US3672449A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Selectively reducing the permeability of a thief zone by electroless metal plating
Assignee: Shell USA Inc
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Filing: 1970-12-16
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Granted: 1972-06-27
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Expires: 1990-12-16
Abstract
Abstract In selectively plugging a thief zone within a reservoir interval, solutions for activating and effecting an electroless metal plating are injected so that most of the injected fluid enters the thief zone. The composition and amount of the plating materials are adjusted to deposit sufficient metal to reduce the permeability of the thief zone.
Inventors
- 👤 Edwin A Richardson
- 👤 Russell C Ueber
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 15:22
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B33/00; E21B33/10; E21B33/13; E21B33/138
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
46 words
The process of claim 1 in which said activating and plating solutions comprise sequentially injected aqueous solutions of substantially equal densities and said fluid disposed in the portion of the well adjacent to the reservoir interval is a substantially inert aqueous solution of substantially equal density.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process of claim 1 in which said activating and plating solutions comprise aqueous solutions of substantially equal density which are mixed prior to their injection into said reservoir.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process of claim 1 in which a liquid suspension of granular material is injected into said reservoir interval prior to the injection of said activating and plating solutions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
122 words
The process of claim 1 in which: the temperature within the near-well portion of said reservoir interval is adjusted to be higHest within the zone of relatively high permeability; the composition of said plating solution is adjusted to provide a relatively high rate of metal plating at the temperature within said zone of relatively high permeability and a relatively low rate of metal plating at the temperature within the other near-well portions of the reservoir interval; and said metal plating solution is displaced into the reservoir interval ahead of a substantially inert fluid and is displaced through and beyond said near-well portion of said reservoir interval before a significant amount of plating has occurred at said relatively low rate of metal plating.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
US3115930A
Cited
US3393737A
Cited
US3438441A
Cited
US3438440A
Cited
US3515216A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-06-27 | 1975-12-27 | 1976-06-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-06-27 | 1979-12-27 | 1980-06-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-06-27 | 1983-12-27 | 1984-06-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |