US4026358A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of in situ recovery of viscous oils and bitumens
Assignee: Texaco Inc
•
Filing: 1976-06-23
•
Granted: 1977-05-31
•
Expires: 1996-06-23
Abstract
Abstract A method for recovering low-gravity viscous oils and bitumen hydrocarbons from a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation by injecting thereinto a hydrocarbon solvent saturated with a gas, and thereafter establishing a thermal sink in the formation, followed by a soak period, and production of the hydrocarbons therefrom.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph C. Allen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 18:44
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/16; E21B43/24; E21B43/243; E21B43/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
A method for recovering heavy viscous crude oils and bitumen from a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation traversed by at least one injection well and one production well and having fluid communication therebetween comprising the steps of: (a) injecting via said injection well a hydrocarbon solvent in amounts of 0.1% to about 20% of the formation pore volume, said solvent containing a gas dissolved therein, (b) establishing in said formation a thermal sink whereby a substantial portion of said formation is heated to a temperature of at least 400° F., (c) shutting-in said wells to permit said formation to undergo a soak period, (d) producing said oils and bitumen from said production well.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
111 words
A method for recovering heavy viscous crude oils and bitumen from a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation traversed by at least one injection well and one production well and having fluid communication therebetween comprising the steps of: (a) injecting via said injection well a hydrocarbon solvent in amounts of 0.1% to about 20% of the formation pore volume, said solvent containing a gas dissolved therein, (b) establishing in said formation a thermal sink whereby a substantial portion of said formation is heated to a temperature of at least 400° F., (c) shutting-in said wells to permit said formation to undergo a soak period, (d) producing said oils and bitumen from said production well.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein step (d) is followed by the injection of water to recover additional oil and bitumen from said formation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said solvent includes aromatic hydrocarbons selected from the group consisting of benzene, toluene, xylene and petroleum distillation cuts high in aromatics and mixtures thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said solvent includes paraffinic and naphthenic hydrocarbons selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbons having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms in the molecule.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said solvent is selected from the group consisting of ethane, propane, LPG, butane, pentane, hexane, cyclohexane and mixtures thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said solvent is selected from a mixture of aromatic, paraffinic and naphthenic hydrocarbons selected from the group consisting of gasoline, kerosene, naphthas, gas oils and mixtures thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said solvent is predominantly naphthenic and paraffinic.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said solvent is raffinate from an aromatic extraction, debutanized bottoms and mixtures thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said gas is selected from the group consisting of natural gas, methane, ethane, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, air and mixtures thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said thermal sink is established by the injection of steam via said injection well.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said thermal sink is established by in-situ combustion said in-situ combustion being initiated in the vicinity of said injection well.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein steps (a) through (d) are repeated after production has decreased below an economic level.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said injection well and said production well comprise part of an in-line pattern having a plurality of wells.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said injection well and said production well comprise part of a well pattern including a central injection well and a ring of offset production wells.
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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) | 1980-05-30 | 1980-11-29 | 1981-05-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-05-30 | 1984-11-29 | 1985-05-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-05-30 | 1988-11-29 | 1989-05-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |