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Title: Environmental survey TS-4 tar-sand in-situ combustion/steam-injection experiment. Vernal, Utah. Final report

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5371827· OSTI ID:5371827

The objectives of the Department of Energy (DOE) Tar Sand Research and Development Program are: (1) to determine the probable commercial potential of domestic tar sand and the technology requirements for recovery of the oil; (2) to develop and test in situ thermal recovery technology and evaluate its technical and economic feasibility along with alternate extraction techniques. The program directly supports a major goal of the DOE Petroleum Program to increase domestic production and reserves of oil and gas, including heavy oil deposits and tar sand. Two in situ combustion field tests, and one steam flooding field test, have been completed with successful production of bitumen. These tests were not designed to measure economic potential of the methods, but to determine technical feasibility, and to identify and solve problems affecting use of the methods. The first combustion experiment began in November 1975 and terminated 3-1/2 weeks later. The total production was 65 barrels (bbl.) of bitumen and 165 bbl. of water. The second combustion experiment began in August 1977 and concluded in February 1978, The total production was 580 bbl. of bitumen and 600 bbl. of water. In 1979, LETC shifted the tar sand bitumen emphasis from combustion to a stream drive process (TS-1S). Steam was injected into the center of a nine well pattern and bitumen with steam and water produced from perimeter wells. Produced bitumen was separated, recycled, and mixed with fuel oil to drive the steam generators. The fourth series of experiments will be concluded which will combine combustion and steam injective to maximize the efficiency of bitumen production.

Research Organization:
Radian Corp., Austin, TX (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
AC20-80LC10443
OSTI ID:
5371827
Report Number(s):
DOE/LC/10443-T1; ON: DE82008928
Resource Relation:
Other Information: Portions of document are illegible
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English