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Mine enhanced hydrocarbon recovery technique

  • US 4,165,903 A
  • Filed: 02/06/1978
  • Issued: 08/28/1979
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/06/1978
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method of extracting from an underground strata hydrocarbons having high in situ viscosity comprising:

  • (1) forming a vertical access shaft from the earth'"'"'s surface to a point below the strata, the diameter of the vertical access shaft being sufficient to permit passage of workmen and machinery;

    (2) mining a horizontal tunnel from the vertical access shaft to a position under the strata;

    (3) establishing at least one drilling station in said horizontal tunnel;

    (4) drilling upwardly from each drilling station a plurality of wells into the strata;

    the drilling including directionally drilling the wells so that each well enters the bottom of the strata spaced apart from the other wells, and each well penetrates the strata substantially vertically and extends to the top of said strata;

    (5) injecting a viscosity reducing agent through at least one well to reduce hydrocarbons in the strata to free flowing liquids;

    (6) withdrawing the free flowing hydrocarbons from the strata through at least one of the wells; and

    (7) pumping the withdrawn free flowing hydrocarbon to the earth'"'"'s surface.

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