US4199680A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of treating and logging wells
Assignee: Cardinal Surveys Co
•
Filing: 1977-11-14
•
Granted: 1980-04-22
•
Expires: 1997-11-14
Abstract
Abstract A method of logging and treating a well to stimulate production from and to efficiently increase acceptance of fluids in the well strata by controlled and selected treatment of formations in the well. The logging method utilizes radioactive materials which are mixed with a macroreticular ion exchange resin having an effective size of between 0.10 and 1.00 millimeters which is pumped into the pressure side of the frac line of the well to mix with pressurized fluid being pumped into the well. The radioactive material preferably has a half-life of less than 150 days and may be introduced in staged stimulation of the well or in an after treatment logging process.
Inventors
- 👤 Keith E. Moon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 09:19
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09K; C09K8/00; C09K8/60; C09K8/62; E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/25; E21B43/26; E21B47/00; E21B47/10; E21B47/11
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
A method of recording the effect of stimulating a well drilled into the earth's strata, comprising the steps of: recording the existing radiation within the well to form a base gamma-ray log; pumping fracturing liquids through a line leading into the well to fracture the strata and stimulate the flow of fluids trapped in the earth's strata; injecting a tagging agent of a radioactive material and an ion exchange resin into the fracturing fluids; the tagging agent being injected into the line downstream of where the fracturing fluids are being pumped to prevent contamination of the pumping apparatus; and recording a gamma-ray reading of the well after fracture of the strata to locate the position where the tagging agent has been deposited within the well which indicates the entry of the fracturing fluids through the well bore into the strata.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
140 words
A method of recording the effect of stimulating a well drilled into the earth's strata, comprising the steps of: recording the existing radiation within the well to form a base gamma-ray log; pumping fracturing liquids through a line leading into the well to fracture the strata and stimulate the flow of fluids trapped in the earth's strata; injecting a tagging agent of a radioactive material and an ion exchange resin into the fracturing fluids; the tagging agent being injected into the line downstream of where the fracturing fluids are being pumped to prevent contamination of the pumping apparatus; and recording a gamma-ray reading of the well after fracture of the strata to locate the position where the tagging agent has been deposited within the well which indicates the entry of the fracturing fluids through the well bore into the strata.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method as set forth in claim 1, including the steps of: pumping a treatment solution into the well under pressure; injecting a tagging agent into the treatment solution under pressure; and recording another gamma-ray reading of the well to determine the results of the treatment solution.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method as set forth in claim 2, including the steps of: pumping a second treatment solution into the well under pressure; injecting a tagging agent into the pressurized second solution; and recording another gamma-ray reading of the well after the second treatment solution is pumped into the well to determine the results of the second treatment solution.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method as set forth in claim 1, including the step of selecting the radioactive material from a radioactive isotope having a half life of 150 days or less.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method as set forth in claim 4, including the step of selecting the ion exchange resin to have an effective size of from 0.10 to 1.00 millimeters.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method as set forth in claim 1, including the step of selecting the ion exchange resin to have an effective size of from 0.10 to 1.00 millimeters.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method as set forth in claim 1, including the steps of reacting the radioactive material with the ion exchange resin prior to injection; mixing the reaction product with refined lubricating oil to seal the ion exchange resin; and injecting this mixture into the fracturing fluids and the line downstream of where the fracturing fluids are being pumped.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method as set forth in claim 7, including the step of selecting the radioactive material used in the tagging agent to have a half life of 150 days or less.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method as set forth in claim 7, including the step of selecting the radioactive material to be an isotope selected from the group consisting of scandium, iridium, iodine, thulium, zirconium, niobium and cerium.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method as set forth in claim 9, including the step of selecting the ion exchange resin from the group consisting of sulfonic, carboxylic, quaternary ammonium, and polystyrene polyamine.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method as set forth in claim 7, including the step of selecting the ion exchange resin from a group consisting of sulfonic, carboxylic, quaternary ammonium, and polystyrene polyamine.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method as set forth in claim 7, including the step of selecting the ion exchange resin to have an effective size of substantially between 0.10 and 1.00 millimeters.
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) | 1983-04-22 | 1983-10-22 | 1984-04-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-04-22 | 1987-10-22 | 1988-04-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-04-22 | 1991-10-22 | 1992-04-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |