Patent · US Expired

Method for excavating a large diameter shaft into the earth and at least partially through an oil-bearing formation

US4597444A · kind A · utility

210Cited by
10References
11Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateSep 21, 1984
Grant dateJul 1, 1986
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 21, 2004

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
  • CPC primaryE21D1/12
  • WIPO fieldCivil engineering
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A method for positioning a large diameter shaft from the surface into the earth and at least partially through a subterranean oil-bearing formation, said method comprising PA1 (a) Positioning a central well near the center of a selected shaft location, said central well extending at least partially through said oil-bearing formation; PA1 (b) Positioning a plurality of wells at a selected distance outside the diameter of said shaft and about said shaft, said wells extending at least partially through said oil-bearing formation; PA1 (c) Injecting a fluid through at least a portion of said wells into said oil-bearing formation to remove oil from said oil-bearing formation; PA1 (d) Producing fluids from said central well; PA1 (e) Injecting water into said oil-bearing formation through said portion of said wells after the injection of said fluid through said portion of the said wells; PA1 (f) Freezing a zone about said location; and, PA1 (g) Excavating said shaft.

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