Method for consolidating formation surrounding borehole
First Claim
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1. A method of treating an unconsolidated formation surrounding a borehole to form a permeable consolidated formation, the method consisting essentially of the steps of:
- (A) heating the unconsolidated formation adjacent said borehole to a temperature in the range of 35°
C. to 135°
C. sufficient to support low temperature oxidation of oil contained within said formation without relying on high injection pressure or fracture of the formation, then(B) injecting unheated oxygen-containing gas into the borehole and into contact with said heated formation for a predetermined time to consolidate the formation by way of the precipitation of asphaltenes in said formation, such injection being carried out at a low volume rate to avoid fracturing of the formation.
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Abstract
There is disclosed a process for transforming an unconsolidated formation surrounding a borehole into a consolidated state for the prevention of the migration of small particles during the removal of fluid from the borehole. The formation is heated to a predetermined temperature capable of supporting low temperature oxidation, precipitation of asphaltenes occurs in the formation upon injection of unheated air, without fracturing the formation, into the borehole and results in consolidation of the formation.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method of treating an unconsolidated formation surrounding a borehole to form a permeable consolidated formation, the method consisting essentially of the steps of:
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(A) heating the unconsolidated formation adjacent said borehole to a temperature in the range of 35°
C. to 135°
C. sufficient to support low temperature oxidation of oil contained within said formation without relying on high injection pressure or fracture of the formation, then(B) injecting unheated oxygen-containing gas into the borehole and into contact with said heated formation for a predetermined time to consolidate the formation by way of the precipitation of asphaltenes in said formation, such injection being carried out at a low volume rate to avoid fracturing of the formation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. In treating an unconsolidated sand formation surrounding a well borehole, a method for forming a permeable consolidated formation consisting essentially of the steps of:
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maintaining an oil bank in the portion of the borehole to be treated, operating an electric heater in said oil bank to heat said unconsolidated formation to a predetermined temperature for a predetermined depth away from said borehole, forcing the oil of said oil bank from said borehole and into the surrounding formation; and
theninjecting air at substantially atmospheric temperature without relying on high injection pressures into contact with the heated formation for a predetermined time to thereby precipitate asphaltenes in said formation and thereby form a permeable consolidated zone in the vicinity of the well. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of treating a formation surrounding a borehole of a well producing oil at approximately 40 API or less, the method consisting essentially of the steps of:
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obtaining a supply of heavy oil and testing said supply to establish an optimum temperature to achieve low temperature oxidation of the heavy oil; injecting said heavy oil into said borehole to provide an oil bank occupying the portion of said borehole surrounded by said formation; operating a heater in said oil bank to heat said formation to a predetermined temperature for a predetermined depth away from said borehole; injecting an inert gas into said borehole at a pressure sufficient to force said oil bank into said formation; and
theninjecting air at substantially atmospheric temperature without relying on high injection pressures into contact with the heated formation for a predetermined time to thereby precipitate asphaltenes from the heavy oil in said formation so as to form a permeable consolidated zone in the vicinity of said borehole.
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Specification