weakly cemented sediments from a single bore hole to control the fracture initiation and propagation of hydraulic fractures at differing azimuths. The multiple azimuth vertical fractures enable greater yield and increased recovery of petroleum fluids from the formation. An injection casing with multiple fracture initiation sections is inserted and grouted into a bore hole. A fracture fluid carrying a proppant is injected into the injection casing and opens fracture initiation sections to dilate the formation in a direction orthogonal to the first fracture azimuth plane.

Abstract: A structure is isolated from a seismic event by inducing soil liquefaction in an isolation layer beneath the structure and soil foundation zone, such as by activating an electro-osmosis gradient toward the isolation layer, during the seismic event, based on detection of movements associated with the seismic event.

Abstract: A method and system of isolating a structure and soil mass from earthquake induced vibration by inducing soil liquefaction beneath a structure during an earthquake event, by monitoring local seismic precursor events, such as early arrival ground motion using an accelerometer, predicting the onset of a major earthquake tremor and energizing conductors in the ground by a dc power source for moving the ground water by electro-osmosis towards a suitable isolation layer, whereby raising the pore water pressure in the isolation layer and thus preferentially inducing localized soil liquefaction of the particular isolation layer during the earthquake event and thus isolating the structure and soil above the particular soil horizon from the upward propagating shear wave ground motions arising from the earthquake event.

Abstract: A method and system of isolating a structure and soil mass from earthquake induced vibration by inducing soil liquefaction beneath a structure during an earthquake event, by monitoring local seismic precursor events, such as early arrival ground motion using an accelerometer, predicting the onset of a major earthquake tremor and energizing conductors in the ground by a dc power source for moving the ground water by electro-osmosis towards a suitable isolation layer, whereby raising the pore water pressure in the isolation layer and thus preferentially inducing localized soil liquefaction of the particular isolation layer during the earthquake event and thus isolating the structure and soil above the particular soil horizon from the upward propagating shear wave ground motions arising from the earthquake event.

Abstract: A method for determining the liquefaction tendency of a water saturated soil is provided in which a driven or self boring probe with a plurality of expanding and contracting bladders imposes a cyclic shear stress reversal on a body of soil in situ, and from the measurement of pore water pressure, the liquefaction potential of the soil can be quantified. A pore water pressure increase during cyclic shear stress reversals indicates a contractive soil which has the potential to liquefy. The method can also quantify the potential of electro-osmosis in preventing soil liquefaction, by energizing a group of at least three electrodes by a d-c power source during the potential onset of liquefaction, and measure the reduction in pore water pressure during subsequent repeated shear stress reversals imposed on the soil by the device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for initiating an azimuth controlled vertical hydraulic fracture in unconsolidated and weakly cemented soils and sediments using active resistivity to monitor and control the fracture initiation and propagation. Separate or overlapping treatment walls and containment barriers can be created by controlling and monitoring the propagation of fractures in the subsurface. A fracture fluid is injected into a well bore to initiate and propagate a vertical azimuth controlled fracture. The fracture fluid is energized to conduct electrical current while the fracture propagates through the ground. A series of electrical resistivity monitors measure the electrical conductivity of the fracture fluid in real time against the background conductivity of the formation.

Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for initiating an azimuth controlled vertical hydraulic fracture in unconsolidated and weakly cemented soils and sediments using active resistivity to monitor and control the fracture initiation and propagation. Separate or overlapping treatment walls and containment barriers can be created by controlling and monitoring the propagation of fractures in the subsurface. A fracture fluid is injected into a well bore to initiate and propagate a vertical azimuth controlled fracture. The fracture fluid is energized to conduct electrical current while the fracture propagates through the ground. A series of electrical resistivity monitors measure the electrical conductivity of the fracture fluid in real time against the background conductivity of the formation.

Abstract: A method and system of preventing soil liquefaction beneath a structure during an earthquake event, by monitoring local seismic precursor events, such as early arrival ground motion using an accelerometer, predicting the onset of a major earthquake tremor, and energizing conductors in the ground by a d-c power source for moving the ground water by electro-osmosis away from the foundation of the structure or to a series of pressure relief wells, whereby lowering the soil pore water pressure and preventing liquefaction of the soil beneath the structure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for initiating an azimuth controlled vertical hydraulic fracture in unconsolidated and weakly cemented soils and sediments using active resistivity to monitor and control the fracture initiation and propagation. Separate or overlapping treatment walls and containment barriers can be created by controlling and monitoring the propagation of fractures in the subsurface. A fracture fluid is injected into a well bore to initiate and propagate a vertical azimuth controlled fracture. The fracture fluid is energized to conduct electrical current while the fracture propagates through the ground. A series of electrical resistivity monitors measure the electrical conductivity of the fracture fluid in real time against the background conductivity of the formation.

Abstract: This invention relates to an environmental engineering process for injecting a mixture into the ground to act as a containment barrier for fluids or gases or to act as in situ waste remediation process. The process involves pumping a mixture into the ground so that the mixture penetrates from the injection source(s), to form overlapping and/or intersecting horizontal or vertical planar geometries. Control of the geometry of the propagating fracture is made by the down hole outlet design and by interactively modifying mixture composition, injection pressures and flow rates, according to the sequential calculation of the in situ injected geometry by an inverse or tomographic method from monitored response of detection devices.