In situ recovery of shale oil
US4047760A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 28, 1975 |
| Grant date | Sep 13, 1977 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 28, 1995 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21C41/24
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
An in situ oil shape retort is provided in a subterranean oil shale formation. An inlet gas access is provided to an end of the in situ retort through which gas is supplied to initiate and advance a retorting zone through the in situ retort for converting kerogen in the oil shale to liquid and gaseous products. A zone of fragmented oil shale fills the in situ retort and extends from the inlet gas access means to the product recovery end of the in situ oil shale retort. The zone of fragmented oil shale has a length from the inlet gas access means to the product recovery end of the in situ retort in the range of from about two to five times the width of the zone of fragmented oil shale and an average void fraction of about 10 to 25 percent of the volume of the zone of fragmented oil shale. In a preferred embodiment the in situ retort is vertical with a height between two and three times its width and the average void fraction is about 15%.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.