US3097690A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for heating a subsurface formation
Assignee: Gulf Research and Development Co
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Filing: 1958-12-24
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Granted: 1963-07-16
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Expires: 1978-12-24
Abstract
No abstract record available.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul L Terwilliger
- 👤 Jr Lawrence A Wilson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 13:53
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/16; E21B43/24; E21B43/243
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
183 words
A PROCESS FOR HEATING A SUBSURFACE FORMATION CONTAINING OIL PENETRATED BY A FIRST WELL AND A SECOND WELL SPACED FROM THE FIRST WELL COMPRISING INJECTING AN INJECTION MIXTURE OF A FUEL GAS AND AIR INTO FORMATION AT THE FIRST WELL AND DISPLACING IT THROUGH A PERMEABLE CHANNEL IN THE FORMATION TO THE SECOND WELL, SAID INJECTION MIXTURE HAVING A RATION OF FUEL TO AIR ADAPTED TO FORM A FUEL-AIR MIXTURE AT THE SECOND WELL HAVING A FUEL-AIR RATIO AT LEAST SIXTY PERCENT AND LESS THAN ABOUT SIX HUNDRED PERCENT OF THE STOICHIOMETRIC RATIO, IGNITING THE FUEL-AIR MIXTURE AT THE SECOND WELL, CONTAINING THE INJECTION OF THE INJECTION MIXTURE AT THE FIRST WELL TO CAUSE REVERSE COMBUSTION OF THE INJECTED FUEL TO PROCEED FROM THE SECOND WELL TOWARD THE FIRST WELL, AND CHANGING THE COMPOSITION OF THE INJECTION MIXTURE INJECTED AT THE FIRST WELL TO A FUEL-AIR RATIO BELOW ABOUT FORTY PERCENT OF THE STOICHIOMETRIC RATIO TO CONVERT THE COMBUSTION OF THE INJECTED FUEL TO FORWARD BURNING WHEREBY THE COMBUSTION FRONT TRAVELS BACK AND FORTH IN THE FORMATION TO HEAT OIL IN THE FORMATION.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
183 words
A PROCESS FOR HEATING A SUBSURFACE FORMATION CONTAINING OIL PENETRATED BY A FIRST WELL AND A SECOND WELL SPACED FROM THE FIRST WELL COMPRISING INJECTING AN INJECTION MIXTURE OF A FUEL GAS AND AIR INTO FORMATION AT THE FIRST WELL AND DISPLACING IT THROUGH A PERMEABLE CHANNEL IN THE FORMATION TO THE SECOND WELL, SAID INJECTION MIXTURE HAVING A RATION OF FUEL TO AIR ADAPTED TO FORM A FUEL-AIR MIXTURE AT THE SECOND WELL HAVING A FUEL-AIR RATIO AT LEAST SIXTY PERCENT AND LESS THAN ABOUT SIX HUNDRED PERCENT OF THE STOICHIOMETRIC RATIO, IGNITING THE FUEL-AIR MIXTURE AT THE SECOND WELL, CONTAINING THE INJECTION OF THE INJECTION MIXTURE AT THE FIRST WELL TO CAUSE REVERSE COMBUSTION OF THE INJECTED FUEL TO PROCEED FROM THE SECOND WELL TOWARD THE FIRST WELL, AND CHANGING THE COMPOSITION OF THE INJECTION MIXTURE INJECTED AT THE FIRST WELL TO A FUEL-AIR RATIO BELOW ABOUT FORTY PERCENT OF THE STOICHIOMETRIC RATIO TO CONVERT THE COMBUSTION OF THE INJECTED FUEL TO FORWARD BURNING WHEREBY THE COMBUSTION FRONT TRAVELS BACK AND FORTH IN THE FORMATION TO HEAT OIL IN THE FORMATION.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1966-07-15 | 1967-01-14 | 1967-07-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1970-07-15 | 1971-01-14 | 1971-07-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1974-07-15 | 1975-01-14 | 1975-07-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |