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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Method for heating or igniting well formations with pyrophoric materials

Patent ·
OSTI ID:6673472
A safe and efficient method of igniting or heating a hydrocarbon-bearing zone is provided at a temperature that will not damage the casing. The heater may be ignited in the event that the flame is extinguished owing to fluctuations or surges in the fuel-air system. A wire-line retrievable igniter or heater that may be operated on gaseous or vaporized fuels is utilized. The igniter is lowered in the tubing until it seats in the bottom of the tubing. As soon as the pyrophoric material is contacted with air, it ignites and, in turn, ignites the fuel. The igniter is then withdrawn from the burning zone and burning continues in the main burner structure provided at the bottom of the tubing. The burner can operate on a mixture of air and light hydrocarbon, preferably natural gas.
Assignee:
Pan American Petroleum Corp.
Patent Number(s):
US 3223165
OSTI ID:
6673472
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English