Method for forming an in situ oil shale retort with controlled seismic vibration
US4402550A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 1, 1982 |
| Grant date | Sep 6, 1983 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 1, 2002 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21C41/24
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
An array of explosive charges is formed in a retort site in a subterranean formation containing oil shale. The explosive charges that are located around the perimeter of the retort site are smaller than the explosive charges located more remote from the perimeter. Formation within the retort site is explosively expanded toward a void formed in the site by detonating the explosive charges. This explosive expansion of formation results in a fragmented permeable mass of formation particles in the retort. Damage to objects near the retort site, which is caused by seismic shock from the detonations, is minimized by using smaller explosive charges around the perimeter than in the center of the retort site.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.