Method of forming in situ oil shale retorts

Patent · Tue Aug 15 04:00:00 EDT 1978

OSTI ID:6982542

French, G B

A row of horizontally spaced-apart in situ oil shale retorts is formed in a subterranean formation containing oil shale. Each row is formed by excavating at least a pair of upper and lower retort access drifts at elevations within the top and bottom boundaries of the retort sites. The access drifts extend through opposite side boundaries of a number of retorts in such row. Each retort is formed by excavating upper and lower horizontal voids at the levels of the upper and lower right access drifts, respectively, such voids being excavated laterally from the access drift within the side boundaries of the retort sites. Each retort is formed by explosively expanding formation toward the upper and lower voids within the boundaries of the retort site to form a fragmented permeable mass of particles containing oil shale in each retort. Following formation of each retort, the retort access drifts on the advancing side of the retort are at least partially sealed, preferably with a mass of formation particles covered by a gas impermeable layer and backfilled with a further mass of formation particles. 22 claims.

• Assignee: Occidental Oil Shale Inc.
• Patent Number(s): US 4106814
• OSTI ID: 6982542
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

04 OIL SHALES AND TAR SANDS
040401* -- Oil Shales & Tar Sands-- In Situ Methods
True & Modified
BITUMINOUS MATERIALS
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CAVITIES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHEMICAL REACTORS
COMMINUTION
DECOMPOSITION
DISTILLATION EQUIPMENT
ENERGY SOURCES
EQUIPMENT
EXCAVATION
EXPLOSIVE FRACTURING
FOSSIL FUELS
FRACTURING
FUELS
IN-SITU PROCESSING
IN-SITU RETORTING
MATERIALS
OIL SHALES
PROCESSING
RETORTING
RETORTS
TUNNELING