US3842908A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Open flow production system and method for recovery of shallow oil reservoirs
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-01-04
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Granted: 1974-10-22
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Expires: 1993-01-04
Abstract
Abstract Process and apparatus for recovering flowable oil from relatively shallow, porous oil-bearing formations which outcrop at or near the surface. One or more production systems are located in the outcrop area at the uppermost position of the structure, and oil flows by natural reservoir pressure, or fluid under pressure may be injected in the relatively lower regions of the formation for driving the oil upwardly to the production systems from which the oil is collected. The production systems are open at the bottom in the formation and communicate at their upper ends with the surface. The injection fluid can be supplied through wells formerly used for production purposes, or by new wells specifically provided for that purpose. Said production systems maximize flow capacity by providing an infinite well bore diameter in comparison with conventional producing wells.
Inventors
- 👤 J Thomas
- 👤 S Chu
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 10:25
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/16; E21B43/34; E21B43/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
A process of recovering flowable oil from a relatively shallow, porous oil-bearing formation which outcrops at or near the surface, comprising the steps of: a. locating, excavating and installing an oil production system at the uppermost portion of the formation at the outcrop or near the surface thereof, said system communicating at its upper end with the surface and being entirely open at its bottom end in said formation; b. injecting a fluid underpressure into the down structure position of said formation in a region thereof spaced from said pRoduction system, said fluid driving said oil upwardly through said formation to said production system, the latter by virtue of its size operating at essentially atmospheric pressure, the reduction of hydrostatic head and said open bottom providing in effect a large, open well bore thereby greatly increasing production capacity and reducing friction losses resulting from movement of the oil upwardly through the formation, and c. removing the thus collected oil from said production system.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
163 words
A process of recovering flowable oil from a relatively shallow, porous oil-bearing formation which outcrops at or near the surface, comprising the steps of: a. locating, excavating and installing an oil production system at the uppermost portion of the formation at the outcrop or near the surface thereof, said system communicating at its upper end with the surface and being entirely open at its bottom end in said formation; b. injecting a fluid underpressure into the down structure position of said formation in a region thereof spaced from said pRoduction system, said fluid driving said oil upwardly through said formation to said production system, the latter by virtue of its size operating at essentially atmospheric pressure, the reduction of hydrostatic head and said open bottom providing in effect a large, open well bore thereby greatly increasing production capacity and reducing friction losses resulting from movement of the oil upwardly through the formation, and c. removing the thus collected oil from said production system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The process of claim 1 further including the injecting of fluid into several locations in the down structure position of said formation in suitably spaced relation, and collecting the oil in a plurality of spaced production systems.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The process of claim 1 further including separately collecting and removing gas and oil produced from the production system and venting from said production system gas produced with said oil, thereby establishing predetermined pressure conditions in said system which approximates atmospheric pressure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said pressurized fluid comprises water in a liquid or vapor state.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
118 words
Apparatus for recovering flowable oil from a relatively shallow, porous oil-bearing formation which outcrops at or near the surface, comprising: a. means for injecting a fluid into the down structure position of said formation so as to drive said oil toward said surface; b. means in the form of at least one production system excavated and installed in the uppermost portion of the formation at the outcrop or near the surface thereof, with said system communicating at its upper end with the surface and operated at essentially atmospheric pressure, and being entirely open at its bottom end in said formation, and c. means for removing from the production system the oil produced thereto from the reservoir under pressure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
118 words
Apparatus for recovering flowable oil from a relatively shallow, porous oil-bearing formation which outcrops at or near the surface, comprising: a. means for injecting a fluid into the down structure position of said formation so as to drive said oil toward said surface; b. means in the form of at least one production system excavated and installed in the uppermost portion of the formation at the outcrop or near the surface thereof, with said system communicating at its upper end with the surface and operated at essentially atmospheric pressure, and being entirely open at its bottom end in said formation, and c. means for removing from the production system the oil produced thereto from the reservoir under pressure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said injection means comprises a plurality of injection wells having well bores penetrating the down structure portion of said formation in suitably spaced relation, and further including a plurality of suitably spaced production systems.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said production system comprises a tank.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said production system comprises a plurality of sheet pilings interconnected at their adjoining edges to provide an enclosure for receiving the produced oil.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said production system comprises a plurality of cylindrical pipes arranged in a clustered, abutting relation, and means providing communication between adjoining pipes in the regions of water, oil and gas collection.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-10-21 | 1978-04-22 | 1978-10-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-21 | 1982-04-22 | 1982-10-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-21 | 1986-04-22 | 1986-10-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |