Method of interconnecting a pair of wells extending into a subterranean oil shale formation

Patent · Tue Nov 03 04:00:00 EST 1970

OSTI ID:6883892

Timmerman, E H

A method is described for creating horizontal fractures and interconnecting at least a pair of wells extending into a subterranean oil-shale formation by fracturing each well and injecting a solidifiable fluid into at least one of the fractures and maintaining the fluid at substantially a fracture-extending pressure until the fluid solidifies and plugs the fracture. At least one well in which at least one preceding fracture has been formed and plugged in this manner is refractured and at least one of the fractures intersect the wells so that fluid may be pumped through a fracture path from one of the wells to the other. (6 claims)

• Assignee: Shell Oil Co.
• Patent Number(s): US 3537529
• OSTI ID: 6883892
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

04 OIL SHALES AND TAR SANDS
040300* -- Oil Shales & Tar Sands-- Drilling
Fracturing & Mining
040401 -- Oil Shales & Tar Sands-- In Situ Methods
True & Modified
BITUMINOUS MATERIALS
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COMMINUTION
DECOMPOSITION
ENERGY SOURCES
FAILURES
FLUID INJECTION
FOSSIL FUELS
FRACTURES
FRACTURING
FUELS
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
IN-SITU PROCESSING
IN-SITU RETORTING
MATERIALS
MINERAL OILS
MINERAL RESOURCES
OIL SHALE DEPOSITS
OIL SHALES
OILS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OTHER ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PLUGGING
PROCESSING
PROPPING AGENTS
PUMPING
RESERVOIR ROCK
RESOURCES
RETORTING
ROCKS
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
SHALE OIL