US4420406A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Thickened heavy brines
Assignee: Baroid Technology Inc
•
Filing: 1980-06-20
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Granted: 1983-12-13
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Expires: 2000-06-20
Abstract
Abstract A thickened brine solution useful as a well servicing fluid is prepared, said solution consisting essentially of water, at least 20% by weight zinc bromide, calcium bromide, and a viscosifying amount of hydroxyethyl cellulose.
Inventors
- 👤 Roy F. House
- 👤 Lonnie D. Hoover
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 21:34
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09K; C09K8/00; C09K8/02; C09K8/04; C09K8/06; C09K8/08; C09K8/10; C09K2208/00; C09K2208/18; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S507/00; Y10S507/925
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
40 words
A thickened brine solution having a density in the range of from about 14.2 ppg to about 15.6 ppg and consisting essentially of water, at least 20% by weight zinc bromide, calcium bromide, and a viscosifying amount of hydroxyethyl cellulose.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
40 words
A thickened brine solution having a density in the range of from about 14.2 ppg to about 15.6 ppg and consisting essentially of water, at least 20% by weight zinc bromide, calcium bromide, and a viscosifying amount of hydroxyethyl cellulose.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The brine solution of claim 1 containing calcium chloride in an amount up to (2×-33) weight percent wherein × is the weight percent zinc bromide.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The brine solution of claim 1 wherein said calcium bromide is present in an amount of from about 14.5 to about 41.3%.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The brine solution of claim 3 wherein the zinc bromide is present in an amount of from about 20 to about 46.9%.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The brine solution of claim 2 wherein calcium chloride is present in an amount of from about 0.1 to about 20%, and said calcium bromide is present in an amount of from about 9.4 to about 42%.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The brine solution of claim 5 wherein the zinc bromide is present in an amount of from about 20 to about 37%.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
The brine solution of claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6, wherein said hydroxyethyl cellulose is activated such that said hydroxyethyl cellulose will substantially hydrate or solublize in said brine without the necessity for mixing at elevated temperatures.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
50 words
A method of preparing a thickened brine solution comprising admixing an aqueous solution having a density in the range of from about 14.2 ppg to about 15.6 ppg and consisting essentially of water, at least 20% by weight zinc bromide and calcium bromide, with a viscosifying amount of hydroxyethyl cellulose.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
50 words
A method of preparing a thickened brine solution comprising admixing an aqueous solution having a density in the range of from about 14.2 ppg to about 15.6 ppg and consisting essentially of water, at least 20% by weight zinc bromide and calcium bromide, with a viscosifying amount of hydroxyethyl cellulose.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said aqueous solution has a density in the range of from about 14.2 ppg to about 15.2 ppg and contains from about 14.5 to about 39.5% by weight calcium bromide.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the concentration of zinc bromide is from about 20% to about 45%.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said aqueous solution has a density in the range of from about 14.2 ppg to about 14.5 ppg and contains from about 0.1 to about 20% calcium chloride, and from about 9.4 to about 34.6% calcium bromide.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
36 words
The method of claims 8, 9, 10, or 11 wherein said hydroxyethyl cellulose is activated such that said hydroxyethyl cellulose will substantially hydrate or solublize in said brine without the necessity for mixing at elevated temperatures.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
17 words
The method of claims 8, 9, or 10, wherein said admixing is carried out at elevated temperatures.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1986-12-12 | 1987-06-13 | 1987-12-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-12-12 | 1991-06-13 | 1991-12-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-12-12 | 1995-06-13 | 1995-12-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |