US4134618A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Restoration of a leached underground reservoir
Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Co
•
Filing: 1977-12-29
•
Granted: 1979-01-16
•
Expires: 1997-12-29
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to a method for the restoring of an underground reservoir subsequent to the solution mining of a mineral from a subterranean formation. More specifically, the invention relates to the cycling of clean water through a subterranean formation to decrease the total dissolved solids level of the reservoir present therein.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles A. Kossack
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 16:41
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/28
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
43 words
A method for the restoration of an underground reservoir subsequent to solution mining of a mineral from a subterranean formation containing same via the reduction of the level of totally dissolved solids in said reservoir which comprises cycling clean water through said reservoir.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
43 words
A method for the restoration of an underground reservoir subsequent to solution mining of a mineral from a subterranean formation containing same via the reduction of the level of totally dissolved solids in said reservoir which comprises cycling clean water through said reservoir.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said clean water has a total dissolved solids level below that of the native water.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said cycling includes bleeding the stream of high total dissolved solids water and replacing same with clean water prior to injection into said reservoir.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said reservoir has been leached with an alkaline leach solution.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said reservoir has been leached with an acidic leach solution.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said mineral is selected from the group comprising uranium, copper, nickel, vanadium, molybdenum, silver, rhenium and selenium.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2685438A
Cited
US2944803A
Cited
US3050290A
Cited
US3058729A
Cited
US3309140A
Cited
US3309141A
Cited
US3278233A
Cited
US3407004A
Cited
US4072472A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-01-15 | 1982-07-17 | 1983-01-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-01-15 | 1986-07-17 | 1987-01-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-01-15 | 1990-07-17 | 1991-01-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |