US3233668A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Recovery of shale oil
Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Co
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Filing: 1963-11-15
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Granted: 1966-02-08
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Expires: 1983-11-15
Abstract
No abstract record available.
Inventors
- 👤 Julian P Hamilton
- 👤 Nick P Peet
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 11:41
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/16; E21B43/24; E21B43/243; E21B43/247
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
A METHOD FOR RECOVERING OIL FROM A SUBSURFACE OIL SHALE FORMATION WHICH COMPRISES PROVIDING A FIRST WELL OPENING INTO THE LOWER PORTION OF SAID FORMATION, PROVIDING AT LEAST A SECOND WELL OPENING INTO SAID FORMATION ADJACENT THE FIRST WELL, PROVIDING AT LEAST A THIRD WELL OPENING INTO SAID FORMATION ADJACENT THE FIRST AND SECOND WELLS, FRACTURING SAID FORMATION THROUGH SAID THIRD WELL ADJACENT THE OPENINGS OF SAID FIRST AN D SECOND WELLS, INJECTING A FREE OXYGEN-CONTAINING GAS INTO SAID FRACTURED FORMATION AND BURNING SAID FRACTURED FORMATION THEREBY FORMING A CAVERN IN SAID FRACTURED FORMATION, THE FREE OXYGEN-CONTAINING GAS BEING INJECTED THROUGH SAID FIRST WELL AT A SUFFICIENT VELOCITY TO FORM IN SAID CAVERN A BURNING ZONE IN THE LOWER PORTION AND A CRACKING ZONE COMPRISING FLUIDIZED SHALE SOLIDS IN THE UPPER PORTION OF SAID CAVERN WHEREBY SHALE OIL AND COMBUSTION PRODUCTS ARE FORMED, AND REMOVING SAID SHALE OIL AND COMBUSTION PRODUCTS FROM THE TOP OF SAID CAVERN THROUGH SAID SECOND WELL.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
161 words
A METHOD FOR RECOVERING OIL FROM A SUBSURFACE OIL SHALE FORMATION WHICH COMPRISES PROVIDING A FIRST WELL OPENING INTO THE LOWER PORTION OF SAID FORMATION, PROVIDING AT LEAST A SECOND WELL OPENING INTO SAID FORMATION ADJACENT THE FIRST WELL, PROVIDING AT LEAST A THIRD WELL OPENING INTO SAID FORMATION ADJACENT THE FIRST AND SECOND WELLS, FRACTURING SAID FORMATION THROUGH SAID THIRD WELL ADJACENT THE OPENINGS OF SAID FIRST AN D SECOND WELLS, INJECTING A FREE OXYGEN-CONTAINING GAS INTO SAID FRACTURED FORMATION AND BURNING SAID FRACTURED FORMATION THEREBY FORMING A CAVERN IN SAID FRACTURED FORMATION, THE FREE OXYGEN-CONTAINING GAS BEING INJECTED THROUGH SAID FIRST WELL AT A SUFFICIENT VELOCITY TO FORM IN SAID CAVERN A BURNING ZONE IN THE LOWER PORTION AND A CRACKING ZONE COMPRISING FLUIDIZED SHALE SOLIDS IN THE UPPER PORTION OF SAID CAVERN WHEREBY SHALE OIL AND COMBUSTION PRODUCTS ARE FORMED, AND REMOVING SAID SHALE OIL AND COMBUSTION PRODUCTS FROM THE TOP OF SAID CAVERN THROUGH SAID SECOND WELL.
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) | 1969-02-07 | 1969-08-09 | 1970-02-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1973-02-07 | 1973-08-09 | 1974-02-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1977-02-07 | 1977-08-09 | 1978-02-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |