Potential for oil mining at Elk Basin oil field, Wyoming-Montana

Conference · Sat Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 1987 · AAPG (Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol.) Bull.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5695573

Ayler, M F; Brechtel, C

By using the teachings of two US Patents, 4,458,945 and 4,595,239, it is possible to place mine workings below the Frontier sands of the Elk basin field, drill upward safely into the reservoir, and produce by gravity added to any present drive system. The patents describe equipment and a way of drilling upward with all cuttings and fluids flowing into a closed pipeline system for surface discharge. A final casing can be cemented into place and the well completed, again with all production into a closed pipeline. This system would permit field pressure control and maintenance with gravity drainage. Wells could be placed on one-acre spacing or less, thus producing much of the oil normally lost between surface wells. An analysis will be presented of probable mining costs for development of the Elk basin oil field on one-acre spacing. Petroleum engineers will then be able to estimate for themselves which method has the most profit potential and maximum recovery - the present systems or oil recovery by mining.

• Research Organization: Oil Mining Corp., Golden, CO
• OSTI ID: 5695573
• Report Number(s): CONF-870915-
• Journal Information: AAPG (Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol.) Bull.; (United States), Vol. 71:8; Conference: American Association of Petroleum Geologists Rocky Mountain Section meeting, Boise, ID, USA, 13 Sep 1987
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
MONTANA
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
MINING
WYOMING
ENHANCED RECOVERY
PETROLEUM
SANDSTONES
SEDIMENTARY BASINS
ENERGY SOURCES
FEDERAL REGION VIII
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
MINERAL RESOURCES
NORTH AMERICA
RECOVERY
RESOURCES
ROCKS
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
USA
020300* - Petroleum- Drilling & Production