US 12,404,760 B2
Methods of improved cavern rubblization for enhanced potash recovery
Sheldon Rinas, Regina (CA); Sarah Hornung, Regina (CA); Jason Peters, Moose Jaw (CA); Shayne Lamontagne, Regina Beach (CA); Jason Spring, Regina (CA); and Tyler Howard, Moose Jaw (CA)
Assigned to The Mosaic Company, Tampa, FL (US)
Appl. No. 17/769,506
Filed by The Mosaic Company, Plymouth, MN (US)
PCT Filed Oct. 15, 2020, PCT No. PCT/US2020/055786
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Apr. 15, 2022,
PCT Pub. No. WO2021/076759, PCT Pub. Date Apr. 22, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/915,072, filed on Oct. 15, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2024/0141770 A1, May 2, 2024
Prior Publication US 2025/0223898 A2, Jul. 10, 2025
Int. Cl. E21B 43/28 (2006.01); E21B 43/40 (2006.01)
CPC E21B 43/283 (2013.01) [E21B 43/40 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
9. A method for recovery of potash from sedimentary rock, the method comprising:
providing first and second bore holes in fluid communication with a cavity containing ore;
injecting a fluid into the first and second bore holes and cavity; and
subjecting the fluid to fluid pulsing before removing the fluid by inserting a tool configured to generate mechanical pulses into one of the first and second boreholes at a location proximate a clay seam in the sedimentary rock and generating fluid pulses with the tool, wherein the fluid penetrates a wall of the first or second borehole to wet the clay seam.