Method of sand consolidation with resin
AssigneeOryx Energy Company
InventorJohn M. Dees
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods are provided for chemically consolidating subterranean formations around wells using resins. Resins are forced into the formations by high pressures instantaneously applied when perforations are formed in casing in wells or when pressures are released from tubing in wells. Perforating, explosives or gas generators may be used in addition to the high pressures for driving resins into formations. The resins are polymerized to form permeable consolidated zones around wells.
Claims32
A method of consolidating a subterranean formation surrounding unperforated casing comprising the steps of:
- (a) placing a resin in the casing opposite at least a portion of the formation to be consolidated;
- (b) increasing the pressure in the resin opposite the formation to be consolidated to a pressure greater than the minimum fracturing pressure of the formation to be consolidated;
- (c) positioning means for perforating the casing in the resin opposite the formation to be consolidated;
- (d) activating the perforating means to form at least one perforation in the casing;
- and
- (e) polymerizing the resin in the formation.
A method of consolidating subterranean formation surrounding unperforated casing comprising the steps of:
- (a) placing a pre-flush liquid in the casing opposite the formation to be consolidated;
- (b) placing a resin above the pre-flush liquid in the wellbore, the resin being polymerizable;
- (c) increasing the pressure in the casing opposite the formation to be consolidated to a pressure greater than the minimum fracturing pressure of the formation to be treated;
- (d) placing a means for perforating in the casing opposite the formation to be consolidated;
- (e) activating the means for perforating to form at least one perforation in the casing;
- and
- (f) polymerizing the resin in the formation.
A method of consolidating a subterranean formation surrounding a cased well having casing extending at least partially through the formation and having perforations in the casing into the formation comprising the steps of:
- (a) placing tubing in the well, the tubing having therein means for containing high pressure, the means being located in proximity to the lower end of the tubing;
- (b) placing a resin in the tubing;
- (c) pressuring the tubing to a pressure such that the pressure at the formation will be greater than fracturing pressure in the formation when the means for containing high pressure is opened;
- and
- (d) opening the means for containing high pressure such that pressure is instantaneously applied to the formation through the perforations;
- and
- (e) polymerizing the resin in the formation.
A method of consolidating a subterranean formation surrounding unperforated casing comprising the steps of:
- (a) placing a resin in the casing opposite at least a portion of the formation to be consolidated;
- (b) placing a perforating gun opposite the formation to be consolidated by connecting the gun to a tubing string and running the tubing string into the well;
- (c) pressuring the tubing to a pressure such that the pressure at the formation is greater than the minimum fracturing pressure of the formation when the casing is perforated;
- (d) activating the perforating gun;
- and
- (e) allowing the resin to flow into the formation and polymerizing the resin.
A method of consolidating a subterranean formation surrounding casing which has previously been perforated comprising the steps of:
- (a) preventing flow through existing perforations in the casing;
- (b) placing a resin in the casing opposite at least a portion of the formation to be consolidated;
- (c) increasing the pressure in the resin opposite the formation to be consolidated to a pressure at least as high as the minimum fracturing pressure of the formation to be consolidated;
- (d) positioning means for perforating the casing in the resin opposite the formation to be consolidated;
- (e) activating the perforating means to form at least one additional perforation in the casing;
- and
- (f) polymerizing the resin in the formation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.