Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Stability enhancement of coal measures strata with water-based chemical agents

  • Published:
International journal of mine water Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This paper summarizes a contract report of work undertaken on behalf of the Department of Energy, Mines and Resources to ascertain the effectiveness of surface applied chemicals as a swelling retardant for use in underground coal mines. It addresses the mineralogical, chemical and mechanical aspects of the swelling clay problem. The experience of the use of swelling retarders in the oil well drilling industry is reviewed and the various types of stabilizing chemicals discussed. Finally, potential applications of the technology in coal mining are discussed with mention of the toxicity of the chemical agents and their relative costs.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. CANMET, Department of Energy, Mines and Resources Canada “Stability Enchancement of Coal Measures Strata with Aqueous-based Chemical Agents, Final Report on DSS Contract Serial No. 0SQ83-00152 by Jacques, Whitford and Associates Ltd. of Halifax, N.S.

  2. Underwood, L.B., “Classification and Identification of Shales”. Am. Soc. Civ. Eng. J. SMFD, ASCE, Vol. 93, No. SM6, pp 97–116, 1967.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Morgenstern, N. R. “Geotechnical Behaviour of Clay Shales—An “Overview”. Int. Symp. on Soil Mechanics, Oaxaca, Vol. 1, pp 27–42, 1979.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Morgenstern, N. R. and Eigenbrod, K. D. “Classification of Argillaceous Soils and Rocks”. Am. Soc. Civ. Eng. J. Geotech. Eng. Div., Vol. 100, No. GY10, pp 1137–1156, 1974.

    Google Scholar 

  5. O'Brien, D. E. and Chenevert, M. W. “Stabiliging Sensitive Shales with Inhibited, Potassium-based Drilling Fluids”, SPE-AIME Sixth Conf. on Drilling and Rock Mechanics. Austin, Tx, 1973.

  6. Peters, F. W. and Stout, C. M. “Clay Stabilization during Fracturing Treatments with Hydrolyzable Zirconium Salts”, 1977.

  7. Van Olphen, H. “An Introduction to Clay Colloid Chemistry”. New York. Wiley Interscience, 1963.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Mitchell, “Fundamentals of Soil Behaviour”, New York, John Wiley, 1975.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Chen, “Foundations on Expansive Soil”. New York, Elsevier Scientific Publishing Co., 1975.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Terzaghi, “Theoretical Soil Mechanics”. John Wiley and Sons, New York, 1943.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Taylor and Spears, “The Breakdown of British Coal Measure Rocks”, Int. J. of Rock Mech. Sci., Vol. 7, p 481–501, 1970.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Obert, L. and Duvall, W. I. “Rock Mechanics and the Design of Structures in Rock”. New York. John Wiley and Sons, 1967.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Morgenstern, N. R. and Balasubramonian, B. I. “Effects of Pore Fluid on the Swelling of Clay Shale”. Proc. Conf. on Expansive Soils, ASCE Denver, pp 190–205, 1980.

  14. Artler, “Coal Mine Sealants”. Mining Congress Journal, p. 34–39, December 1974.

  15. Rockaway, J. D. “Geotechnical Evaluation of Subcoal Strata for Coal Pillar Support”. Symp. on the Geotechnics of Structually Complex Formations. Capri, pp 407–414, 1977.

  16. Huddle and Patterson, “Origin of Pennsylvanian Underclays and Related Seat Rocks”. Geol. Soc. Am. Bull., Vol. 72, No. 11, 1961.

  17. Chugh, Y. P., A. Okunola and M. Hall, “Moisture Absorption and Swelling Behaviour of the Dykersburg Shale”. SME of AIME. Trans Vol. 268, pp 18081812, 1980.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Chenevert, M.E. “Shale Alteration by Water Adsorption”, J. Pet. Tech., pp 1141–1148, September 1970.

  19. Wagener et al., “Chemical Treatment of a Dispersive Clay Reservoir”. Proc. Int. Conf. Soil Mech. Sound Eng. 10th, Vol. 3, Stockholm, Sweden, 1981.

  20. Sydansk, “Stabilizing Clays with Potassium Hydroxide”. 1983 Soc. of Pet. Eng. AIME Calif. Reg. Meet., Pap. No. 11721, March 1983.

  21. White, J.L. and Daniel, E.F. “Key Factors in MHF (Massive Hydraulic Fracturing) Design”. Soc, Pet. Eng., Cotton Valley Symp. (Tyler Texas 5/21/80). Also J. Pet. Tech., Vol. 33, No. 8, pp 1501–1512, 1981.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Chamberlain and Mitchel, 1983 Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME Calif. Reg. Meet. 3/23–25/83, Pap. No. 11709, 1983.

  23. Hood and Powell, “A Case History of a Pilot Fracture Treatment Carried out on the Calir Field, west of Shetlands, from a Semisubmersible”. 1982 Soc. Pet. Eng. (U.K.) Ltd., EVR. Pet. Conf. 10/25–25/82, pp 299–312, 1982.

  24. Schlottman et al., “Massive Hydraulic Fracture (MHF) Design for the East Texas Cotton Valley Sands”. 56th Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME Annu. Tech. Conf., San Antonio, 10/5–7/81, Pap. No. 10133, 1981.

  25. Dees and Spradlin, “Successful Deep Openhole Cement Plugs for the Anadarko Basin”. 57th Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME Annu. Fall Tech. Conf., New Orleans 9/26–29/82, Pap. No. 10957, 1982.

  26. Lauzon, “Chemical Balance Stops Formation Damage”. Oil and Gas Journal, Vol. 80, No. 36, 124/1269/6/82, 1982.

    Google Scholar 

  27. Thompson et al., “A New Clay Stabilizer for Use in Competion Fluids”, Proc. Annu. Southwest Pet. Short Course, 28th, 84–207, 1981.

  28. Williams and Underdown 1980, “New Polymer Offers Effective, Permanent Clay Stabilization Treatment”. 4th Soc. Pet. Eng. Formation Damage Control Symp. J. of Pet. Tech., Vol. 33, No. 7, 1211–1217, July 1981.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Roehle and Hackett, “A Laboratory Technique for Screening Shale-Swelling Inhibitors”. 57th Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME Annu. Fall Tech. Conf., 19/26–29/82, Pap. No. 11117.

  30. Minton, “Drilling Fluids and Practices for Control North Sea Tertiary Shales”. Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME Aberdeen Pet. Sect. Offshore Env. 1981 Conf., 9/15–15/81, Pap. No. 10386, 1981.

  31. Hill, “Clay Stabilization...Criteria for Best Performance”. 5th Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME Formation Damage Control Symp. 3/24–25/82, 1982.

  32. Thomas and Crowe, “Matrix Treatment Employs New Acid System for Simulation and Control of Fines Migration in Sandstone Formations”. 53rd Soc. Pet. Eng. Annu. Tech. Conf., J. of Pet. Tech., Vol. 33, No. 8, 1491–1500, Aug. 1981.

    Google Scholar 

  33. Penkov and Levik, “Drilling Muds for Complex Drilling Conditions”. Neft. Kohz, No. 9, p 18–21, 1980.

    Google Scholar 

  34. Zeinalov et al., “Use of Gypsum Muds During the Drilling of Deep Sea Walls”. Gazov Prom, No. 7, 29–31.

  35. MacLaughlin et al., “Aqueous Polymers for Treating Clays in Oil and Gas Producing Formations”. 51st Annu. Fall Tech. Conf. and Exhibition, Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME 10/3–6/76. New Orleans, 1976.

  36. Coppel, C.P. et al., “Field Results from Wells Treated with Hydroxyaluminum”. J. Petroleum Geology, September 1973, pp 1108–1112.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Strata Control, Cape Breton Coal Research Laboratory, CANMET, Sydney, N.S.

    P. Cain Ph.D. (Research Scientist)

  2. Jacques, Whitford and Associates Ltd., Halifax, N.S.

    J. D. Brown Ph.D., P. Eng. (Senior Geotechnical Engineer) & J. A. Amirault M. Eng., P. Eng.

Authors
  1. P. Cain Ph.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. J. D. Brown Ph.D., P. Eng.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. J. A. Amirault M. Eng., P. Eng.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Cain, P., Brown, J.D. & Amirault, J.A. Stability enhancement of coal measures strata with water-based chemical agents. International Journal of Mine Water 4, 37–53 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02498191

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02498191

Keywords

Search

Navigation