US3735769A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for pumping oil through terrain containing permafrost
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-04-08
•
Granted: 1973-05-29
•
Expires: 1991-04-08
Abstract
Abstract A method of pumping oil in the Arctic in which an oil pipeline is located inside a natural gas pipeline. The cold natural gas pipeline insulates the warm oil pipeline and prevents the latter from melting the permafrost. Alternatively, alternate slugs of oil and gas can be pumped through one pipeline or through two pipelines located side-by-side, the temperatures and volumes of the gas slugs being controlled so that the temperature at the exterior of the pipeline installation remains below 32* F.
Inventors
- 👤 J Miller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 04:05
CPC Classifications
F; F17; F17D; F17D1/00; F17D1/08; F17D1/084; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/0318; Y10T137/0391; Y10T137/6416; Y10T137/6579
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
A method of pumping oil from an oil field to a distant collection area through terrain of a type which may contain permafrost, comprising: a. pumping said oil through pipeline means, b. pumping natural gas through said pipeline means while maintaining said oil and gas separate in masses of substantial volume, c. and heating said oil to maintain its temperature above 32* F to facilitate flow of said oil while cooling said gas to maintain the temperature at the exterior of said pipeline means below 32* F, whereby to avoid melting said permafrost.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
93 words
A method of pumping oil from an oil field to a distant collection area through terrain of a type which may contain permafrost, comprising: a. pumping said oil through pipeline means, b. pumping natural gas through said pipeline means while maintaining said oil and gas separate in masses of substantial volume, c. and heating said oil to maintain its temperature above 32* F to facilitate flow of said oil while cooling said gas to maintain the temperature at the exterior of said pipeline means below 32* F, whereby to avoid melting said permafrost.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said oil is pumped in an inner pipeline and said gas is pumped in an outer pipeline enclosing said inner pipeline.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said step c. includes pumping heat from said gas to said oil at spaced intervals along said pipeline.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said step c. includes utilizing said natural gas to provide energy for pumping and heating said oil.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein alternate slugs of oil and gas are pumped through said pipeline means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method according to claim 5 wherein said pipeline means comprises two pipelines side-by-side and alternate slugs of gas and oil are pumped through each pipeline, the gas and oil slugs of one pipeline being staggered with respect to the gas and oil slugs of the other pipeline.
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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) | 1976-05-28 | 1976-11-27 | 1977-05-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-05-28 | 1980-11-27 | 1981-05-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-05-28 | 1984-11-27 | 1985-05-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |