Patent US3716272A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3716272A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method of creating large diameter cylindrical cavities by solution mining
Assignee: Consolidation Coal Co
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Filing: 1971-05-24
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Granted: 1973-02-13
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Expires: 1991-05-24
Abstract
Abstract A method for forming a subterranean cavity including the steps of drilling and casing a hole to the depth desired for the roof of the cavity, then deepening the hole to a depth to about 4 feet below the floor level, positioning a dual string of wash pipe with the injection string at the desired floor level and the production string at the bottom of the hole, creating a horizontal hydraulic fracture at the floor level using fresh water and extending the fracture out a distance desired for the radius of the cavity, injecting a protective blanket over the roof of the cavity, and solution mining the cavity in incremental stages, maintaining the protective blanket for each incremental stage.
Inventors
- 👤 J Davis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 21:14
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/28; E21B43/283
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
A method for forming a subterranean cavity including the steps of drilling and casing a hole to the depth desired for the roof of the cavity, then deepening the hole to a depth to about 4 feet below the floor level, positioning a dual string of wash pipe with the injection string at the desired floor level and the production string at the bottom of the hole, the improvement comprising creating a horizontal hydraulic fracture at the floor level using fresh water and extending the fracture out a distance desired for the radius of the cavity, injecting a protective blanket over the roof of the cavity, and solution mining the cavity in incremental stages, maintaining the protective blanket for each incremental stage.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
122 words
A method for forming a subterranean cavity including the steps of drilling and casing a hole to the depth desired for the roof of the cavity, then deepening the hole to a depth to about 4 feet below the floor level, positioning a dual string of wash pipe with the injection string at the desired floor level and the production string at the bottom of the hole, the improvement comprising creating a horizontal hydraulic fracture at the floor level using fresh water and extending the fracture out a distance desired for the radius of the cavity, injecting a protective blanket over the roof of the cavity, and solution mining the cavity in incremental stages, maintaining the protective blanket for each incremental stage.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
122 words
A method for forming a subterranean cavity including the steps of drilling and casing a hole to the depth desired for the roof of the cavity, then deepening the hole to a depth to about 4 feet below the floor level, positioning a dual string of wash pipe with the injection string at the desired floor level and the production string at the bottom of the hole, the improvement comprising creating a horizontal hydraulic fracture at the floor level using fresh water and extending the fracture out a distance desired for the radius of the cavity, injecting a protective blanket over the roof of the cavity, and solution mining the cavity in incremental stages, maintaining the protective blanket for each incremental stage.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
122 words
A method for forming a subterranean cavity including the steps of drilling and casing a hole to the depth desired for the roof of the cavity, then deepening the hole to a depth to about 4 feet below the floor level, positioning a dual string of wash pipe with the injection string at the desired floor level and the production string at the bottom of the hole, the improvement comprising creating a horizontal hydraulic fracture at the floor level using fresh water and extending the fracture out a distance desired for the radius of the cavity, injecting a protective blanket over the roof of the cavity, and solution mining the cavity in incremental stages, maintaining the protective blanket for each incremental stage.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as described in claim 1 wherein said protective blanket is continuously injected over the roof of the cavity while said solution mining is taking place.
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) | 1976-02-13 | 1976-08-14 | 1977-02-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-02-13 | 1980-08-14 | 1981-02-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-02-13 | 1984-08-14 | 1985-02-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |