US3608638A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Heavy oil recovery method
Assignee: Chevron USA Inc
•
Filing: 1969-12-23
•
Granted: 1971-09-28
•
Expires: 1989-12-23
Abstract
Abstract A hydrocarbon solvent such as benzene, platformate, or kerosene at a temperature in the range of 300* to 700* F. is injected into the top of tar sands at an injection well and forced through the formation to an adjacent production well. Injection of the solvent and production of oil are continued to maintain a gaseous phase across the top of the formation. The tar sand oil is made more mobile as a result of heating and dissolution of the solvent into the oil whereby the oil drains into the production well and is lifted to the surface.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul L Terwilliger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 13:32
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/16; E21B43/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
193 words
A method of producing heavy asphaltic oil from a tar sand comprising injecting into the upper portion of the tar sand at an injection well penetrating the tars and a hot fluid consisting essentially of a hydrocarbon solvent selected from the group consisting of at least one aromatic hydrocarbon selected from the group consisting of benzene, toluene and xylene, mixtures containing a high concentration of such aromatic hydrocarbons with nonaromatic hydrocarbons of of substantially the same boiling point, and kerosene; the temperature of the hot solvent injected into the formation being in the range of 300* to 700* F. such that the temperature exceeds the initial boiling point of the solvent at the tar sand formation pressure to form a vapor zone extending substantially horizontally across the tar sad near the lower boundary thereof at a production well production well spaced from the injection well; and continuing the injection of the hot solvent to extend the vapor zone in the tar sand to the vicinity of the production well and heat oil in the tar sand below the vapor zone whereby said heated oil whereby said heated oil drains to the production well.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
193 words
A method of producing heavy asphaltic oil from a tar sand comprising injecting into the upper portion of the tar sand at an injection well penetrating the tars and a hot fluid consisting essentially of a hydrocarbon solvent selected from the group consisting of at least one aromatic hydrocarbon selected from the group consisting of benzene, toluene and xylene, mixtures containing a high concentration of such aromatic hydrocarbons with nonaromatic hydrocarbons of of substantially the same boiling point, and kerosene; the temperature of the hot solvent injected into the formation being in the range of 300* to 700* F. such that the temperature exceeds the initial boiling point of the solvent at the tar sand formation pressure to form a vapor zone extending substantially horizontally across the tar sad near the lower boundary thereof at a production well production well spaced from the injection well; and continuing the injection of the hot solvent to extend the vapor zone in the tar sand to the vicinity of the production well and heat oil in the tar sand below the vapor zone whereby said heated oil whereby said heated oil drains to the production 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) | 1974-09-27 | 1975-03-29 | 1975-09-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-09-27 | 1979-03-29 | 1979-09-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-09-27 | 1983-03-29 | 1983-09-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |