Patent ID: 8322423

Claim:
A method for thermally insulating a portion of a tubular located inside an enclosed conduit, the method comprising the steps of: (A) introducing a grouting composition into an annulus between the tubular and the enclosed conduit, the grouting composition comprising: (i) an oil-swellable binding material comprising an organophilic clay; and (ii) a hydrocarbon liquid, wherein the hydrocarbon liquid is the continuous phase of the grouting composition; and (iii) an insulating material comprising a hollow microsphere; wherein the binding material is in a concentration in the range of about 200 to about 400 pounds per 100 gallons of the hydrocarbon liquid; and (B) allowing or causing the grouting composition to set after the step of introducing, wherein after setting the grouting composition has a thermal conductivity of less than 0.3 BTU/hr·ft·° F., and wherein the grouting composition has a shear strength of at least 2,000 lb/100 ft 2 when tested at 24 hours at a temperature of 71° F. and a pressure of 1 atmosphere.