Methods of sealing subterranean zones
First Claim
1. An improved method of sealing a subterranean zone penetrated by a well bore containing a string of drill pipe to prevent the uncontrolled flow of fluids into and out of the zone by way of permeable portions thereof comprising the steps of:
- preparing a pumpable sealing composition which rapidly converts into a high viscosity sealing mass upon mixing and reacting with well bore fluids comprising water contained in said well bore, said sealing composition being comprised of water, an aqueous rubber latex, an organophillic clay and sodium carbonate; and
pumping said sealing composition through one or more openings at the end of said string of drill pipe into said zone at a low flow rate relative to said well bore fluids therein whereby said sealing composition flows through said well bore fluids with a minimum of mixing therewith and whereby portions of said sealing composition are converted to sealing masses as said sealing composition flows through said zone, said sealing masses being successively diverted into and sealing said permeable portions of said zone through which fluids are flowing out of said zone thereby allowing the hydrostatic pressure exerted in said zone to increase until all of said permeable portions in said zone are sealed.
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Abstract
The present invention provides improved methods of sealing a subterranean zone to remedy the uncontrolled flow of fluids into and out of the zone. The methods basically comprise preparing a sealing composition and placing the composition into the zone to be sealed. The placement of the composition is controlled in a manner whereby portions of the sealing composition are continuously converted to sealing masses which are successively diverted into permeable portions of the zone until all of the permeable portions are sealed.
456 Citations
25 Claims
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1. An improved method of sealing a subterranean zone penetrated by a well bore containing a string of drill pipe to prevent the uncontrolled flow of fluids into and out of the zone by way of permeable portions thereof comprising the steps of:
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preparing a pumpable sealing composition which rapidly converts into a high viscosity sealing mass upon mixing and reacting with well bore fluids comprising water contained in said well bore, said sealing composition being comprised of water, an aqueous rubber latex, an organophillic clay and sodium carbonate; and
pumping said sealing composition through one or more openings at the end of said string of drill pipe into said zone at a low flow rate relative to said well bore fluids therein whereby said sealing composition flows through said well bore fluids with a minimum of mixing therewith and whereby portions of said sealing composition are converted to sealing masses as said sealing composition flows through said zone, said sealing masses being successively diverted into and sealing said permeable portions of said zone through which fluids are flowing out of said zone thereby allowing the hydrostatic pressure exerted in said zone to increase until all of said permeable portions in said zone are sealed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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24. The method of claim 22 wherein the latex stabilizing surfactant is comprised of a sulfonated and ethoxylated compound having the formula H(CH2)12-15(CH2CH2O)15SO3Na.
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25. The method of claim 22 wherein the latex stabilizing surfactant is present in said sealing composition in an amount up to about 35% by weight of the aqueous rubber latex in said composition.
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7. An improved method of sealing a subterranean zone penetrated by a well bore containing a string of drill pipe to prevent the uncontrolled flow of fluids into and out of the zone by way of permeable portions thereof comprising the steps of:
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preparing a pumpable sealing composition which rapidly converts into a high viscosity sealing mass upon mixing and reacting with well bore fluids comprising water contained in said well bore, said sealing composition being comprised of water, an aqueous rubber latex, an organophillic clay and sodium carbonate; and
pumping said sealing composition through one or more openings at the end of said string of drill pipe into said zone at a low flow rate relative to said well bore fluids therein and at a pressure whereby fractures are formed in said zone whereby said sealing composition flows through said well bore fluids with a minimum of mixing therewith and whereby portions of said sealing composition are converted to sealing masses as said sealing composition flows through said zone, said sealing masses being successively diverted into and sealing said fractures and said permeable portions of said zone through which fluids are flowing out of said zone thereby allowing the hydrostatic pressure exerted in said zone to increase until all of said permeable portions in said zone are sealed.
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8. An improved method of sealing a subterranean zone penetrated by a well bore containing a string of drill pipe to prevent the uncontrolled flow of fluids into and out of the zone by way of permeable portions thereof comprising the steps of:
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preparing a pumpable sealing composition which rapidly converts into a high viscosity sealing mass upon mixing and reacting with well bore fluids comprising water contained in said well bore, said sealing composition being comprised of water, an aqueous rubber latex, an organophillic clay and sodium carbonate;
pumping said sealing composition through one or more openings at the end of said string of drill pipe into said zone;
pumping well bore fluids through the annulus between said well bore and said string of drill pipe into said zone while said sealing composition is pumped through said one or more openings at the end of said string of drill pipe into said zone; and
controlling the flow rates of said sealing composition through said string of drill pipe and said well bore fluids through said annulus whereby portions of said sealing composition are converted to sealing masses as said sealing composition flows through said zone, said sealing masses being successively diverted into and sealing said permeable portions of said zone through which fluids are flowing out of said zone thereby allowing the hydrostatic pressure exerted in said zone to increase until all of said permeable portions in said zone are sealed. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification