US2833516A - Method of driving holes in bituminous strata - Google Patents
Method of driving holes in bituminous strata Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US2833516A US2833516A US298189A US29818952A US2833516A US 2833516 A US2833516 A US 2833516A US 298189 A US298189 A US 298189A US 29818952 A US29818952 A US 29818952A US 2833516 A US2833516 A US 2833516A
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- hole
- wall
- strata
- tar
- bituminous
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 18
- 239000004576 sand Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- 230000001174 ascending effect Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000011065 in-situ storage Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 12
- 238000002485 combustion reaction Methods 0.000 description 10
- 239000010410 layer Substances 0.000 description 8
- 239000000571 coke Substances 0.000 description 5
- 239000000446 fuel Substances 0.000 description 5
- 239000011275 tar sand Substances 0.000 description 5
- QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N atomic oxygen Chemical compound [O] QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- 239000001301 oxygen Substances 0.000 description 4
- 229910052760 oxygen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 4
- 239000011269 tar Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229910052500 inorganic mineral Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 239000011707 mineral Substances 0.000 description 3
- IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N Atomic nitrogen Chemical compound N#N IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000008018 melting Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000002844 melting Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000011084 recovery Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000001105 regulatory effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000002344 surface layer Substances 0.000 description 2
- MYMOFIZGZYHOMD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Dioxygen Chemical compound O=O MYMOFIZGZYHOMD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 235000002918 Fraxinus excelsior Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000002956 ash Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000567 combustion gas Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910001882 dioxygen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000005553 drilling Methods 0.000 description 1
- -1 for example Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000295 fuel oil Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011261 inert gas Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052757 nitrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000002000 scavenging effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008023 solidification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007711 solidification Methods 0.000 description 1
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B7/00—Special methods or apparatus for drilling
- E21B7/14—Drilling by use of heat, e.g. flame drilling
Definitions
- the main object of my present invention is to provide a novel method for driving holes permitting saving of time and costs and at the same time to make use of simpler apparatus than previously required.
- a further object of my invention is to provide a method for driving holes which method at the same time and particularly in granular, nonconsolidated layers or strata, such as tar sand, gives the wall of the hole such strength as to prevent the same from caving
- one characteristic feature of the invention consists in supplying heat releasing material in the form of a fluid, preferably a gas such as air or oxygen, for example, to the bottom of the hole by means of a jet directed toward the bottom.
- a jet directed toward the bottom.
- the fluid is discharged from a nozzle which by means of a hose or tube is connected to a source of fluid, for example a pressure chamber.
- a combined method wherein the heat is introduced from the outside While at the same time combustion of the deposit is performed, may be suitable when the content of combustible substances in said deposit is low.
- the temperature may be regulated in order to avoid or obtain, depending on the nature of the deposit to be exploited, slagging or melting of the same.
- the wall of the hole may be heated over a portion or all of its length by combustion of fuel present in the deposit or introduced from the outside, at a temperature suflicient to cokify the bituminous substance, a layer of coke thus formed encasing the hole preventing its wall from caving in or at least counteracting such tendency.
- fuel-containing sand such as tar sand
- casing of coke of such thickness as to make it necessary to cover the wall of the hole with casing.
- a casing of coke of the kind described around the hole can in certain minerals be of advantage for facilitating the leading of the gases through or collecting them in said holes in the oil-recovery process proper.
- the thickness of the casing of coke is regulated by adjusting the temperature and the time of treatment to the thermic properties of the deposit.
- bituminous substances in and about the wall of the hole may instead of being cokified be burned more or less completely in order to increase the gas-permeability of the wall, for example.
- the wall of the hole over a portion or the entire length of the well may be subjected to heating to such a temperature as to cause melting of the surface layer resulting after solidification in a glazing cover of the wall of the hole further increasing the solidity thereof.
- a cover of melted mineral may also serve to make the wall of the hole more or less impervious to gas or liquid, for instance by introducing gas (e. g. combustion air) or water under pressure, while other layers are to be sealed off by means of well-known so-called secondary-recovery methods.
- a fuel such as a combustible gas or fuel oil may be supplied either through a separate pipe or in admixture to the scavenging gas containing oxygen.
- the method of driving holes in unconsolidated tar sands which comprises burning organic substances in the tar in situ to form volatile products and to release sand grains from the tar sand, and removing the sand grains by a stream of gas ascending in the hole produced.
- Patented May 6, 1958 7 2,833,516 v 3 4 8.
- the method as 'set forth in claim 7 in which the References Cited in the file of this patent ottom of the hole. is subjected t0v combustion simultaneously with the wall treatment.
- UNITED STATES PATENTS 9.
- the mcthodas set forth in claim 7 in which the Re. 22,964 Burch Jan. 20, 1948 upper laycrof the. walhiszeaused tocokify. 5 1,898,926 Aarts et a1. Feb. 21, 1933 10.
Landscapes
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Geology (AREA)
- Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
- Processing Of Solid Wastes (AREA)
Description
United States Patent NIETHOD OF DRIVING HOLES 1N BITUMINOUS STRATA Giista Johan Wilhelm Salomonsson, Orebro, Sweden, as-
signor to Svenska Skitferolje Akfiebolaget, Orebro, Sweden, a joint-stock company of Sweden No Drawing. Application July 10, 1952 Serial No. 298,189
Claims priority, application Sweden February 21, 1952 Claims. (Cl. 255 1.s
The main object of my present invention is to provide a novel method for driving holes permitting saving of time and costs and at the same time to make use of simpler apparatus than previously required.
A further object of my invention is to provide a method for driving holes which method at the same time and particularly in granular, nonconsolidated layers or strata, such as tar sand, gives the wall of the hole such strength as to prevent the same from caving For this purpose one characteristic feature of the invention consists in supplying heat releasing material in the form of a fluid, preferably a gas such as air or oxygen, for example, to the bottom of the hole by means of a jet directed toward the bottom. At a suitable distance from the bottom of the hole the fluid is discharged from a nozzle which by means of a hose or tube is connected to a source of fluid, for example a pressure chamber. By applying suitable guiding devices it is ensured that the hole or well becomes straight if such is required, for ex ample when a tube or casing is to be inserted thereinto.
If a formation of non-consolidated material is to be treated, it may many times be sufficient to use pre-heated gas which renders the organic substance holding together the grains, such as the tar, sufliciently thinly liquid to release the grains of sand so that these are carried to v the surface of the ground by the returning stream of gas. In such cases, however, it is preferable, to cause combustion of the organic substances at the bottom of the hole. When proceeding in this way no exterior source of heat is required, but the combustion is maintained in itself, the hole being continued in a downward direction and the unburned portions of mineral being carried upward in the shape of minor particles such as grains, flakes or the like. The residue after the combustion or the ashes may be conveyed up to the surface of the ground in the shape of melted drops. A combined method wherein the heat is introduced from the outside While at the same time combustion of the deposit is performed, may be suitable when the content of combustible substances in said deposit is low. By varying the quantities of or proportions between introduced oxygen and inert gases, such as, for example, nitrogen of the air, the temperature may be regulated in order to avoid or obtain, depending on the nature of the deposit to be exploited, slagging or melting of the same.
Simultaneously with or after the provision of the hole in the manner described above, the wall of the hole may be heated over a portion or all of its length by combustion of fuel present in the deposit or introduced from the outside, at a temperature suflicient to cokify the bituminous substance, a layer of coke thus formed encasing the hole preventing its wall from caving in or at least counteracting such tendency. In this way it is possible to accomplish in fuel-containing sand such as tar sand, for example, a casing of coke of such thickness as to make it necessary to cover the wall of the hole with casing. If a surface layer is produced or reinforced along the wall of the hole while at some distance therefrom the combustion is performed at the bottom of the hole, the hot combustion gases ascending from the bottom become usable, since one at the utmost only has to raise the temperature of the gas somewhat further by introducing oxygen gas or air and/or fuel supplied from the outside to the zone in question.
A casing of coke of the kind described around the hole can in certain minerals be of advantage for facilitating the leading of the gases through or collecting them in said holes in the oil-recovery process proper. The thickness of the casing of coke is regulated by adjusting the temperature and the time of treatment to the thermic properties of the deposit.
The bituminous substances in and about the wall of the hole may instead of being cokified be burned more or less completely in order to increase the gas-permeability of the wall, for example.
In the same way the wall of the hole over a portion or the entire length of the well may be subjected to heating to such a temperature as to cause melting of the surface layer resulting after solidification in a glazing cover of the wall of the hole further increasing the solidity thereof. A cover of melted mineral may also serve to make the wall of the hole more or less impervious to gas or liquid, for instance by introducing gas (e. g. combustion air) or water under pressure, while other layers are to be sealed off by means of well-known so-called secondary-recovery methods.
The methods described above to provide, by heat-treatment, casings of coke or molten mass around the wall of the holes or wells are applicable also if the holes have been driven by means of conventional drilling methods. In order to provide the required temperature at the bottom or along the wall of the hole as disclosed above, a fuel such as a combustible gas or fuel oil may be supplied either through a separate pipe or in admixture to the scavenging gas containing oxygen.
While several more or less specific embodiments of my invention have been described, it is to be understood that this is for purpose of illustration only, and my invention is not to be limited thereby, but its scope is to be determined by the appended claims.
What I claim is:
l. The method of driving holes in unconsolidated tar sands which comprises burning organic substances in the tar in situ to form volatile products and to release sand grains from the tar sand, and removing the sand grains by a stream of gas ascending in the hole produced.
2. The method as set forth in claim 1 in which the burning is carried out to convert an upper layer of the wall of the hole into a structure different from that or the surrounding strata.
3. The method as set forth in claim 2 in which the bottom of the hole is subjected to burning simultaneously with the wall treatment.
4. The method as set forth in claim 2 in which the upper layer of the wall is caused to cokify.
5. The method as set forth in claim 4 in which the cokified layer of the wall is produced in a zone spaced from the bottom of the hole.
6. The method of driving holes in unconsolidated tar sands which comprises combustion in situ of fuel directed toward the tar sand in the presence of an oxygen containing gas to form volatile products and to release sand grains from the tar sand and removing the sand grains by a stream of gas ascending in the hole produced.
7. The method as set forth in claim 6 in which the combustion is carried out to convert an upper layer of the wall of the hole into a structure different from that of the surrounding strata.
Patented May 6, 1958 7 2,833,516 v 3 4 8. The method as 'set forth in claim 7 in which the References Cited in the file of this patent ottom of the hole. is subjected t0v combustion simultaneously with the wall treatment. UNITED STATES PATENTS 9. The mcthodas set forth in claim 7 in which the Re. 22,964 Burch Jan. 20, 1948 upper laycrof the. walhiszeaused tocokify. 5 1,898,926 Aarts et a1. Feb. 21, 1933 10. The method as set forth in claim 7 in which the 2,110,236 Nolan Mar. 8, 1938 cokified layer of the W ll P u d in a z ne p e 2,286,191 Aitchison et a1 June 16. 1942 from the bottom of the hole. 2,327,482 Aitchison et a1. Aug. 24, 1943
Claims (1)
1. THE METHOD OF DRIVING HOLES IN UNCONSOLIDATED TAR SANDS WHICH COMPRISES BURNING ORGANIC SUBSTANCES IN THE TAR IN SITU TO FORM VOLATILE PRODUCTS AND TO RELEASE SAND GRAINS FROM THE TAR SAND, AND REMOVING THE SAND GRAINS BY A STREAM OF GAS ASCENDING IN THE HOLE PRODUCED.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| SE2833516X | 1952-02-21 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| US2833516A true US2833516A (en) | 1958-05-06 |
Family
ID=20427469
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| US298189A Expired - Lifetime US2833516A (en) | 1952-02-21 | 1952-07-10 | Method of driving holes in bituminous strata |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US2833516A (en) |
Cited By (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US2914309A (en) * | 1953-05-25 | 1959-11-24 | Svenska Skifferolje Ab | Oil and gas recovery from tar sands |
| US2967052A (en) * | 1958-03-31 | 1961-01-03 | Phillips Petroleum Co | In situ combustion process |
| US3134435A (en) * | 1960-12-27 | 1964-05-26 | Gulf Research Development Co | Method for stabilizing an incompetent formation |
| DE2805129A1 (en) * | 1978-02-07 | 1979-08-09 | Messerschmitt Boelkow Blohm | Borehole jet piercing in loose soil - using admixture of water glass to hot gas to consolidate casing of borehole walls |
| US20030121701A1 (en) * | 2001-06-18 | 2003-07-03 | Polizzotti Richard S. | Hydrothermal drilling method and system |
Citations (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US1898926A (en) * | 1931-02-02 | 1933-02-21 | Walter Franciscus Cornelis Baa | Method of making bore holes |
| US2110236A (en) * | 1937-11-19 | 1938-03-08 | William E Nolan | Method of drilling and sealing oil wells |
| US2286191A (en) * | 1939-04-18 | 1942-06-16 | Linde Air Prod Co | Mineral piercing and cutting |
| US2327482A (en) * | 1939-04-18 | 1943-08-24 | Linde Air Prod Co | Mineral cutting and piercing |
| USRE22964E (en) * | 1948-01-20 | Method of and apparatus for work |
-
1952
- 1952-07-10 US US298189A patent/US2833516A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Patent Citations (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USRE22964E (en) * | 1948-01-20 | Method of and apparatus for work | ||
| US1898926A (en) * | 1931-02-02 | 1933-02-21 | Walter Franciscus Cornelis Baa | Method of making bore holes |
| US2110236A (en) * | 1937-11-19 | 1938-03-08 | William E Nolan | Method of drilling and sealing oil wells |
| US2286191A (en) * | 1939-04-18 | 1942-06-16 | Linde Air Prod Co | Mineral piercing and cutting |
| US2327482A (en) * | 1939-04-18 | 1943-08-24 | Linde Air Prod Co | Mineral cutting and piercing |
Cited By (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US2914309A (en) * | 1953-05-25 | 1959-11-24 | Svenska Skifferolje Ab | Oil and gas recovery from tar sands |
| US2967052A (en) * | 1958-03-31 | 1961-01-03 | Phillips Petroleum Co | In situ combustion process |
| US3134435A (en) * | 1960-12-27 | 1964-05-26 | Gulf Research Development Co | Method for stabilizing an incompetent formation |
| DE2805129A1 (en) * | 1978-02-07 | 1979-08-09 | Messerschmitt Boelkow Blohm | Borehole jet piercing in loose soil - using admixture of water glass to hot gas to consolidate casing of borehole walls |
| DE2805129C2 (en) * | 1978-02-07 | 1982-10-07 | Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm GmbH, 8000 München | Hot gas drilling process |
| US20030121701A1 (en) * | 2001-06-18 | 2003-07-03 | Polizzotti Richard S. | Hydrothermal drilling method and system |
| US6742603B2 (en) * | 2001-06-18 | 2004-06-01 | Exxonmobil Research And Engineering Company | Hydrothermal drilling method and system |
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