US3620301A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of in-situ-retorting oil shale
Assignee: Mobil Oil AS
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Filing: 1970-04-13
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Granted: 1971-11-16
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Expires: 1990-04-13
Abstract
Abstract This specification discloses a method of forming a single-well in-situ-recovery system within a nuclear chimney formed in an oil shale formation and a method of in-situ-retorting oil shale within the chimney. A nuclear explosive is positioned at the lower portion of a well and detonated to form the nuclear chimney which is filled with rubblized oil shale. A bit is connected to casing and advanced through the rubblized oil shale to form a cased well extending to the lower extremity of the chimney. The casing is then perforated and a single-well in-situ-retorting process is carried out.
Inventors
- 👤 Dean P Nichols
- 👤 Lloyd K Strange
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 09:35
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/16; E21B43/24; E21B43/2403
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
A method of recompleting a well in a nuclear chimney having rubblized oil shale therein, said well containing stemming material above said chimney, comprising: a. drilling through the stemming material in said well to provide communication with said chimney; b. extending said well and forming a cased hole through said rubblized oil shale to the lower portion of said chimney by advancing a bit through said rubblized oil shale thereby pulverizing said oil shale with said bit and advancing casing through said well as it is drilled; c. concomitantly with step b circulating a gaseous drilling flUid down said casing and upwardly through the well annulus surrounding said casing whereby said pulverized oil shale is entrained in said drilling fluid; and d. depositing a layer of pulverized oil shale over the upper portion of said rubblized oil shale within said chimney.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 2 further comprising: a. forming first perforations in said casing adjacent the upper surface of said rubblized oil shale; and b. forming second perforations in the lower portion of said casing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
80 words
An in-situ-retorting method wherein a well is completed in accordance with claim 2, comprising: a. injecting a combustion-supporting gas through first perforations provided in the casing adjacent the upper surface of said rubblized oil shale; b. initiating combustion of the layer of pulverized oil shale; c. continuing to inject the combustion-supporting gas to form a direct drive burning front downwardly through said rubblized oil shale; and d. producing hydrocarbons through second perforations provided in the lower portion of said casing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 4 comprising the further step of monitoring said burning front.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said burning front is monitored by sensing the temperature in said well.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1974-11-15 | 1975-05-17 | 1975-11-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-11-15 | 1979-05-17 | 1979-11-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-11-15 | 1983-05-17 | 1983-11-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |