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US3666014A
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Method for the recovery of shale oil
Assignee: Shell USA Inc
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Filing: 1969-12-29
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Granted: 1972-05-30
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Expires: 1989-12-29
Abstract
Abstract A method for recovering shale oil from a subterranean oil shale formation by forming a rubbled zone therein and emplacing first and second layers of fluid therein. The first fluid layer overlies the second fluid layer which is of a higher specific gravity and is largely immiscible therewith. A shale oilextractive fluid of a specific gravity intermediate that of the first two fluids is then circulated through the zone between the first and second layers and in contact therewith until shale oil is entrained in the shale-oil extractive circulating fluid layer. Shale oil is then recovered from the shale oil-extractive fluid.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas N Beard
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 11:06
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/16; E21B43/24; E21B43/2405; E21B43/25; E21B43/26; E21B43/263; E21B43/2635
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 including the step of imparting heat to said shale oil-extractive fluid prior to circulating it through said zone.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of circulating a shale oil-extractive fluid through said zone includes the step of circulating a solvent through said zone.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of emplacing a first fluid through said zone includes the step of circulating a gas therethrough and the step of emplacing a second fluid through said zone includes the step of circulating water therethrough.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 4 including the step of moving said shale oil-extractive fluid layer upwardly within said zone by increasing the amount of water being circulated therethrough.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 4 including the step of moving said shale oil-extractive fluid layer upwardly within said zone by decreasing the amount of gas being circulated therethrough.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 including the step of recovering shale oil from said circulating shale oil-extractive fluid.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the steps of circulating said shale oil-extractive fluid is carried out by the step of extending at least a pair of well boreholes downwardly through said zone; and circulating said shale oil-extractive fluid down one end of said well boreholes and out the other of said well boreholes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 including the step of moving said shale oil-extractive fluid layer vertically within said zone until shale oil is recovered from substantially the entire zone.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
US3358756A
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US3451478A
Cited
US3448801A
Cited
US3459265A
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US3474863A
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US3500917A
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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) | 1975-05-30 | 1975-11-29 | 1976-05-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-30 | 1979-11-29 | 1980-05-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-30 | 1983-11-29 | 1984-05-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |