US4091869A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
In situ process for recovery of carbonaceous materials from subterranean deposits
Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Co
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Filing: 1976-09-07
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Granted: 1978-05-30
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Expires: 1996-09-07
Abstract
Abstract A method is disclosed for recovering carbonaceous material from a subterranean deposit such as oil shale. A first zone of the subterranean deposit is heated to liquefy and vaporize carbonaceous materials contained therein. A substantial portion of the carbonaceous materials are removed from this first zone. Thereafter a second zone of the deposit is rubblized such that material of the second zone occupies a portion of the space occupied by the first zone. The second zone is then heated and carbonaceous materials are removed therefrom.
Inventors
- 👤 Wilmer A. Hoyer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 21:53
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/16; E21B43/24; E21B43/243; E21B43/247
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
233 words
A method for recovering carbonaceous material from a subterranean deposit which comprises: (a) rubblizing a first portion of the deposit; (b) retorting the resulting rubblized first portion to recover carbonaceous material therefrom and thereby provide void space therein; (c) providing a first multiplicity of vertical blasting holes in the deposit laterally adjacent to the first portion; (d) providing a second multiplicity of vertical blasting holes in the deposit farther from said first portion than the first multiplicity of blasting holes, the first and second multiplicities of blasting holes substantially defining a second portion of the deposit contiguous to the first portion; (e) loading each blasting hole with an explosive charge, the primary purpose of the explosive charges in the first multiplicity of blasting holes being to compact the retorted permeable first portion of the deposit and the primary purpose of the explosive charges in the second multiplicity of blasting holes being to rubblize the second portion of the deposit; (f) detonating the explosive charges in the first multiplicity of blasting holes such that the first portion is laterally compacted to substantially reduce the void space therein, thereby reducing the first portion's permeability to fluid flow; (g) detonating the explosive charges in the second multiplicity of blasting holes thereby laterally rubblizing the second portion of the deposit and further compacting the first portion; and (h) retorting the second portion to recover carbonaceous material therefrom.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
233 words
A method for recovering carbonaceous material from a subterranean deposit which comprises: (a) rubblizing a first portion of the deposit; (b) retorting the resulting rubblized first portion to recover carbonaceous material therefrom and thereby provide void space therein; (c) providing a first multiplicity of vertical blasting holes in the deposit laterally adjacent to the first portion; (d) providing a second multiplicity of vertical blasting holes in the deposit farther from said first portion than the first multiplicity of blasting holes, the first and second multiplicities of blasting holes substantially defining a second portion of the deposit contiguous to the first portion; (e) loading each blasting hole with an explosive charge, the primary purpose of the explosive charges in the first multiplicity of blasting holes being to compact the retorted permeable first portion of the deposit and the primary purpose of the explosive charges in the second multiplicity of blasting holes being to rubblize the second portion of the deposit; (f) detonating the explosive charges in the first multiplicity of blasting holes such that the first portion is laterally compacted to substantially reduce the void space therein, thereby reducing the first portion's permeability to fluid flow; (g) detonating the explosive charges in the second multiplicity of blasting holes thereby laterally rubblizing the second portion of the deposit and further compacting the first portion; and (h) retorting the second portion to recover carbonaceous material therefrom.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein said subterranean deposit is oil shale.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein said portions are retorted by in situ combustion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein said portions are retorted by a gaseous media selected from the group consisting of hot gases and steam.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method as defined in claim 1 further comprising introducing a fluid into said first portion after recovering carbonaceous material therefrom, said fluid operating to further reduce said first portion's permeability to fluid flow.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the second portion comprises two zones of the deposit which are separated by the first portion and fluid flow between the zones is subtantially prevented by the first portion after compacting by detonating the explosive charges.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 wherein a delay in the order of milliseconds is provided between detonation of explosive charges in the first and second multiplicities of blasting holes.
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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) | 1981-05-29 | 1981-11-28 | 1982-05-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-05-29 | 1985-11-28 | 1986-05-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-05-29 | 1989-11-28 | 1990-05-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |