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

Sand control method employing asphaltenes

Patent ·
OSTI ID:7355751
A method is claimed of treating a subterranean, asphaltic or bituminous petroleum containing formation, which formation contains unconsolidated sand, said formation being penetrated by at least one well in fluid communication with the subterranean formation, for the purpose of forming a sand restraining permeable barrier, comprising (a) introducing asphalt precipitating solvent selected from the group consisting of paraffinic hydrocarbons having from 3 to 10 carbon atoms, furfural, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone and mixtures thereof; and (b) introducing a heating fluid into the formation to heat the formation contacted by the asphaltic precipitating solvent, to solidify the asphalt on the sand grains, so that a barrier is formed around the well bore.
Assignee:
Texaco Inc.
Patent Number(s):
US 3951210
OSTI ID:
7355751
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English