Patent US3958636A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3958636A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Production of bitumen from a tar sand formation
Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Co
•
Filing: 1975-01-23
•
Granted: 1976-05-25
•
Expires: 1995-01-23
Abstract
Abstract A method of producing bitumen from a subterranean tar sand formation while heating the formation via electrical conduction between a plurality of wells completed therein characterized by a plurality of steps. First, a high back pressure is maintained on the wells. Next, an immiscible fluid is injected into the formation through one of the wells. Thereafter, the bitumen is produced through one of the wells.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas K. Perkins
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 06:10
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/16; E21B43/24; E21B43/2401
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
A method of producing bitumen from a subterranean tar sand formation containing viscous bitumen while heating said formation via electrical conduction between a plurality of wells completed therein, which comprises the steps of: a. maintaining a high back pressure on said wells, b. injecting a fluid that is immiscible with said bitumen through at least one of said wells and into said tar sand formation, thereafter c. interrupting electrical power transmission to said formation and releasing said pressure on said wells, and thereafter d. producing said bitumen from at least one of said wells.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
94 words
A method of producing bitumen from a subterranean tar sand formation containing viscous bitumen while heating said formation via electrical conduction between a plurality of wells completed therein, which comprises the steps of: a. maintaining a high back pressure on said wells, b. injecting a fluid that is immiscible with said bitumen through at least one of said wells and into said tar sand formation, thereafter c. interrupting electrical power transmission to said formation and releasing said pressure on said wells, and thereafter d. producing said bitumen from at least one of said wells.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
Method of claim 1 wherein said pressure is less than the amount that will fracture said formation but at least the amount necessary to inject said immiscible fluid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
Method of claim 2 wherein said pressure is from about 100 to about 2,000 psi.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
Method of claim 1 wherein said immiscible fluid has a density greater than said bitumen.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
Method of claim 4 wherein said immiscible fluid is injected at the bottom of said formation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
Method of claim 1 wherein said pressure is released when the vapor pressure of water in said formation equals said pressure held on said well.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
Method of claim 1 wherein after said production of bitumen an additional amount of immiscible fluid is injected into said formation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
Method of claim 7 wherein said immiscible fluid is injected in no greater an amount than is necessary to establish electrical contact between said well and said formation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
Method of claim 7 wherein subsequent to said additional injection of immiscible fluid electrical power transmission to said formation is interrupted periodically to allow for production of a portion of said immiscible fluid.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2780450A
Cited
US2801090A
Cited
US3103975A
Cited
US3106244A
Cited
US3507330A
Cited
US3547192A
Cited
US3547193A
Cited
US3605888A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-05-25 | 1979-11-24 | 1980-05-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-05-25 | 1983-11-24 | 1984-05-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-05-25 | 1987-11-24 | 1988-05-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |