Anchoring system and method

Abstract

An anchoring system and method according to which a tubular member is positioned in a subterranean substrate and a conglomerate is formed within the subterranean substrate, the conglomerate including respective portions of the subterranean substrate and a chemical fastener in a cured state. The conglomerate is adhered to the tubular member. To form the conglomerate, the chemical fastener in a liquid state is injected into an internal passage defined by the tubular member so that the chemical fastener flows from the internal passage and into the subterranean substrate via at least a first radial opening formed in the first tubular member.

1 . An anchoring method, comprising:
 positioning a first tubular member in a subterranean substrate, the first tubular member defining a first internal passage; and   forming, within the subterranean substrate, a conglomerate that is adhered to the first tubular member;   wherein the conglomerate comprises respective portions of the subterranean substrate and a chemical fastener in a cured state; and   wherein forming the conglomerate comprises injecting the chemical fastener in a liquid state into the first internal passage so that the chemical fastener in the liquid state flows from the first internal passage and into the subterranean substrate via at least a first radial opening formed in the first tubular member.   
     
     
         2 . The anchoring method of  claim 1 , wherein the chemical fastener has a gel time of at least about 15 seconds, a tensile strength of at least about 600 psi in the cured state, and a tensile elongation of at least about 240% in the cured state. 
     
     
         3 . The anchoring method of  claim 1 , wherein the chemical fastener is a two-component polyurea elastomer. 
     
     
         4 . The anchoring method of  claim 1 , wherein the chemical fastener in the liquid state is injected into the first internal passage at a pressure sufficient to cause the chemical fastener to flow through, and fracture, at least a portion of the subterranean substrate. 
     
     
         5 . The anchoring method of  claim 1 , wherein the chemical fastener in the liquid state is injected into the first internal passage in a first direction; and
 wherein forming the conglomerate further comprises preventing the chemical fastener in the liquid state from flowing out of the first internal passage in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction.   
     
     
         6 . The anchoring method of  claim 1 , wherein injecting the chemical fastener in the liquid state into the first internal passage comprises:
 mixing the chemical fastener in at least one mixing chamber; and   after mixing the chemical fastener in the at least one mixing chamber, injecting the chemical fastener in the liquid state into a second internal passage so that the chemical fastener flows into the first internal passage via at least the second internal passage;   wherein the chemical fastener is further mixed in the second internal passage as the chemical fastener flows therethrough.   
     
     
         7 . The anchoring method of  claim 1 , wherein positioning the first tubular member in the subterranean substrate comprises driving the first tubular member into the subterranean substrate. 
     
     
         8 . The anchoring method of  claim 1 , wherein positioning the first tubular member in the subterranean substrate comprises:
 positioning a second tubular member in the subterranean substrate, the second tubular member defining a second internal passage;   inserting the first tubular member into the second internal passage; and   bending the first tubular member so that at least a portion thereof passes through a second radial opening formed in the second tubular member and penetrates the subterranean substrate;   wherein the first radial opening is formed in the portion of the first tubular member and thus passes through the second radial opening.   
     
     
         9 . The anchoring method of  claim 8 , wherein positioning the first tubular member in the subterranean substrate further comprises inserting a third tubular member into the second internal passage, the third tubular member defining a third internal passage;
 wherein the first tubular member is inserted into the third internal passage and thus into the second internal passage; and   wherein, before passing through the second radial opening, the portion of the first tubular member passes through a third radial opening formed in the third tubular member, the third radial opening being radially aligned with the second radial opening.   
     
     
         10 . The anchoring method of  claim 1 , wherein the chemical fastener is a two-component polyurea elastomer;
 wherein injecting the chemical fastener in the liquid state into the first internal passage comprises:
 mixing the chemical fastener in at least one mixing chamber; and 
 after mixing the chemical fastener in the at least one mixing chamber, injecting the chemical fastener in the liquid state into a second internal passage so that the chemical fastener flows into the first internal passage via at least the second internal passage, wherein the chemical fastener is further mixed in the second internal passage as the chemical fastener flows therethrough; 
   wherein the chemical fastener in the liquid state is injected into the first internal passage in a first direction at a pressure sufficient to cause the chemical fastener to flow through, and fracture, at least a portion of the subterranean substrate; and   wherein forming the conglomerate further comprises preventing the chemical fastener in the liquid state from flowing out of the first internal passage in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction.   
     
     
         11 . An anchoring system, comprising:
 a first tubular member adapted to be positioned in a subterranean substrate, the first tubular member defining a first internal passage;   a first radial opening formed in the first tubular member;   a chemical fastener having liquid and cured states;   a first configuration in which the first tubular member is positioned in the subterranean substrate, the chemical fastener is in the liquid state, and the chemical fastener is permitted to flow from the first internal passage and into the subterranean substrate via the first radial opening; and   a second configuration in which the first tubular member is positioned in the subterranean substrate, the chemical fastener is in the cured state, and the anchoring system further comprises a conglomerate adhered to the first tubular member, the conglomerate comprising respective portions of the subterranean substrate and the chemical fastener in the cured state.   
     
     
         12 . The anchoring system of  claim 11 , wherein the chemical fastener has a gel time of at least about 15 seconds, a tensile strength of at least about 600 psi in the cured state, and a tensile elongation of at least about 240% in the cured state. 
     
     
         13 . The anchoring system of  claim 11 , wherein the chemical fastener is a two-component polyurea elastomer. 
     
     
         14 . The anchoring system of  claim 11 , further comprising a valve in fluid communication with the first internal passage;
 wherein the valve permits the chemical fastener in the liquid state to flow in a first direction into the first internal passage; and   wherein the valve prevents the chemical fastener in the liquid state from flowing out of the first internal passage in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction.   
     
     
         15 . The anchoring system of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a second tubular member, the second tubular member defining a second internal passage adapted to be in fluid communication with the first internal passage via at least the valve; and   a mixing chamber adapted to be in fluid communication with the second internal passage;   wherein, when the anchoring system is in the first configuration, the chemical fastener is permitted to be mixed in the mixing chamber, to flow from the mixing chamber and into the first internal passage via at least the second internal passage and the valve, and to be further mixed during its flow through the second internal passage.   
     
     
         16 . The anchoring system of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a second tubular member adapted to be positioned in the subterranean substrate, the second tubular member defining a second internal passage in which a first portion of the first tubular member is adapted to extend; and   a second radial opening formed in the second tubular member through which a second portion of the first tubular member is adapted to extend;   wherein, when the second portion of the tubular member extends through the second radial opening, the first radial opening is located outside of the second tubular member.   
     
     
         17 . The anchoring system of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a third tubular member adapted to extend within the second internal passage, the third tubular member defining a third internal passage in which the first portion of the first tubular member is adapted to extend and thus also extend in the second internal passage;   a third radial opening formed in the third tubular member and adapted to be radially aligned with the second radial opening;   wherein the second portion of the first tubular member is adapted to extend through the second and third radial openings when the second and third radial openings are radially aligned.   
     
     
         18 . The anchoring system of  claim 17 , further comprising a tubular support connected to the first tubular member and adapted to extend within the third internal passage;
 wherein the tubular support and the first tubular member are movable within the third internal passage.   
     
     
         19 . The anchoring system of  claim 17 , wherein the first tubular member is movable within the third internal passage; and
 wherein the anchoring system further comprises a wedge adapted to be connected to the third tubular member, the wedge defining a surface against which the first tubular member is adapted to contact to thereby cause the second portion of the first tubular member to bend and extend through the second and third radial openings when the second and third radial openings are radially aligned.   
     
     
         20 . The anchoring system of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a valve in fluid communication with the first internal passage, wherein the valve permits the chemical fastener in the liquid state to flow in a first direction into the first internal passage, and wherein the valve prevents the chemical fastener in the liquid state from flowing out of the first internal passage in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction;   a second tubular member, the second tubular member defining a second internal passage adapted to be in fluid communication with the first internal passage via at least the valve;   a mixing chamber adapted to be in fluid communication with the second internal passage, wherein, when the anchoring system is in the first configuration, the chemical fastener in the liquid state is permitted to be mixed in the mixing chamber, to flow from the mixing chamber and into the first internal passage via at least the second internal passage and the valve, and to be further mixed during its flow through the second internal passage;   a third tubular member adapted to be positioned in the subterranean substrate, the third tubular member defining a third internal passage in which a first portion of the first tubular member is adapted to extend;   a second radial opening formed in the third tubular member through which a second portion of the first tubular member is adapted to extend, wherein, when the second portion of the tubular member extends through the second radial opening, the first radial opening is located outside of the third tubular member;   a fourth tubular member adapted to extend within the third internal passage, the fourth tubular member defining a fourth internal passage in which the first portion of the first tubular member is adapted to extend and thus also extend in the third internal passage;   a third radial opening formed in the fourth tubular member and adapted to be radially aligned with the second radial opening, wherein the second portion of the first tubular member is adapted to extend through the second and third radial openings when the second and third radial openings are radially aligned; and   a wedge adapted to be connected to the fourth tubular member, the wedge defining a surface against which the first tubular member is adapted to contact to thereby cause the second portion of the first tubular member to bend and extend through the second and third radial openings when the second and third radial openings are radially aligned.   
     
     
         21 . An anchoring system, comprising:
 means for positioning a first tubular member in a subterranean substrate, the first tubular member defining a first internal passage; and   means for forming, within the subterranean substrate, a conglomerate that is adhered to the first tubular member;   wherein the conglomerate comprises respective portions of the subterranean substrate and a chemical fastener in a cured state; and   wherein means for forming the conglomerate comprises means for injecting the chemical fastener in a liquid state into the first internal passage so that the chemical fastener in the liquid state flows from the first internal passage and into the subterranean substrate via at least a first radial opening formed in the first tubular member.   
     
     
         22 . The anchoring system of  claim 21 , wherein the chemical fastener has a gel time of at least about 15 seconds, a tensile strength of at least about 600 psi in the cured state, and a tensile elongation of at least about 240% in the cured state. 
     
     
         23 . The anchoring system of  claim 21 , wherein the chemical fastener is a two-component polyurea elastomer. 
     
     
         24 . The anchoring system of  claim 21 , wherein the chemical fastener in the liquid state is injected into the first internal passage at a pressure sufficient to cause the chemical fastener to flow through, and fracture, at least a portion of the subterranean substrate. 
     
     
         25 . The anchoring system of  claim 21 , wherein the chemical fastener in the liquid state is injected into the first internal passage in a first direction; and
 wherein means for forming the conglomerate further comprises means for preventing the chemical fastener in the liquid state from flowing out of the first internal passage in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction.   
     
     
         26 . The anchoring system of  claim 21 , wherein means for injecting the chemical fastener in the liquid state into the first internal passage comprises:
 means for mixing the chemical fastener in at least one mixing chamber; and   means for after mixing the chemical fastener in the at least one mixing chamber, injecting the chemical fastener in the liquid state into a second internal passage so that the chemical fastener flows into the first internal passage via at least the second internal passage;   wherein the chemical fastener is further mixed in the second internal passage as the chemical fastener flows therethrough.   
     
     
         27 . The anchoring system of  claim 21 , wherein means for positioning the first tubular member in the subterranean substrate comprises means for driving the first tubular member into the subterranean substrate. 
     
     
         28 . The anchoring system of  claim 21 , wherein means for positioning the first tubular member in the subterranean substrate comprises:
 means for positioning a second tubular member in the subterranean substrate, the second tubular member defining a second internal passage;   means for inserting the first tubular member into the second internal passage; and   means for bending the first tubular member so that at least a portion thereof passes through a second radial opening formed in the second tubular member and penetrates the subterranean substrate;   wherein the first radial opening is formed in the portion of the first tubular member and thus passes through the second radial opening.   
     
     
         29 . The anchoring system of  claim 28 , wherein means for positioning the first tubular member in the subterranean substrate further comprises means for inserting a third tubular member into the second internal passage, the third tubular member defining a third internal passage;
 wherein the first tubular member is inserted into the third internal passage and thus into the second internal passage; and   wherein, before passing through the second radial opening, the portion of the first tubular member passes through a third radial opening formed in the third tubular member, the third radial opening being radially aligned with the second radial opening.   
     
     
         30 . The anchoring system of  claim 21 , wherein the chemical fastener is a two-component polyurea elastomer;
 wherein means for injecting the chemical fastener in the liquid state into the first internal passage comprises:
 means for mixing the chemical fastener in at least one mixing chamber; and 
 means for after mixing the chemical fastener in the at least one mixing chamber, injecting the chemical fastener in the liquid state into a second internal passage so that the chemical fastener flows into the first internal passage via at least the second internal passage, wherein the chemical fastener is further mixed in the second internal passage as the chemical fastener flows therethrough; 
   wherein the chemical fastener in the liquid state is injected into the first internal passage in a first direction at a pressure sufficient to cause the chemical fastener to flow through, and fracture, at least a portion of the subterranean substrate; and   wherein means for forming the conglomerate further comprises means for preventing the chemical fastener in the liquid state from flowing out of the first internal passage in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction.