US 12,031,421 B2
Modular solution mining system and methods
Max Maxwell, New Orleans, LA (US); Major Patterson, Columbia, MS (US); and Roger Smith, Reno, NV (US)
Filed by Max Maxwell, New Orleans, LA (US); Major Patterson, Columbia, MS (US); and Roger Smith, Reno, NV (US)
Filed on Mar. 4, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/687,089.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/157,315, filed on Mar. 5, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0282607 A1, Sep. 8, 2022
Int. Cl. E21B 43/28 (2006.01); E21B 43/14 (2006.01); E21B 43/30 (2006.01)
CPC E21B 43/281 (2013.01) [E21B 43/14 (2013.01); E21B 43/305 (2013.01)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A modular solution mining method for use with a mineral deposit, the method comprising the steps of:
providing an injection wellbore, the injection wellbore including a horizontal injection portion, wherein the horizontal injection portion comprises a toe end and a heel end;
providing a production wellbore, wherein the production wellbore includes a horizontal production portion that is proximate to the toe end;
injecting a solvent into the horizontal injection portion;
generating a first turbulent solvent flow proximate to the toe end to generate a mineral solution and an initial first cavern proximate to the horizontal production portion;
motivating the mineral solution from the initial first cavern, into the horizontal production portion, and to a surface location;
placing a bridge plug into the horizontal injection portion between the toe end and the heel end; and
generating a second turbulent solvent flow, the second turbulent solvent flow being generated closer to the heel end than the first turbulent solvent flow and the second turbulent solvent flow generating a subsequent second cavern located in between the heel end and first cavern.