Method of bulking an in situ oil shale retort substantially full of fragmented shale
US4360233A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 30, 1980 |
| Grant date | Nov 23, 1982 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 30, 2000 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B43/248
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A method for forming an in situ oil shale retort in a subterranean formation containing oil shale is provided. The in situ oil shale retort has a top boundary, generally vertically extending side boundaries, and a bottom boundary of unfragmented formation. A first portion of formation is excavated for forming at least one void within the boundaries, leaving a remaining portion of formation within the boundaries adjacent the void or voids. A remaining portion of unfragmented formation within the retort boundaries is explosively expanded toward such a void for forming a fragmented permeable mass of formation particles containing oil shale in the retort. A void space remains between the upper surface of the fragmented mass and overlying unfragmented formation. A lower portion of the overlying formation is explosively expanded downwardly toward the void space for substantially filling the retort with formation particles. A sill pillar of unfragmented formation is left extending between an air level base of operation and the top boundary of the retort being formed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.