US3259189A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Air drilling shale control
Assignee: Shell USA Inc
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Filing: 1963-04-03
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Granted: 1966-07-05
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Expires: 1983-04-03
Abstract
No abstract record available.
Inventors
- 👤 Henry C H Darley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 05:58
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B33/00; E21B33/10; E21B33/13; E21B33/138
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
A METHOD OF PREVENTING SUBTERRANEAN SHALE FORMATION FROM CAVING INTO BOREHOLES PENETRATING THE SAME WHEN DRILLING WITH A GASEOUS CIRCULATING FLUID COMPRISING: (A) INTERRUPTING DRILLING OPERATIONS IN SAID BOREHOLD WHEN A SHALE FORMATION HAS BEEN PENETRATED AND PRIOR TO ENCOUNTERING A FORMATION FROM WHICH WATER FLOWS INTO SAID BOREHOLE; (B) BLOWING SAID BOREHOLD FREE OF WATER AND SOLID PARTICLES; (C) INTRODUCING AN AQUEOUS SOLUTION OF AN ALKALI METAL SILICA INTO SAID BOREHOLE WHEREBY SAID SHALE FORMATION EXPOSED IN THE BOREHOLE IS CONTACTED BY SAID SOLUTION; AND (D) SUBSEQUENTLY BLOWING SAID BOREHOLE FREE OF REMAINING AQUEOUS SOLUTION PRIOR TO RESUMING DRILLING OPERATIONS.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
101 words
A METHOD OF PREVENTING SUBTERRANEAN SHALE FORMATION FROM CAVING INTO BOREHOLES PENETRATING THE SAME WHEN DRILLING WITH A GASEOUS CIRCULATING FLUID COMPRISING: (A) INTERRUPTING DRILLING OPERATIONS IN SAID BOREHOLD WHEN A SHALE FORMATION HAS BEEN PENETRATED AND PRIOR TO ENCOUNTERING A FORMATION FROM WHICH WATER FLOWS INTO SAID BOREHOLE; (B) BLOWING SAID BOREHOLD FREE OF WATER AND SOLID PARTICLES; (C) INTRODUCING AN AQUEOUS SOLUTION OF AN ALKALI METAL SILICA INTO SAID BOREHOLE WHEREBY SAID SHALE FORMATION EXPOSED IN THE BOREHOLE IS CONTACTED BY SAID SOLUTION; AND (D) SUBSEQUENTLY BLOWING SAID BOREHOLE FREE OF REMAINING AQUEOUS SOLUTION PRIOR TO RESUMING DRILLING OPERATIONS.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1969-07-04 | 1970-01-03 | 1970-07-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1973-07-04 | 1974-01-03 | 1974-07-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1977-07-04 | 1978-01-03 | 1978-07-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |