US4223729A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for producing a geothermal reservoir in a hot dry rock formation for the recovery of geothermal energy
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1979-01-12
•
Granted: 1980-09-23
•
Expires: 1999-01-12
Abstract
Abstract A process for creating a hot dry rock oven for the extraction of heat energy is disclosed wherein the geothermal fluid injection and withdrawal wells are brought into positive hydraulic communication during the creation of the hot dry rock oven. The oven complex is produced by fracturing the formation from a plurality of bore holes simultaneously.
Inventors
- 👤 John W. Foster
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 04:11
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/16; E21B43/17; F; F24; F24T; F24T10/00; F24T10/20; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
130 words
A process for creating a fracture complex in a hot dry rock formation, comprising the steps of: (a) drilling at least one fluid injection well and one fluid withdrawal well which are approximately vertical to the approximate location within a crystalline rock formation at which a temperature exists from which useful heat energy may be extracted; (b) deviating said wells from their vertical orientation in a direction approximately perpendicular to the compass direction of the most likely fracture plane of said formation such that said withdrawal well lies above, parallel to and in approximately the same vertical plane as the fluid injection well; (c) simultaneously fracturing said formation from said injection and withdrawal wells to produce a single interconnecting fracture of large surface area connecting said wells for hydraulic communication.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
130 words
A process for creating a fracture complex in a hot dry rock formation, comprising the steps of: (a) drilling at least one fluid injection well and one fluid withdrawal well which are approximately vertical to the approximate location within a crystalline rock formation at which a temperature exists from which useful heat energy may be extracted; (b) deviating said wells from their vertical orientation in a direction approximately perpendicular to the compass direction of the most likely fracture plane of said formation such that said withdrawal well lies above, parallel to and in approximately the same vertical plane as the fluid injection well; (c) simultaneously fracturing said formation from said injection and withdrawal wells to produce a single interconnecting fracture of large surface area connecting said wells for hydraulic communication.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The process of claim 1, further comprising: orientating means for fracturing said formation within said injection and withdrawal wells in alignment with the vertical direction of the anticipated fracture plane of said formation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process of claim 2, further comprising: gradually and contemporaneously pressuring the fracture means to the rock failure pressure to simultaneously fracture the formation from said wells.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process of claim 3, wherein the pressure of the fracture means are contemporaneously increased over a period of time from about 10 to about 30 minutes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The process of claim 1, wherein simultaneous fracturing is repeated at a plurality of parallel positions along the deviated portions of said injection and withdrawal wells to create a fracture complex.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 5, wherein the separation between the plurality of fractures is from about 20 to about 50 meters.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
The process of claim 1, where the injection and withdrawal wells are separated along their deviated portions by a distance slightly less than approximately twice that of the distance a singularly induced fracture will propagate within the formation.
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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) | 1983-09-23 | 1984-03-24 | 1984-09-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-09-23 | 1988-03-24 | 1988-09-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-09-23 | 1992-03-24 | 1992-09-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |