Method of creating large diameter cylindrical cavities by solution mining

{
  "publication_number": "US3716272A",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "A",
  "title": "Method of creating large diameter cylindrical cavities by solution mining",
  "abstract": "A method for forming a subterranean cavity including the steps of drilling and casing a hole to the depth desired for the roof of the cavity, then deepening the hole to a depth to about 4 feet below the floor level, positioning a dual string of wash pipe with the injection string at the desired floor level and the production string at the bottom of the hole, creating a horizontal hydraulic fracture at the floor level using fresh water and extending the fracture out a distance desired for the radius of the cavity, injecting a protective blanket over the roof of the cavity, and solution mining the cavity in incremental stages, maintaining the protective blanket for each incremental stage.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A method for forming a subterranean cavity including the steps of drilling and casing a hole to the depth desired for the roof of the cavity, then deepening the hole to a depth to about 4 feet below the floor level, positioning a dual string of wash pipe with the injection string at the desired floor level and the production string at the bottom of the hole, the improvement comprising creating a horizontal hydraulic fracture at the floor level using fresh water and extending the fracture out a distance desired for the radius of the cavity, injecting a protective blanket over the roof of the cavity, and solution mining the cavity in incremental stages, maintaining the protective blanket for each incremental stage. A method for forming a subterranean cavity including the steps of drilling and casing a hole to the depth desired for the roof of the cavity, then deepening the hole to a depth to about 4 feet below the floor level, positioning a dual string of wash pipe with the injection string at the desired floor level and the production string at the bottom of the hole, the improvement comprising creating a horizontal hydraulic fracture at the floor level using fresh water and extending the fracture out a distance desired for the radius of the cavity, injecting a protective blanket over the roof of the cavity, and solution mining the cavity in incremental stages, maintaining the protective blanket for each incremental stage.",
    "2. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said protective blanket is continuously injected over the roof of the cavity while said solution mining is taking place."
  ],
  "cpc": [
    "E21B 43/283"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "CONTINENTAL OIL CO"
  ],
  "filing_date": "1971-05-24",
  "publication_date": "1973-02-13",
  "grant_date": "1973-02-13",
  "priority_date": "1971-05-24",
  "application_number": "US-3716272D-A",
  "family_id": "22524975",
  "citations": [
    "US2009534A",
    "US3096969A",
    "US3574402A",
    "US3596992A",
    "US3632171A"
  ]
}