Method for Plugging Wells
First Claim
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1. A method of plugging wells, comprising the steps of:
- a. forming cementitious materials into pellets;
b. dropping the cementitious pellets into a well that is at least partially filled with an aqueous solution so that the pellets fall to the bottom of the well;
c. allowing the pellets to lose their structure and release dry cementitious material into the aqueous solution; and
d. allowing the cementitious material in the aqueous well to set and form an impermeable plug in the well.
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Abstract
A method of plugging wells wherein cementitious materials (like Portland cement) are formed into pellets that can be dumped or dropped into a well that is filled with an aqueous solution. The pellets will fall quickly to the bottom of the well or mechanically placed barrier, and over time, the pellets will loose their structure and release dry cementitious material into aqueous well fluid. The cementitious material will wet in the aqueous well fluid and then set to form an impermeable plug in the well.
24 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method of plugging wells, comprising the steps of:
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a. forming cementitious materials into pellets; b. dropping the cementitious pellets into a well that is at least partially filled with an aqueous solution so that the pellets fall to the bottom of the well; c. allowing the pellets to lose their structure and release dry cementitious material into the aqueous solution; and d. allowing the cementitious material in the aqueous well to set and form an impermeable plug in the well. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of plugging wells comprising the steps of:
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a. forming cementitious materials into pellets; b. applying a thin coating of degradable polymer to the pellets to add mechanical integrity and delay the release of cementitious material in a wellbore; c. dropping coated cementitious pellets into the wellbore that is filled with an aqueous solution so that the pellets fall to the bottom of the well; d. allowing the pellets to lose their structure and release dry cementitious material into the aqueous solution; and e. allowing the cementitious material in the aqueous well to set and form an impermeable plug in the well. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of plugging wells comprising the steps of:
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a. forming cementitious materials into pellets; b. coating the pellets with a solution of low molecular weight degradable polymer, such as polylactic acid or other polyester, and a solvent onto the surface of the pellet; c. dropping coated cementitious pellets into a well that is filled with an aqueous solution so that the pellets fall to a mechanically placed barrier placed in the well; d. allowing the pellets to lose their structure and release dry cementitious material into the aqueous solution; and e. allowing the cementitious material in the aqueous well to set and form an impermeable plug in the well at the level of the mechanically placed barrier. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification