US3777816A - Method for the ignition of in-situ combustion for the recovery of petroleum - Google Patents

Method for the ignition of in-situ combustion for the recovery of petroleum Download PDF

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Publication number
US3777816A
US3777816A US00134463A US3777816DA US3777816A US 3777816 A US3777816 A US 3777816A US 00134463 A US00134463 A US 00134463A US 3777816D A US3777816D A US 3777816DA US 3777816 A US3777816 A US 3777816A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
hydrogen peroxide
substance
reacting
water
wellbore
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
Application number
US00134463A
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English (en)
Inventor
A Meier
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Wintershall Dea Deutschland AG
Original Assignee
Deutsche Texaco AG
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Deutsche Texaco AG filed Critical Deutsche Texaco AG
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3777816A publication Critical patent/US3777816A/en
Assigned to RWE-DEA AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT FUR MINERALOEL UND CHEMIE reassignment RWE-DEA AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT FUR MINERALOEL UND CHEMIE CHANGE OF NAME (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). EFFECTIVE: JUNE 8, 1989, GERMANY Assignors: DEUTSCHE TEXACO AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT GMBH
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21BEARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B43/00Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
    • E21B43/16Enhanced recovery methods for obtaining hydrocarbons
    • E21B43/24Enhanced recovery methods for obtaining hydrocarbons using heat, e.g. steam injection
    • E21B43/243Combustion in situ
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C09DYES; PAINTS; POLISHES; NATURAL RESINS; ADHESIVES; COMPOSITIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; APPLICATIONS OF MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • C09KMATERIALS FOR MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATIONS, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
    • C09K8/00Compositions for drilling of boreholes or wells; Compositions for treating boreholes or wells, e.g. for completion or for remedial operations
    • C09K8/58Compositions for enhanced recovery methods for obtaining hydrocarbons, i.e. for improving the mobility of the oil, e.g. displacing fluids
    • C09K8/592Compositions used in combination with generated heat, e.g. by steam injection
    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21BEARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B43/00Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
    • E21B43/16Enhanced recovery methods for obtaining hydrocarbons
    • E21B43/17Interconnecting two or more wells by fracturing or otherwise attacking the formation
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10STECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S44/00Fuel and related compositions
    • Y10S44/901Fuel combined with material to be heated
    • Y10S44/902Flameless or glowless, e.g. hair curler

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to a method of igniting and initiating an in situ combustionina subterra nean hydrocarbon-bearing formation.
  • Successful ignition is generally dependent upon gencrating a" temperature sufficient to support and propagate the combustionfront.
  • Amongthe'techniques-used for initiating the in situ combustion included in the prior art are various types of ignitors such as downhole heaters, electrical heatingxdevices'and combustibles introduced into the well bore. Results from the utilization of many of these techniques have beenless-than satisfactory, primarily due to” the fact that sufficiently high temperatures were not generated to ignite successfullythe formation and establish a combustion front.
  • the invention herein disclosed provides an improved method of'generatingsufficiently high temperatures in a well bore adjacent a hydrocarbon-bearing formation to initiate an in situ combustiontherein.
  • a high temperature is attained by the reaction of a solution of hydrogen peroxide containing water in amounts of from to percent by weight, which solution is contacted" in the well bore with a substance that reacts with the hydrogen peroxide to producean-exothermic reaction.
  • the ignition temperature of the hydrocarbons therein is attained and in situ'combustion is'initiated.
  • a broad aspect of the invention comprises introducing into a well bore penetrating a-hydrocarbon-bearing formation a substance capable of reactingwith hydrogen peroxide whereby the temperature of the formation will be raised at least to the ignition temperature of the hydrocarbons contained therein, and thereafter introducing a solution ofhydrogen peroxide and water containing from 10 to 20 percent by weight of water.
  • the temperature increases until reachingat least the ignition temperature of the hydrocarbons and oxygen which is formed as a result of the thermal decomposiposing the hydrogen peroxide include catalytically active substances and hydrogen peroxide oxidizing or reducing substances.
  • catalytically active substances are substances with large surfaces, manganese dioxide, ferrous salts, catalases and platinum metals finely divided on an inert supporting material. These substances do not undergo substantial changes in the reaction with. hydrogen peroxide or its decomposition process.
  • Examples of hydrogen peroxide oxidizing substances are the permanganates.
  • hydrogenperoxide reducing substances are hydrazine, hydroxylamine and derivatives thereof.
  • the hydrogen peroxide and the reacting substance are contacted within the formation well bore adjacent the hydrocarbon-bearing formation, for example, by lowering the reacting substance via tubing in the well bore and pumping hydrogenperoxide containing water into the formation through the tubing.
  • the reacting substance is in solid form, it is-first broken into pieces and may be introduced in a perforated container.
  • the container is designed as a closedvessel provided with outlet closing means. The container may be lowered either hangingon' a rope or by permitting it to falldown.
  • the substance may be provided with a striker by which the closing or bursting disk or the striker itself is crushed causing the decomposingagent to flow out the underground end of the tubing.
  • the tubing Prior to pumping the hydrogen peroxide containing water down the tubing, the tubing may be flushed by an agent such as paraffin oil to inhibit the decomposition of the hydrogen peroxide prematurely.
  • an internal pipe is run through the tubing to the underground of said tubing.
  • the hydrogen peroxide containing water is pumped down either through the annulus or through the internal pipe, while a liquid decomposing agent, e.g., hydrazine, is pumped down through the annulus or through a second tubing.
  • a liquid decomposing agent e.g., hydrazine
  • the steam developing during the decomposition of the hydrogen peroxide has the advantageous effectof acting as an additional driving agent for the petroleum.
  • a combustion supporting gas e.g., air
  • a water flood to.drive the combustion front toward the production well.
  • said decomposition inhibiting substance is paraffin, polyethylene or bitumen.
  • said decomposition inhibiting substance is paraffin, polyethylene or bitumen.
  • catalytically active substance are substances with large surfaces, manganese dioxide, ferrous salts, catalases and platinum'r'netals, finely divided of an inert supporting material.

Landscapes

  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Geology (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Oil, Petroleum & Natural Gas (AREA)
  • Materials Engineering (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Production Of Liquid Hydrocarbon Mixture For Refining Petroleum (AREA)
  • Treatment Of Water By Oxidation Or Reduction (AREA)
  • Fire-Extinguishing Compositions (AREA)
US00134463A 1970-04-17 1971-04-15 Method for the ignition of in-situ combustion for the recovery of petroleum Expired - Lifetime US3777816A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE2018372A DE2018372C3 (de) 1970-04-17 1970-04-17 Verfahren zur Verbrennung von erdölhaltigen Formationen

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3777816A true US3777816A (en) 1973-12-11

Family

ID=5768285

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00134463A Expired - Lifetime US3777816A (en) 1970-04-17 1971-04-15 Method for the ignition of in-situ combustion for the recovery of petroleum

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US3777816A (de)
CA (1) CA948554A (de)
DE (1) DE2018372C3 (de)
NL (1) NL7104979A (de)

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4453597A (en) * 1982-02-16 1984-06-12 Fmc Corporation Stimulation of hydrocarbon flow from a geological formation
US4867238A (en) * 1988-05-18 1989-09-19 Novatec Production Systems, Inc. Recovery of viscous oil from geological reservoirs using hydrogen peroxide
US4874696A (en) * 1985-10-23 1989-10-17 The Johns Hopkins University, Med School Novel bacterium inducible to produce unique steroid-transforming enzymes: preparation and applications thereof
US20070240880A1 (en) * 2006-04-13 2007-10-18 Olsen Thomas N Sub-Surface Coalbed Methane Well Enhancement Through Rapid Oxidation
US20090008090A1 (en) * 2007-07-06 2009-01-08 Schultz Roger L Generating Heated Fluid
US20090308613A1 (en) * 2008-04-15 2009-12-17 Smith David R Method and apparatus to treat a well with high energy density fluid
CN103244092A (zh) * 2013-04-12 2013-08-14 中国石油天然气股份有限公司 一种强化火烧油层开采稠油油藏的方法
US10081759B2 (en) 2012-10-09 2018-09-25 Eric John Wernimont Method, apparatus, and composition for increased recovery of hydrocarbons by paraffin and asphaltene control from reaction of fuels and selective oxidizers in the subterranean environment

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US24601A (en) * 1859-06-28 Improvement in seeding-machines
US2056894A (en) * 1931-04-14 1936-10-06 Buffalo Electro Chem Co Container for hydrogen peroxide
US2871941A (en) * 1956-11-29 1959-02-03 Texas Co In situ combustion within a subsurface formation containing petroleum hydrocarbons
US3372754A (en) * 1966-05-31 1968-03-12 Mobil Oil Corp Well assembly for heating a subterranean formation
US3583484A (en) * 1969-09-29 1971-06-08 Phillips Petroleum Co Process for igniting hydrocarbon materials within a subterranean formation

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US24601A (en) * 1859-06-28 Improvement in seeding-machines
US2056894A (en) * 1931-04-14 1936-10-06 Buffalo Electro Chem Co Container for hydrogen peroxide
US2871941A (en) * 1956-11-29 1959-02-03 Texas Co In situ combustion within a subsurface formation containing petroleum hydrocarbons
US3372754A (en) * 1966-05-31 1968-03-12 Mobil Oil Corp Well assembly for heating a subterranean formation
US3583484A (en) * 1969-09-29 1971-06-08 Phillips Petroleum Co Process for igniting hydrocarbon materials within a subterranean formation

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
L. F. Audrieth, The Chemistry of Hydrazine, 1951, Pages 129 133. *

Cited By (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4453597A (en) * 1982-02-16 1984-06-12 Fmc Corporation Stimulation of hydrocarbon flow from a geological formation
US4874696A (en) * 1985-10-23 1989-10-17 The Johns Hopkins University, Med School Novel bacterium inducible to produce unique steroid-transforming enzymes: preparation and applications thereof
US4867238A (en) * 1988-05-18 1989-09-19 Novatec Production Systems, Inc. Recovery of viscous oil from geological reservoirs using hydrogen peroxide
US20070240880A1 (en) * 2006-04-13 2007-10-18 Olsen Thomas N Sub-Surface Coalbed Methane Well Enhancement Through Rapid Oxidation
US7431083B2 (en) 2006-04-13 2008-10-07 Schlumberger Technology Corporation Sub-surface coalbed methane well enhancement through rapid oxidation
WO2009009297A2 (en) * 2007-07-06 2009-01-15 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Generating heated fluid
US20090008090A1 (en) * 2007-07-06 2009-01-08 Schultz Roger L Generating Heated Fluid
WO2009009297A3 (en) * 2007-07-06 2010-11-04 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Generating heated fluid
US8235118B2 (en) * 2007-07-06 2012-08-07 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Generating heated fluid
US20090308613A1 (en) * 2008-04-15 2009-12-17 Smith David R Method and apparatus to treat a well with high energy density fluid
US8312924B2 (en) * 2008-04-15 2012-11-20 David Randolph Smith Method and apparatus to treat a well with high energy density fluid
US10081759B2 (en) 2012-10-09 2018-09-25 Eric John Wernimont Method, apparatus, and composition for increased recovery of hydrocarbons by paraffin and asphaltene control from reaction of fuels and selective oxidizers in the subterranean environment
CN103244092A (zh) * 2013-04-12 2013-08-14 中国石油天然气股份有限公司 一种强化火烧油层开采稠油油藏的方法
CN103244092B (zh) * 2013-04-12 2016-08-17 中国石油天然气股份有限公司 一种强化火烧油层开采稠油油藏的方法

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE2018372A1 (de) 1972-04-13
CA948554A (en) 1974-06-04
NL7104979A (de) 1971-10-19
DE2018372B2 (de) 1974-10-17
DE2018372C3 (de) 1975-06-05

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Owner name: RWE-DEA AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT FUR MINERALOEL UND CHEM

Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:DEUTSCHE TEXACO AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT GMBH;REEL/FRAME:005244/0417

Effective date: 19890621