Multi-stage method of operating an in situ oil shale retort

Patent · Tue Feb 07 04:00:00 EST 1978

OSTI ID:5129914

Bartel, W J; Burton, III, R S

A method of processing oil shale is described in which an in situ oil shale retort comprising an elongated cavity containing a fragmented permeable mass of formation particles containing oil shale is formed in a subterranean formation containing oil shale to recover liquid and gaseous products. Access to the cavity is by a drift or conduit at each end of the cavity and through a drift at an intermediate position. A processing zone is established in the fragmented mass at one end of the cavity and processing gas is introduced at that end of the retort and heating of the fragmented mass of formation particles is conducted from that end towards the other end. Initially, off gas is withdrawn at the intermediate drift. When the processing zone passes the intermediate drift, processing gas is introduced through the intermediate drift and off gas including gaseous products is withdrawn by way of the drift at the other end. As the processing zone passes the intermediate drift, processing gas is introduced at one end and off gas is withdrawn from the other end of the retort.

• Assignee: Occidental Oil Shale, Inc.
• Patent Number(s): US 4072350
• OSTI ID: 5129914
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

04 OIL SHALES AND TAR SANDS
040401* -- Oil Shales & Tar Sands-- In Situ Methods
True & Modified
BITUMINOUS MATERIALS
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
ENERGY SOURCES
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FRAGMENTATION
FUELS
GASES
IN-SITU PROCESSING
IN-SITU RETORTING
OIL SHALES
OILS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OTHER ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PROCESSING
RECOVERY
REMOVAL
RETORTING