US3004596A - Process for recovery of hydrocarbons by in situ combustion - Google Patents

Process for recovery of hydrocarbons by in situ combustion Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US3004596A
US3004596A US724586A US72458658A US3004596A US 3004596 A US3004596 A US 3004596A US 724586 A US724586 A US 724586A US 72458658 A US72458658 A US 72458658A US 3004596 A US3004596 A US 3004596A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
stratum
thru
boreholes
sections
air
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US724586A
Inventor
Harry W Parker
Allen S Rogers
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Phillips Petroleum Co
Original Assignee
Phillips Petroleum Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Phillips Petroleum Co filed Critical Phillips Petroleum Co
Priority to US724586A priority Critical patent/US3004596A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3004596A publication Critical patent/US3004596A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21EARTH DRILLING; MINING
    • E21BEARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B43/00Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
    • E21B43/16Enhanced recovery methods for obtaining hydrocarbons
    • E21B43/24Enhanced recovery methods for obtaining hydrocarbons using heat, e.g. steam injection
    • E21B43/243Combustion in situ
    • E21B43/247Combustion in situ in association with fracturing processes or crevice forming processes

Definitions

  • FIG. 2 PROCESS FOR RECOVERY OF HYDROCARBONS BY IN SITU COMBUSTION Filed March 28, 1958 22 AIR SUPPLY PRODUCT I PRODUCTION 29 24 I WELL AUXILIARY WELL SELECTIVE FRACTUR I NG I I I- III ml FIG. 2
  • This invention relates to a process for producing hydrocarbons from a carbonaceous stratum by in situ'combus tion.
  • the ignition of carbonaceous material in a stratum around a borehole therein followed by injection of air thru the ignition borehole and recovery of product hydrocarbons and combustion gas thru another borehole in the stratum is a direct air drive process for eiiecting in situ combustion and recovery of hydrocarbons from the stratum.
  • the stratum usually plugs in front of the combustion zone because a heavy viscous liquid bank of hydrocarbon collects in the stratum in advance of the combustion zone which prevents movement of air to the combustion process.
  • inverse air injection has been resorted to.
  • a combustion zone is established around an ignition borehole by any suitable means and air is fed thru the stratum to the combustion zone from one or more surrounding boreholes.
  • the heat losses in the top and bottom sections-of the carbonaceous stratum are greater than in the intermediate section thereof and require a larger minimum quantity of air flowing thru the upper and lower sections in order to maintain self-sustaining combustion.
  • the flow of air is usually substantially the same at different levels in the stratum. This results in faster movement of the combustion front thru the intermediate section of the stratum than thru the adjacent sections and eventually the fire front becomes irregular and portions of the stratum may be bypassed by the combustion zone, thereby leaving unrecovered hydrocarbon in the stratum.
  • an object of the invention to provide an improved in situ combustion process for the recovery of hydrocarbons from a carbonaceous stratum. Another object is to provide an in situ combustion process for recovery of hydrocarbons which moves the combustion front more nearly uniformly thru the carbonaceous stratum than do conventional processes. A further object is to provide an in situ combustion process which efiects maximum recovery of hydrocarbons from a carbonaceous stratum.
  • a broad aspect of the process of the invention cornprises establishing combustion of carbonaceous material in a stratum containing same across a transverse section of the stratum extending from the underburden to the atei'i'i' ice overburden adjacent the stratum and feeding o -containing gas to the resulting combustion zone at a faster rate adjacent the underburden and overburden than thru the intermediate section of the stratum.
  • Feeding o -containing gas at a faster rate to the upper and lower sections of the stratum than to the intermediate section may be accomplished either by faster flow rate of a given gas to the upper and lower sections than to the intermediate section or by feeding a gas of higher 0 concentration to these sections than to the intermediate section.
  • the process of the invention may also be effected by increasing the permeability of the upper and lower se tions of the stratum substantially above the permeability of the intermediate section so that when the cross section of stratum is subjected to a given pressure of air or other O -containing gas the flow rates thru the upper and lower (more permeable) sections are greater than thru the intermediate (less permeable) section so as to accomplish the objective of more rapid supply of O in the upper and. lower sections of the stratum.
  • Permeability may be increased by leaching with a. strong mineral acid in conventional manner as practiced in the petroleum production art or by selectively horizontally fracturing the stratum in conventional manner.
  • Acid treatment of a selected layer of a stratum is eiiected by pack,- ing oil the selected layer around a borehole therein and forcing the acid into the stratum at the selected level so as to leach the same and increase the permeability thereof.
  • a 5, 7, or 9- spot'well pattern may be utilized where a single ignition borehole is to be used. It is also feasible to utilize a series of in-line ignition boreholes and a parallel row of in-line injection boreholes on either side of the line of ignition borehole-s and parallel thereto.
  • the in situ combustion process is effected in conventional manner by igniting the carbonaceous stratum around one or more boreholes therein and driving the resulting combustion zone either by direct or inverse air injection thru the stratum to other boreholes therein.
  • FIGURE 1 is an elevation partly in section of an arrangement of apparatus in association with a carbonaceous stratum for effecting the process of the invention
  • FIGURE 2 is a similar elevation of an air injection well or borehole showing an arrangement of apparatus for injecting streams of O -containing gas of different 0 concentration or for injecting O -c0ntaining gas of the same 0 concentration at diiferent rates 0 gas injection.
  • FIGURE 1 a carbonaceous stratum 10, such as a tar sand, oil shale, or a porous type of coal such as lignite is penetrated by'an ignition borehole 12 and a series of in.- jection boreholes 14 surrounding the ignition borehole in a5, 7, or 9 spot well pattern.
  • Two of the injection boreholes 14 are shown in this'figure.
  • the embodiment illustrated in this figure involves fracturing the stratum at the levels adjacent the overburden and underburden so as to render the upper and lower levels of stratum 10 substantially more permeable than the intermediate section. It is of courses to be understood that a similar effect may be had by acid leaching of the upper and lower levels of the stratum between boreholes 14 and boreholes 12.
  • Ignition borehole 12 is provided with tubing 16 on which is positioned a heater 18 for heating stratum 10 to ignition temperature.
  • Tubing 16 extends to a level below "the bottom of stratum 10 so that liquid hydrocarbon produced in the process may be withdrawn substantially as fast as produced, thereby avoiding building up the level of liquid hydrocarbon into the stratum being produced.
  • Heater 18 may be any downhole type of heater such as a gas-fired-heater, an electric heater, a mass of incandes cent charcoal, etc.
  • FIGURE 1 The various wells or boreholes shown in FIGURE 1 are provided with an air injection system comprising a pump or compressor 20, an air supply line 22, and individual well feed lines 24 and 26.
  • An auxiliary air line 28 connects with tubing 16 for use when tubing 16 is free of produced fluids and it is desired to inject air thu the tubing.
  • injection well or borehole 14- is provided with a pair of concentric conduits 30 and 32, the latter extending to a lower level of the stratum and conduit 30 extending to an intermediate level thereof.
  • a pair of packers 34 and 36 pack oif the intermediate section of the formation to establish communication between this section and the end of conduit 30, while the lower section communicates with the end of conduit 32.
  • the upper levelor section of stratum 10 is open to the annulus 38 between conduit 30 and casing 40.
  • Air injection line 42 communicates with the annulus between conduits 30 and 32 and feeds air to the intermediate section, while air lines 44 and 46 communicate with the lower and upper levels or sections of stratum 10 thru conduit 32 and annulus 38, respectively.
  • Air line 48 is connectedwith injection lines 44 and 46 thru manifold 50.
  • FIGURE 2 permits injection of air at different rates into the upper and lower 3 sections of stratum than the air injection rate into the intermediate section of the stratum. It also permits the injection ofoxidizing gas of different 0 concentration to the upper and lower sections than to the intermediate section.
  • lines 42 and 48 may be supplied with air at dilferent pressures and/or with combustionsupporting gases of different 0 concentrations.
  • stratum 10 is selectively fractured horizontally between ignition borehole 12 and boreholes 14 at the upper and lower levels of the stratum adjacent the overburden and underburden in known manner so as to in- .crease the permeability of the stratum at these levels.
  • stratum is then ignited around borehole 12 by means of a suitable heater 18 in known manner, such as by heating the stratum to ignition temperature and injecting air into the same to establish a combustion zone around the borehole.
  • a suitable heater 18 in known manner, such as by heating the stratum to ignition temperature and injecting air into the same to establish a combustion zone around the borehole.
  • the combustion zone is driven thru the stratum to surrounding boreholes 14 either by direct drive with air injected thru borehole 12 or by in the layers of stratum 10 adjacent the overburden and adjacent the underburden than thru the intermediate section of the stratum so as to effect more uniform movement of the combustion zone thru the stratum at the different levels therein.
  • a similar result may be obtained where the permeability of the upper and lower layersis increased by acid leaching.
  • boreholes 14 are equipped as shown in FIGURE 2.
  • the combustion front is moved thru the stratum from ignition borehole 12 either by faster air flow rates thru the upper and lower levels of the stratum than thru the intermediate section or by means of combustion-supporting. gas of higher oxygen concentration thru the upper and lower levels thereof.
  • a process for producing hydrocarbons from a permeable carbonaceous stratum located between an overburden and an underburden which comprises increasing the permeability of said stratum from one borehole to another borehole therein thru'sections adjacent the overburden and the, underburden by packing oflf said sections within at least one of the boreholes and injecting a strong mineral acid into the packed off sections t-hru one of said boreholes to increase the void space in the stratum in said sections while leaving the permeability of the intervening section of stratum substantially unchanged, thereby decreasing the resistance to flow of gas between said boreholes thru said sections; igniting said stratum along one of said boreholes to establish a combustion zone extending from said overburden to said underburden; advancing said combustion zone thru said stratum toward the other borehole by pressurizing one of said boreholes with an o -containing, combustion-supporting gas whereby said gas is fed at a faster rate thru said sections than thru said intervening section to compensate for greater heat losses in said sections
  • a process for producing hydrocarbons from a permeable carbonaceous stratum located between an overburden and an underburden, and penetrated by a pair of boreholes which comprises packing off an upper section of said stratum in at least one of said boreholes; fracturing the packed ofi sections by applying fluid pressure thru the packed oif sections so as to increase the effective permeability thereof while retaining the original permeability of the intervening section of stratum; ignit- References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,143,251 Savitz Jan. 10, 1939 2,754,911 Spearow July 17, 1956 2,793,696 Morse May 28, 1957 2,813,583 Marx Nov. 19, 1957 2,818,118 Dixon Dec. 31, 1957 2,819,761 Popham Jan. 14, 1958 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,004,596 October 17 1961 Harry W. Parker et al. I

Description

Oct. 17, 1961 H. w. PARKER ETAL 3,004,596
PROCESS FOR RECOVERY OF HYDROCARBONS BY IN SITU COMBUSTION Filed March 28, 1958 22 AIR SUPPLY PRODUCT I PRODUCTION 29 24 I WELL AUXILIARY WELL SELECTIVE FRACTUR I NG I I I- III ml FIG. 2
ATTORNEYS Tnited States This invention relates to a process for producing hydrocarbons from a carbonaceous stratum by in situ'combus tion.
In situ combustion in the recovery of hydrocarbons from underground strata containing carbonaceous material is becoming more prevalent in the petroleum industry. In this technique or" production, combustion, is initiated in the carbonaceous stratum andv the resulting oombustion zone is caused to move thru, the stratum by either inverse or direct air drive whereby the heat of combustion of a substantial proportion of the hydrocarbon in the stratum drives out and usually upgrades a substantial proportion of the unburned hydrocarbon material.
The ignition of carbonaceous material in a stratum around a borehole therein followed by injection of air thru the ignition borehole and recovery of product hydrocarbons and combustion gas thru another borehole in the stratum is a direct air drive process for eiiecting in situ combustion and recovery of hydrocarbons from the stratum. In this type of operation the stratum usually plugs in front of the combustion zone because a heavy viscous liquid bank of hydrocarbon collects in the stratum in advance of the combustion zone which prevents movement of air to the combustion process. To overcome this difliculty and to permit the continued progress of the combustion zone thru the stratum, inverse air injection has been resorted to. By this technique, a combustion zone is established around an ignition borehole by any suitable means and air is fed thru the stratum to the combustion zone from one or more surrounding boreholes.
In in situ combustion operations involving the passage of a combustion front from one or more ignition boreholes to one or more adjacent or surrounding boreholes, the heat losses in the top and bottom sections-of the carbonaceous stratum are greater than in the intermediate section thereof and require a larger minimum quantity of air flowing thru the upper and lower sections in order to maintain self-sustaining combustion. In operation of such a process, the flow of air is usually substantially the same at different levels in the stratum. This results in faster movement of the combustion front thru the intermediate section of the stratum than thru the adjacent sections and eventually the fire front becomes irregular and portions of the stratum may be bypassed by the combustion zone, thereby leaving unrecovered hydrocarbon in the stratum.
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved in situ combustion process for the recovery of hydrocarbons from a carbonaceous stratum. Another object is to provide an in situ combustion process for recovery of hydrocarbons which moves the combustion front more nearly uniformly thru the carbonaceous stratum than do conventional processes. A further object is to provide an in situ combustion process which efiects maximum recovery of hydrocarbons from a carbonaceous stratum. Other objects of the invention will become apparent upon consideration of the accompanying disclosure.-
A broad aspect of the process of the invention cornprises establishing combustion of carbonaceous material in a stratum containing same across a transverse section of the stratum extending from the underburden to the atei'i'i' ice overburden adjacent the stratum and feeding o -containing gas to the resulting combustion zone at a faster rate adjacent the underburden and overburden than thru the intermediate section of the stratum. Feeding o -containing gas at a faster rate to the upper and lower sections of the stratum than to the intermediate section may be accomplished either by faster flow rate of a given gas to the upper and lower sections than to the intermediate section or by feeding a gas of higher 0 concentration to these sections than to the intermediate section. In other words, if air is the O -containing gas fed to all three sections, the air flow rate to the upper and lower sections must-be faster than to the intermediate section; however, a similar result may be obtained by feeding O -enriched air to the upper and lower sections while feeding air (unenriched) to the intermediate section. Obviously other concentrations of 0 than the normal concentration of about 20 percent in air may be utilized e.g., diluted air containing about 10 per cent 0 might be fed to the intermediate section of the stratum while air at normal 0 concentration is fed to the upper andlower sections of the stratum.
The process of the invention may also be effected by increasing the permeability of the upper and lower se tions of the stratum substantially above the permeability of the intermediate section so that when the cross section of stratum is subjected to a given pressure of air or other O -containing gas the flow rates thru the upper and lower (more permeable) sections are greater than thru the intermediate (less permeable) section so as to accomplish the objective of more rapid supply of O in the upper and. lower sections of the stratum.
Permeability may be increased by leaching with a. strong mineral acid in conventional manner as practiced in the petroleum production art or by selectively horizontally fracturing the stratum in conventional manner. Acid treatment of a selected layer of a stratum is eiiected by pack,- ing oil the selected layer around a borehole therein and forcing the acid into the stratum at the selected level so as to leach the same and increase the permeability thereof. In utilizing this technique, it is well to drive the acid by fluid pressure thru the selected level of the stratum to one or more boreholes therein spaced a few feet therefrom such as 5 to 50 or feet or more. A 5, 7, or 9- spot'well pattern may be utilized where a single ignition borehole is to be used. It is also feasible to utilize a series of in-line ignition boreholes and a parallel row of in-line injection boreholes on either side of the line of ignition borehole-s and parallel thereto.
After treatment of the stratum either by fracturingor acid leaching to increase the permeability thereof, the in situ combustion process is effected in conventional manner by igniting the carbonaceous stratum around one or more boreholes therein and driving the resulting combustion zone either by direct or inverse air injection thru the stratum to other boreholes therein.
vA more complete understanding of the invention may be had by reference to the accompanying schematic drawing of which FIGURE 1 is an elevation partly in section of an arrangement of apparatus in association with a carbonaceous stratum for effecting the process of the invention; and FIGURE 2 is a similar elevation of an air injection well or borehole showing an arrangement of apparatus for injecting streams of O -containing gas of different 0 concentration or for injecting O -c0ntaining gas of the same 0 concentration at diiferent rates 0 gas injection.
In FIGURE 1 a carbonaceous stratum 10, such as a tar sand, oil shale, or a porous type of coal such as lignite is penetrated by'an ignition borehole 12 and a series of in.- jection boreholes 14 surrounding the ignition borehole in a5, 7, or 9 spot well pattern. Two of the injection boreholes 14 are shown in this'figure. The embodiment illustrated in this figure involves fracturing the stratum at the levels adjacent the overburden and underburden so as to render the upper and lower levels of stratum 10 substantially more permeable than the intermediate section. It is of courses to be understood that a similar effect may be had by acid leaching of the upper and lower levels of the stratum between boreholes 14 and boreholes 12.
' Ignition borehole 12 is provided with tubing 16 on which is positioned a heater 18 for heating stratum 10 to ignition temperature. Tubing 16 extends to a level below "the bottom of stratum 10 so that liquid hydrocarbon produced in the process may be withdrawn substantially as fast as produced, thereby avoiding building up the level of liquid hydrocarbon into the stratum being produced. Heater 18 may be any downhole type of heater such as a gas-fired-heater, an electric heater, a mass of incandes cent charcoal, etc.
The various wells or boreholes shown in FIGURE 1 are provided with an air injection system comprising a pump or compressor 20, an air supply line 22, and individual well feed lines 24 and 26. An auxiliary air line 28 connects with tubing 16 for use when tubing 16 is free of produced fluids and it is desired to inject air thu the tubing.
- In FIGURE 2, injection well or borehole 14- is provided with a pair of concentric conduits 30 and 32, the latter extending to a lower level of the stratum and conduit 30 extending to an intermediate level thereof. A pair of packers 34 and 36 pack oif the intermediate section of the formation to establish communication between this section and the end of conduit 30, while the lower section communicates with the end of conduit 32. The upper levelor section of stratum 10 is open to the annulus 38 between conduit 30 and casing 40. Air injection line 42 communicates with the annulus between conduits 30 and 32 and feeds air to the intermediate section, while air lines 44 and 46 communicate with the lower and upper levels or sections of stratum 10 thru conduit 32 and annulus 38, respectively. Air line 48 is connectedwith injection lines 44 and 46 thru manifold 50.
Y The arrangement shown in FIGURE 2 permits injection of air at different rates into the upper and lower 3 sections of stratum than the air injection rate into the intermediate section of the stratum. It also permits the injection ofoxidizing gas of different 0 concentration to the upper and lower sections than to the intermediate section. In other words, lines 42 and 48 may be supplied with air at dilferent pressures and/or with combustionsupporting gases of different 0 concentrations.
Operating in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, stratum 10 is selectively fractured horizontally between ignition borehole 12 and boreholes 14 at the upper and lower levels of the stratum adjacent the overburden and underburden in known manner so as to in- .crease the permeability of the stratum at these levels. The
stratum is then ignited around borehole 12 by means of a suitable heater 18 in known manner, such as by heating the stratum to ignition temperature and injecting air into the same to establish a combustion zone around the borehole. After the combustion zone is established, it is driven thru the stratum to surrounding boreholes 14 either by direct drive with air injected thru borehole 12 or by in the layers of stratum 10 adjacent the overburden and adjacent the underburden than thru the intermediate section of the stratum so as to effect more uniform movement of the combustion zone thru the stratum at the different levels therein. A similar result may be obtained where the permeability of the upper and lower layersis increased by acid leaching. l -In applications of the-process involving increasing the air pressure on the upper and lower levels of the stratum as compared to the intermediate section thereof, or in that embodiment of the invention in which the concentration of oxygen is greaterin the gas supplied to the upper and lower levels of the stratum than to the intermediate section, boreholes 14 are equipped as shown in FIGURE 2. With this arrangement of apparatus in the injection boreholes the combustion front is moved thru the stratum from ignition borehole 12 either by faster air flow rates thru the upper and lower levels of the stratum than thru the intermediate section or by means of combustion-supporting. gas of higher oxygen concentration thru the upper and lower levels thereof.
Certain modifications of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art and the illustrative details disclosed are not to be construed as imposing unnecessary limitations on the invention.
We claim:
1. In a process for producing hydrocarbons from a section of a permeable carbonaceous stratum located between an overburden and an underburden, between an ignition borehole and an ofiset borehole therein by in situ combustion which comprises igniting said stratum along the wall of said ignition borehole from the overburden to the underburden of the stratum; feeding O -containing gas to the resulting combustion zone thru one of said boreholes so as to move said combustion zone thru said section of stratum toward the other borehole; and recovering produced hydrocarbons thru one of said boreholes, whereby the progress of said zone thru said stratum is slower adjacent said overburden and underburden than in the intermediate section of stratum due to heat loss to said overburden and underburden; the improvement comprising packing off an upper section of said stratum adjacent said overburden and a lower section adjacent said underburden and providing separate gas flow passageways to each said section and to said intermediate section; feeding the O in said gas to said combustion zone thru said intermediate section at a given rate and feeding the O in said gas thru said upper and lower sections adjacent the overburden and underburden at a higher rate so as to burn said sections faster than would occur with said given rate, compensate for said heat loss, and effect more uniform progress of said combustion zone between said boreholm.
2. The process of claim 1 wherein O is fed at a faster rate to the sections adjacent said overburden and underburden'by feeding a gas richer in 0 thereto than thru said intermediate section.
3. The process of claim 1 wherein said gas is fed at a faster rate to the sections adjacent said overburden and underburden than to said intermediate section.
4. The process of claim 3 wherein said gas is air.
5. The process of claim l' wherein ignition is estab lished around a centrol borehole and said combustion zone is advanced toward a ring of surrounding boreholes in said stratum.
. 6. The process of claim 5 wherein said gas is injected thru said central borehole to advance said combustion zone and production is recovered thru said ring of boreholes.
7. The process of claim 5 wherein said gas is injected thru said ring of boreholes to move said combustion zone countercur-rently to flow of said gas and production is recovered thru said central borehole.
8. A process for producing hydrocarbons from a permeable carbonaceous stratum located between an overburden and an underburden, which comprises increasing the permeability of said stratum from one borehole to another borehole therein thru'sections adjacent the overburden and the, underburden by packing oflf said sections within at least one of the boreholes and injecting a strong mineral acid into the packed off sections t-hru one of said boreholes to increase the void space in the stratum in said sections while leaving the permeability of the intervening section of stratum substantially unchanged, thereby decreasing the resistance to flow of gas between said boreholes thru said sections; igniting said stratum along one of said boreholes to establish a combustion zone extending from said overburden to said underburden; advancing said combustion zone thru said stratum toward the other borehole by pressurizing one of said boreholes with an o -containing, combustion-supporting gas whereby said gas is fed at a faster rate thru said sections than thru said intervening section to compensate for greater heat losses in said sections than occurs in said intervening section; and recovering produced hydrocarbons from one of said boreholes.
9. The process of claim 8 wherein said stratum is ignited around a central borehole; said gas is injected into said stratum thru a series of surrounding boreholes so as to feed said combustion zone; and said central borehole is utilized as a production borehole.
10. The process of claim 8 wherein ignition is effected in a series of in-line ignition boreholes, and air is injected into said stratum thru a series of in-line injection boreholes substantially parallel with the line of ignition boreholes and combustion in said stratum is advanced toward said injection boreholes by injecting air therethru, with production being recovered thru said ignition boreholes.
11. A process for producing hydrocarbons from a permeable carbonaceous stratum located between an overburden and an underburden, and penetrated by a pair of boreholes, which comprises packing off an upper section of said stratum in at least one of said boreholes; fracturing the packed ofi sections by applying fluid pressure thru the packed oif sections so as to increase the effective permeability thereof while retaining the original permeability of the intervening section of stratum; ignit- References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,143,251 Savitz Jan. 10, 1939 2,754,911 Spearow July 17, 1956 2,793,696 Morse May 28, 1957 2,813,583 Marx Nov. 19, 1957 2,818,118 Dixon Dec. 31, 1957 2,819,761 Popham Jan. 14, 1958 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,004,596 October 17 1961 Harry W. Parker et al. I
It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patentrequiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as "corrected below.
Columr} 6 lines 2 and 3 after "section" insert and a lower section Signed and sealed this 8th day of May 1962.
SEAL) Attest:
ERNEST w. .SWIDER Attesting Officer DAVID L. LADD Commissioner of Patents

Claims (1)

11. A PROCESS FOR PRODUCING HYDROCARBONS FROM A PERMEABLE CARBONACEOUS STRATUM LOCATED BETWEEN AN OVERBURDEN AND AN UNDERBURDEN, AND PENETRATED BY A PAIR OF BOREHOLES, WHICH COMPRISES PACKING OFF AN UPPER SECTION OF SAID STRATUM IN AT LEAST ONE OF SAID BOREHOLES, FRACTURING THE PACKED OFF SECTIONS BY APPLYING FLUID PRESSURE THRU THE PACKED OFF SECTIONS BY APPLYING FLUID PRESEFFECTIVE PERMEABILITY THEREOF WHILE RETAINING THE ORIGINAL PERMEABILITY OF THE INTERVENING SECTION OF STRATUM, IGNITING SAID STRATUM ALONG ONE OF SAID BOREHOLES TO ESTABLISH A COMBUSTION ZONE EXTENDING FROM SAID OVERBURDEN TO SAID UNDERBURDEN, ADVANCING SAID COMBUSTION ZONE THRU SAID STRATUM TOWARD THE OTHER BOREHOLE BY PRESSURIZING ONE OF SAID BOREHOLES WITH AN O2-CONTAINING, COMBUSTION SUPPORTING GAS WHEREBY SAID GAS IS FED AT A FASTER RATE THRU SAID UPPER AND LOWER SECTIONS THAN THRU SAID INTERVENING SECTION TO COMPENSATE FOR GREATER HEAT LOSSES IN SAID SECTIONS THAN OCCUR IN SAID INTERVENING SECTION, AND RECOVERING PRODUCED HYDROCARBONS FROM ONE OF SAID BOREHOLES.
US724586A 1958-03-28 1958-03-28 Process for recovery of hydrocarbons by in situ combustion Expired - Lifetime US3004596A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US724586A US3004596A (en) 1958-03-28 1958-03-28 Process for recovery of hydrocarbons by in situ combustion

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US724586A US3004596A (en) 1958-03-28 1958-03-28 Process for recovery of hydrocarbons by in situ combustion

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3004596A true US3004596A (en) 1961-10-17

Family

ID=24911016

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US724586A Expired - Lifetime US3004596A (en) 1958-03-28 1958-03-28 Process for recovery of hydrocarbons by in situ combustion

Country Status (1)

Country Link
US (1) US3004596A (en)

Cited By (24)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3138203A (en) * 1961-03-06 1964-06-23 Jersey Prod Res Co Method of underground burning
US3194311A (en) * 1961-12-26 1965-07-13 Marathon Oil Co Control of combustion in in situ treatments of carbonaceous deposits
US4045085A (en) * 1975-04-14 1977-08-30 Occidental Oil Shale, Inc. Fracturing of pillars for enhancing recovery of oil from in situ oil shale retort
US4306621A (en) * 1980-05-23 1981-12-22 Boyd R Michael Method for in situ coal gasification operations
US4718485A (en) * 1986-10-02 1988-01-12 Texaco Inc. Patterns having horizontal and vertical wells
US20020029885A1 (en) * 2000-04-24 2002-03-14 De Rouffignac Eric Pierre In situ thermal processing of a coal formation using a movable heating element
US20020034380A1 (en) * 2000-04-24 2002-03-21 Maher Kevin Albert In situ thermal processing of a coal formation with a selected moisture content
US20030080604A1 (en) * 2001-04-24 2003-05-01 Vinegar Harold J. In situ thermal processing and inhibiting migration of fluids into or out of an in situ oil shale formation
US20030079877A1 (en) * 2001-04-24 2003-05-01 Wellington Scott Lee In situ thermal processing of a relatively impermeable formation in a reducing environment
US20030098605A1 (en) * 2001-04-24 2003-05-29 Vinegar Harold J. In situ thermal recovery from a relatively permeable formation
US20030155111A1 (en) * 2001-04-24 2003-08-21 Shell Oil Co In situ thermal processing of a tar sands formation
US20030173085A1 (en) * 2001-10-24 2003-09-18 Vinegar Harold J. Upgrading and mining of coal
US20030173081A1 (en) * 2001-10-24 2003-09-18 Vinegar Harold J. In situ thermal processing of an oil reservoir formation
US20030196810A1 (en) * 2001-10-24 2003-10-23 Vinegar Harold J. Treatment of a hydrocarbon containing formation after heating
US20040140096A1 (en) * 2002-10-24 2004-07-22 Sandberg Chester Ledlie Insulated conductor temperature limited heaters
US20050051328A1 (en) * 2003-09-05 2005-03-10 Conocophillips Company Burn assisted fracturing of underground coal bed
US7011154B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2006-03-14 Shell Oil Company In situ recovery from a kerogen and liquid hydrocarbon containing formation
US7090013B2 (en) 2001-10-24 2006-08-15 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation to produce heated fluids
US7104319B2 (en) 2001-10-24 2006-09-12 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of a heavy oil diatomite formation
US7121342B2 (en) 2003-04-24 2006-10-17 Shell Oil Company Thermal processes for subsurface formations
US7165615B2 (en) 2001-10-24 2007-01-23 Shell Oil Company In situ recovery from a hydrocarbon containing formation using conductor-in-conduit heat sources with an electrically conductive material in the overburden
US8230927B2 (en) 2005-04-22 2012-07-31 Shell Oil Company Methods and systems for producing fluid from an in situ conversion process
US8240774B2 (en) 2007-10-19 2012-08-14 Shell Oil Company Solution mining and in situ treatment of nahcolite beds
US10047594B2 (en) 2012-01-23 2018-08-14 Genie Ip B.V. Heater pattern for in situ thermal processing of a subsurface hydrocarbon containing formation

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2143251A (en) * 1938-06-21 1939-01-10 Halliburton Oil Well Cementing Method of and equipment for acidizing wells
US2754911A (en) * 1953-06-24 1956-07-17 Spearow Ralph Oil production method
US2793696A (en) * 1954-07-22 1957-05-28 Pan American Petroleum Corp Oil recovery by underground combustion
US2813583A (en) * 1954-12-06 1957-11-19 Phillips Petroleum Co Process for recovery of petroleum from sands and shale
US2818118A (en) * 1955-12-19 1957-12-31 Phillips Petroleum Co Production of oil by in situ combustion
US2819761A (en) * 1956-01-19 1958-01-14 Continental Oil Co Process of removing viscous oil from a well bore

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2143251A (en) * 1938-06-21 1939-01-10 Halliburton Oil Well Cementing Method of and equipment for acidizing wells
US2754911A (en) * 1953-06-24 1956-07-17 Spearow Ralph Oil production method
US2793696A (en) * 1954-07-22 1957-05-28 Pan American Petroleum Corp Oil recovery by underground combustion
US2813583A (en) * 1954-12-06 1957-11-19 Phillips Petroleum Co Process for recovery of petroleum from sands and shale
US2818118A (en) * 1955-12-19 1957-12-31 Phillips Petroleum Co Production of oil by in situ combustion
US2819761A (en) * 1956-01-19 1958-01-14 Continental Oil Co Process of removing viscous oil from a well bore

Cited By (139)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3138203A (en) * 1961-03-06 1964-06-23 Jersey Prod Res Co Method of underground burning
US3194311A (en) * 1961-12-26 1965-07-13 Marathon Oil Co Control of combustion in in situ treatments of carbonaceous deposits
US4045085A (en) * 1975-04-14 1977-08-30 Occidental Oil Shale, Inc. Fracturing of pillars for enhancing recovery of oil from in situ oil shale retort
US4306621A (en) * 1980-05-23 1981-12-22 Boyd R Michael Method for in situ coal gasification operations
US4718485A (en) * 1986-10-02 1988-01-12 Texaco Inc. Patterns having horizontal and vertical wells
US20020104654A1 (en) * 2000-04-24 2002-08-08 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of a coal formation to convert a selected total organic carbon content into hydrocarbon products
US7086468B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2006-08-08 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation using heat sources positioned within open wellbores
US20020033257A1 (en) * 2000-04-24 2002-03-21 Shahin Gordon Thomas In situ thermal processing of hydrocarbons within a relatively impermeable formation
US20020033256A1 (en) * 2000-04-24 2002-03-21 Wellington Scott Lee In situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation with a selected hydrogen to carbon ratio
US20020038711A1 (en) * 2000-04-24 2002-04-04 Rouffignac Eric Pierre De In situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation using heat sources positioned within open wellbores
US20020038710A1 (en) * 2000-04-24 2002-04-04 Maher Kevin Albert In situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation having a selected total organic carbon content
US20020038709A1 (en) * 2000-04-24 2002-04-04 Wellington Scott Lee In situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation using a natural distributed combustor
US20020043365A1 (en) * 2000-04-24 2002-04-18 Berchenko Ilya Emil In situ thermal processing of a coal formation with a selected ratio of heat sources to production wells
US20020043367A1 (en) * 2000-04-24 2002-04-18 Rouffignac Eric Pierre De In situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation to increase a permeability of the formation
US20020046838A1 (en) * 2000-04-24 2002-04-25 Karanikas John Michael In situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation with carbon dioxide sequestration
US20020053432A1 (en) * 2000-04-24 2002-05-09 Berchenko Ilya Emil In situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation using repeating triangular patterns of heat sources
US20020053429A1 (en) * 2000-04-24 2002-05-09 Stegemeier George Leo In situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation using pressure and/or temperature control
US20020056551A1 (en) * 2000-04-24 2002-05-16 Wellington Scott Lee In situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation in a reducing environment
US20020057905A1 (en) * 2000-04-24 2002-05-16 Wellington Scott Lee In situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation to produce oxygen containing formation fluids
US20020062051A1 (en) * 2000-04-24 2002-05-23 Wellington Scott L. In situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation with a selected moisture content
US20020077515A1 (en) * 2000-04-24 2002-06-20 Wellington Scott Lee In situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation to produce hydrocarbons having a selected carbon number range
US20020084074A1 (en) * 2000-04-24 2002-07-04 De Rouffignac Eric Pierre In situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation to increase a porosity of the formation
US20030213594A1 (en) * 2000-04-24 2003-11-20 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation to produce a mixture with a selected hydrogen content
US7096953B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2006-08-29 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of a coal formation using a movable heating element
US20020034380A1 (en) * 2000-04-24 2002-03-21 Maher Kevin Albert In situ thermal processing of a coal formation with a selected moisture content
US7017661B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2006-03-28 Shell Oil Company Production of synthesis gas from a coal formation
US7011154B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2006-03-14 Shell Oil Company In situ recovery from a kerogen and liquid hydrocarbon containing formation
US6997255B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2006-02-14 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation in a reducing environment
US6994160B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2006-02-07 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation to produce hydrocarbons having a selected carbon number range
US6994161B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2006-02-07 Kevin Albert Maher In situ thermal processing of a coal formation with a selected moisture content
US6994168B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2006-02-07 Scott Lee Wellington In situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation with a selected hydrogen to carbon ratio
US6973967B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2005-12-13 Shell Oil Company Situ thermal processing of a coal formation using pressure and/or temperature control
US6966372B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2005-11-22 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation to produce oxygen containing formation fluids
US6959761B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2005-11-01 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of a coal formation with a selected ratio of heat sources to production wells
US6953087B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2005-10-11 Shell Oil Company Thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation to increase a permeability of the formation
US6923258B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2005-08-02 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processsing of a hydrocarbon containing formation to produce a mixture with a selected hydrogen content
US20020029885A1 (en) * 2000-04-24 2002-03-14 De Rouffignac Eric Pierre In situ thermal processing of a coal formation using a movable heating element
US6913078B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2005-07-05 Shell Oil Company In Situ thermal processing of hydrocarbons within a relatively impermeable formation
US6910536B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2005-06-28 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation using a natural distributed combustor
US6902003B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2005-06-07 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation having a selected total organic carbon content
US6896053B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2005-05-24 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation using repeating triangular patterns of heat sources
US6889769B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2005-05-10 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation with a selected moisture content
US20030164234A1 (en) * 2000-04-24 2003-09-04 De Rouffignac Eric Pierre In situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation using a movable heating element
US6871707B2 (en) 2000-04-24 2005-03-29 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation with carbon dioxide sequestration
US20040108111A1 (en) * 2000-04-24 2004-06-10 Vinegar Harold J. In situ thermal processing of a coal formation to increase a permeability/porosity of the formation
US6918442B2 (en) 2001-04-24 2005-07-19 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of an oil shale formation in a reducing environment
US7004251B2 (en) 2001-04-24 2006-02-28 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing and remediation of an oil shale formation
US7735935B2 (en) 2001-04-24 2010-06-15 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of an oil shale formation containing carbonate minerals
US7225866B2 (en) 2001-04-24 2007-06-05 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of an oil shale formation using a pattern of heat sources
US20030080604A1 (en) * 2001-04-24 2003-05-01 Vinegar Harold J. In situ thermal processing and inhibiting migration of fluids into or out of an in situ oil shale formation
US7096942B1 (en) 2001-04-24 2006-08-29 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of a relatively permeable formation while controlling pressure
US20030079877A1 (en) * 2001-04-24 2003-05-01 Wellington Scott Lee In situ thermal processing of a relatively impermeable formation in a reducing environment
US7066254B2 (en) 2001-04-24 2006-06-27 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of a tar sands formation
US7055600B2 (en) 2001-04-24 2006-06-06 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal recovery from a relatively permeable formation with controlled production rate
US20040211554A1 (en) * 2001-04-24 2004-10-28 Vinegar Harold J. Heat sources with conductive material for in situ thermal processing of an oil shale formation
US20040211557A1 (en) * 2001-04-24 2004-10-28 Cole Anthony Thomas Conductor-in-conduit heat sources for in situ thermal processing of an oil shale formation
US7051811B2 (en) 2001-04-24 2006-05-30 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing through an open wellbore in an oil shale formation
US7051807B2 (en) 2001-04-24 2006-05-30 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal recovery from a relatively permeable formation with quality control
US6877555B2 (en) 2001-04-24 2005-04-12 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of an oil shale formation while inhibiting coking
US6880633B2 (en) 2001-04-24 2005-04-19 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of an oil shale formation to produce a desired product
US7040399B2 (en) 2001-04-24 2006-05-09 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of an oil shale formation using a controlled heating rate
US20030164239A1 (en) * 2001-04-24 2003-09-04 Wellington Scott Lee In situ thermal processing of an oil shale formation in a reducing environment
US20030155111A1 (en) * 2001-04-24 2003-08-21 Shell Oil Co In situ thermal processing of a tar sands formation
US20030148894A1 (en) * 2001-04-24 2003-08-07 Vinegar Harold J. In situ thermal processing of an oil shale formation using a natural distributed combustor
US20030142964A1 (en) * 2001-04-24 2003-07-31 Wellington Scott Lee In situ thermal processing of an oil shale formation using a controlled heating rate
US20030141066A1 (en) * 2001-04-24 2003-07-31 Karanikas John Michael In situ thermal processing of an oil shale formation while inhibiting coking
US6915850B2 (en) 2001-04-24 2005-07-12 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of an oil shale formation having permeable and impermeable sections
US6918443B2 (en) 2001-04-24 2005-07-19 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of an oil shale formation to produce hydrocarbons having a selected carbon number range
US20030141067A1 (en) * 2001-04-24 2003-07-31 Rouffignac Eric Pierre De In situ thermal processing of an oil shale formation to increase permeability of the formation
US6923257B2 (en) 2001-04-24 2005-08-02 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of an oil shale formation to produce a condensate
US20030141068A1 (en) * 2001-04-24 2003-07-31 Pierre De Rouffignac Eric In situ thermal processing through an open wellbore in an oil shale formation
US6929067B2 (en) 2001-04-24 2005-08-16 Shell Oil Company Heat sources with conductive material for in situ thermal processing of an oil shale formation
US7040397B2 (en) 2001-04-24 2006-05-09 Shell Oil Company Thermal processing of an oil shale formation to increase permeability of the formation
US6948562B2 (en) 2001-04-24 2005-09-27 Shell Oil Company Production of a blending agent using an in situ thermal process in a relatively permeable formation
US6951247B2 (en) 2001-04-24 2005-10-04 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of an oil shale formation using horizontal heat sources
US20030136558A1 (en) * 2001-04-24 2003-07-24 Wellington Scott Lee In situ thermal processing of an oil shale formation to produce a desired product
US20030136559A1 (en) * 2001-04-24 2003-07-24 Wellington Scott Lee In situ thermal processing while controlling pressure in an oil shale formation
US6964300B2 (en) 2001-04-24 2005-11-15 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal recovery from a relatively permeable formation with backproduction through a heater wellbore
US6966374B2 (en) 2001-04-24 2005-11-22 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal recovery from a relatively permeable formation using gas to increase mobility
US20030131995A1 (en) * 2001-04-24 2003-07-17 De Rouffignac Eric Pierre In situ thermal processing of a relatively impermeable formation to increase permeability of the formation
US7040400B2 (en) 2001-04-24 2006-05-09 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of a relatively impermeable formation using an open wellbore
US20030131996A1 (en) * 2001-04-24 2003-07-17 Vinegar Harold J. In situ thermal processing of an oil shale formation having permeable and impermeable sections
US6981548B2 (en) 2001-04-24 2006-01-03 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal recovery from a relatively permeable formation
US6991036B2 (en) 2001-04-24 2006-01-31 Shell Oil Company Thermal processing of a relatively permeable formation
US7040398B2 (en) 2001-04-24 2006-05-09 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of a relatively permeable formation in a reducing environment
US6991032B2 (en) 2001-04-24 2006-01-31 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of an oil shale formation using a pattern of heat sources
US6991033B2 (en) 2001-04-24 2006-01-31 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing while controlling pressure in an oil shale formation
US20030131994A1 (en) * 2001-04-24 2003-07-17 Vinegar Harold J. In situ thermal processing and solution mining of an oil shale formation
US20030116315A1 (en) * 2001-04-24 2003-06-26 Wellington Scott Lee In situ thermal processing of a relatively permeable formation
US20030111223A1 (en) * 2001-04-24 2003-06-19 Rouffignac Eric Pierre De In situ thermal processing of an oil shale formation using horizontal heat sources
US6997518B2 (en) * 2001-04-24 2006-02-14 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing and solution mining of an oil shale formation
US20030102126A1 (en) * 2001-04-24 2003-06-05 Sumnu-Dindoruk Meliha Deniz In situ thermal recovery from a relatively permeable formation with controlled production rate
US7032660B2 (en) 2001-04-24 2006-04-25 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing and inhibiting migration of fluids into or out of an in situ oil shale formation
US20030098149A1 (en) * 2001-04-24 2003-05-29 Wellington Scott Lee In situ thermal recovery from a relatively permeable formation using gas to increase mobility
US7013972B2 (en) 2001-04-24 2006-03-21 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of an oil shale formation using a natural distributed combustor
US20030098605A1 (en) * 2001-04-24 2003-05-29 Vinegar Harold J. In situ thermal recovery from a relatively permeable formation
US20030196810A1 (en) * 2001-10-24 2003-10-23 Vinegar Harold J. Treatment of a hydrocarbon containing formation after heating
US6991045B2 (en) 2001-10-24 2006-01-31 Shell Oil Company Forming openings in a hydrocarbon containing formation using magnetic tracking
US6969123B2 (en) 2001-10-24 2005-11-29 Shell Oil Company Upgrading and mining of coal
US7100994B2 (en) 2001-10-24 2006-09-05 Shell Oil Company Producing hydrocarbons and non-hydrocarbon containing materials when treating a hydrocarbon containing formation
US20050092483A1 (en) * 2001-10-24 2005-05-05 Vinegar Harold J. In situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation using a natural distributed combustor
US20030173085A1 (en) * 2001-10-24 2003-09-18 Vinegar Harold J. Upgrading and mining of coal
US20030196801A1 (en) * 2001-10-24 2003-10-23 Vinegar Harold J. In situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation via backproducing through a heater well
US20030201098A1 (en) * 2001-10-24 2003-10-30 Karanikas John Michael In situ recovery from a hydrocarbon containing formation using one or more simulations
US7051808B1 (en) 2001-10-24 2006-05-30 Shell Oil Company Seismic monitoring of in situ conversion in a hydrocarbon containing formation
US20030205378A1 (en) * 2001-10-24 2003-11-06 Wellington Scott Lee In situ recovery from lean and rich zones in a hydrocarbon containing formation
US7063145B2 (en) 2001-10-24 2006-06-20 Shell Oil Company Methods and systems for heating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ with an opening contacting the earth's surface at two locations
US7128153B2 (en) 2001-10-24 2006-10-31 Shell Oil Company Treatment of a hydrocarbon containing formation after heating
US7066257B2 (en) 2001-10-24 2006-06-27 Shell Oil Company In situ recovery from lean and rich zones in a hydrocarbon containing formation
US7165615B2 (en) 2001-10-24 2007-01-23 Shell Oil Company In situ recovery from a hydrocarbon containing formation using conductor-in-conduit heat sources with an electrically conductive material in the overburden
US7077199B2 (en) 2001-10-24 2006-07-18 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of an oil reservoir formation
US7104319B2 (en) 2001-10-24 2006-09-12 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of a heavy oil diatomite formation
US7086465B2 (en) 2001-10-24 2006-08-08 Shell Oil Company In situ production of a blending agent from a hydrocarbon containing formation
US20030173081A1 (en) * 2001-10-24 2003-09-18 Vinegar Harold J. In situ thermal processing of an oil reservoir formation
US7090013B2 (en) 2001-10-24 2006-08-15 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation to produce heated fluids
US20040040715A1 (en) * 2001-10-24 2004-03-04 Wellington Scott Lee In situ production of a blending agent from a hydrocarbon containing formation
US7156176B2 (en) 2001-10-24 2007-01-02 Shell Oil Company Installation and use of removable heaters in a hydrocarbon containing formation
US6932155B2 (en) 2001-10-24 2005-08-23 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation via backproducing through a heater well
US7077198B2 (en) 2001-10-24 2006-07-18 Shell Oil Company In situ recovery from a hydrocarbon containing formation using barriers
US7114566B2 (en) 2001-10-24 2006-10-03 Shell Oil Company In situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation using a natural distributed combustor
US20040140096A1 (en) * 2002-10-24 2004-07-22 Sandberg Chester Ledlie Insulated conductor temperature limited heaters
US8224163B2 (en) 2002-10-24 2012-07-17 Shell Oil Company Variable frequency temperature limited heaters
US8238730B2 (en) 2002-10-24 2012-08-07 Shell Oil Company High voltage temperature limited heaters
US7121341B2 (en) 2002-10-24 2006-10-17 Shell Oil Company Conductor-in-conduit temperature limited heaters
US7073578B2 (en) 2002-10-24 2006-07-11 Shell Oil Company Staged and/or patterned heating during in situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation
US7219734B2 (en) 2002-10-24 2007-05-22 Shell Oil Company Inhibiting wellbore deformation during in situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation
US20040177966A1 (en) * 2002-10-24 2004-09-16 Vinegar Harold J. Conductor-in-conduit temperature limited heaters
US8224164B2 (en) 2002-10-24 2012-07-17 Shell Oil Company Insulated conductor temperature limited heaters
US8200072B2 (en) 2002-10-24 2012-06-12 Shell Oil Company Temperature limited heaters for heating subsurface formations or wellbores
US7942203B2 (en) 2003-04-24 2011-05-17 Shell Oil Company Thermal processes for subsurface formations
US7640980B2 (en) 2003-04-24 2010-01-05 Shell Oil Company Thermal processes for subsurface formations
US7360588B2 (en) 2003-04-24 2008-04-22 Shell Oil Company Thermal processes for subsurface formations
US8579031B2 (en) 2003-04-24 2013-11-12 Shell Oil Company Thermal processes for subsurface formations
US7121342B2 (en) 2003-04-24 2006-10-17 Shell Oil Company Thermal processes for subsurface formations
US20050051328A1 (en) * 2003-09-05 2005-03-10 Conocophillips Company Burn assisted fracturing of underground coal bed
US7051809B2 (en) * 2003-09-05 2006-05-30 Conocophillips Company Burn assisted fracturing of underground coal bed
US8230927B2 (en) 2005-04-22 2012-07-31 Shell Oil Company Methods and systems for producing fluid from an in situ conversion process
US8240774B2 (en) 2007-10-19 2012-08-14 Shell Oil Company Solution mining and in situ treatment of nahcolite beds
US10047594B2 (en) 2012-01-23 2018-08-14 Genie Ip B.V. Heater pattern for in situ thermal processing of a subsurface hydrocarbon containing formation

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US3004596A (en) Process for recovery of hydrocarbons by in situ combustion
US3116792A (en) In situ combustion process
US2780449A (en) Thermal process for in-situ decomposition of oil shale
US2994376A (en) In situ combustion process
US2584605A (en) Thermal drive method for recovery of oil
US3024013A (en) Recovery of hydrocarbons by in situ combustion
US2952450A (en) In situ exploitation of lignite using steam
US2970826A (en) Recovery of oil from oil shale
US3055423A (en) Controlling selective plugging of carbonaceous strata for controlled production of thermal drive
US3599714A (en) Method of recovering hydrocarbons by in situ combustion
US3120264A (en) Recovery of oil by in situ combustion
US4356866A (en) Process of underground coal gasification
US2946382A (en) Process for recovering hydrocarbons from underground formations
US3734184A (en) Method of in situ coal gasification
US3332482A (en) Huff and puff fire flood process
US2994375A (en) Recovery of hydrocarbons by in situ combustion
US3010707A (en) Recovery of resins and hydrocarbons from resinous type coals
US4493369A (en) Method of improved oil recovery by simultaneous injection of water with an in-situ combustion process
US4436153A (en) In-situ combustion method for controlled thermal linking of wells
US3145772A (en) Temperature controlled in-situ combustion process
US2917296A (en) Recovery of hydrocarbon from oil shale adjoining a permeable oilbearing stratum
US3323590A (en) Multiple zone production drive process
US3004595A (en) In situ combustion of carbonaceous strata
US3422891A (en) Rapid breakthrough in situ combustion process
US3044546A (en) Production of unconsolidated sands by in situ combustion