Patent US4114689A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4114689A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Recovery of petroleum
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1977-05-25
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Granted: 1978-09-19
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Expires: 1997-05-25
Abstract
Abstract Compaction of friable or unconsolidated strata containing petroleum substance is obtained by increasing the mass of material above the reservoir, vibrating various earth strata and alternately raising and lowering the fluid pressure in the reservoir to yield a maximum reduction in porosity of the reservoir matrix material and thus to expel petroleum substance therefrom. Enlargement of well bore and extension thereof as by drilling lateral wells are contemplated as is the production of solid reservoir material and recovery of other solids which may be compacted by the above steps and be slurrified and caused to flow to a well bore.
Inventors
- 👤 Newton Bradford Dismukes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 20:18
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/30; E21B43/003
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
50 words
The method of recovering petroleum substance from an underground accumulation in earth strata comprising: (a) drilling a first well into said strata, (b) placing a substantial mass above said accumulation to compact said earth strata and reduce the porosity thereof, and (c) expelling said petroleum substance into said first well.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
50 words
The method of recovering petroleum substance from an underground accumulation in earth strata comprising: (a) drilling a first well into said strata, (b) placing a substantial mass above said accumulation to compact said earth strata and reduce the porosity thereof, and (c) expelling said petroleum substance into said first well.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 including the step of reducing the pressure in said accumulation prior to placing said mass.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 including the step of enlarging the bore of said first well.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 3 including the step of alternately increasing and decreasing the pressure in said first well.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 3 including the step of drilling a plurality of said first wells.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 including the step of creating vibrations in said earth strata.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said vibrations are created by underwater means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 including the step of alternately increasing and decreasing fluid pressure in said first well.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 8 including the step of forming at least one lateral passageway from said well.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 including drilling a plurality of wells.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 including the step of forming at least one lateral passageway from said first well.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
72 words
The method of recovering petroleum substance from an underground accumulation in earth strata solid material comprising: (a) drilling a first well into said earth strata, (b) removing a portion of said earth strata solid material and petroleum substance, (c) cleaning said earth strata solid material by removal of petroleum substance therefrom, and (d) placing said cleansed earth strata solids on the surface above said accumulation to increase overburden pressure on said accumulation.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
72 words
The method of recovering petroleum substance from an underground accumulation in earth strata solid material comprising: (a) drilling a first well into said earth strata, (b) removing a portion of said earth strata solid material and petroleum substance, (c) cleaning said earth strata solid material by removal of petroleum substance therefrom, and (d) placing said cleansed earth strata solids on the surface above said accumulation to increase overburden pressure on said accumulation.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 12 including the step of adding water to said earth strata material.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 12 in which liquid is introduced into the underground accumulation to form a slurry with the solid material and petroleum substance and recovering said slurry through said first well.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 12 including the step of forming at least one lateral passageway from said well.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 12 including the step of creating vibrations in said earth strata.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
63 words
The method of recovering petroleum substance from an underground accumulation in earth strata comprising: (a) drilling a first well into said earth strata, (b) placing a substantial mass on the surface above said accumulation to compact said earth strata and reduce the porosity thereof, and (c) pulping said earth strata to form a slurry thereof and recovering said slurry through said first well.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
63 words
The method of recovering petroleum substance from an underground accumulation in earth strata comprising: (a) drilling a first well into said earth strata, (b) placing a substantial mass on the surface above said accumulation to compact said earth strata and reduce the porosity thereof, and (c) pulping said earth strata to form a slurry thereof and recovering said slurry through said first well.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 12 including the step of reducing the pressure in said accumulation prior to placing said mass.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 17 including the step of creating vibrations in said earth strata.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 17 including the step of enlarging the bore of said first well.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 20 wherein said enlargement is formed by mechanical means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 20 wherein said enlargement is formed by hydraulic means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 20 including the step of forming a lateral passageway from said first well.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 23 including drilling a plurality of said wells.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 17 including the step of forming at least one lateral passageway from said well.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
61 words
The method of recovering petroleum substance from an accumulation in underground earth strata comprising: (a) drilling a first well into said strata, (b) placing a substantial mass above said accumulation to compact said earth strata and reduce the porosity thereof, (c) enlarging the bore of said first well, and (d) removing said earth strata and petroleum substance through said first well.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
61 words
The method of recovering petroleum substance from an accumulation in underground earth strata comprising: (a) drilling a first well into said strata, (b) placing a substantial mass above said accumulation to compact said earth strata and reduce the porosity thereof, (c) enlarging the bore of said first well, and (d) removing said earth strata and petroleum substance through said first well.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 26 including the step of alternately increasing and decreasing fluid pressure in said first well.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 27 including the step of forming at least one lateral passageway from said first well.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 26 including the step of drilling a plurality of said wells.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 26 including the step of pulping said earth strata and petroleum substance to form a slurry thereof and recovering said slurry through said well.
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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) | 1981-09-18 | 1982-03-20 | 1982-09-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-09-18 | 1986-03-20 | 1986-09-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-09-18 | 1990-03-20 | 1990-09-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |