Method of creating and sustaining earthen hard pan formations

Abstract

In one embodiment of the invention, a method of creating an earthen hard pan formation includes applying a sealant solution to an earthen formation to form a hard pan below a surface of the earthen formation, and subsequently applying magnesium chloride to the earthen formation to stabilize and sustain the hard pan.

1 . A method of creating an earthen hard pan formation, comprising: 
 forming a drilling reserve pit;    obtaining a sealant solution from a reservoir below a surface of the Earth;    applying the sealant solution to the drilling reserve pit at a pressure of at least 20 psi to form a hard pan below a surface of the drilling reserve pit;    subsequently applying magnesium chloride to the drilling reserve pit to stabilize the hard pan.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sealant solution comprises a combination of sodium chloride and magnesium chloride.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising adding bentonite clay particles to the sealant solution.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising agitating the sealant solution before applying the sealant solution.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein applying the sealant solution to the drilling reserve pit at a pressure of at least 20 psi comprises applying the sealant solution to the drilling reserve pit at a pressure between approximately 20 psi and approximately 40 psi.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein applying magnesium chloride to the drilling reserve pit comprises applying the magnesium chloride to the drilling reserve pit at a pressure less than a pressure that was used for applying the sealant solution.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising disposing cuttings and drilling fluids into the drilling reserve pit while drilling.  
   
   
       8 . A method of creating an earthen hard pan formation, comprising: 
 applying a sealant solution to an earthen formation to form a hard pan below a surface of the earthen formation; and    subsequently applying magnesium chloride to the earthen formation to stabilize the hard pan.    
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein applying the sealant solution to the earthen formation comprises applying the sealant solution to a drilling reserve pit.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the sealant solution comprises a combination of sodium chloride and magnesium chloride.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising obtaining the sealant solution from a magnesium chloride-rich brine.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising adding bentonite clay particles to the sealant solution.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising agitating the sealant solution before applying the sealant solution.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein applying the sealant solution to the earthen formation comprises applying the sealant solution to the earthen formation at a pressure between approximately 20 psi and approximately 40 psi.  
   
   
       15 . A system for creating an earthen hard pan formation, comprising: 
 an earthen formation;    a sealant solution;    an application device operable to apply the sealant solution to the earthen formation to form a hard pan below a surface of the earthen formation;    magnesium chloride; and    the application device operable to apply the magnesium chloride to the earthen formation after the application of the sealant solution to stabilize the hard pan.    
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the earthen formation is selected from the group consisting of a drilling reserve pit and an earthen livestock tank.  
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the sealant solution comprises a combination of sodium chloride and magnesium chloride.  
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 15 , further comprising bentonite clay particles mixed with the sealant solution.  
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 15 , further comprising an agitator operable to agitate the sealant solution before application.  
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the application device is operable to apply the sealant solution to the earthen formation at a pressure between approximately 20 psi and approximately 40 psi.