METHODS FOR STRENGTHENING SMECTITE SHALE IN HIGHWALL MINES

摘要

Stabilizing smectite shale may include treating a smectite shale in a subsurface formation with a dewatering fluid so as to yield a stabilized smectite shale, the dewatering fluid comprising an aqueous base fluid and a dewatering additive. In some instances, at least a portion of a highwall in a highwall mine may be formed at a highwall mine site comprising stabilized smectite shale.