( 16402 of 16402 ) |
United States Patent | 3,554,285 |
Meldau | January 12, 1971 |
Production and upgrading of viscous oils is effected by heating an underground formation for a period of time sufficient to heat said formation to a temperature of at least about 550.degree. F. and form a substantial heat bank therein. A viscous oil is then flowed into said heated formation and maintained therein for a period of time sufficient to effect a significant reduction in viscosity of the oil. Heating of said formation can be effected by in situ combustion or injection of a heat-bearing fluid, e.g., steam.
Inventors: | Meldau; Robert F. (Bartlesville, OK) |
Assignee: |
Phillips Petroleum Company
( |
Appl. No.: | 04/770,257 |
Filed: | October 24, 1968 |
Current U.S. Class: | 166/258 ; 166/272.3 |
Current International Class: | E21B 43/16 (20060101); E21B 43/243 (20060101); E21b 043/14 (); E21b 043/24 () |
Field of Search: | 166/256,258,261,268,269,272,302,303 |
3072187 | January 1963 | Carr |
3129757 | April 1964 | Sharp |
3174543 | March 1965 | Sharp |
3332482 | July 1967 | Trantham |
3358762 | December 1967 | Closmann |
3394759 | July 1968 | Carey et al. |
3430700 | March 1969 | Satter et al. |
3439741 | April 1969 | Parker |