US3741308A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method of consolidating sand formations
Assignee: Permeator Corp
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Filing: 1971-11-05
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Granted: 1973-06-26
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Expires: 1991-11-05
Abstract
Abstract Loose sand is consolidated by passing an aqueous solution of calcium hydroxide through the sand. The solution is prepared and passed in such a fashion that the sand being consolidated reacts with at least about 4.0 grams Ca(OH)2 per liter of pore volume in the sand body. Following this period, an additional time of up to 350 hours may be required, during which the solution remains in contact with the sand but does not necessarily flow.
Inventors
- 👤 C Veley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 04:54
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09K; C09K8/00; C09K8/56; C09K8/57; C09K8/572
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
A method of converting an unconsolidated sand formation into a consolidated, permeable formation, said method comprising: a. flowing a volume of aqueous calcium hydroxide solution into and through the pores of said unconsolidated formation; b. adjusting volume and flow rate of said solution in such a fashion that each segment of the sand formation being consolidated reacts with at least about 4.0 grams calcium hydroxide per liter of pore space in that segment; and c. maintaining thereafter a portion of said solution in contact with sand of the formation for a period of time as required for effective consolidation to occur.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
101 words
A method of converting an unconsolidated sand formation into a consolidated, permeable formation, said method comprising: a. flowing a volume of aqueous calcium hydroxide solution into and through the pores of said unconsolidated formation; b. adjusting volume and flow rate of said solution in such a fashion that each segment of the sand formation being consolidated reacts with at least about 4.0 grams calcium hydroxide per liter of pore space in that segment; and c. maintaining thereafter a portion of said solution in contact with sand of the formation for a period of time as required for effective consolidation to occur.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein the solution is prepared by adding one or more chemicals to water or brine which will either hydrolyze or react with each other to produce calcium hydroxide.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein said solution is substantially saturated with calcium hydroxide.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein the flow of solution in step (a) is essentially continuous.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein the solution in step (a) is prepared by adding calcium hydroxide to water.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein the solution is prepared by adding calcium hydroxide to brine or aqueous solution containing at least one of the chlorides, bromides, iodides, acetates, formates, nitrates, nitrites, chlorites or chlorates of sodium, potassium, lithium, calcium, barium, strontium, or ammonium.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein step (a) and/or step (c) is carried out at elevated temperatures.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as in claim 7, wherein said elevated temperature is in the range of 130* F to 500* F.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
121 words
A method of converting an unconsolidated sand formation adjacent a wellbore into a consolidated, permeable formation, said method comprising: a. continuously passing a volume of aqueous calcium hydroxide solution through said wellbore and through the pores of the sand formation; b. adjusting volume and flow rate of said solution in such a fashion that any given segment of sand formation, removed from the wellbore at least about 6 inches but lEss than about 10 feet, reacts with at least 4.0 grams calcium hydroxide per liter of pore space in that segment; and c. maintaining thereafter the last portion of said solution in contact with the sand formation for a period of up to 350 hours as needed to produce satisfactory consolidation.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
121 words
A method of converting an unconsolidated sand formation adjacent a wellbore into a consolidated, permeable formation, said method comprising: a. continuously passing a volume of aqueous calcium hydroxide solution through said wellbore and through the pores of the sand formation; b. adjusting volume and flow rate of said solution in such a fashion that any given segment of sand formation, removed from the wellbore at least about 6 inches but lEss than about 10 feet, reacts with at least 4.0 grams calcium hydroxide per liter of pore space in that segment; and c. maintaining thereafter the last portion of said solution in contact with the sand formation for a period of up to 350 hours as needed to produce satisfactory consolidation.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as in claim 9, wherein the solution is passed through said wellbore and through pores of the sand formation by pumping the solution under pressure.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
101 words
A method of converting an unconsolidated sand formation into a consolidated, permeable formation, said method comprising: a. flowing a volume of aqueous barium hydroxide solution into and through the pores of said unconsolidated formation; b. adjusting volume and flow rate of said solution in such a fashion that each segment of the sand formation being consolidated reacts with at least about 9.25 grams barium hydroxide per liter of pore space in that segment; and c. maintaining thereafter a portion of said solution in contact with sand of the formation for a period of time as required for effective consolidation to occur.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
101 words
A method of converting an unconsolidated sand formation into a consolidated, permeable formation, said method comprising: a. flowing a volume of aqueous barium hydroxide solution into and through the pores of said unconsolidated formation; b. adjusting volume and flow rate of said solution in such a fashion that each segment of the sand formation being consolidated reacts with at least about 9.25 grams barium hydroxide per liter of pore space in that segment; and c. maintaining thereafter a portion of said solution in contact with sand of the formation for a period of time as required for effective consolidation to occur.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
101 words
A method of converting an unconsolidated sand formation into a consolidated, permeable formation, said method comprising: a. flowing a volume of aqueous strontium hydroxide solution into and through the pores of said unconsolidated formation; b. adjusting volume and flow rate of said solution in such a fashion that each segment of the sand formation being consolidated reacts with at least about 6.57 grams strontium hydroxide per liter of pore space in that segment; and c. maintaining thereafter a portion of said solution in contact with sand of the formation for a period of time as required for effective consolidation to occur.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
101 words
A method of converting an unconsolidated sand formation into a consolidated, permeable formation, said method comprising: a. flowing a volume of aqueous strontium hydroxide solution into and through the pores of said unconsolidated formation; b. adjusting volume and flow rate of said solution in such a fashion that each segment of the sand formation being consolidated reacts with at least about 6.57 grams strontium hydroxide per liter of pore space in that segment; and c. maintaining thereafter a portion of said solution in contact with sand of the formation for a period of time as required for effective consolidation to occur.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-06-25 | 1976-12-25 | 1977-06-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-25 | 1980-12-25 | 1981-06-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-25 | 1984-12-25 | 1985-06-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |