US3149670A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
In-situ heating process
Assignee: SMCLAIR RES Inc
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Filing: 1962-03-27
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Granted: 1964-09-22
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Expires: 1982-03-27
Abstract
No abstract record available.
Inventors
- 👤 Bruce F Grant
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 14:59
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/16; E21B43/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
199 words
IN A METHOD FOR RECOVERING HYDROCARBONS HAVING A GRAVITY OF LESS THAN ABOUT 25* API FROM AN UNDERGROUND FORMATION CONTAINING SUCH HYDROCARBONS AND HAVING AN EFFECTIVE GAS PERMEABILITY OF LESS THAN ABOUT 10 MILLIDARCIES CONTAINING A FIRST WELL, A SECOND WELL, AND A CORRIDOR OF REDUCED RESISTANCE TO FLUID FLOW AS COMPARED TO THE REST OF THE FORMATION AND REACHING FROM THE FIRST TO THE SECOND WELL, WHICH COMPRISES HEATING THE FORMATION OF THE FIRST WELL TO A TEMPERATURE OF AT LEAST ABOUT 700*F. BY COMBUSTION OF A FUEL GAS IN THE FIRST WELL UNDER A PRESSURE SUFFICIENT TO PASS EXHAUST GASES THROUGH SAID CORRIDOR AND UP THE SECOND WELL, BUT INSUFFICIENT TO DRIVE A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF GASES THROUGH OTHER PORTIONS OF THE FORMATION, SAID HEATING BEING CONTINUED UNTIL A ZONE HEATED TO AT LEAST ABOUT 700*F. IS CREATED EXTENDING THROUGH THE CORRIDOR TO THE SECOND WELL AND FOR AT LEAST ABOUT 40 FEET ALONG THE BORE WALL OF SAID FIRST WELL TO HEAT BY CONDUCTION TO A TEMPERATURE OF AT LEAST ABOUT 700*F. THE FORMATION ADJACENT SAID CORRIDOR, AND PASSING A GAS UNDER INCREASED PRESSURE THROUGH SAID HEATED ZONE ADJACENT THE FORMATION TO RECOVER HYDROCARBON MATERIALS THEREFROM.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
199 words
IN A METHOD FOR RECOVERING HYDROCARBONS HAVING A GRAVITY OF LESS THAN ABOUT 25* API FROM AN UNDERGROUND FORMATION CONTAINING SUCH HYDROCARBONS AND HAVING AN EFFECTIVE GAS PERMEABILITY OF LESS THAN ABOUT 10 MILLIDARCIES CONTAINING A FIRST WELL, A SECOND WELL, AND A CORRIDOR OF REDUCED RESISTANCE TO FLUID FLOW AS COMPARED TO THE REST OF THE FORMATION AND REACHING FROM THE FIRST TO THE SECOND WELL, WHICH COMPRISES HEATING THE FORMATION OF THE FIRST WELL TO A TEMPERATURE OF AT LEAST ABOUT 700*F. BY COMBUSTION OF A FUEL GAS IN THE FIRST WELL UNDER A PRESSURE SUFFICIENT TO PASS EXHAUST GASES THROUGH SAID CORRIDOR AND UP THE SECOND WELL, BUT INSUFFICIENT TO DRIVE A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF GASES THROUGH OTHER PORTIONS OF THE FORMATION, SAID HEATING BEING CONTINUED UNTIL A ZONE HEATED TO AT LEAST ABOUT 700*F. IS CREATED EXTENDING THROUGH THE CORRIDOR TO THE SECOND WELL AND FOR AT LEAST ABOUT 40 FEET ALONG THE BORE WALL OF SAID FIRST WELL TO HEAT BY CONDUCTION TO A TEMPERATURE OF AT LEAST ABOUT 700*F. THE FORMATION ADJACENT SAID CORRIDOR, AND PASSING A GAS UNDER INCREASED PRESSURE THROUGH SAID HEATED ZONE ADJACENT THE FORMATION TO RECOVER HYDROCARBON MATERIALS THEREFROM.
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) | 1967-09-22 | 1968-03-23 | 1968-09-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1971-09-22 | 1972-03-23 | 1972-09-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1975-09-22 | 1976-03-23 | 1976-09-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |