Patent US3779601A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3779601A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of producing hydrocarbons from an oil shale formation containing nahcolite
Assignee: Shell USA Inc
•
Filing: 1970-09-24
•
Granted: 1973-12-18
•
Expires: 1990-09-24
Abstract
Abstract A method of producing hydrocarbons and optionally nahcolite from a subterranean oil shale formation containing zone(s) of nahcolite, by penetrating said formation with at least one borehole and leaching or dissolving the nahcolite from the formation with a solvent fluid so as to form a cavern(s) and/or interconnected cavities, followed by fracturization and/or rubblization of the oil shale surrounding the caverns or cavities, and thereafter injecting into fracturized and/or rubblized zones, a pyrolyzing fluid to effect in-situ hydrocarbon recovery therefrom.
Inventors
- 👤 T Beard
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 12:14
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/16; E21B43/24; E21B43/2405; E21B43/28; E21B43/281
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein at least two wells penetrate the formation one of which functions as an injection well and one as a production well.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the nahcolite solvent is hot aqueous fluid injected via an injection well into the nahcolite-rich zone under hydrofracturing conditions to leach out nahcolite and fracture the leached zone area and wherein the pyrolyzing fluid is steam.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the nahcolite is removed by steam used also to effect hydrocarbon recovery.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein nahcolite solvent is an aqueous fluid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the aqueous fluid is non-acidic.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the pyrolyzing fluid is a non-aqueous fluid.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-17 | 1977-06-18 | 1977-12-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-17 | 1981-06-18 | 1981-12-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-17 | 1985-06-18 | 1985-12-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |