Patent US3103658A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3729052A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Hydrothermal treatment of subsurface earth formations
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-06-15
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Granted: 1973-04-24
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Expires: 1991-06-15
Abstract
Abstract A consolidated, permeable mass of siliceous material is formed within a permeable, subsurface earth formation or in the well bore penetrating such formation, in order to control loose or unconsolidated sand present in such formation, by injecting and displacing into the formation an aqueous solution substantially saturated with an alkaline earth metal hydroxide or compounds which form the same in situ, by reacting with each other or with a material present in the formation, and maintaining the solution in the formation for a time and at a temperature sufficient to form such consolidated, permeable mass from siliceous materials present in the formation, or a siliceous material is added to the solution and the solution is disposed in the well bore, in cavities or openings in the formation or in fractures in the formation for a time and at a temperature sufficient to form such consolidated, permeable mass.
Inventors
- 👤 L Caldwell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 01:30
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09K; C09K8/00; C09K8/56; C09K8/57; C09K8/572
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said alkaline earth metal hydroxide is strontium hydroxide.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said alkaline earth metal hydroxide is barium hydroxide.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the pressure exerted on the aqueous solution is sufficient to fracture The subsurface earth formation.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
214 words
A method for treating sanded oil wells by agglomerating and increasing the size of finely divided discrete siliceous particles that are free to move in a subsurface earth formation to convert the finely divide particles to an agglomerated condition such that the particles do not move to form a close-packed obstruction which impedes the flow of oil from the formation to a producing well, said method comprising: injecting into a well bore penetrating the formation an aqueous solution of calcium hydroxide having a pH of about 10.5 or greater; exerting a pressure on said aqueous solution which is sufficient to force a volume of said solution into cracks or openings in the formation into contact with finely divided siliceous materials contained within said cracks or openings which is substantially in excess of the volume of fluid which would leak into the formation as a result of the pressure of a column of said solution disposed in said well bore; maintaining a pressure on said solution to maintain quiescent contact between said solution and said finely divided particles for a sufficient time under the temperature conditions within the formation to enlarge the finely divided siliceous particles through surface reaction with the aqueous solution to increase their agglomerated volume in the order of 2:1 or greater.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said solution is saturated with calcium hydroxide.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said solution contains a water soluble organic or inorganic salt which does not form an insoluble precipitate with calcium hydroxide, said salt being present in an amount which is effective to increase the solubility of the calcium hydroxide.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said salt is sodium chloride at a concentration ranging up to about 6 percent by weight.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said solution contains glycerol in an amount ranging up to about 6 percent by weight which is effective to increase the solubility of the calcium hydroxide.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the pressure exerted on said solution is sufficient to promote the contact of siliceous particles within the formation to assist in the consolidation of adjacent particles.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the temperature within the formation is 150*F or higher.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-04-23 | 1976-10-23 | 1977-04-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-23 | 1980-10-23 | 1981-04-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-23 | 1984-10-23 | 1985-04-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |