DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Claim Objections
Claim 1 is objected to because of the following informalities: The claim recites “wellbore-transportable foreign material” when it should be “a wellbore-transportable foreign material”. Appropriate correction is required.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
(b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph:
The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
Claims 6, 7, 8 and 10 rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention.
As to Claims 6, 7, 8 and 10, the claims recite “stored material” but there is no “stored material” claimed before. Appropriate correction is required.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
Claims 1-5, 7-9 and 11 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Oates (U.S. Patent No. 9,284,120).
As to Claim 1, Oates discloses a system for storing materials in an earthen subterranean formation, the system comprising:
A wellbore (Wellbore occupied by casing string 12) extending from a terranean surface into the subterranean formation, the wellbore (Wellbore occupied by casing string 12) extending from an uphole end (202) at the terranean surface to a longitudinally opposing downhole end (End of wellbore meeting with chamber 4);
A casing string (12) extending through the wellbore, wherein the casing string (12) is cemented in place in the wellbore (Column 12, Lines 23-25: “The casing 12 is typically cemented into position and forms a seal with the top portion of 204 of the cavern 3”);
A subterranean storage chamber (4) formed in a salt deposit (Column 4, Lines 31-37: “As known in the art, salt cavern 3 is formed by solution mining in which water is injected through a pipe known as a brine string 10. The water dissolves the salt, and the resulting brine during the mining operation is returned through the annular space (not shown) formed in the final well casing 12 or other conduit between the inner wall of the final well casing 12 and the outer wall of the brine string 10”) of the subterranean formation and fluidically connected to the wellbore (Wellbore occupied by casing string 12), the storage chamber at least partially filled with brine (Column 4, Lines 37-45: “After the solution mining operation is complete, the residual brine in the salt cavern 3 can be removed through the brine string 10 by pressure displacement resulting from injection of hydrogen through the final casing 12 or other conduit. Once the brine level reaches the bottom of the brine string 10, a top section of the brine string 10 is sealed off by valve 216 and a residual brine layer 20, also known as a brine sump, may remain in the salt cavern 3 at the bottom portion 207”); and
Wellbore-transportable foreign material (4) that is stored in the storage chamber.
Although Oates is silent about the storage chamber having a lateral width that exceeds a vertical height of the storage chamber, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to have the storage chamber having a lateral width that exceeds a vertical height of the storage chamber since such a modification would have involved a mere change in the size of a component. A change in size is generally recognized as being within the level or ordinary skill in the art.
As to Claim 2, Oates as modified teaches the invention of Claim 1 (Refer to Claim 1 discussion). However, Oates as modified is silent about wherein a ratio of the lateral width of the storage chamber to the vertical height of the storage chamber is equal to or greater than 2:1. Before the effective filing date of the invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to make the ratio of the lateral width of the storage chamber to the vertical height of the storage chamber equal to or greater than 2:1 since such a modification would have involved a mere change in the size of a component. A change in size is generally recognized as being within the level or ordinary skill in the art.
As to Claim 3, Oates as modified teaches the invention of Claim 1 (Refer to Claim 1 discussion). However, Oates as modified is silent about wherein a ratio of the lateral width of the storage chamber to the vertical height of the storage chamber is equal to or greater than 4:1. Before the effective filing date of the invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to make the ratio of the lateral width of the storage chamber to the vertical height of the storage chamber equal to or greater than 4:1 since such a modification would have involved a mere change in the size of a component. A change in size is generally recognized as being within the level or ordinary skill in the art.
As to Claim 4, Oates as modified teaches the invention of Claim 1 (Refer to Claim 1 discussion). However, Oates as modified is silent about wherein a ratio of the lateral width of the storage chamber to the vertical height of the storage chamber is equal to or greater than 10:1. Before the effective filing date of the invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to make the ratio of the lateral width of the storage chamber to the vertical height of the storage chamber equal to or greater than 10:1 since such a modification would have involved a mere change in the size of a component. A change in size is generally recognized as being within the level or ordinary skill in the art.
As to Claim 5, Oates as modified teaches the invention of Claim 1 (Refer to Claim 1 discussion). However, Oates as modified is silent about wherein a ratio of a surface area to a volume of the storage chamber is equal to or greater than 5:1. Before the effective filing date of the invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to make a ratio of a surface area to a volume of the storage chamber equal to or greater than 5:1 since such a modification would have involved a mere change in the size of a component. A change in size is generally recognized as being within the level or ordinary skill in the art.
As to Claim 7, Oates as modified teaches the invention of Claim 1 (Refer to Claim 1 discussion). Oates as modified also teaches wherein the stored material comprises the brine at least partially filling the storage chamber (Column 4, Lines 37-45: “After the solution mining operation is complete, the residual brine in the salt cavern 3 can be removed through the brine string 10 by pressure displacement resulting from injection of hydrogen through the final casing 12 or other conduit. Once the brine level reaches the bottom of the brine string 10, a top section of the brine string 10 is sealed off by valve 216 and a residual brine layer 20, also known as a brine sump, may remain in the salt cavern 3 at the bottom portion 207”).
As to Claim 8, Oates as modified teaches the invention of Claim 1 (Refer to Claim 1 discussion). Oates as modified also teaches wherein the stored material comprises hydrogen (4).
As to Claim 9, Oates as modified teaches the invention of Claim 1 (Refer to Claim 1 discussion). Oates as modified also teaches wherein the storage chamber (3) comprises a single opening (204), the single opening fluidically connected to the wellbore.
As to Claim 11, Oates as modified teaches the invention of Claim 1 (Refer to Claim 1 discussion). Oates as modified also teaches wherein the storage chamber (3) is defined by a vertically lower floor (207) formed from at least one of limestone, shale, and red rock (205) of the subterranean formation.
Claims 6 and 10 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Oates (U.S. Patent No. 9,284,120) in view of Crichlow (U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2022/0165445).
As to Claim 6, Oates as modified teaches the invention of Claim 1 (Refer to Claim 1 discussion). However, Oates as modified is silent about further comprising one or more storage containers positioned in the storage chamber, the one or more storage containers each comprising an inner cavity holding at least some of the stored material. Crichlow discloses comprising one or more storage containers (403, 405, 407) positioned in a storage chamber (401), the one or more storage containers each comprising an inner cavity holding at least some of the stored material (The spheres each contain uranium). Before the effective filing date of the invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to position one or more storage containers in the storage chamber, the one or more storage containers each comprising an inner cavity holding at least some of the stored material. The motivation would have been to increase the utility of the system by allowing it to store different kinds of substances when needed.
As to Claim 10, Oates as modified teaches the invention of Claim 1 (Refer to Claim 1 discussion). However, Oates as modified is silent about wherein the stored material comprises radioactive waste material. Crichlow discloses one or more storage containers (403, 405, 407) positioned in a storage chamber (401), the one or more storage containers each containing uranium which is a radioactive waste material. Before the effective filing date of the invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to have the stored material comprise radioactive waste material. The motivation would have been to increase the utility of the system by allowing it to store different kinds of substances when needed.
Claim 12 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Oates (U.S. Patent No. 9,284,120) in view of Bishop (U.S. Patent No. 5,129,759).
As to Claim 12, Oates as modified teaches the invention of Claim 1 (Refer to Claim 1 discussion). However, Oates as modified is silent about a pumped hydroelectricity energy storage system, the system comprising a first reservoir located along the terranean surface; a second reservoir located at least partially within the storage chamber, the second reservoir in fluid communication with the first reservoir; and a pump fluidically connected to both the first reservoir and the second reservoir and configured to pump at least some of the brine into the second reservoir from the direction of the first reservoir. Bishop discloses a pumped hydroelectricity energy storage system comprising a first reservoir (50) located along the terranean surface (18); a second reservoir (10) located at least partially within a storage chamber (74), the second reservoir (10) in fluid communication with the first reservoir (50); and a pump (64) fluidically connected to both the first reservoir (50) and the second reservoir (10) and configured to pump at least some of the brine into the second reservoir from the direction of the first reservoir. Before the effective filing date of the invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to provide a first reservoir located along the terranean surface; a second reservoir located at least partially within the storage chamber, the second reservoir in fluid communication with the first reservoir; and a pump fluidically connected to both the first reservoir and the second reservoir and configured to pump at least some of the brine into the second reservoir from the direction of the first reservoir. The motivation would have been to provide means to store materials.
Claims 13-21 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Maduell et al (U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0105971) alone.
As to Claim 13, Maduell discloses a method for storing materials in an earthen subterranean formation, the method comprising:
Forming a wellbore (201) extending vertically from a terranean surface into the subterranean formation, the wellbore extending from an uphole end (Top end of 201) at the terranean surface to a longitudinally opposing downhole end (Bottom end of 201);
Installing a casing string (204) in the wellbore (201) whereby the casing string is cemented in place in the wellbore (201);
Installing tubing (203) within a central passage of the casing string (204) whereby an annulus is formed between the casing string and the tubing (There are two annuluses formed between 203 and 206 and between 206 and 204. Both of them are located between the outer wall of 203 and the inner wall of 204);
Injecting a solvent (202) from the terranean surface into the wellbore (201) through a central passage of the tubing (203); and
Circulating salt (205) from the wellbore (201) to the terranean surface through the annulus in response to (d) to form a subterranean storage chamber (207) in a salt deposit (Figure 2, “salt formation”) of the subterranean formation that is fluidically connected to the wellbore (201), the storage chamber (207) at least partially filled with brine (Figure 2, “brine” in “second stage”).
Maduell does not explicitly discloses that the storage chamber has a lateral width that exceeds a vertical height of the storage chamber. However, Maduell states in Paragraph 0013 that “The proportion and rates of wastes or other materials and solution mining water injected into the well are monitored and regulated so that cavern development continues in a manner and at a rate that allows the cavern to reach an intended prescribed size”. In view of this, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to develop the storage chamber with a lateral width that exceeds a vertical height of the storage chamber since such a modification would have involved a mere change in the size of a component. A change in size is generally recognized as being within the level or ordinary skill in the art.
As to Claim 14, Maduell as modified teaches the invention of Claim 13 (Refer to Claim 13 discussion). Maduell as modified also teaches further comprising: (f) injecting a protective fluid (211) from the terranean surface into the wellbore (201) to form a protective blanket of the protective fluid over a surface of the solvent contained in the storage chamber (207) thereby preventing contact between the solvent and the casing string.
As to Claim 15, Maduell as modified teaches the invention of Claim 14 (Refer to Claim 14 discussion). Maduell as modified also teaches wherein the protective fluid (211) has a lower specific gravity than the solvent.
As to Claim 16, Maduell as modified teaches the invention of Claim 13 (Refer to Claim 13 discussion). However, Maduell as modified is silent about wherein a ratio of the lateral width of the storage chamber to the vertical height of the storage chamber is equal to or greater than 2:1. Before the effective filing date of the invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to make the ratio of the lateral width of the storage chamber to the vertical height of the storage chamber equal to or greater than 2:1 since such a modification would have involved a mere change in the size of a component. A change in size is generally recognized as being within the level or ordinary skill in the art.
As to Claim 17, Maduell as modified teaches the invention of Claim 13 (Refer to Claim 13 discussion). However, Maduell as modified is silent about wherein a ratio of a surface area to a volume of the storage chamber is equal to or greater than 5:1. Before the effective filing date of the invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to make a ratio of a surface area to a volume of the storage chamber equal to or greater than 5:1 since such a modification would have involved a mere change in the size of a component. A change in size is generally recognized as being within the level or ordinary skill in the art.
As to Claim 18, Maduell discloses a method for storing materials in an earthen subterranean formation, the method comprising:
Forming a wellbore (201) extending vertically from a terranean surface into the subterranean formation, the wellbore extending from an uphole end (Top end of 201) at the terranean surface to a longitudinally opposing downhole end (Bottom end of 201);
Installing a casing string (204) in the wellbore whereby the casing string is cemented in place in the wellbore (201);
Installing an outer tubing (206) within a central passage of the casing string (204) whereby an outer annulus (Space between the inner wall of 204 and the outer wall of 206) is formed between the casing string (204) and the outer tubing (206);
Installing an inner tubing (203) within a central passage of the outer tubing (206) whereby an inner annulus (Space between outer wall of 203 and inner wall 206) is formed between the outer tubing (206) and the inner tubing (203);
Injecting a solvent (202) from the terranean surface into the wellbore through a central passage of the inner tubing (203);
Circulating salt (205) from the wellbore (201) to the terranean surface through the inner annulus (Space between outer wall of 203 and inner wall 206) in response to (d) to form a subterranean storage chamber (207) in a salt deposit (Figure 2, “salt formation”) of the subterranean formation that is fluidically connected to the wellbore (201), the storage chamber being at least partially filled with brine (Figure 2, “brine” in “second stage”);
Injecting a protective fluid (211) from the terranean surface into the wellbore (201) through the outer annulus (Space between the inner wall of 204 and the outer wall of 206) to form a protective blanket of the protective fluid (211) over a surface of the solvent contained (Figure 2 shows that in the “second stage”, protective fluid 211 stays above the dashed line within storage chamber 207) in the storage chamber (207) thereby preventing contact between the brine and the casing string (Figure 2 shows that in the “second stage” the casing string 204 ends above the dashed line. The brine is below the dashed line).
Maduell does not explicitly discloses (h) controlling a ratio of a volume of the solvent and a volume of the protective fluid injected into the wellbore to form the storage chamber with a predefined form factor. However, Maduell states in Paragraph 0013 that “The proportion and rates of wastes or other materials and solution mining water injected into the well are monitored and regulated so that cavern development continues in a manner and at a rate that allows the cavern to reach an intended prescribed size”. In view of this, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that such step is capable of being performed in view of the structure as the substances are added and regulated to achieve a desired size. Therefore, before the effective filing date of the invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to control a ratio of a volume of the solvent and a volume of the protective fluid injected into the wellbore to form the storage chamber with a predefined form factor. The motivation would have been to achieve a desired size for the storage chamber.
As to Claim 19, Maduell as modified teaches the invention of Claim 18 (Refer to Claim 18 discussion). Although Maduell as modified is silent about form factor of the storage chamber defined by a lateral width that exceeds a vertical height of the storage chamber, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to have the storage chamber having a lateral width that exceeds a vertical height of the storage chamber since such a modification would have involved a mere change in the size of a component. A change in size is generally recognized as being within the level or ordinary skill in the art.
As to Claim 20, Maduell as modified teaches the invention of Claim 19 (Refer to Claim 19 discussion). However, Maduell as modified is silent about wherein a ratio of the lateral width of the storage chamber to the vertical height of the storage chamber is equal to or greater than 2:1. Before the effective filing date of the invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to make the ratio of the lateral width of the storage chamber to the vertical height of the storage chamber equal to or greater than 2:1 since such a modification would have involved a mere change in the size of a component. A change in size is generally recognized as being within the level or ordinary skill in the art.
As to Claim 21, Maduell as modified teaches the invention of Claim 19 (Refer to Claim 19 discussion). Although Maduell does not explicitly disclose (h1) decreasing the ratio of the volume of the solvent and the volume of the protective fluid to increase a lateral width of the storage chamber relative to a vertical height of the storage chamber, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that such step is capable of being performed in view of the structure as both substances are added via different conduits and the operator may decide the amounts needed to achieve a desired result as per Paragraph 0013 of Maduell. Therefore, before the effective filing date of the invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to decrease the ratio of the volume of the solvent and the volume of the protective fluid to increase a lateral width of the storage chamber relative to a vertical height of the storage chamber. The motivation would have been to achieve a desired size for the storage chamber.
Conclusion
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/EDWIN J TOLEDO-DURAN/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3678