US5215147A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for selectively closing an intermediate zone of a near wellbore area
Assignee: Mobil Oil AS
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Filing: 1991-12-19
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Granted: 1993-06-01
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Expires: 2011-12-19
Abstract
Abstract A method for selectively closing an intermediate zone of a near wellbore area in a formation. Initially, a drillable mechanical packer is placed into the wellbore below the intermediate zone. The wellbore area adjacent to the intermediate zone is cooled to a critical temperature between about 130° to about 180° F. Subsequently, a novolac or resole-type phenolformaldehyde resin containing an acid catalyst is placed into the wellbore where it forms a solid platform over the packer and intermediate zone in about 2 hours. The critical temperature is maintained in the wellbore and intermediate zone while placing a second resinous material containing an alkaline catalyst into the wellbore and intermediate zone. Thereafter, the second material forms a steam resistant solid gel in the intermediate zone, thereby closing it.
Inventors
- 👤 Leonard V. Grego
- 👤 Ricky C. Ng
- 👤 Craig H. Phelps
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 01:10
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B33/00; E21B33/10; E21B33/13; E21B33/138; C; C09; C09K; C09K8/00; C09K8/50; C09K8/504; C09K8/506; C09K8/508; C09K8/5086; E21B43/00; E21B43/16; E21B43/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
A method for selectively closing a near wellbore area in an intermediate zone of a formation comprising: a) placing a drillable packer into said wellbore adjacent to the intermediate zone in a manner sufficient to contain a first viscous resinous material in the wellbore for placement into said zone; b) allowing the wellbore and intermediate zone to obtain a temperature between about 130° to about 180° F; c) placing into the wellbore on said packer, a first resinous material containing a mineral acid catalyst which hardens within a substantially shortened time period so as to form a solid platform sufficient to support a column of resin thereabove for entry into said intermediate zone; and d) placing a second resinous material containing an alkaline catalyst over said solid platform which resin enters the near wellbore area of the intermediate zone where it forms a solid gel resistant to a steam-flooding operation.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
150 words
A method for selectively closing a near wellbore area in an intermediate zone of a formation comprising: a) placing a drillable packer into said wellbore adjacent to the intermediate zone in a manner sufficient to contain a first viscous resinous material in the wellbore for placement into said zone; b) allowing the wellbore and intermediate zone to obtain a temperature between about 130° to about 180° F; c) placing into the wellbore on said packer, a first resinous material containing a mineral acid catalyst which hardens within a substantially shortened time period so as to form a solid platform sufficient to support a column of resin thereabove for entry into said intermediate zone; and d) placing a second resinous material containing an alkaline catalyst over said solid platform which resin enters the near wellbore area of the intermediate zone where it forms a solid gel resistant to a steam-flooding operation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as recited in claim 1 where a steam-flooding enhanced oil recovery operation is initiated in the formation after step d).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method as recited in claim 1 where said first and second resinous material are resole resins.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method as recited in claim 1 where solid resinous material formed by the resinous material in steps c) and d) is removed from the wellbore and the packer is drilled out to allow fluid communication with a lower zone of the formation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method as recited in claim 1 where solid resinous material is removed from the wellbore and the packer is drilled out to allow a steam-flooding enhanced oil operation to be conducted in lower zones of the formation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as recited in claim 1 where the first resinous material forms a solid platform in less than about 2 hours.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as recited in claim 1 where said second resinous material forms in about 24 to about 48 hours.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method as recited in claim 1 where the acid catalyst comprises hydrochloric acid.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method as recited in claim 1 where the alkaline catalyst comprises potassium hydroxide.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method as recited in claim 1 where the platform is about 2 feet in height.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as recited in claim 1 where the wellbore contains a gravel pack which is flushed with xylene and a surfactant after step b).
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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) | 1996-05-31 | 1996-11-30 | 1997-06-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-05-31 | 2000-11-30 | 2001-06-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-05-31 | 2004-11-30 | 2005-06-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |