Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
206 words
A method of extracting viscous oil from a non-fracturable earthen formation wherein the oil is present at a temperature below the pour point, said method comprising the steps of: forming a first conduit in the vicinity of the bottom of said formation, said conduit extending generally transversely of the vertical plane of the formation and having an opening communicating with said formation; communicating said conduit with a source of hydrocarbon vapors characterized by a boiling point above the pour point of the oil in said formation; directing said vapors upwardly from said conduit and into said formation to thereby raise the temperature of the oil above its pour point causing the oil to flow downwardly in the direction of said first conduit and toward the bottom of the formation; forming a second conduit in said formation in close proximity to said first conduit and extending generally transversely of the vertical plane of the formation for conveying the oil flowing toward the bottom away from the formation; said second conduit having an opening communicating with said formation which opening is below the level of the opening in the first conduit; and moving liquified oil heated above its pour point through said second conduit to a distal location.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
206 words
A method of extracting viscous oil from a non-fracturable earthen formation wherein the oil is present at a temperature below the pour point, said method comprising the steps of: forming a first conduit in the vicinity of the bottom of said formation, said conduit extending generally transversely of the vertical plane of the formation and having an opening communicating with said formation; communicating said conduit with a source of hydrocarbon vapors characterized by a boiling point above the pour point of the oil in said formation; directing said vapors upwardly from said conduit and into said formation to thereby raise the temperature of the oil above its pour point causing the oil to flow downwardly in the direction of said first conduit and toward the bottom of the formation; forming a second conduit in said formation in close proximity to said first conduit and extending generally transversely of the vertical plane of the formation for conveying the oil flowing toward the bottom away from the formation; said second conduit having an opening communicating with said formation which opening is below the level of the opening in the first conduit; and moving liquified oil heated above its pour point through said second conduit to a distal location.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said communicating step comprises communicating said conduit within a source of hydrocarbon vapors characterized by a boiling point within the range of approximately 100° F. to 400° F.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as set forth in claim 2, wherein said hydrocarbon vapors are characterized by a molecular weight within the range of about 70 to 150.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as set forth in claim 2, wherein said formation comprises an asphalt deposit at a depth of no more than about 500 feet below the level of the surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
75 words
A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said moving step comprises moving the liquified oil through the second conduit at a minimum rate sufficient to keep any pressure attributable to accumulating liquid oil on the opening in the first conduit below a value which would prevent egress of vapors through the opening and at a maximum rate sufficient to provide a reservoir of accumulated liquid oil covering the opening in the second conduit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as set forth in claim 5, wherein said conduits are disposed one within the other.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said forming steps comprise, respectively, forming a plurality of said first conduits and a plurality of said second conduits.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as set forth in claim 7, wherein is included the step of forming a central shaft from which each of said first and second conduits radiate outwardly.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method as set forth in claim 8, wherein each of said conduits is characterized by a plurality of locations for communication with the formation along the length of the conduit, and each of said conduits is disposed in a substantially horizontal position.