US3284281A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Production of oil from oil shale through fractures
Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Co
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Filing: 1964-08-31
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Granted: 1966-11-08
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Expires: 1984-08-31
Abstract
No abstract record available.
Inventors
- 👤 Rosswell W Thomas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 08:04
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/16; E21B43/24; E21B43/2405
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
157 words
THE PROCESS FOR PRODUCING OIL FROM OIL SHALE CONTAINING KEROGEN WHICH COMPRISES THE STEPS OF: (1) HEATING SAID SHALE AROUND A WELL-PENETRATING SAME TO AN ELEVATED TEMPERATURE SO AS TO SWELL A SECTION OF THE SHALE AROUND SAID WELL; (2) FRACTURING THE SHALE THRU AND BEYOND THE SWOLLEN SECTION RADIALLY OUTWARDLY FROM SAID WELL; (3) FOLLOWING STEP (2), AGAIN HEATING THE SHALE AROUND SAID WELL SO AS TO CRACK THE KEROGEN THEREIN AND CAUSE RELEASED HYDROCARBON FLUIDS TO FLOW THROUGH SAID FRACTURE INTO SAID WELL; (4) RECOVERING SAID HYDROCARBON FLUIDS FROM SAID WELL; (5) CONTINUING THE HEATING OF STEP (3) UNTIL THE SHALE ADJACENT THE AREA OF THE FRACTURE REMOTE FROM SAID WELL SWELLS AND CLOSES THE FRACTURES IN SAID AREA; (6) FOLLOWING STEP (5), AGAIN APPLYING FLUID FRACTURING PRESSURE ON THE SHALE AROUND SAID WELL AT FRACTURE LEVEL SO AS TO EXTEND SAID FRACTURE DEEPER INTO SAID SHALE; AND (7) REPEATING STEPS (4), (5), AND (6).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
157 words
THE PROCESS FOR PRODUCING OIL FROM OIL SHALE CONTAINING KEROGEN WHICH COMPRISES THE STEPS OF: (1) HEATING SAID SHALE AROUND A WELL-PENETRATING SAME TO AN ELEVATED TEMPERATURE SO AS TO SWELL A SECTION OF THE SHALE AROUND SAID WELL; (2) FRACTURING THE SHALE THRU AND BEYOND THE SWOLLEN SECTION RADIALLY OUTWARDLY FROM SAID WELL; (3) FOLLOWING STEP (2), AGAIN HEATING THE SHALE AROUND SAID WELL SO AS TO CRACK THE KEROGEN THEREIN AND CAUSE RELEASED HYDROCARBON FLUIDS TO FLOW THROUGH SAID FRACTURE INTO SAID WELL; (4) RECOVERING SAID HYDROCARBON FLUIDS FROM SAID WELL; (5) CONTINUING THE HEATING OF STEP (3) UNTIL THE SHALE ADJACENT THE AREA OF THE FRACTURE REMOTE FROM SAID WELL SWELLS AND CLOSES THE FRACTURES IN SAID AREA; (6) FOLLOWING STEP (5), AGAIN APPLYING FLUID FRACTURING PRESSURE ON THE SHALE AROUND SAID WELL AT FRACTURE LEVEL SO AS TO EXTEND SAID FRACTURE DEEPER INTO SAID SHALE; AND (7) REPEATING STEPS (4), (5), AND (6).
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) | 1969-11-07 | 1970-05-09 | 1970-11-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1973-11-07 | 1974-05-09 | 1974-11-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1977-11-07 | 1978-05-09 | 1978-11-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |