Patent ID: 8714874
Filing Date: 2014-05-06
Classification: E21B,E21F

Abstract:
1. A flow diverting conduit string for injecting fluid into or extracting fluid from a subterranean borehole in salt or a subterranean salt cavern, said conduit string comprising: an inner conduit string disposed within an outer conduit string, with an inner passageway within said inner conduit string and a first annular passageway between said inner and outer conduit strings, wherein said conduit string comprises at least one lateral opening in said inner or outer conduit string, said at least one lateral opening communicating with at least one of said passageways and with said borehole or cavern, and a flow control apparatus arranged to control flow of said fluid between or along said passageways to enable said conduit string to be used for storage and extraction of gases, hydrocarbon liquids, or combinations thereof, in and from said cavern and at least one of solution mining operations, subterranean hydrocarbon separation and dewatering operations; wherein said flow diverting conduit string uses a subsurface valve arrangement formed with said flow control apparatus that isolates opposing fluid flows within or about said flow diverting conduit string for controlling fluid flows during said solution mining operations, subterranean hydrocarbon separation and dewatering operations; and wherein said flow control apparatus is removable or replaceable from within said inner passageway to bring said subsurface valve arrangement of said flow diverting conduit string into communication with said fluid flows of said solution mining operations, subterranean hydrocarbon separation and dewatering operations.