US4016931A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of forming a consolidated gravel pack
Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corp
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Filing: 1976-04-22
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Granted: 1977-04-12
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Expires: 1996-04-22
Abstract
Abstract A permeable consolidated gravel pack is placed in a borehole adjacent an incompetent formation by first emplacing a self-breaking gel in the formation to temporarily plug the formation, and then injecting a slurry of treated particulate matter, e.g. resin coated sand, to form the consolidated gravel pack. The method is particularly useful for the treatment of incompetent formations having unusually low pressures and high permeabilities.
Inventors
- 👤 Herbert B. Cryar, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 08:43
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09K; C09K8/00; C09K8/56; C09K8/50; C09K8/504; C09K8/506; C09K8/508; C09K8/5086
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
215 words
A method for providing a permeably consolidated particulate mass adjacent a subterranean formation surrounding a borehole penetrating the formation, wherein prior to treatment, the formation is characterized as being incompetent, permeable, and of insufficient pressure, to support a head of a slurry of the consolidated-particulate-mass-forming type, containing a fluid carrier, particles of solid material, and a means for causing said particles to permeably but stably adhere to one another to form a consolidated particulate pack, at least as high as the critical height, said critical height meaning the most shallow depth at which detritus from said formation can enter the borehole, for at least the minimum effective time sufficient to permit said particles in the slurry to permeably but stably adhere to one another, comprising: a. emplacing in the formation via the borehole, a gel of the self-breaking type, said gel being effective to adequately temporarily plug the formation to permit a head of said slurry to be supported to at least the critical height for at least the minimum effective time; b. filling said borehole with said slurry to a height at least as high as the critical height; c. permitting said particles to permeably but stably adhere to one another to form a consolidated particulate pack; and d. permitting said gel to break.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
215 words
A method for providing a permeably consolidated particulate mass adjacent a subterranean formation surrounding a borehole penetrating the formation, wherein prior to treatment, the formation is characterized as being incompetent, permeable, and of insufficient pressure, to support a head of a slurry of the consolidated-particulate-mass-forming type, containing a fluid carrier, particles of solid material, and a means for causing said particles to permeably but stably adhere to one another to form a consolidated particulate pack, at least as high as the critical height, said critical height meaning the most shallow depth at which detritus from said formation can enter the borehole, for at least the minimum effective time sufficient to permit said particles in the slurry to permeably but stably adhere to one another, comprising: a. emplacing in the formation via the borehole, a gel of the self-breaking type, said gel being effective to adequately temporarily plug the formation to permit a head of said slurry to be supported to at least the critical height for at least the minimum effective time; b. filling said borehole with said slurry to a height at least as high as the critical height; c. permitting said particles to permeably but stably adhere to one another to form a consolidated particulate pack; and d. permitting said gel to break.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the gel is a water-based gel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the gel is an oil-based gel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 wherein at least one spacer fluid is injected into the borehole after injecting the components of the temporary plug, but prior to filling said borehole with said slurry.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the slurry contains a coupling agent for enhancing the effectiveness of the means for causing said particles to permeably but stably adhere.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the means for causing said particles to permeably but stably adhere comprises a resin requiring a chemical accelerator to be effective, and an accelerator for said resin.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein a portion of the total slurry employed is injected into the formation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 7 wherein after injecting a portion of the slurry into the formation, the borehole is shut in with the level of the slurry greater than the critical height.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the borehole is shut in containing slurry in said borehole to a height greater than the critical height.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
115 words
The method of claim 1 wherein step (a) comprises a'. injecting into the formation via the borehole, fluid of the type which (i) contains a gelling quantity of at least one additive selected so that the fluid attains its greatest viscosity after injection into the borehole, (ii) forms a temporary plug by remaining in the formation as a gel for a time sufficient to permit additional treatment of the formation, and (iii) thereafter breaks to permit removal of said fluid after it has performed its function; and a". permitting said fluid to set as a gel; said steps a' and a" being carried out as often as is necessary to adequately temporarily plug the formation.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the fluid injected into the borehole is a water-based fluid.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 11 wherein the fluid contains a gelling quantity of hydroxyethylcellulose.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein, in the slurry, the means for causing includes a resin selected from the group consisting of phenol-aldehyde resins and epoxy resins.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said slurry contains a coupling agent for enhancing the effectiveness of said resin in causing said particles to permeably but stably adhere.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the resin is an epoxy resin.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
117 words
The method of claim 15 wherein step (a) comprises: a' injecting into the formation via the borehole, a water-based fluid of the type which (i) contains a gelling quantity of at least 1 additive selected so that the fluid attains its greatest viscosity after injection into the borehole, (ii) forms a temporary plug by remaining in the formation as a gel for a time sufficient to permit additional treatment of the formation, and (iii) thereafter breaks to permit removal of said fluid after it has performed its function; and a" permitting said fluid to set as a gel; said steps a' and a" being carried out as often as is necessary to adequately temporarily plug the formation.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
118 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the fluid contains a gelling quantity of hydroxyethylcellulose; wherein at least one spacer fluid is injected into the borehole after said temporary plug has been formed, but prior to filling said borehole with said slurry; wherein said slurry contains sand as the particles of solid material, a blend of a bisphenol-A/epichlorohydrin type epoxy resin, ethylene glycol n-butyl ether, amyl acetate, and p,p'-methylenedianiline as the means for causing, and gamma-aminopropyltriethoxysilane as a coupling agent for enhancing the effectiveness of said means for causing; wherein a portion of the total slurry employed is injected into the formation; and wherein the borehole is shut in with the slurry at a level above the critical height.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-04-11 | 1980-10-11 | 1981-04-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-04-11 | 1984-10-11 | 1985-04-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-04-11 | 1988-10-11 | 1989-04-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |