EP0238485A1 - Process for plugging a subterranean formation - Google Patents
Process for plugging a subterranean formationInfo
- Publication number
- EP0238485A1 EP0238485A1 EP85904941A EP85904941A EP0238485A1 EP 0238485 A1 EP0238485 A1 EP 0238485A1 EP 85904941 A EP85904941 A EP 85904941A EP 85904941 A EP85904941 A EP 85904941A EP 0238485 A1 EP0238485 A1 EP 0238485A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- aqueous
- water soluble
- phosphate salt
- silicate
- spacer
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C09—DYES; PAINTS; POLISHES; NATURAL RESINS; ADHESIVES; COMPOSITIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; APPLICATIONS OF MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- C09K—MATERIALS FOR MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATIONS, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
- C09K8/00—Compositions for drilling of boreholes or wells; Compositions for treating boreholes or wells, e.g. for completion or for remedial operations
- C09K8/42—Compositions for cementing, e.g. for cementing casings into boreholes; Compositions for plugging, e.g. for killing wells
- C09K8/46—Compositions for cementing, e.g. for cementing casings into boreholes; Compositions for plugging, e.g. for killing wells containing inorganic binders, e.g. Portland cement
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C04—CEMENTS; CONCRETE; ARTIFICIAL STONE; CERAMICS; REFRACTORIES
- C04B—LIME, MAGNESIA; SLAG; CEMENTS; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF, e.g. MORTARS, CONCRETE OR LIKE BUILDING MATERIALS; ARTIFICIAL STONE; CERAMICS; REFRACTORIES; TREATMENT OF NATURAL STONE
- C04B28/00—Compositions of mortars, concrete or artificial stone, containing inorganic binders or the reaction product of an inorganic and an organic binder, e.g. polycarboxylate cements
- C04B28/24—Compositions of mortars, concrete or artificial stone, containing inorganic binders or the reaction product of an inorganic and an organic binder, e.g. polycarboxylate cements containing alkyl, ammonium or metal silicates; containing silica sols
- C04B28/26—Silicates of the alkali metals
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C04—CEMENTS; CONCRETE; ARTIFICIAL STONE; CERAMICS; REFRACTORIES
- C04B—LIME, MAGNESIA; SLAG; CEMENTS; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF, e.g. MORTARS, CONCRETE OR LIKE BUILDING MATERIALS; ARTIFICIAL STONE; CERAMICS; REFRACTORIES; TREATMENT OF NATURAL STONE
- C04B28/00—Compositions of mortars, concrete or artificial stone, containing inorganic binders or the reaction product of an inorganic and an organic binder, e.g. polycarboxylate cements
- C04B28/34—Compositions of mortars, concrete or artificial stone, containing inorganic binders or the reaction product of an inorganic and an organic binder, e.g. polycarboxylate cements containing cold phosphate binders
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C09—DYES; PAINTS; POLISHES; NATURAL RESINS; ADHESIVES; COMPOSITIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; APPLICATIONS OF MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- C09K—MATERIALS FOR MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATIONS, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
- C09K8/00—Compositions for drilling of boreholes or wells; Compositions for treating boreholes or wells, e.g. for completion or for remedial operations
- C09K8/50—Compositions for plastering borehole walls, i.e. compositions for temporary consolidation of borehole walls
- C09K8/504—Compositions based on water or polar solvents
- C09K8/5045—Compositions based on water or polar solvents containing inorganic compounds
Definitions
- the present invention pertains to an improved method for plugging or sealing selected zones in a sub- terranean formation. More particularly, this invention relates to -an improved method for plugging such sub ⁇ terranean zones via the sequential injection therein of an aqueous solution of a water soluble silicate material, an aqueous spacer material, and an aqueous hydraulic cement slurry.
- the discovery is embodied in one aspect of the present invention in the form of an improved process for plugging a zone in a subterranean formation by sequen ⁇ tially injecting an aqueous solution of water soluble silicate material followed by an aqueous spacer material and an aqueous hydraulic cement slurry, characterized by incorporating into said silicate solution, said aqueous spacer material or said hydraulic cement slurry, a water soluble, inorganic "polybasic phosphate- salt to reduce the rate of gel formation which occurs when said silicate material, spacer and hydraulic cement are intermingled.
- the present invention is a method of retarding the gelation of an aqueous mixture of a water soluble silicate material and into said mixture a water soluble, polybasic inorganic phosphate salt in an amount sufficient to substantially reduce the gelation rate of said mixture.
- the aforementioned method and improved process are particularly useful in those instances where it is desired to plug or seal off a selected zone of a subter ⁇ ranean formation such as, for example, where it is desired to plug off a lost circulation zone during a well drilling or cementing operation; to reduce or eliminate undesired formation brine flow in a producing well; to block off regions of high formation permeability in an injection well associated with an enhanced oil .recovery operation; and the like.
- Silicate materials useful in the practice of the present invention include those water soluble silicate materials whose aqueous solutions are already known in the art to produce relatively rigid gels upon contact or admixture with concentrated sodium-based brines or with calcium-containing brines or upon having their pH adjusted into a rapid gelation region via the addition of an acid or an acid producing material.
- Such silicate materials include the various alkali metal salts of silicic acid such as, for example, the lithium, sodium and potassium salts thereof.
- a particularly preferred water soluble silicate material for use in the practice of the present invention is an aqueous sodium silicate solution having a 38 weight percent total dissolved solids content and having silicon dioxide (Si0 2 ) to sodium oxide (Na 2 0) weight ration of about 3.2:1.
- silicon dioxide Si0 2
- sodium oxide Na 2 0
- sodium silicate solutions having different Si0 2 :Na 2 0 ratios e.g., ranging from 0.5:1 to 4:1
- the silicate material can be initially acquired in the form of different solids content aqueous solutions or in solid form. However, the latter option is typically less desirable since special equipment is required to convert the solid material into an aqueous solution prior to its injection into the subterranean formation of interest.
- aqueous silicate solution in the practice of the present invention, it is typically diluted prior to injection into the formation to a silicon dioxide content of from 5 to 25 weight percent.
- the SiO- content of the solution during injection is from 10 to 20 percent by weight.
- the zone of interest already contains a fairly concentrated sodium-based brine or a calcium-containing brine
- the desired gelaton will occur spontaneously upon the silicate soluton coming into contact with said brine.
- the injection of the silicate solution can be preceded by the injection of a quantity of a suitable, naturally occurring or synthetic brine.
- a fresh water spacer will typically be pumped between said brine injec ⁇ tion and said silicate solution in order to prevent the inter-mingling, and accompanying gelation, thereof until after said materials exit the wellbore and enter the formation region of interest.
- the initial gelation of the injected silicate solution can be induced by the incorporation therein (i.e., at the earth's surface prior to pumping or injection) of a suitable reagent to bring about gelation in a sufficiently gradual fashion to permit emplacement of said material prior .to the gelation or setting thereof.
- a strongly acidic material such as hydrochloric acid can be employed to adjust the pH of the aqueous silicate solution (which is nor ally in a pH range of 11.5 or above) into a range of, for example, 0.5 to 1.5 in which the gel time is suffici ⁇ ently long to allow emplacement thereof in the desired subterranean location.
- a strongly acidic material such as hydrochloric acid
- a reagent which gradually releases a gel inducing material e.g., multivalent metallic or alkaline earth metal ions or a weak acid material
- a gel inducing material e.g., multivalent metallic or alkaline earth metal ions or a weak acid material
- U.S. Patent No. 2,208,766; Canadian Patent No. 1,070,936; U.S. Patent No. 3,435,899 and U.S. Patent No. 3,294,563 See for example, U.S. Patent No. 2,208,766; Canadian Patent No. 1,070,936; U.S. Patent No. 3,435,899 and U.S. Patent No. 3,294,563).
- Hydraulic cement materials suitable for use in the present invention include those conventionally employed in oil and/or gas well cementing practices. Portland cements are preferred for this purpose and, of those, API Class A and API Class C Portland cements are more preferred for use in the present invention.
- the preparation and pumping of the hydraulic cement slurry in the present invention is generally pursuant to conventional oil and gas well cement slurry preparation and handling practices.
- conven ⁇ tional cementing additives such as dispersants, fluid loss additives, etc. can be employed, if desired.
- the water contents of the cement slurries can suitably be in the normally employed range, but may vary somewhat in quantitative terms depending upon various factors such as the specific type of cement employed, etc.
- an API Class A Portland cement it is preferred to employ it in the form of a slurry having a water content of about 46% by weight of cement.
- an A PI Class H Portland cement it is preferred to use a slurry containing about 38 weight percent water by weight of cement.
- an aqueous spacer is employed to separate the cement slurry from the silicate solution during the sequential injection therecrf, it is preferred to employ a fresh water spacer. Otherwise, high concentrations of sodium ions and/or the presence of significant calcium ion concentrations in- said spacer could induce gelation of the silicate solution at the silicate solution/spacer interface during injection through the wellbore. Naturally, however, it is possible to use a brine as the spacer if desired, so long as the nature of it (e.g., the salt concentration and/or calcium content) is such that premature silicate gelation is avoided during injection.
- a brine as the spacer if desired, so long as the nature of it (e.g., the salt concentration and/or calcium content) is such that premature silicate gelation is avoided during injection.
- aqueous spacer Regardless of whether the aqueous spacer is based on fresh water or dilute brine materials, it can further contain various conventional spacer components such as polymeric thickener materials, and the like, as desired.
- a key feature of the present invention involves the discovery that certain polybasic, inorganic phosphate salts are capable of substantially delaying or retarding the otherwise very rapid (e.g., in just a few seconds) gelation or setting up which occurs when.a cement slurry and an aqueous silicate solution are admixed or intermingled.
- Suitable inorganic phosphate salts for this purpose include the various known water soluble, polybasic inorganic phosphate salts such as, for example, the water soluble dibasic or tribasi ⁇ alkali metal or ammonium phosphate salts.
- the alkali metal phosphate salts, or alkali metal/ammonium phosphate salt mixtures are employed to eliminate, or minimize, the generation or release of ammonia during use.
- Especially preferred phosphate salts for use herein are disodium phosphate and trisodium phosphate.
- the aforementioned water soluble polybasic " inorganic phosphate salt can be ' incorporated into the soluble silicate/cement slurry system in any convenient fashion so long as it is caused to be present at the time that said cement slurry and silicate solution initially come into contact or intermingle with each other.
- the phosphate salt can be admixed into the cement slurry itself, the silicate solution itself or in both.
- an aqueous spacer fluid having the phosphate salt dissolved therein can be employed to separate the cement slurry from the silicate solution during the sequential injection thereof.
- an aqueous spacer fluid is employed in the present inven- tion and at least a portion of the requisite inorganic phosphate salt is dissolved therein.
- the minimum amount of the water soluble, polybasi inorganic phosphate salt to be employed herein corresponds to an amount sufficient to reduce the gel formation rate upon the admixing or intermingling together of the hydrauli cement slurry and the silicate solution.
- the normal gelation time upon admixing such components in the 'absence- of the aforementioned phosphate salt typically corresponds to just a few seconds.
- the afore-mentioned phosphate ' salt is employed in the present invention in an amount sufficient to provide a delayed gelation time of at least about onehalf'hour, and preferably at least about one full hour, following the initial intermingling of the cement slurry and silicate solution components hereof.
- the aforementioned phosphate salt will typically be employed in an amount ranging, on an anhydrous salt basis, of from 0.5 tcr 5 (preferably from 0.75 to 2) weight percent based upon the combined ' weight of the cement slurry, the aqueous spacer (if any) and the silicate solution.
- the phosphate salt will typically constitute from 2 to 20 (preferably from 2 to 10 and most preferably from 2.5 to 5) weight percent of said aqueous spacer fluid.
- a 40° Baume aqueous sodium silicate solution having a 3.22:1 SiO to a 2 0 weight ratio is diluted by admixing 42.6 parts of weight thereof with 57.4 parts by weight of water.
- One (1) part by weight of the resulting diluted sodium silicate solution is simultaneously admixed with two (2) parts by weight of an API Class A Portland cement slurry containing 46 percent water based on the weight of the cement and with one (1) part by weight of a series of different aqueous spacer compositions having different amounts of trisodium phosphate or disodium phosphate dissolved therein.
- the phosphate salt content of the various spacer compositions along with the gel time for the corresponding blends prepared therewith are summarized in-T-able I below.
- a 500 gallon (1.89 m 3 ) batch of calcium chloride brine solution is prepared containing 9 weight percent C aCl 2 on a total weight basis.
- Two 1000 gallon (3.785 m 3 ) batches of an aqueous sodium silicate solution are also prepared. Each 1000 gallon (3.785 m 3) batch is prepared by adding 640 gallons (2.42 m 3) of water to a
- the well is perforated in the water zone and a squeeze packer is set between the perforations in the water zone and the producing perforations.
- the initial sodium silicate solution forms a gel upon admixture with the CaCl 2 brine in the initial flow areas of the formation and thereby diverts the remaining fluid to other areas.
- the Portland, cement sets fa ' irly rapidly on contacting the sodium silicate solution thus reinforcing the weak section and forcing the remaining cement into the channels leading to the producing section.
- the setting of the Portland cement is, however, substantially delayed relative to what it would have been in the absence of the trisodium phosphate component in the abovenoted aqueous spacer composition. While the present invention has been described herein by reference to certain specific embodiments and illustrative examples thereof, such is not to be under ⁇ stood or interpreted as in any way limiting the scope of the instantly claimed invention.
Landscapes
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Inorganic Chemistry (AREA)
- Ceramic Engineering (AREA)
- Materials Engineering (AREA)
- Organic Chemistry (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Curing Cements, Concrete, And Artificial Stone (AREA)
- Soil Conditioners And Soil-Stabilizing Materials (AREA)
- Seal Device For Vehicle (AREA)
Abstract
Lorsqu'elles sont ajoutées, mélangées ou autrement mises en contact avec des boues de ciment hydraulique, des solutions aqueuses de silicate provoquent une gélification très rapide et une prise accélérée de la composition de ciment hydraulique. On a désormais découvert qu'il était possible de contrôler ce phénomène de gélification rapide/prise accélérée et de le retarder sensiblement en incorporant un sel de phosphate inorganique hydrosoluble dans un fluide séparateur aqueux positionné entre ladite solution de silicate et ladite boue de ciment tandis que ces matériaux sont injectés de manière séquentielle dans une formation souterraine.When added, mixed, or otherwise contacted with hydraulic cement slurries, aqueous silicate solutions cause very rapid gelation and accelerated setting of the hydraulic cement composition. It has now been discovered that it is possible to control this phenomenon of rapid gelation / accelerated setting and to delay it substantially by incorporating a water-soluble inorganic phosphate salt in an aqueous separating fluid positioned between said silicate solution and said cement mud while these materials are injected sequentially into an underground formation.
Description
Claims
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US1985/001865 WO1987002093A1 (en) | 1985-09-30 | 1985-09-30 | Process for plugging a subterranean formation |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0238485A1 true EP0238485A1 (en) | 1987-09-30 |
Family
ID=22188859
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP85904941A Withdrawn EP0238485A1 (en) | 1985-09-30 | 1985-09-30 | Process for plugging a subterranean formation |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0238485A1 (en) |
NO (1) | NO874066L (en) |
WO (1) | WO1987002093A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2227263A (en) * | 1988-10-03 | 1990-07-25 | Fosroc International Ltd | Placement of grout in a void |
GB9500089D0 (en) | 1995-01-04 | 1995-03-01 | Sofitech Nv | Thixotropic materials |
WO2009034287A1 (en) * | 2007-09-13 | 2009-03-19 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Methods of using colloidal silica based gels |
Family Cites Families (18)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2048932A (en) * | 1935-09-07 | 1936-07-28 | Hartvedt Andrew | Coating for concrete |
US2233872A (en) * | 1936-07-27 | 1941-03-04 | California Talc Company | Means and method for solidifying underground structures |
US2233973A (en) * | 1939-06-22 | 1941-03-04 | Stanolind Oil & Gas Company | Slow setting cement |
US2233974A (en) * | 1939-06-22 | 1941-03-04 | Stanolind Oil & Gas Company | Slow setting cement |
US2210545A (en) * | 1939-11-15 | 1940-08-06 | United States Gypsum Co | Process of sealing openings in the earth |
US2848340A (en) * | 1956-07-05 | 1958-08-19 | Lone Star Cement Corp | Slow setting cement compositions |
US3672173A (en) * | 1969-05-13 | 1972-06-27 | Halliburton Co | Forming self-supporting barriers in mine passages and the like |
US3625286A (en) * | 1970-06-01 | 1971-12-07 | Atlantic Richfield Co | Well-cementing method using a spacer composition |
US3658131A (en) * | 1970-10-30 | 1972-04-25 | Cities Service Oil Co | Selective plugging method |
JPS5328453B1 (en) * | 1971-05-22 | 1978-08-15 | ||
US4014174A (en) * | 1975-10-28 | 1977-03-29 | N L Industries, Inc. | Method of simultaneously strengthening the surface of a borehole and bonding cement thereto and method of forming cementitious pilings |
US4036659A (en) * | 1976-03-01 | 1977-07-19 | The Dow Chemical Company | Cement composition |
US4054461A (en) * | 1976-03-25 | 1977-10-18 | The Dow Chemical Company | Method of cementing |
US4083407A (en) * | 1977-02-07 | 1978-04-11 | The Dow Chemical Company | Spacer composition and method of use |
US4257483A (en) * | 1979-01-11 | 1981-03-24 | The Dow Chemical Company | Method of well completion with casing gel |
FR2458519A1 (en) * | 1979-06-05 | 1981-01-02 | Daussan & Co | COATING TO PROTECT BUILDINGS, IN PARTICULAR AGAINST FIRE AND HEAT |
SU1030336A1 (en) * | 1982-03-12 | 1983-07-23 | Проектный Научно-Исследовательский Институт "Харьковский Промстройниипроект" | Mineral adhesive |
US4436645A (en) * | 1982-09-27 | 1984-03-13 | Ceaser Anthony V | Fluoride containing compositions for removal of pollutants from waste waters and methods of utilizing same |
-
1985
- 1985-09-30 WO PCT/US1985/001865 patent/WO1987002093A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1985-09-30 EP EP85904941A patent/EP0238485A1/en not_active Withdrawn
-
1987
- 1987-09-28 NO NO87874066A patent/NO874066L/en unknown
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
See references of WO8702093A1 * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
NO874066L (en) | 1987-11-27 |
NO874066D0 (en) | 1987-09-28 |
WO1987002093A1 (en) | 1987-04-09 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
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PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
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AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE FR GB IT LI LU NL SE |
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17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 19870918 |
|
RBV | Designated contracting states (corrected) |
Designated state(s): CH DE FR GB IT LI NL |
|
RBV | Designated contracting states (corrected) |
Designated state(s): DE FR GB IT NL |
|
RAP1 | Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred) |
Owner name: PUMPTECH N.V. Owner name: COMPAGNIE DES SERVICES DOWELL SCHLUMBERGER S.A. |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION HAS BEEN WITHDRAWN |
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18W | Application withdrawn |
Withdrawal date: 19880112 |
|
RIN1 | Information on inventor provided before grant (corrected) |
Inventor name: EILERS, LOUIS, H. |