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Field experiment of reverse combustion oil recovery from a Utah tar sand

Journal Article · · Interstate Oil Compact Comm. Com. Bull.; (United States)
OSTI ID:6869539
; ; ;
A field experiment to recover oil from tar sand by reverse combustion was conducted at Northwest Asphalt Ridge in a 10-foot interval of the Rim Rock sandstone member of the Mesa Verde Formation at a 300-ft depth. Ignition was accomplished November 25, 1975, and the reverse combustion front was propagated successfully through the formation. Results of the field experiment differed significantly from laboratory tests; this is attributed primarily to the extreme heterogeneity of the tar sand formation. Observed temperatures in the burned area were lower than expected, but a large portion of the tar sand within the pattern boundaries was heated to the extent that the bitumen became mobile enough to be produced. After 3/sup 1///sub 2/ weeks of operation, the project was terminated because of the inability of the surface production equipment to accommodate the heavy hydrocarbons being produced. Although the formation of the cracked products of reverse combustion was less than expected, this recovery process may be used successfully to heat the tar sand reservoir to a temperature high enough that the bitumen becomes mobile enough to be produced. 6 figs, 3 tables.
Research Organization:
Energy Research and Development Administration, Laramie, WY
OSTI ID:
6869539
Journal Information:
Interstate Oil Compact Comm. Com. Bull.; (United States), Journal Name: Interstate Oil Compact Comm. Com. Bull.; (United States) Vol. 18:2; ISSN IOCBA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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Related Subjects

04 OIL SHALES AND TAR SANDS
040401* -- Oil Shales & Tar Sands-- In Situ Methods
True & Modified
BITUMENS
BITUMINOUS MATERIALS
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COMBUSTION
ENERGY SOURCES
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
IN-SITU COMBUSTION
IN-SITU PROCESSING
NORTH AMERICA
OIL SAND DEPOSITS
OIL SANDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OTHER ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDATION
PROCESSING
REVERSE COMBUSTION
ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGION
TAR
TEMPERATURE DISTRIBUTION
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
USA
UTAH