Method of producing shale oil from an oil shale formation

Patent · Tue May 11 04:00:00 EDT 1971

OSTI ID:7289816

Closmann, P J

A method of producing shale oil from a subterranean oil shale formation by exploding a relatively high energy explosive device therein thereby forming a chimney of rubble within the formation having fractures extending from the chimney into the formation. A plurality of spaced wells are extended into the formation radially outwardly from the chimney and adjacent to at least some of the fractures. Fluid flow paths are formed from the wells through the fractures into the chimney and fluid is circulated from the wells through these fluid flow paths and into the chimney at rates creating a pressure drop from the wells to the chimney. Oil shale-reactive properties are imparted to the circulating fluid whereby the fluid reacts with the oil shale thereby moving solid components thereof into void spaces formed within the chimney thereby increasing the permeability of the oil shale formation relative to the permeability of the chimney in regions surrounding the chimney.

• Assignee: Shell Oil Co.
• Patent Number(s): US 3578080
• OSTI ID: 7289816
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

04 OIL SHALES AND TAR SANDS
040300* -- Oil Shales & Tar Sands-- Drilling
Fracturing & Mining
BITUMINOUS MATERIALS
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
ENERGY SOURCES
EXPLOSIVE FRACTURING
FOSSIL FUELS
FRACTURING
FUELS
MINERAL OILS
OIL SHALES
OIL WELLS
OILS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OTHER ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PERMEABILITY
PRODUCTION
RECOVERY
SHALE OIL
SOLVENTS
SYNTHETIC FUELS
SYNTHETIC PETROLEUM
WELL SPACING
WELLS