Non-subsidence method for developing an in situ oil shale retort
US4368921A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 2, 1981 |
| Grant date | Jan 18, 1983 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 2, 2001 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B43/247
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A non-subsidence method for developing an in situ oil shale retort tract in a subterranean formation containing oil shale includes forming a number of spaced apart rows of in situ oil shale retorts, leaving intervening zones of unfragmented formation between adjacent rows of retorts for supporting the overburden loads without substantial subsidence. Each retort contains a fragmented permeable mass of formation particles containing oil shale. The retorts in each row are separated by gas barriers that provide support for the overburden load above each row of retorts. After retorting, a stabilizing material is introduced into the void spaces in the spent in situ oil shale retorts for increasing the compressive strength of the fragmented masses of spent oil shale particles in the spent in situ retorts. Thereafter, separate rows of in situ oil shale retorts are formed in corresponding intervening zones of unfragmented formation. The retorts in each intervening row are separated by gas barriers that provide partial support for the overburden load above each row of intervening retorts. Separate barriers of unfragmented formation are left between the retorts in each intervening row and adj…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.