US3565173A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Methods of selectively improving the fluid communication of earth formations
Assignee: Mobil Oil AS
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Filing: 1969-09-17
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Granted: 1971-02-23
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Expires: 1989-09-17
Abstract
Abstract This specification discloses methods of selectively improving poor fluid communication regions of an earth formation penetrated by a pattern of injection and production wells. Liquid is injected through an injection well into the regions of permeability providing fluid communication intermediate said injection and production wells. Flow is restricted from the production wells having good fluid communication with the injection well while leaving open or unrestricted the production wells having poor fluid communication with the injection well. A fluid explosive is injected through the injection well into the regions of permeability providing poor fluid communication in the direction of the open production well. Thereafter the fluid explosive is detonated.
Inventors
- 👤 Maynard L Anderson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 21:28
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/25; E21B43/26; E21B43/263; E21B43/16; E21B43/17
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising prior to step (a) injecting gas via said primary well into said formation and measuring gas flow from said secondary wells to determine the relative fluid communication intermediate said primary well and said plurality of secondary wells.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said flow restriction of said at least one secondary well is produced by throttling a valve associated with said secondary well.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said flow restriction of said at least one secondary well is provided by injecting liquid into said at least one secondary well.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
168 words
A method of selectively improving the fluid communication of an oil shale formation penetrated by a primary well and a plurality of secondary wells, wherein there are regions of permeability providing good fluid communication intermediate said primary well and at least one secondary well and regions of permeability providing poor fluid communication intermediate said primary well and at least another of said secondary wells, comprising: a. injecting a liquid via said primary well into said formation; b. restricting flow of fluid from said formation into said at least one secondary well having good fluid communication with said primary well; c. concomitantly with step (b) injecting a fluid explosive via said primary well into said formation whereby said fluid explosive is selectively forced into said regions of permeability providing poor fluid communication in the direction of said at least another secondary well; and d. detonating said fluid explosive thereby selectively improving said regions of permeability providing poor fluid communication in the direction of said at least another secondary well.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 5 wherein water is injected via said primary well into said formation to fill said regions of permeability providing good fluid communication.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said restricting flow of fluid from said formation into said at least one secondary well is produced by throttling a valve associated with said secondary well.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said restricting flow of fluid from said formation into said at least one secondary well is provided by injecting liquid into said at least one secondary well.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 5 wherein prior to step (a) tHere is provided a system of flow channels within said oil shale formation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 9 where said system of flow channels is provided by drilling a plurality of blast holes into said formation, loading said blast holes with explosives, and detonating said explosives in said blast holes.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-02-22 | 1974-08-24 | 1975-02-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-02-22 | 1978-08-24 | 1979-02-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-02-22 | 1982-08-24 | 1983-02-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |