Torpedo (petroleum)

A torpedo (petroleum), also sometimes referred to as a Go-Devil or nitroglycerin torpedo, was an early and dangerous method used in the oil and gas industry to increase production from wells. It involved lowering a canister filled with nitroglycerin into a wellbore and detonating it, typically via a percussion cap triggered by a dropping weight or a chemical timer.

The purpose of torpedoing a well was to fracture the surrounding rock formation, creating pathways for oil and gas to flow more easily into the well. The explosion would shatter impermeable layers or widen existing fractures, increasing the well's productivity.

Torpedoing was particularly common in the early days of the oil industry, before more sophisticated and safer techniques like hydraulic fracturing ("fracking") were developed. It was a highly risky operation due to the volatile nature of nitroglycerin. Accidents involving premature detonations were frequent and often resulted in fatalities.

The process involved careful handling and transportation of the nitroglycerin, usually by specialists known as "torpedo men." They had to transport the explosive with extreme care, often in specialized wagons or by hand, to avoid shocks or vibrations that could trigger a premature explosion. Once on site, the nitroglycerin was poured into a long, cylindrical container (the torpedo) and carefully lowered into the well to the desired depth.

While effective in some cases, the uncontrolled nature of the explosion could also damage the well casing or lead to other unintended consequences. The practice of torpedoing wells has largely been replaced by hydraulic fracturing and other modern well stimulation techniques which offer greater control and are generally safer. Due to its dangers and the availability of superior alternatives, the use of nitroglycerin torpedoes is now extremely rare.