Patent ID: 8997865
Filing Date: 2015-04-07
Classification: C09K,E21B

Abstract:
1. A process for sealing a breakthrough penetrating a wellbore of an injector well in a subterranean formation comprising: a. locating the breakthrough; b. inserting a tubing into the wellbore; c. injecting a heated liquid through and behind the tubing as the tubing is being inserted into the wellbore; d. setting the tubing at the depth of and adjacent to the breakthrough; e. heating a plugging substance at the surface to at least 180° F.; f. injecting the heated plugging substance into the tubing and pumping the plugging substance through the tubing at a pump rate; g. adjusting the pump rate to displace the plugging substance out of the tubing at a temperature above a melting point Fahrenheit temperature of the plugging substance, the temperature above the melting point being limited such that the time required for the plugging substance to solidify once the plugging substance is inside the breakthrough is minimized; h. injecting a displacing agent into the tubing; i. allowing the plugging substance to solidify; j. removing the tubing from the wellbore; and k. returning the injector well to operations.