US3593789A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for producing shale oil from an oil shale formation
Assignee: Shell USA Inc
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Filing: 1968-10-18
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Granted: 1971-07-20
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Expires: 1988-10-18
Abstract
Abstract A method for producing shale oil from a subterranean oil shale formation by controlled in situ combustion by exploding a relatively high energy device within an oil shale formation thereby forming a fragmented vertically extensive zone of rubble having a substantially void space at the top thereof. The zone is filled with a layer of granular material for permeability adjustment and a controlled combustion front is initiated by injecting a fluid comprising a mixture of oxygen-containing gas and aqueous liquid substantially near the top of the granularfilled fragmented zone so as to advance a combustion front down the zone and produce oil shale pyrolysis products.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael Prats
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 13:00
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/16; E21B43/24; E21B43/2403
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
The method of claim 1 including the steps of: igniting the hydrocarbons present in the formation adjacent the top of said fragmented zone; injecting a combustion-supporting fluid comprising a mixture of oxygen-containing gas and aqueous liquid substantially near the top of said fragmented zone thereby advancing a combustion front down said fragmented zone from the top to the bottom thereof; producing oil shale pyrolysis products from substantially the bottom of said fragmented zone; and advancing said combustion front by injecting said combustion-supporting fluid while distributing the aqueous liquid of said mixture substantially uniformly across the top of the layer of granular material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 2 including the step of recovering shale oil from said oil shale pyrolysis products.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the step of injecting a combustion-supporting fluid includes injecting air mixed with sufficient water to limit the amount of oxygen of said combustion front.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the step of injecting a combustion-supporting fluid includes injecting said mixture in the form of a foam comprising 0.2 percent by weight of a foaming agent in the water and the oxygen-containing gas is dispersed in the aqueous phase in a proportion of approximately 2 cubic feet of aqueous phase per 1000 standard cubic feet of air.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 including the step of repeating the step of depositing said layer prior to producing said oil shale pyrolysis products.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 including the step of repeating the step of depositing said layer while producing said oil shale pyrolysis products.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of depositing said layer includes depositing granular materials graded into a sequence ranging from coarse to fine in moving upwardly through said layer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of depositing said layer includes depositing said layer prior to igniting said hydrocarbons.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
82 words
The method of claim 1 including the step of extending at least one well through said formation and into communication with both said void space and substantially the bottom of said fragmented zone; packing off the communication in said well formed between said void space and the bottom of said fragmented zone; and subsequently injecting said combustion-supporting fluid down said well and through said layer and producing said oil shale pyrolysis products from the bottom of said fragmented zone up said well.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
78 words
The method of claim 1 including the step of extending at least a first well through said formation and into communication with said void space and subsequently injecting said combustion-supporting fluid down said first well and through said layer; and extending at least a second well through said formation and into communication with the bottom of said fragmented zone and subsequently producing said oil shale pyrolysis products from the bottom of said fragmented zone and up said 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) | 1974-07-19 | 1975-01-18 | 1975-07-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-19 | 1979-01-18 | 1979-07-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-19 | 1983-01-18 | 1983-07-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |