US3603095A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of recovering storage volume in an underground cavern
Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Co
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Filing: 1969-07-07
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Granted: 1971-09-07
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Expires: 1989-07-07
Abstract
Abstract Storage volume lost in an underground storage cavern as a result of debris collecting at the bottom thereof is recovered by lowering a casing string to a position adjacent the top of the debris, drilling into the debris through the casing string, advancing the casing string into the drilled hole, and thereafter recovering material from the cavern.
Inventors
- 👤 Hurshel V Hendrix
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 20:12
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G5/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
83 words
In a method of recovering storage volume in an under ground cavern which has been lost as a result of debris collecting at the bottom of the cavern, the steps of lowering a casing string to a position adjacent the top of the debris, inserting a drill bit through the casing string and drilling a hole into the debris, advancing the casing string into the drilled hole, removing the drill bit to permit the recovery of fluid from the voids in said debris.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
83 words
In a method of recovering storage volume in an under ground cavern which has been lost as a result of debris collecting at the bottom of the cavern, the steps of lowering a casing string to a position adjacent the top of the debris, inserting a drill bit through the casing string and drilling a hole into the debris, advancing the casing string into the drilled hole, removing the drill bit to permit the recovery of fluid from the voids in said debris.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
In the method of claim 1, repetitively drilling increments of hole into the debris and advancing the casing string into the drilled hole.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
In the method of claim 2, providing perforations at the lower end of the casing string, and flushing fine material from the volume surrounding the lower section after it has been advanced the desired amount into the debris.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the drilling is effected with cable tools and the hole extends to within a short distance of the bottom of the cavern.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the cavern is formed in a salt formation, said cavern contains a light hydrocarbon material stored therein and including the step of recovery of said light hydrocarbon through the casing string.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the light hydrocarbon is propane.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2745647A
Cited
US3088717A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-09-06 | 1975-03-08 | 1975-09-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-09-06 | 1979-03-08 | 1979-09-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-09-06 | 1983-03-08 | 1983-09-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |