Plugging an abandoned well with a polymer gel

Patent · Tue Mar 15 04:00:00 EST 1988

OSTI ID:5174542

Wygant, N D; Sydansk, R D

A process for plugging an abandoned well in fluid communication with a subterranean formation below an earthen surface is described comprising: (a) admixing a gelation solution at the surface consisting essentially of a water-soluble carboxylate-containing polymer, a complex capable of crosslinking the polymer and formed of at least one chromic species and at least one acetate species, and a solvent for the polymer and the complex; (b) injecting the gelation solution into a wellbore of the abandoned well; and (c) crosslinking the gelation solution in the wellbore to substantial completion to form a non-flowing rigid gel which substantially plugs the abandoned well.

• Assignee: Marathon Oil Co., Findlay, OH
• Patent Number(s): US 4730675
• OSTI ID: 5174542
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
03 NATURAL GAS
030300 -- Natural Gas-- Drilling
Production
& Processing
ABANDONED WELLS
CARBOXYLATION
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COLLOIDS
CROSS-LINKING
DISPERSIONS
FLUID INJECTION
GELATION
GELS
NATURAL GAS WELLS
OIL WELLS
PLUGGING
PLUGGING AGENTS
POLYMERIZATION
POLYMERS
ROCK-FLUID INTERACTIONS
WELL SERVICING
WELLS