The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 17, 1978
Filed:
Jun. 25, 1976
Ching H Wu, Golden, CO (US);
Texaco Inc., New York, NY (US);
Abstract
Disclosed is a method for recovering viscous oil from subterranean, viscous oil containing formations, particularly from shallow formations which overlie water zones. The production well is completed in the entire oil zone and small amount in the water zone. At least two separate injection means are established in the injection well, the first being in communication with the lower part of the oil formation and upper part of the water formation, with the second injection means being in communication with the upper part of the oil formation. Heated air is injected via the first injection means into the lower part of the oil formation near the oil-water interface, the air channeling through the upper part of the water zone and causing an in situ combustion reaction to occur at the oil water contact. Air injection supports an in situ combustion reaction in the oil water contact zone which heats the oil above by conduction as well as hot gas convection through the oil saturated interval. Steam is then injected into the upper portion of the oil saturated interval by the second injection means while continuing injecting air into the lower portion of the formation to expand the burned out zone upward.