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Process and apparatus for electrohydraulic recovery of crude oil

  • US 4,345,650 A
  • Filed: 04/11/1980
  • Issued: 08/24/1982
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/11/1980
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A process for stimulating recovery of crude oil from oil bearing earth formations wherein such oil is incapable of migrating through the formation in commercially producing quantity, said process comprising:

  • locating a pair of electrodes within a well bore, said electrodes being in spaced relation and defining a spark gap therebetween;

    developing first and second electrical charges substantially at the level of the oil bearing earth formation;

    releasing said first electrical charge into said spark gap to render said spark gap conductive;

    releasing said second electrical charge into said conductive spark gap to generate said explosive spark;

    said explosive spark introducing intense shock waves into said oil bearing formation at the level of said formation, said electrical spark generated shock waves being of sufficient magnitude to modify the oil retention quality of said formation sufficiently to release a substantial quantity of oil from the adhesion thereof to the formation;

    introducing hydraulic waves into said oil bearing formation at the level of said formation, said hydraulic waves being generated by said electrical spark simultaneously with said shock waves and traveling through said formation at a rate of speed that is slower as compared to the speed of said shock waves;

    said hydraulic waves inducing released oil to migrate forcibly away from the point of energy introduction of said shock waves and hydraulic waves; and

    producing the migrating oil from adjacent collection wells positioned in spaced, surrounding relation with said point of energy introduction into said formation.

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