Patent · US Expired

Method for restoring contaminants to base levels in previously leached formations

US4418961A · kind A · utility

6Cited by
7References
16Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 27, 1982
Grant dateDec 6, 1983
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 27, 2002

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
  • CPC primaryE21B43/28
  • WIPO fieldCivil engineering
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for restoring to environmentally acceptable levels the soluble contaminants in a subterranean formation that has been subjected to oxidative leaching. The contaminants are defined as those ionic species that when subjected to calcium ions form precipitates which are insoluble in the formation fluids. In accordance with the present invention, soluble calcium values are introduced into the formation. The level of contaminants is monitored and when such reaches the desired level, the introduction of soluble calcium values is stopped. The introduction of calcium values may be achieved in several ways one of which is to inject into the formation an aqueous solution containing therein solubilized calcium values. Another method of introducing calcium values into a formation, is to inject into the formation an aqueous solution containing carbon dioxide to solubilize calcium values, such as calcium carbonates, found in the formation.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.