Patent US4436153A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4436153A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
In-situ combustion method for controlled thermal linking of wells
Assignee: BP Corp North America Inc
•
Filing: 1981-12-31
•
Granted: 1984-03-13
•
Expires: 2001-12-31
Abstract
Abstract A method of controlled thermal linking of an injection well and a production well, both penetrating an underground formation, accomplished by injecting oxidant into the annulus of the injection well and fuel into the tubing of an injection well in stoichiometric proportions, and initiating a combustion zone at the production well which propagates along a predictable path in the formation which is a deviated or horizontal portion of the injection well.
Inventors
- 👤 Francis M. Carlson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 04:02
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/30; E21B43/305; E21B43/16; E21B43/24; E21B43/243; E21B43/247
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of underground conversion of hydrocarbon-bearing material disposed in a subterranean formation, the method being carried out between an injection well and a production well wherein a portion of the injection well is deviated toward the production well, comprising: initiating a combustion zone in the hydrocarbon-bearing material adjacent the production well; injecting an oxygen-containing gas and a combustible material through separate conveyance components of the injection well for mixing adjacent the end of the injection well; advancing the combustion zone through the formation from the production well to the injection well along the deviated portion of the injection well; and removing produced gases from the formation through the production well.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of underground conversion of hydrocarbon-bearing material disposed in a subterranean formation, the method being carried out between an injection well and a production well wherein a portion of the injection well is deviated toward the production well, comprising: initiating a combustion zone in the hydrocarbon-bearing material adjacent the production well; injecting an oxygen-containing gas and a combustible material through separate conveyance components of the injection well for mixing adjacent the end of the injection well; advancing the combustion zone through the formation from the production well to the injection well along the deviated portion of the injection well; and removing produced gases from the formation through the production well.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the deviated portion of the injection well lies in approximately a parallel plane to the formation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the deviated portion of the injection well lies adjacent the lower boundary of the formation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the end of the injection well is landed immediately adjacent the production well.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the advancement of the combustion zone is controlled by the injection of an aqueous liquid into at least one of the conveyance components of the injection well.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2994374A
Cited
US2874777A
Cited
US2913050A
Cited
US2788956A
Cited
US2880803A
Cited
US3023807A
Cited
US2970826A
Cited
US3097690A
Cited
US3087541A
Cited
US3254711A
Cited
US4095650A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-03-13 | 1987-09-12 | 1988-03-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-03-13 | 1991-09-12 | 1992-03-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-03-13 | 1995-09-12 | 1996-03-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |