Forward in situ combustion method for recovering viscous hydrocarbons

Patent · Tue Sep 03 04:00:00 EDT 1968

OSTI ID:5722561

Strange, L K

A method for the recovery of viscous hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation employs forward in-situ combustion. A fracture extends between first and second spaced wells. Fluid can flow only between the first well and the fracture. However, fluid can flow between the entire formation thickness and the second well. A forward combustion front is passed into the formation a certain distance from the second well. The area traversed by the front is then made water-wet. Thereafter, another forward combustion front is passed into the formation principally along the fracture from the first well. This front is moved toward the second well until it has subsantially traversed the formation between the spaced wells. Then, the formation between these wells is saturated with water introduced from the first well. (4 claims)

• Assignee: Mobil Oil Corp.
• Patent Number(s): US 3399721
• OSTI ID: 5722561
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COMBUSTION
COMMINUTION
ECONOMICS
ENERGY SOURCES
ENHANCED RECOVERY
FOSSIL FUELS
FRACTURED RESERVOIRS
FRACTURING
FUELS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
IN-SITU COMBUSTION
IN-SITU PROCESSING
OIL WELLS
OXIDATION
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PETROLEUM
PROCESSING
RECOVERY
STIMULATION
THERMAL RECOVERY
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
VISCOSITY
WATER
WELL SPACING
WELL STIMULATION
WELLS