(under subclass 244.1) A process in which a fluid is caused to enter the pores of the earth.
(1) Note. Mere incidental entry into the formation of a fluid used for cleaning the well is not enough for classification under this definition. Such processes may be found in subclasses 311+. If, however, in a cleaning process a fluid is positively claimed as entering the pores of a formation the process is considered to come within this definition.
(2) Note. The fluid used to enter the pores of the earth may come from the well itself or may have entered the well from another earth zone and may be separated from other fluids while remaining in the well.
(3) Note. Class 405 takes subject matter relating to merely storing or disposing of fluid in an earthen cavity or the soil. However, subject matter relating to recovering both a fluid from its original location in the earth and a fluid previously caused to enter the earth is classified in Class 166.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
256+, for a process in which fluid enters the earth and in situ combustion in the pores of the earth occurs.
263, for cyclic operation of plural wells in which a well is used as an input well.
266, for a process involving input and output wells and separating material leaving the well. 268+, for a process involving input and output wells. Patents are classified in subclasses 268+ even if the output well is not claimed if the sole disclosure is for a process involving input and output wells and a fluid claimed as inserted into the formation is disclosed as a drive fluid. A "drive fluid" is one which is continued to be inserted into the formation until breakthrough or near breakthrough at an output well (e.g., the "water" in a waterflood process). A patent to a waterflood or secondary recovery process which is not specifically disclosed as applicable to a single combined input and output well is considered a sole disclosure of input and output wells even if the output well is not mentioned.
279, for a process involving placing material in the pores of a formation to treat resident fluid flowing into the well.
285+, for a process involving causing cementing, plugging or
consolidating material to enter the pores of a formation.
300, for a process involving chemical reaction of material introduced into the well, which material may enter the pores of a formation.
302+, for a process involving heating or cooling, especially subclass 303, for a process involving placing a preheated fluid into the pores of a formation.
304, for a process involving dissolving or preventing the formation of a solid oil deposit which process may include placing a fluid into the pores of a formation.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS
175, Boring or Penetrating the Earth,
65+, for earth boring with fluid, especially subclass 67 for boring by fluid erosion.
299, Mining or In Situ Disintegration of Hard Material,
16+, for a process of breaking down valuable or hard material by direct contact with fluid. 405, Hydraulic and Earth Engineering
53+, for fluid storage in an earthen cavity; and subclasses 128+ for waste disposal in soil.
507, Earth Boring, Well Treating, and Oil Field Chemistry,
200+, for well treating compositions and mere methods of using them.
