In situ combustion oil recovery method

Patent · Tue Aug 20 04:00:00 EDT 1974

OSTI ID:6986126

Allen, J C

A process is described for the recovery of hydrocarbons from a subterranean reservoir penetrated by spaced injection and production wells. The method involves introducing a combustion-supporting gas into the reservoir and igniting the gas and hydrocarbons in the reservoir in order to propagate a combustion front between the injection and production wells, then producing hydrocarbons through the production well or wells. After this in situ combustion operation, the injection of combustion-supporting gas is terminated and a liquid hydrocarbon, which may be crude petroleum oil, is introduced into the reservoir through the injection well; the crude oil then separates into gradations of light and heavy fractions upon contacting the hot reservoir. The lighter fractions proceed through reservoir to the production well while the heavier fractions including for example, coke, deposit upon the reservoir matrix to provide the fuel for a repeat of the in situ combustion operation. (7 claims)

• Assignee: Texaco Inc.
• Patent Number(s): US 3830300
• OSTI ID: 6986126
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COMBUSTION
COMBUSTION HEAT
ENERGY
ENERGY SOURCES
ENHANCED RECOVERY
ENTHALPY
FLUID INJECTION
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GAS INJECTION
GASES
HEAT
IGNITION
IN-SITU COMBUSTION
IN-SITU PROCESSING
INJECTION WELLS
OIL WELLS
OXIDATION
PETROLEUM
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PROCESSING
REACTION HEAT
RECOVERY
THERMAL RECOVERY
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES
TIME DEPENDENCE
VISCOSITY
WELL SPACING
WELLS