Consolidation of hydrocarbon gas-bearing sands by inverse in situ combustion

Patent · Tue Mar 09 04:00:00 EST 1965

OSTI ID:6694621

Watson, E D; Chaney, P E

This is a method of consolidating loose sands in oil-and gas-bearing formations surrounding a well bore by in-situ combustion of oil in the sand adjacent the well. A free oxygen-containing gas, preferably air, is injected through the well into the oil sand. The oil is then ignited and air is allowed to flow through the burning zone to maintain combustion of the ignited oil for a time, and the combustion gases are withdrawn from the well. The flame front moves from the borehole wall inward into the formation and leaves the burned sand in a consolidated condition. After most of the air has been used in the combustion, the well is placed in production for the recovery of oil. The method can be applied to gas-bearing sands, and involves, in addition to the steps outlined for oil-bearing sands, the introduction of a quantity of oil, into the gas sand surrounding the well bore. The oil is then ignited and is burned by the inverse-combustion procedure described in connection with consolidating oil-bearing sands. (3 claims)

• Assignee: TUL; EDB-81-025551
• Patent Number(s): US 3172468
• OSTI ID: 6694621
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
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03 NATURAL GAS
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CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COMBUSTION
ENERGY SOURCES
ENHANCED RECOVERY
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS FUELS
GASES
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
IN-SITU COMBUSTION
IN-SITU PROCESSING
MINERAL RESOURCES
NATURAL GAS
NATURAL GAS DEPOSITS
NATURAL GAS FIELDS
OIL FIELDS
OXIDATION
PETROLEUM
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
PROCESSING
RECOVERY
RESOURCES
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES