Patent US4597444A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4597444A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method for excavating a large diameter shaft into the earth and at least partially through an oil-bearing formation
Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Co
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Filing: 1984-09-21
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Granted: 1986-07-01
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Expires: 2004-09-21
Abstract
Abstract A method for positioning a large diameter shaft from the surface into the earth and at least partially through a subterranean oil-bearing formation, said method comprising (a) Positioning a central well near the center of a selected shaft location, said central well extending at least partially through said oil-bearing formation; (b) Positioning a plurality of wells at a selected distance outside the diameter of said shaft and about said shaft, said wells extending at least partially through said oil-bearing formation; (c) Injecting a fluid through at least a portion of said wells into said oil-bearing formation to remove oil from said oil-bearing formation; (d) Producing fluids from said central well; (e) Injecting water into said oil-bearing formation through said portion of said wells after the injection of said fluid through said portion of the said wells; (f) Freezing a zone about said location; and, (g) Excavating said shaft.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas S. Hutchinson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 09:53
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B36/00; E21B36/001; E21B43/00; E21B43/16; E21B43/24; E21B43/30; E21D; E21D1/00; E21D1/03; E21D1/10; E21D1/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
148 words
A method for positioning a large diameter shaft from the surface into the earth and at least partially through a subterranean oil-bearing formation, said method comprising (a) Positioning a central well near the center of a selected shaft location, said central well extending at least partially through said oil-bearing formation; (b) Positioning a plurality of wells at a selected distance outside the diameter of said shaft and about said shaft, said wells extending at least partially through said oil-bearing formation; (c) Injecting a fluid through at least a portion of said wells into said oil-bearing formation to remove oil from said oil-bearing formation; (d) Producing fluids from said central well; (e) Injecting water into said oil-bearing formation through said portion of said wells after the injection of said fluid through said portion of the said wells; (f) Freezing a zone about said location; and, (g) Excavating said shaft.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
148 words
A method for positioning a large diameter shaft from the surface into the earth and at least partially through a subterranean oil-bearing formation, said method comprising (a) Positioning a central well near the center of a selected shaft location, said central well extending at least partially through said oil-bearing formation; (b) Positioning a plurality of wells at a selected distance outside the diameter of said shaft and about said shaft, said wells extending at least partially through said oil-bearing formation; (c) Injecting a fluid through at least a portion of said wells into said oil-bearing formation to remove oil from said oil-bearing formation; (d) Producing fluids from said central well; (e) Injecting water into said oil-bearing formation through said portion of said wells after the injection of said fluid through said portion of the said wells; (f) Freezing a zone about said location; and, (g) Excavating said shaft.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said fluid is selected from the group consisting of steam, heated water, carbon dioxide, aqueous surfactant solutions and alcohols miscible with both water and the formation oil.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said wells are arranged in a generally circular pattern from about 5 to about 20 feet outside said shaft diameter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said wells are from about 10 to about 15 feet outside said shaft diameter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 1 wherein a plurality of outer wells is positioned at a selected distance outside said wells and about said shaft, said outer wells extending at least partially through said oil-bearing formation and wherein a fluid is injected through at least a portion of said outer wells into said oil-bearing formation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 5 wherein water is injected into said oil-bearing formation through said portion of said outer wells after the injection of said fluid through said portion of said outer wells.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 6 wherein a heat transfer fluid is circulated in at least a portion of said outer wells.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said outer wells are arranged in a generally circular pattern from about 5 to about 20 feet outside said wells.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said outer wells are from about 8 to about 12 feet outside said wells.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said zone is frozen by circulating a heat transfer fluid in at least a portion of said wells.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said heat transfer fluid is selected from the group consisting of aqueous brines of calcium chloride, aqueous brines of lithium chloride, aqueous brines of sodium chloride, and liquid nitrogen.
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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) | 1989-06-30 | 1989-12-30 | 1990-07-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-06-30 | 1993-12-30 | 1994-07-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-06-30 | 1997-12-30 | 1998-07-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |