US3674092A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for reducing heat loss during in situ thermal recovery
Assignee: Cities Service Oil Co
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Filing: 1970-07-23
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Granted: 1972-07-04
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Expires: 1990-07-23
Abstract
Abstract A continuous blanket of an inert gas is introduced between the hydrocarbon bearing reservoir and the overburden rock. The gas in injected in either a countercurrent or co-current direction with the progress of the thermal recovery front. By this injection an insulation medium is provided by the inert non-condensable gas such that heat losses to the overburden rock are reduced to a nominal amount and a more efficient thermal recovery process is achieved.
Inventors
- 👤 Pratip Bandyopadhyay
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 01:46
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/16; E21B43/24; E21B43/2405; E21B33/00; E21B33/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
In the process of the thermal recovery of viscous crude oil from a subterranean reservoir wherein steam is injected into the reservoir through an injection well and water, steam and oil are produced from the reservoir through one or more production wells, the improvement comprising: a. fracturing the reservoir in a radially directed horizontal pattern between the reservoir and overburden rock from the injection well to the production well; and b. injecting a non-condensible gas in the upper regions of the reservoirs through the radially directed fracture so as to form an insulating barrier between the reservoir and the overburden rock.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
101 words
In the process of the thermal recovery of viscous crude oil from a subterranean reservoir wherein steam is injected into the reservoir through an injection well and water, steam and oil are produced from the reservoir through one or more production wells, the improvement comprising: a. fracturing the reservoir in a radially directed horizontal pattern between the reservoir and overburden rock from the injection well to the production well; and b. injecting a non-condensible gas in the upper regions of the reservoirs through the radially directed fracture so as to form an insulating barrier between the reservoir and the overburden rock.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 1 further including injecting the non-condensable gas at pressures greater than the overburden rock preSsure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process of claim 1 in which the non-condensable gas is selected from the group consisting of air, carbon dioxide, flue gas, natural gas and nitrogen.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The process of claim 1 in which the steam is injected at a pressure about 10 psi to about 100 psi lower than that at which the non-condensable gas is injected.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2897894A
Cited
US3358759A
Cited
US3386512A
Cited
US3366175A
Cited
US3373805A
Cited
US3380530A
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 |