Hot Bitumen Grouting at the Avery Island Salt Mine-Video

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Video Summary

The presentation described hot bitumen grouting as a specialized, thermally activated method for controlling major water inflows. Hot oil first preheats the injection system and formation; bitumen is then injected and cools, thickening into a seal. Used alongside cementitious grout, it can bind debris and plug irregular pathways. The method requires careful process control and strict safety measures because materials exceed 200°C and are pressurized.<br /><br />At Avery Island Salt Mine, conventional grouting failed to control a persistent inflow of about 100 gallons per minute. In 2020, crews completed eight bitumen injection events in a deep, poorly understood formation. More than 1,000 cubic meters of material was injected without bitumen appearing in the mine, and inflow fell to about 20 gallons per minute. The project was halted for lack of funds before completion. Despite pandemic, weather, and equipment challenges, the team considered the approach successful and a useful option for difficult inflow problems—not a universal grout.

Keywords

hot bitumen grouting

water inflow control

Avery Island Salt Mine

bitumen injection

cementitious grout

mine grouting safety