Method for exploiting underground resources with negative thixotropic fluid
US11879319B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 14, 2023 |
| Grant date | Jan 23, 2024 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 14, 2043 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/10
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method of exploiting underground resources with a negative thixotropic fluid, which induces the fault or the fracture to slip by replacing a conventional mode of injecting water with a mode of injecting the negative thixotropic fluid. According to the negative thixotropy of the injected fluid, when the fault or the fracture does not slip, viscosity of the negative thixotropic fluid is low, and the negative thixotropic fluid could flow in the fracture network. When the fault or the fracture slips, a great shear strain rate is generated, such that the viscosity of the negative thixotropic fluid is rapidly increased with the shear strain rate, to generate a great resistance force, thereby preventing the fault from further slipping.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.