US4732213A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Colloidal silica-based fluid diversion
Assignee: WR Grace and Co Conn
•
Filing: 1986-09-15
•
Granted: 1988-03-22
•
Expires: 2006-09-15
Abstract
Abstract A process for selectively plugging permeable zones in subterranean formations or for plugging subterranean leaks which comprises injecting into the permeable zone or the site of the subterranean leak an aqueous solution containing 1 to 70 weight percent of a non-aggregated colloidal silica sol having a particle size in the range between 4 and 100 nm and a pH in the range between about 1 and 10, and causing said solution to gel in said zone or at said site.
Inventors
- 👤 Karl E. Bennett
- 👤 John L. Fitzjohn
- 👤 Richard A. Harmon
- 👤 Paul C. Yates, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 07:26
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09K; C09K8/00; C09K8/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
A process for selectively plugging permeable zones in subterranean formations or for plugging subterranean leaks which comprises injecting into the permeable zone or the site of the subterranean leak an aqueous solution containing 1 to 70 weight percent of a non-aggregated colloidal silica sol having a particle diameter in the range between 4 and 100 nm and a PH in the range between about 1 and 10, said solution as injected having a desired gel time in said zone or at said site without the necessity of being contacted by a separately injected material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
94 words
A process for selectively plugging permeable zones in subterranean formations or for plugging subterranean leaks which comprises injecting into the permeable zone or the site of the subterranean leak an aqueous solution containing 1 to 70 weight percent of a non-aggregated colloidal silica sol having a particle diameter in the range between 4 and 100 nm and a PH in the range between about 1 and 10, said solution as injected having a desired gel time in said zone or at said site without the necessity of being contacted by a separately injected material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said solution contains 2 to 40 weight percent of said non-aggregated silica sol.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 2 wherein said solution contains 5 to 15 weight percent of said non-aggregated silica sol.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 3 wherein said non-aggregated silica sol has an average particle diameter in the range between about 4 and 22 nanometers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 4 wherein said pH is in the range between about 5 and 9.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process of claim 5 wherein the total ionic strength in said zone or at said site when said solution is injected therein is less than 10.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 6 wherein said total ionic strength is less than 3.5.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 6 wherein said total ionic strength is 0.75 or less.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 4 wherein said pH is in the range between 5.5 and 7.5.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process of claim 9 wherein the total ionic strength in said zone or at said site when said solution is injected therein is less than 10.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 10 wherein said total ionic strength is less than 3.5.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 10 wherein said total ionic strength is 0.75 or less.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 3 wherein said average particle diameter is in the range between 7 and 22 nanometers.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 13 wherein said pH is in the range between about 5 and 9.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process of claim 14 wherein the total ionic strength in said zone or at said site when said solution is injected therein is less than 10.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 15 wherein said total ionic strength is less than 3.5.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 15 wherein said total ionic strength is 0.75 or less.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 13 wherein said pH is in the range between 5.5 and 7.5.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process of claim 18 wherein the total ionic strength in said zone or at said site when said solution is injected therein is less than 10.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 19 wherein said total ionic strength is less than 3.5.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 19 wherein said total ionic strength is 0.75 or less.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
75 words
The process of claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, or 21 wherein injection is effected through a wellbore and the gel time of said non-aggregated colloidal silica solution is varied so that the portion of said solution that is injected last into said formation gels at about the same time as the portion of said solution that is injected first.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
58 words
The process of claim 22 wherein said aqueous solution additionally contains as a latent gelling agent (a) an aqueous solution containing a multivalent cation and a chelating agent or (b) a material that hydrolyzes or decomposes thermally to release an acid, consume a base, release a base, consume an acid, or release both an acid and a base.
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) | 1991-03-22 | 1991-09-21 | 1992-03-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-03-22 | 1995-09-21 | 1996-03-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-03-22 | 1999-09-21 | 2000-03-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |