US3637013A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
In situ combustion process using time-dependent shear-thinning liquid barrier
Assignee: Mobil Oil AS
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Filing: 1970-03-02
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Granted: 1972-01-25
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Expires: 1990-03-02
Abstract
Abstract In situ combustion processes in which a barrier formed of a time-dependent shear-thinning liquid is employed to control the vertical migration of the combustion front. The reservoir is fractured in order to form a horizontally extending fracture between the injection and production systems employed in the combustion drive. Thereafter a time-dependent shear-thinning liquid is introduced into the fracture. This liquid undergoes an increase in viscosity with time in order to form the barrier. The invention may be employed in conjunction with in situ combustion drives carried out in multiply completed wells or in horizontally spaced injection and production wells.
Inventors
- 👤 Lloyd G Jones
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 10:47
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/16; E21B43/24; E21B43/243; E21B43/247
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of introducing additional viscosity time-dependent shear-thinning liquid into said fracture in order to extend said barrier after said combustion front has advanced a portion of the distance between said injection and production systems.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said injection and production systems comprise vertically spaced intervals of at least one multiply completed well and said fracture extends outwardly into said reservoir from said well at a location between said intervals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said injection and production systems comprise horizontally spaced wells and said fracture extends outwardly from one of said wells within an intermediate portion of said reservoir.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said fracture extends from at least one injection well comprising said injection system and said combustion-supporting gas is injected into said reservoir through an interval in said injection well located below said fracture to propagate said combustion front toward said production system in a direct combustion drive.
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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) | 1975-01-24 | 1975-07-26 | 1976-01-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-24 | 1979-07-26 | 1980-01-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-24 | 1983-07-26 | 1984-01-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |