US4257650A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for recovering subsurface earth substances
Assignee: Barber Heavy Oil Process Inc
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Filing: 1978-09-07
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Granted: 1981-03-24
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Expires: 1998-09-07
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to methods and systems for recovering high viscosity oils, petroleum substances and other minerals from subsurface earth formations. In particular, one or more large diameter shaft holes are provided which preferably terminate in an enlarged subterranean chamber. A plurality of drill holes are provided, with perforated piping which extend radially from the chamber into the formation, and from which oil and the like may be recovered. It is a particular feature of this invention to provide means and methods for injecting a mixture of steam and a noncondensable gas into the drill holes, whereby the driving mechanism of the formation may be selectively maintained or enhanced at the same time the viscosity of the oil in the formation is reduced.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph C. Allen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 00:15
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21C; E21C41/00; E21C41/16; E21C41/24; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/16; E21B43/24; E21B43/30; E21B43/305
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
A method of recovering oil and the like from a subsurface earth formation, comprising the steps of: establishing a shaft hole extending from the surface of the earth to said subsurface earth formation; drilling a plurality of boreholes substantially laterally from said shaft hole into said subsurface earth formation; injecting a heating fluid comprising substantially steam into said boreholes during a first discrete time interval for transferring heat to said oil in said formation, thereafter injecting a pressurizing fluid comprising substantially an inert gas into said boreholes during a second discrete interval for exerting a downward pressure on said oil in said formation, and withdrawing oil from said boreholes in response to said downward pressure exerted in said formation during a third time interval following said first and second time intervals.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
131 words
A method of recovering oil and the like from a subsurface earth formation, comprising the steps of: establishing a shaft hole extending from the surface of the earth to said subsurface earth formation; drilling a plurality of boreholes substantially laterally from said shaft hole into said subsurface earth formation; injecting a heating fluid comprising substantially steam into said boreholes during a first discrete time interval for transferring heat to said oil in said formation, thereafter injecting a pressurizing fluid comprising substantially an inert gas into said boreholes during a second discrete interval for exerting a downward pressure on said oil in said formation, and withdrawing oil from said boreholes in response to said downward pressure exerted in said formation during a third time interval following said first and second time intervals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method described in claim 1, wherein said boreholes are located adjacent the lower limit of said formation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method described in claim 1 or 2, further including: sealing and maintaining said injected pressurizing fluid within said formation during an intermediate time interval between said second and third time intervals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method described in claim 3, wherein said plurality of boreholes lie within a substantially horizontal plane within said subsurface earth formation.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
120 words
A method of recovering oil and the like from a subsurface earth formation, comprising drilling at least one borehole substantially laterally into said earth formation, thereafter injecting into said formation through said borehole a heating fluid composed at least substantially of steam, thereafter injecting a pressurizing fluid through said borehole and into said formation to stabilize the pressure in said formation at a determinable peak level, thereafter withdrawing oil from said borehole until the pressure in said formation declines below a first higher intermediate level and approaches but does not go below a second lower intermediate level, and thereafter re-injecting said pressurizing fluid through said borehole and into said formation until the pressure therein rises above said first intermediate level.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
120 words
A method of recovering oil and the like from a subsurface earth formation, comprising drilling at least one borehole substantially laterally into said earth formation, thereafter injecting into said formation through said borehole a heating fluid composed at least substantially of steam, thereafter injecting a pressurizing fluid through said borehole and into said formation to stabilize the pressure in said formation at a determinable peak level, thereafter withdrawing oil from said borehole until the pressure in said formation declines below a first higher intermediate level and approaches but does not go below a second lower intermediate level, and thereafter re-injecting said pressurizing fluid through said borehole and into said formation until the pressure therein rises above said first intermediate level.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method described in claim 5, including the step of thereafter again withdrawing oil from said borehole until the pressure in said formation again approaches but does not go below said second lower intermediate pressure level, and thereafter again re-injecting said pressurizing fluid into said formation until said pressure therein again rises above said first intermediate level.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method described in claim 6, wherein said heating fluid comprises a preselected mixture of steam and a non-condensible gas.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method described in claim 6, wherein said pressurizing fluid is composed at least substantially of a non-condensible gas.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method described in claim 6, wherein said heating fluid comprises a preselected mixture of steam and an organic solvent.
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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) | 1984-03-23 | 1984-09-22 | 1985-03-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-03-23 | 1988-09-22 | 1989-03-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-03-23 | 1992-09-22 | 1993-03-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |