# US 11,111,765 B2 · Well livening tool based on nitrogen producing chemistry

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- Number: US 11,111,765 B2
- Document ID: US11111765B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/953,851
- Filed: 2018-04-16
- Published: 2019-10-17
- Granted: 2021-09-07
- Earliest claimed: 2018-04-16
- Assignees: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
- Applicants: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
- Inventors: Abdulrahman Abdulaziz Al-Mulhem; Mohammed Abdullah Bataweel
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11111765B2

## CPC

- E21B 43/122: {Gas lift}
- C06D 5/06: by reaction of two or more solids
- E21B 23/0417: {Down-hole non-explosive gas generating means, e.g. by chemical reaction}
- E21B 37/00: Methods or apparatus for cleaning boreholes or wells (E21B21/00 takes precedence)
- E21B 43/243: Combustion in situ
- E21B 47/00: Survey of boreholes or wells (monitoring pressure or flow of drilling fluid E21B21/08)
- E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- C06D: MEANS FOR GENERATING SMOKE OR MIST; GAS-ATTACK COMPOSITIONS; GENERATION OF GAS FOR BLASTING OR PROPULSION (CHEMICAL PART) (fuels C10)

## Abstract

A well livening downhole tool for the in-situ production of nitrogen is provided. The well livening downhole tool may produce nitrogen in-situ in a well to lighten the fluid column and lift the well fluids. The well livening downhole tool may include sodium azide and other reactants to produce nitrogen and scavenge other reaction products to produce alkaline silicate and water. The well-livening downhole tool may include multiple modules each having nitrogen-producing reactants and ignition components such that each module may be activated independently to produce nitrogen at different depths. A process for lifting the well fluids using the well livening downhole tool is also provided.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for increasing production of fluids from a well having a wellbore extending into a formation having a hydrocarbon reservoir, the method comprising:
inserting a tool into the wellbore, the tool comprising:
a body defining an interior chamber, the interior chamber containing a plurality of reactants, the plurality of reactants comprising sodium azide;
an ignition component connected to a wireline, the ignition component comprising an igniter;
initiating reaction of the sodium azide to produce nitrogen in-situ in the well, wherein the volume of produced nitrogen is proportional to a true vertical depth and a cross-sectional area of the well, and comprises an amount sufficient to fill the wellbore; and
releasing the nitrogen from the interior chamber into the wellbore to lighten the fluid column in the wellbore and lift fluids in the wellbore.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein initiating reaction of the sodium azide comprises sending an electrical signal from the surface to the ignition component to generate heat and ignite the igniter.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of reactants comprise potassium nitrate and silicon dioxide.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3, wherein the in-situ production of nitrogen results in the in-situ production of alkaline silicate.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the ignition component comprises a bridgewire.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the igniter comprises boron-potassium nitride.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the body comprises a first body and the ignition component comprises a first ignition component, wherein the tool comprises a first module comprising the first body and the first ignition component, wherein the tool further comprises:
a second body defining a second interior chamber, the second interior chamber containing a second plurality of reactants, the second plurality of reactants comprising sodium azide;
a second ignition component configured connected to the wireline, the second ignition component comprising a second igniter.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein the first module and the second module are located at different depths in the wellbore.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, comprising:
determining a depth in the wellbore for the in-situ production of nitrogen; and
determining that the second module is nearest the depth.