Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Sand consolidation with organic silicate

Patent ·
OSTI ID:5294359
Unconsolidated sand-like material in a subsurface formation adjacent a borehole of a water, oil, or gas well is consolidated by treating the formation first with a solution of alcohol and organic silicate and then with water. The water causes the organic silicate to hydrolyze and polymerize into a coating-like binding agent. The water also flushes excess organic silicate-alcohol solution from the more permeable portions of the formation adjacent the borehole, thereby maintaining the formation's permeability. The silicate solution may be preceded by alcohol without silicate. Organic silicate has many advantages over alkali metal silicate.
Assignee:
Atlantic Richfield Co.
Patent Number(s):
US 4417623
OSTI ID:
5294359
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English