Technique for insulating a wellbore with silicate foam

Patent · Tue Jan 21 04:00:00 EST 1975

OSTI ID:6921981

Bayless, J H; Hagedorn, A R

A method is disclosed for thermally insulating a well for use in thermal processes for oil recovery. The well is insulated by boiling a silicate solution in contact with the well tubing to form a coating of alkali metal silicate foam on the tubing. Steam injection is continued without substantial interruption after excess silicate solution is no longer discharged at the surface. Preferably, steam injection is continued until water vapor from the silicate solution is no longer discharged at the surface. Generally, the steam which is injected during this continued period will be injected into an oil-bearing formation to thermally stimulate oil production.

• Assignee: Exxon Production Res Co
• Patent Number(s): US 3861469
• OSTI ID: 6921981
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
COLLOIDS
DISPERSIONS
ENERGY SOURCES
ENHANCED RECOVERY
FLUID INJECTION
FOAMS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
MIXTURES
OIL WELLS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PETROLEUM
RECOVERY
SILICATES
SILICON COMPOUNDS
SOLUTIONS
STEAM INJECTION
THERMAL INSULATION
THERMAL RECOVERY
WELLS