Process for rapid reignition of in situ combustion

Patent · Tue Aug 27 04:00:00 EDT 1968

OSTI ID:5630071

Milton, Jr, H W

A difficulty with in-situ combustion oil recovery is that the combustion front may be extinguished. A method for reigniting a combustion zone consists of in combination the steps of injecting into a formation having a burned-out zone and an unburned organic-bearing zone, a quantity of a flammable gaseous mixture consisting of oxygen and a fuel at least sufficient to substantially fill the burned-out zone. The flammable mixture is ignited through at least one well located in the burned-out zone and located at least 10 ft from the interface between the burned-out zone and the organic-bearing zone. This produces a gas combustion front which passes through a portion of the burned-out zone and reignites the carbonaceous material in place at the interface between the burned-out zone and the organic- bearing zone. (8 claims)

• Assignee: Marathon Oil Co.
• Patent Number(s): US 3398793
• OSTI ID: 5630071
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COMBUSTION
ECONOMICS
ELEMENTS
ENERGY SOURCES
ENHANCED RECOVERY
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
IGNITION
IN-SITU COMBUSTION
IN-SITU PROCESSING
NONMETALS
OIL WELLS
OXIDATION
OXYGEN
PETROLEUM
PROCESSING
RECOVERY
STIMULATION
THERMAL RECOVERY
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
WELL STIMULATION
WELLS