US3674086A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of transporting oil or gas in frozen tundra
Assignee: ALDEN W FOSTER
•
Filing: 1970-08-07
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Granted: 1972-07-04
•
Expires: 1990-08-07
Abstract
Abstract A method of preventing softening or thawing of the permafrost zone while producing or transporting hot oil or gas therethrough in which a liquefied hydrocarbon gas, preferably natural gas, is passed between the zone and the hot oil. The gas may be circulated in a suitable system.
Inventors
- 👤 Alden W Foster
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 09:10
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L9/00; F16L9/18; E; E21; E21B; E21B36/00; E21B36/003; F17; F17D; F17D1/00; F17D1/08; F17D1/084
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
22 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 in which the hydrocarbon gas is one of methane, ethane, butane, ethylene, and propane.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 in which the hydrocarbon gas is natural gas.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
105 words
A method of protecting a permafrost zone from softening under the influence of heat from oil or gas being transported in a pipeline therethrough comprising: A. Extending a length of pipe to form a part of the pipeline substantially horizontally in said zone; B. Surrounding the pipe with a jacket to provide an annulus between the pipe and the jacket; C. Passing a liquified hydrocarbon gas through said annulus in a path parallel to the path of oil or gas passing in the pipe; and D. Maintaining the temperature of the hydrocarbon gas sufficiently low to prevent the permafrost zone adjacent the pipe from softening.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as set forth in claim 4 in which the temperature of the liquid natural gas is maintained by passing it through pumping stations located along the pipeline.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as set forth in claim 4 in which a plurality of lengths of pipe are disposed end to end to provide a continuous pipeline.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3564862A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-07-04 | 1976-01-03 | 1976-07-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-04 | 1980-01-03 | 1980-07-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-04 | 1984-01-03 | 1984-07-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |