US 12,071,590 B2
Methods for increasing the hardness of subterranean formations
Yevgeniy Samarkin, Dhahran (SA); Murtada Saleh Aljawad, Dhahran (SA); Abduljamiu Olalekan Amao, Dhahran (SA); Murtadha J. Al-Tammar, Dhahran (SA); and Khalid Mohammed Alruwaili, Dhahran (SA)
Assigned to SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY, Dhahran (SA); and KING FAHD UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM & MINERALS, Dhahran (SA)
Filed by SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY, Dhahran (SA); and KING FAHD UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM & MINERALS, Dhahran (SA)
Filed on Jan. 19, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/156,956.
Prior Publication US 2024/0247181 A1, Jul. 25, 2024
Int. Cl. C09K 8/66 (2006.01)
CPC C09K 8/665 (2013.01) 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method comprising:
introducing an aqueous carrier fluid comprising an ammonium phosphate salt into a subterranean formation comprising a carbonate mineral;
wherein the carbonate mineral comprises calcium carbonate, and the calcium carbonate is in the form of limestone or chalk; and
interacting the carbonate mineral with the ammonium phosphate salt to convert at least a portion of the carbonate mineral into a hydroxyapatite mineral;
wherein a Brinell hardness of the subterranean formation increases by about 5% to about 10% after forming the hydroxyapatite mineral when the calcium carbonate is in the form of limestone, and a Brinell hardness of the subterranean formation increases by about 25% to about 35% after forming the hydroxyapatite mineral when the calcium carbonate is in the form of chalk.