Method of forming an in situ oil shale retort with void volume as function of kerogen content of formation within retort site

Patent · Tue Sep 11 04:00:00 EDT 1979

OSTI ID:5630465

Ridley, R D

An in situ oil shale retort is formed in a subterranean formation containing oil shale. The formation comprises at least one stratum of relatively higher average kerogen content which is included in formation of relatively lower average kerogen content. A void is excavated in a retort site in the formation, leaving a remaining portion of unfragmented formation within the retort site adjacent the void. The portion of unfragmented formation within the retort site is explosively expanded toward the void to form a fragmented permeable mass of formation particles containing oil shale in an in situ retort in which fragmented formation particles from the stratum of higher kerogen content have a larger void fraction than the average void fraction of the fragmented mass. This can be accomplished by enlarging the void in the vicinity of the stratum having the higher kerogen content prior to explosive expansion. When the fragmented mass is retorted, there is no substantial increase in resistance to flow of gas through the fragmented mass due to the relatively higher thermal expansion of fragmented formation particles having the higher kerogen content. 13 claims.

• Assignee: Occidental Oil Shale Inc.
• Patent Number(s): US 4167291
• OSTI ID: 5630465
• 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
EXPLOSIVE FRACTURING
FLUID FLOW
FOSSIL FUELS
FRACTURING
FUELS
GAS FLOW
IN-SITU PROCESSING
IN-SITU RETORTING
KEROGEN
OIL SHALES
PROCESSING
RETORTING