Method and apparatus for filling an annulus between casing and rock in an oil or gas well

The invention relates to the decommissioning of hydrocarbon wells. It concerns the artificial promoting or inducing of creep in the overburden formation 3 surrounding an oil well 1, so that the formation rock 3 encroaches against the casing 5 to form a seal. This avoids the need to plug the annulus...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors Tompkins, Dianne, Haneferd, Helen, Hovda, Lars, Vedvik, Lars, Nielsen, Hardy Hartmann, Watts, Rick D, Omdal, Edvard
Format Patent
LanguageEnglish
Published 17.12.2019
Subjects
EARTH DRILLING
EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING
FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
MINING
OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR ASLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
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Summary:The invention relates to the decommissioning of hydrocarbon wells. It concerns the artificial promoting or inducing of creep in the overburden formation 3 surrounding an oil well 1, so that the formation rock 3 encroaches against the casing 5 to form a seal. This avoids the need to plug the annulus between the casing 5 and formation 3 with cement. The overburden may be caused to creep by reducing the pressure in the annulus, by applying heat to the overburden rock or by stressing the rock repeatedly to cause fatigue in the rock 3.
Bibliography:Application Number: US201815898937