Method of producing shale oil from an oil shale formation

Patent · Tue May 11 04:00:00 EDT 1971

OSTI ID:5594083

Closmann, P J

A method is described of producing shale oil from a subterranean oil-shale formation, by exploding a relatively high energy explosive device thereby forming a chimney of rubble within the formation, having fractures extending from the chimney into the formation. A number of spaced wells are extended into the formation radially outward from the chimney and adjacent to at least some of the fractures. Fluid-flow paths are formed from the wells through the fractures into the chimney and fluid is circulated from the wells through these fluid flow paths and into the chimney at rates creating a pressure drop from the wells to the chimney. Oil shale-reactive properties are imparted to the circulating fluid whereby the fluid reacts with the oil shale thereby moving solid components thereof into void spaces formed within the chimney thereby increasing the permeability of the oil- shale formation relative to the permeability of the chimney in regions surrounding the chimney. (4 claims)

• Assignee: Shell Oil Co.
• Patent Number(s): US 3578080
• OSTI ID: 5594083
• 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
COMMINUTION
ENERGY SOURCES
ENGINEERING
EXPLOSIONS
EXPLOSIVE FRACTURING
FLUID FLOW
FOSSIL FUELS
FRACTURED RESERVOIRS
FRACTURING
FUELS
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
MATERIALS
MINERAL RESOURCES
NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS
OIL SHALE DEPOSITS
OIL SHALES
PERMEABILITY
RESERVOIR ENGINEERING
RESERVOIR ROCK
RESOURCES
WELL SPACING