Consolidation of incompetent subsurface formations

Patent · Tue Nov 16 04:00:00 EST 1965

OSTI ID:5864891

Smith, F M

This is a method of bonding the particles of an incompetent subsurface formation into a coherent permeable mass with coke formed in place in the formation by a reverse burning in-situ combustion process. In the process, oil present in the formation immediately around the well is ignited, and oxygen-containing gas is injected from the well to cause forward burning to proceed radially outward. Thereafter, injection of oxygen is stopped and a combustible cokable liquid is forced from the well into the burned-out portion of the formation around the well. This injection is followed by the injection of air which fingers its way through the cokable liquid. Where the air contacts the hot portion of the reservoir in the vicinity of the combustion zone at the end of the forward burning, oil in the formation at that area is ignited. Continued injection of oxygen-containing gas causes reverse burning of the cokable liquid to proceed until the combustion front reaches the borehole wall. The reverse burning leaves a residue of coke on the particles of the formation and bonds them into a strong permeable mass. (6 claims)

• Assignee: Gulf Research and Development Co.
• Patent Number(s): US 3217800
• OSTI ID: 5864891
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
03 NATURAL GAS
030900 -- Natural Gas-- Artificial Stimulation
Plowshare-- (-1989)
BITUMINOUS MATERIALS
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COKE
COMBUSTION
COMBUSTION WAVES
ELEMENTS
ENERGY SOURCES
ENHANCED RECOVERY
FLUID INJECTION
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GAS INJECTION
IN-SITU COMBUSTION
IN-SITU PROCESSING
MATERIALS
NATURAL GAS WELLS
NONMETALS
OIL SHALES
OIL WELLS
OXIDATION
OXYGEN
PROCESSING
RECOVERY
RESERVOIR ROCK
REVERSE COMBUSTION
STABILIZATION
SURFACE PROPERTIES
THERMAL RECOVERY
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
WELLS