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US 4,730,675 AGranted
Plugging an abandoned well with a polymer gel
AssigneeMarathon Oil Company
InventorsNoel D. Wygant, Robert D. Sydansk
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An abandoned well penetrating a subterranean formation is plugged using a gel comprising a high molecular weight, water-soluble carboxylate-containing polymer and a chromic carboxylate complex crosslinking agent. The gel components are combined at the surface and injected into the wellbore to form a continuous single-phase gel therein.
Claims14
A process for plugging an abandoned well in fluid communication with a subterranean formation below an earthen surface, comprising:
- (a) admixing a gelation solution at the surface consisting essentially of a water-soluble carboxylate-containing polymer, a complex capable of crosslinking said polymer and formed of at least one chromic species and at least one acetate species, and a solvent for said polymer and said complex;
- (b) injecting said gelation solution into a wellbore of said abandoned well;
- and
- (c) crosslinking said gelation solution in said wellbore to substantial completion to form a non-flowing rigid gel which substantially plugs said abandoned well.
1 more element
A process for plugging an abandoned well in fluid communication with a subterranean formation below an earthen surface, comprising:
- (a) admixing a gelation solution at the surface consisting essentially of a water-soluble carboxylate-containing polymer, a complex capable of crosslinking said polymer and formed of at least one chromic species, at least one acetate species, and at least one species selected from the group consisting of electronegative oxygen species, electronegative hydroxide species, inorganic monovalent ions, inorganic divalent ions, water molecules, and mixtures thereof, and a solvent for said polymer and said complex;
- (b) injecting said gelation solution into a wellbore of said abandoned well;
- and
- (c) crosslinking said gelation solution in said wellbore to substantial completion to form a non-flowing rigid gel which substantially plugs said abandoned well.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.