Sub-Surface Disposal of Acidic Effluents

Abstract

American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, and Petroleum Engineers, Inc. This paper was prepared for the 1970 Evangeline Section Regional Meeting of the Society of Petroleum Engineers of AIME, held in Lafayette, La., Nov. 9–10, 1970. Permission to copy is restricted to an abstract of not more than 300 words. Illustrations may not be copied. The abstract should contain conspicuous acknowledgment of where and by whom the paper is presented. Publication elsewhere after publication in the JOURNAL paper is presented. Publication elsewhere after publication in the JOURNAL OF PETROLEUM TECHNOLOGY or the SOCIETY OF PETROLEUM ENGINEERS JOURNAL is usually granted upon request to the Editor of the appropriate journal, provided agreement to give proper credit is made. provided agreement to give proper credit is made. Discussion of this paper is invited. Three copies of any discussion should be sent to the Society of Petroleum Engineers office. Such discussion may be presented at the above meeting and, with the paper, may be considered for publication in one of the two SPE magazines. Abstract A study has been made as to the effect of acidic type effluents for Deep Well disposal, on various cementing compositions as well as their effect on plastic pipe. Data will include laboratory test results on API Class A, C and H Cements, Pozzolan Cement, Resin Cement, Gypsum Cement with Resin Phase and a Resin Slurry using Sulfuric Acid, Nitric Acid, Hydrochloric Acid and Mixed Acids. A section is devoted to well design which includes optimum pipe to hole size ratios, recommendations for down hole equipment such as special packers, the use of plastic and stainless steel pipe and various techniques gained from field experience in cementing Acid Disposal Wells. Introduction It is only within the last decade that the magnitude of the damage wrought to our natural resources, surface as well as sub-surface, has become a major concern to individuals, sportsman groups, conservation, State and Federal Government Agencies. Viewpoints are many and varied as to the availability of sufficient fresh water supplies to take care of both human and industrial needs, however, the consensuses seem to be that supplies are available if they are not wasted through misuse or by pollution from industrial wastes. More stringent laws are in the making by both the State Governments and the Federal Government. Most areas are concerned with the problem of pollution in one form or another, with the more serious situations developing in industrialized and metropolitan areas. In many of these areas, water pollution as pertains to lakes, rivers and streams as well as underground fresh water supplies is a very serious problem. The primary methods used in the disposal of industrial wastes are surface and sub-surface. Many different means have been used in surface disposal operations depending upon the type of waste and the condition of the final waste at the receiving point. Generally the treatment for surface disposal is classified as chemical, physical, or biological; however, any physical, or biological; however, any combination of these three may be used. Where the final product is deposited back to an area for re-use, some of the more expensive methods of surface disposal include land fills, settling tanks, filtration systems, aeration, floatation, oxidation, chlorination, pH adjustment, etc. These are not the most effective methods of waste disposal as considerable damage can result from spillage, overflow from heavy rains, seepage, etc.