Patent · US Expired

Method for reducing porosity of rubblized oil shale

US4315656A · kind A · utility

5Cited by
5References
7Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMar 24, 1980
Grant dateFeb 16, 1982
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 24, 2000

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
  • CPC primaryE21B49/00
  • WIPO fieldCivil engineering
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

Disclosed is a method for reducing the porosity of a zone within mass of unretorted rubblized oil shale comprising locating the zone; providing fluid communication to the zone; introducing grout slurry by fluid communication to the zone so as to deposit slurry and reduce porosity. Also disclosed is an improved method for the subterranean in situ retorting of oil shale comprising establishing a retorting zone containing a rubblized mass comprising oil shale; establishing an essentially planar flame front within the retorting zone; introducing oxygen containing gas into the retorting zone to support combustion at the flame front thereby forming hot combustion gases which effect retorting of the oil shale; locating an area of the flame front which advanced ahead of the essentially planar flame front; and introducing grout slurry to the advanced area to reduce gas permeability and retard further advancement of that area of the flame front.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.