US4446918A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for initiating combustion in a subterranean carbonaceous deposit
Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Co
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Filing: 1982-04-08
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Granted: 1984-05-08
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Expires: 2002-04-08
Abstract
Abstract A method for initiating combustion in a subterranean carbonaceous deposit by positioning at least two wellbores from the surface into the subterranean deposit; extending a first borehole substantially horizontally from a first wellbore into the vicinity of a second wellbore; extending a second borehole substantially horizontally from a second wellbore into the vicinity of the first wellbore; positioning an explosive charge in at least one of the boreholes; detonating the explosive charge to produce a rubblized zone between the first wellbore and the second wellbore; injecting a free-oxygen containing gas into the carbonaceous deposit through one of the wellbores; and igniting the carbonaceous deposit at one of the wellbores.
Inventors
- 👤 Herbert B. Wolcott, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 10:22
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/30; E21B43/305; E21B43/16; E21B43/24; E21B43/243; E21B43/247; E21B43/248
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
152 words
A method for initiating combustion in a subterranean coal deposit penetrated by a plurality of wellbores, said method consisting essentially of: (a) penetrating said coal deposit with a first wellbore; (b) positioning a plurality of other wellbores about said first wellbore, each of said other wellbores having at least one substantially horizontal borehole extending therefrom into the vicinity of said first wellbore; (c) extending a plurality of substantially horizontal boreholes from said first wellbore into the vicinity of said other wellbores (d) positioning explosive charges in at least a portion of said boreholes; (e) detonating said explosive charges to produce a rubblized zone between said first wellbore and said other wellbores (f) igniting said coal deposit in at least one of said wellbores; and (g) injecting a free-oxygen containing gas into said coal deposit through at least one of said wellbores to gasify said coal deposit in situ and produce gasification products.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
152 words
A method for initiating combustion in a subterranean coal deposit penetrated by a plurality of wellbores, said method consisting essentially of: (a) penetrating said coal deposit with a first wellbore; (b) positioning a plurality of other wellbores about said first wellbore, each of said other wellbores having at least one substantially horizontal borehole extending therefrom into the vicinity of said first wellbore; (c) extending a plurality of substantially horizontal boreholes from said first wellbore into the vicinity of said other wellbores (d) positioning explosive charges in at least a portion of said boreholes; (e) detonating said explosive charges to produce a rubblized zone between said first wellbore and said other wellbores (f) igniting said coal deposit in at least one of said wellbores; and (g) injecting a free-oxygen containing gas into said coal deposit through at least one of said wellbores to gasify said coal deposit in situ and produce gasification products.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said boreholes are positioned near the bottom of said coal deposit.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
158 words
A method for producing gasification products from a subterranean coal deposit penetrated by a plurality of wellbores by an in situ coal gasification method consisting essentially of: (a) penetrating said coal deposit with a first wellbore; (b) positioning a plurality of other wellbores about said first wellbore, each of said other wellbores having at least one substantially horizontal borehole extending therefrom into the vicinity of said first wellbore; (c) extending a plurality of substantially horizontal boreholes from said first wellbore into the vicinity of said other wellbores; (d) positioning explosive charges in at least a portion of said boreholes; (e) detonating said explosive charges to produce a rubblized zone between said first wellbore and said other wellbores; (f) igniting said coal deposit in at least one of said wellbores; and (g) injecting a free-oxygen containing gas into said coal deposit through at least one of said wellbores to gasify said coal deposit in situ and produce gasification products.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
158 words
A method for producing gasification products from a subterranean coal deposit penetrated by a plurality of wellbores by an in situ coal gasification method consisting essentially of: (a) penetrating said coal deposit with a first wellbore; (b) positioning a plurality of other wellbores about said first wellbore, each of said other wellbores having at least one substantially horizontal borehole extending therefrom into the vicinity of said first wellbore; (c) extending a plurality of substantially horizontal boreholes from said first wellbore into the vicinity of said other wellbores; (d) positioning explosive charges in at least a portion of said boreholes; (e) detonating said explosive charges to produce a rubblized zone between said first wellbore and said other wellbores; (f) igniting said coal deposit in at least one of said wellbores; and (g) injecting a free-oxygen containing gas into said coal deposit through at least one of said wellbores to gasify said coal deposit in situ and produce gasification products.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said boreholes are positioned near the bottom of said coal deposit.
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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) | 1987-05-08 | 1987-11-07 | 1988-05-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-05-08 | 1991-11-07 | 1992-05-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-05-08 | 1995-11-07 | 1996-05-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |