Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
68 words
The method as defined in claim 1 characterized further to include the additional steps of: rapidly introducing a third quantity of liquified gas through the closed borehole and through the initial fractures into the second group of fractures; and allowing the third quantity of liquified gas within the second group of fractures to rapidly vaporize whereby the resulting rapid increase in pressure forms a third group of fractures.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
193 words
A method of improving the recovery of oil from an oil-bearing formation beneath the ground surface and intersecting a closed borehole comprising the steps of: introducing a quantity of liquified gas into the closed borehole to communicate with the formation; allowing the quantity of liquified gas to vaporize in the closed borehole whereby the resulting increase in pressure in the closed borehole forms an initial group of fractures in the formation proximate to the borehole; rapidly introducing an additional quantity of liquified gas through the closed borehole and into the initial fractures in the formation; allowing that portion of the additional quantity of liquified gas within the initial fractures to rapidly vaporize whereby the resulting rapid increase in pressure forms a second group of fractures; rapidly introducing a third quantity of liquified gas through the closed borehole and through the initial fractures into the second group of fractures; and allowing that portion of the third quantity of liquified gas within the second group of fractures to rapidly vaporize within the second group of fractures whereby the resulting rapid increase in pressure within the second group of fractures forms a third group of fractures.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method as defined in claim 3 characterized further to include the additional step of: introducing pressurized steam into the fractures to thermally stimulate the flow of oil from the formation into the borehole.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method as defined in claim 3 characterized further to include the additional steps of: introducing air into the fractures; and burning the oil on the fracture faces to thermally stimulate the flow of oil from the formation into the borehole.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
70 words
The method as defined in claim 3 characterized further to include the additional steps of: allowing the liquified gas in the formation and in the closed borehole to completely vaporize therein thereby increasing the gas pressure in the formation; and decreasing the pressure in the borehole relative to the increased gas pressure in the formation whereby a portion of the oil in the formation is driven therefrom into the borehole.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method as defined in claim 6 characterized further to include the additional step of: introducing pressurized steam into the fractures to thermally stimulate the flow of oil from the formation into the borehole.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
197 words
A method of improving the recovery of oil from an oil-bearing formation beneath the ground surface and intersecting a plurality of closed boreholes comprising the steps of: introducing a quantity of liquified gas into each of the closed boreholes to communicate with the formation; allowing the quantity of liquified gas to vaporize in each of the closed boreholes whereby the resulting increase in pressure in the closed boreholes forms an initial group of fractures in the formation proximate to the boreholes; rapidly introducing an additional quantity of liquified gas through the closed boreholes and into the initial fractures in the formation; allowing that portion of the additional quantity of liquified gas within the initial fractures to rapidly vaporize whereby the resulting rapid increase in pressure within the initial fractures forms a second group of fractures; rapidly introducing a third quantity of liquified gas through the closed boreholes and through the initial fractures into the second group of fractures; and allowing that portion of the third quantity of liquified gas within the second group of fractures to rapidly vaporize whereby the resulting rapid increase in pressure within the second group of fractures forms a third group of fracTures.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method as defined in claim 8 characterized further to include the additional step of: introducing pressurized steam into the fractures to thermally stimulate the flow of oil from the formation into the boreholes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method as defined in claim 8 characterized further to include the additional steps of: introducing air into the fractures; and burning the oil on the fracture faces to thermally stimulate the flow of oil from the formation into the boreholes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
70 words
The method as defined in claim 8 characterized further to include the additional steps of: allowing the liquified gas in the formation and in the closed boreholes to completely vaporize therein thereby increasing the gas pressure in the formation; and decreasing the pressure in the boreholes relative to the increased gas pressure in the formation whereby a portion of the oil in the formation is driven therefrom into the boreholes.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method as defined in claim 11 characterized further to include the additional step of: introducing pressurized steam into the fractures to thermally stimulate the flow of oil from the formation into the boreholes.