Method for in situ gasification of a subterranean coal bed

Patent · Tue May 31 00:00:00 EDT 1977

OSTI ID:862839

Shuck, Lowell Z ^[1]

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1. Morgantown, WV

The method of the present invention relates to providing controlled directional bores in subterranean earth formations, especially coal beds for facilitating in situ gasification operations. Boreholes penetrating the coal beds are interconnected by laser-drilled bores disposed in various arrays at selected angles to the major permeability direction in the coal bed. These laser-drilled bores are enlarged by fracturing prior to the gasification of the coal bed to facilitate the establishing of combustion zones of selected configurations in the coal bed for maximizing the efficiency of the gasification operation.

• Research Organization: National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), Pittsburgh, PA, Morgantown, WV (United States)
• Assignee: United States Energy Research and Development Administration (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 4026356
• OSTI ID: 862839
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

method
situ
gasification
subterranean
coal
bed
relates
providing
controlled
directional
bores
earth
formations
especially
beds
facilitating
operations
boreholes
penetrating
interconnected
laser-drilled
disposed
various
arrays
selected
angles
major
permeability
direction
enlarged
fracturing
prior
facilitate
establishing
combustion
zones
configurations
maximizing
efficiency
operation
especially coal
gasification operation
situ gasification
coal bed
earth formations
earth formation
combustion zone
subterranean earth
combustion zones
permeability direction
subterranean coal
coal beds
providing controlled
gasification operations
holes penetrating
situ gas
controlled directional
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