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 PDFInfo
- 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
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 54
- 238000002485 combustion reaction Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 24
- 238000011065 in-situ storage Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 16
- 238000011084 recovery Methods 0.000 title description 5
- 239000003208 petroleum Substances 0.000 title description 3
- MHAJPDPJQMAIIY-UHFFFAOYSA-N Hydrogen peroxide Chemical compound OO MHAJPDPJQMAIIY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 128
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 45
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 36
- 229930195733 hydrocarbon Natural products 0.000 claims abstract description 34
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 31
- 150000002430 hydrocarbons Chemical class 0.000 claims abstract description 24
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 12
- 239000004215 Carbon black (E152) Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 11
- 125000001183 hydrocarbyl group Chemical group 0.000 claims abstract description 10
- 230000000977 initiatory effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 238000000354 decomposition reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 14
- 239000003638 chemical reducing agent Substances 0.000 claims description 12
- OAKJQQAXSVQMHS-UHFFFAOYSA-N hydrazine group Chemical group NN OAKJQQAXSVQMHS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 12
- 230000002401 inhibitory effect Effects 0.000 claims description 12
- -1 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 claims description 12
- 239000004698 Polyethylene Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- 239000010426 asphalt Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N atomic oxygen Chemical compound [O] QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 7
- 239000001301 oxygen Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- 229910052760 oxygen Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 7
- 239000012188 paraffin wax Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- 229920000573 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 claims description 7
- 239000013543 active substance Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- NUJOXMJBOLGQSY-UHFFFAOYSA-N manganese dioxide Chemical compound O=[Mn]=O NUJOXMJBOLGQSY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 6
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- AVXURJPOCDRRFD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Hydroxylamine Chemical compound ON AVXURJPOCDRRFD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000007800 oxidant agent Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- BASFCYQUMIYNBI-UHFFFAOYSA-N platinum Substances [Pt] BASFCYQUMIYNBI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
- 102000016938 Catalase Human genes 0.000 claims description 3
- 108010053835 Catalase Proteins 0.000 claims description 3
- CWYNVVGOOAEACU-UHFFFAOYSA-N Fe2+ Chemical class [Fe+2] CWYNVVGOOAEACU-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 229910052697 platinum Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 3
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 abstract 1
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 abstract 1
- 229960002163 hydrogen peroxide Drugs 0.000 description 42
- 238000005755 formation reaction Methods 0.000 description 27
- 239000000243 solution Substances 0.000 description 13
- 239000003795 chemical substances by application Substances 0.000 description 6
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000005086 pumping Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000001590 oxidative effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000000149 penetrating effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 150000002978 peroxides Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 239000005662 Paraffin oil Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000009172 bursting Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000002347 injection Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B43/00—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
- E21B43/16—Enhanced recovery methods for obtaining hydrocarbons
- E21B43/24—Enhanced recovery methods for obtaining hydrocarbons using heat, e.g. steam injection
- E21B43/243—Combustion in situ
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C09—DYES; PAINTS; POLISHES; NATURAL RESINS; ADHESIVES; COMPOSITIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; APPLICATIONS OF MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- C09K—MATERIALS FOR MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATIONS, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
- C09K8/00—Compositions for drilling of boreholes or wells; Compositions for treating boreholes or wells, e.g. for completion or for remedial operations
- C09K8/58—Compositions for enhanced recovery methods for obtaining hydrocarbons, i.e. for improving the mobility of the oil, e.g. displacing fluids
- C09K8/592—Compositions used in combination with generated heat, e.g. by steam injection
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B43/00—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
- E21B43/16—Enhanced recovery methods for obtaining hydrocarbons
- E21B43/17—Interconnecting two or more wells by fracturing or otherwise attacking the formation
-
- Y—GENERAL 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
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S44/00—Fuel and related compositions
- Y10S44/901—Fuel combined with material to be heated
- Y10S44/902—Flameless 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)
Abstract
A method of initiating in situ combustion in a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation wherein a substance capable of reacting with hydrogen peroxide is introduced into the formation via a well bore and thereafter a mixture of hydrogen peroxide containing from 10 to 20 percent by weight of water is injected to effect an exothermic reaction thereby to increase the temperature of the formation adjacent the well bore to the ignition temperature of the hydrocarbons contained therein and resulting in ignition of those hydrocarbons and the initiation of an in situ combustion.
Description
United States Patent [191 Meier 1.1] 3,777,816 51 Dec .11,1973
[ METHOD FOR THE IGNITION OF IN-SITU COMBUSTION FOR THE RECOVERY OF PETROLEUM [75] Inventor: Albert Meier, Reinbek, Germany [73] Assignee: Deutsche Texaco Alrtiengesellsc haft,
Hamburg, Mittelweg, Germany [22] Filed: Apr. 15, 1971 21 Appl. No.: 134,463
[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Apr. 17, 1970 Germany I 20 18 372.6
[52] US. Cl 166/260, 44/3 R, 166/302 [51] Int. Cl E2lb 43/24 [58] Field of Search 166/260, 261, 302;
l17/97,135;44/3 R, 3 B
[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2/1959 Allen et a1. 166/261 3/1968 McDonald 166/261 10/1936 Bretschger 117/135 2/1959 Lewis 117/97 6/,1971 Jones et a1. 166/260 IOTHER'PUIBLICATIONS L. F. Audrieth, The Chemistry of l-lydrazine, 1951, Pages 129-133.
Primary Examiner-Marvin A. Champion Assistant Examiner-Jack E. Ebel Att0rneyThomas H. Whaley [57] ABSTRACT 22 Claims, No Drawings 1 METHOD FORTHE IGNITION OF lN-S'I'FU COMBUSTION F OR" THE RECOVERY OF PETROLEUM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to a method of igniting and initiating an in situ combustionina subterra nean hydrocarbon-bearing formation.
In modern day production of hydrocarbons from-subterranean formations, it is common practice to apply secondary recovery techniques to recover additionalquantities of hydrocarbons. One of the more common secondary recovery techniques currently employed is that of insitu combustion." in this method of producing hydrocarbons, in situ combustion is initiated in the hydrocarbon-bearing,formation near a well bore penetrating the formation and acombustion front is established. Once the formation has been successfully ignited, a combustion-supporting gas, e.g., an oxygencontaining gas such as compressed air, is injected into the wellbore to support and drive the combustion front through the formation, thereby displacing. the hydrocarbons in the formation toward aproduction well from which they" are produced.
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.
SUMMARY OF THE lN-VEN'IION 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. As a result of the high temperature generated thereby within the formation adjacent the. well bore, the ignition temperature of the hydrocarbons therein is attained and in situ'combustion is'initiated.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBOPIMENT I 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. By the heat set free as a result of the reaction of the .hydrogen peroxide with the aforementioned substance, 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. Examples of 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. Examples of hydrogenperoxide reducing substances are hydrazine, hydroxylamine and derivatives thereof. By the reaction of these latter substances withhydrogen peroxide, heat of reactionis set free contributing advantageously to an additional increase of thetemperature.
In a preferred embodiment 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. If the reacting substance is in solid form, it is-first broken into pieces and may be introduced in a perforated container. If the reacting substance is in liquid form, 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. If the substance contains a liquid decomposing agent, it 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. 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.
In a particular embodiment of the method of the invention 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. Because of the lesser pipe diameter it is economically justified to treat the internal wall of the internal pipe with decomposition inhibiting substances, e.g., paraffin, polyethylene or bitumen.
By pumping water down the combustion rate may be reduced or the combustion process stopped.
Use is made under particular circumstances which have to be established by pilot tests ofthe petroliferous layer to serve as the hydrogen peroxide decomposing agent, thereby saving the need' for charging the decom posing agent from outside.
The steam developing during the decomposition of the hydrogen peroxide has the advantageous effectof acting as an additional driving agent for the petroleum.
Once the formation has been successfully ignited, a combustion supporting gas, e.g., air, is utilized to drive the combustion front forward toward an adjacent production well from which recovery of hydrocarbons is realized. Alternatively, it may be found advantageous to discontinue injection of the combustion supporting gas and use a water flood to.drive the combustion front toward the production well.
I claim:
1. In the production of hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon-bearing formation by means of an in situ combustion. process, said formation being penetrated by a well bore, the method of initiating in situ combustion comprising the steps-of:
a. introducing into said well bore a reducing substance capable of reacting with hydrogen peroxide whereby the temperature of said formation adjacent said well bore will be raised to at least the ignition temperature of said hydrocarbons in said formation by reaction with said hydrogen peroxide,
. introducing into said well bore a solution of hydrogen peroxide and water whereafter said hydrogen peroxide reacts with said reducing substance to raise the temperature of said formation adjacent said well bore to at least the ignition temperature of said hydrocarbons,
c. thereafter introducing a solution of hydrogen peroxide and water, said hydrogen peroxide thereby being thermally decomposed at said temperature and forming oxygen and effecting in situ combustion of said hydrocarbons adjacent said well bore by reaction with said oxygen.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein said solution of hydrogen peroxide and water contains from to weight percent water.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein said reducing substance capable of reacting with said hydrogen peroxide is hydrazine, hydroxylamine, and derivatives thereof.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein said reducing substance capable of reacting with said hydrogen peroxide is introduced into said well bore via a first tubing means and said solution of hydrogen peroxide and water is introduced via a second tubing means.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein said tubing is coated internally with a decomposition inhibiting substance.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein said decomposition inhibiting substance is paraffin, polyethylene or bitumen.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein said reducing substance is introduced into said well bore via a tubing means and said solution of hydrogen peroxide and water is introduced via the annulus formed between tion inhibiting substance is paraffin, polyethylene or bitumen. 7
10. In the production of hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon bearing formation by means of an in situcombustion process, said formation being penetrated by a wellbore having a plurality of tubing means therein, thereby forming an annulus between said tubing means and said wellbore, the method of initiating in situ combustion comprising the steps of:
a. introducing into said wellbore a substance capable of reacting with hydrogen peroxide whereby the temperature of said formation adjacent said wellbore will be raised to at least the ignition temperature of said hydrocarbons in said formation by reaction with said hydrogen peroxide;
b. introducing into said wellbore a solution of hydrogen peroxide and water whereafter the said hydrogen peroxide reacts with said substance to raise the temperature of said formation adjacent said wellbore to at least ignition temperature of said hydrocarbons;
c. thereafter introducing a solution of hydrogen peroxide and water, said hydrogen peroxide thereby being thermally decomposed at said temperature and forming oxygen and effecting in situ combustion of said hydrocarbons adjacent said wellbore by reaction with said oxygen.
11. The method of claim 10 wherein said substance capable of reacting with hydrogen peroxide is introduced via one of said tubing means and thereafter said solution of hydrogen peroxide and water is introduced via another of said tubing means.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein said tubing is coated internally with a decomposition inhibiting substance.
13. The method of claim 12 wherein said decomposition inhibiting substance is paraffin, polyethylene or bitumen.
14. The method of claim 10 wherein said substance capable of reacting with hydrogen peroxide is introduced by one of said tubing means and said solution of hydrogen peroxide and water is introduced into said annulus defined between said tubing means and said wellbore.
15. The method of claim 10 wherein said solution of hydrogen peroxide and water contains from 10 to 20 weight percent of water. 1
16. The method of claim 10 wherein said substance capable of reacting with said hydrogen peroxide is an oxidizing substance.
17. The method of claim 16 wherein said oxidizing substance is a permanganate.
18. The method of claim 10 wherein said substance capable of reacting with said hydrogen peroxide is a reducing substance.
19. The method of claim 18 wherein said reducing substance is hydrazine, hydroxylamine and derivatives thereof.
20. The method of claim 10 wherein said substance capable of reacting with hydrogen peroxide is a component of said hydrocarbons contained in said hydrocarbon-bearing formation.
21. The method of claim 10 wherein said substance capable of reacting with said hydrogen peroxide is a catalytically active substance.
22. The method of claim 10 wherein said catalytically active substance are substances with large surfaces, manganese dioxide, ferrous salts, catalases and platinum'r'netals, finely divided of an inert supporting material.
- It I t l
Claims (21)
- 2. The method of claim 1 wherein said solution of hydrogen peroxide and water contains from 10 to 20 weight percent water.
- 3. The method of claim 1 wherein said reducing substance capable of reacting with said hydrogen peroxide is hydrazine, hydroxylamine, and derivatives thereof.
- 4. The method of claim 1 wherein said reducing substance capable of reacting with said hydrogen peroxide is introduced into said well bore via a first tubing means and said solution of hydrogen peroxide and water is introduced via a second tubing means.
- 5. The method of claim 4 wherein said tubing is coated internally with a decomposition inhibiting substance.
- 6. The method of claim 5 wherein said decomposition inhibiting substance is paraffin, polyethylene or bitumen.
- 7. The method of claim 1 wherein said reducing substance is introduced into said well bore via a tubing means and said solution of hydrogen peroxide and water is introduced via the annulus formed between said tubing means and the face of said well bore.
- 8. The method of claim 7 wherein said tubing is coated internally with a decomposition inhibiting substance.
- 9. The method of claim 8 wherein said decomposition inhibiting substance is paraffin, polyethylene or bitumen.
- 10. In the production of hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon bearing formation by means of an in situ combustion process, said formation being penetrated by a wellbore having a plurality of tubing means therein, thereby forming an annulus between said tubing means and said wellbore, the method of initiating in situ combustion comprising the steps of: a. introducing into said wellbore a substance capable of reacting with hydrogen peroxide whereby the temperature of said formation adjacent said wellbore will be raised to at least the ignition temperature of said hydrocarbons in said formation by reaction with said hydrogen peroxide; b. introducing into said wellbore a solution of hydrogen peroxide and water whereafter the said hydrogen peroxide reacts with said substance to raise the temperature of said formation adjacent said wellbore to at least ignition temperature of said hydrocarbons; c. thereafter introducing a solution of hydrogen peroxide and water, said hydrogen peroxide thereby being thermally decomposed at said temperature and forming oxygen and effecting in situ combustion of said hydrocarbons adjacent said wellbore by reaction with said oxygen.
- 11. The method of claim 10 wherein said substance capable of reacting with hydrogen peroxide is introduced via one of said tubing means and thereafter said solution of hydrogen peroxide and water is introduced via another of said tubing means.
- 12. The method of claim 11 wherein said tubing is coated internally with a decomposition inhibiting substance.
- 13. The method of claim 12 wherein said decomposition inhibiting substance is paraffin, polyethylene or bitumen.
- 14. The method of claim 10 wherein said substance capable of reacting with hydrogen peroxide is introduced by one of said tubing means and said solution of hydrogen peroxide and water is introduced into said annulus defined between said tubing means and said wellbore.
- 15. The method of claim 10 wherein said solution of hydrogen peroxide and water contains from 10 to 20 weight percent of water.
- 16. The method of claim 10 wherein said substance capable of reacting with said hydrogen peroxide is an oxidizing substance.
- 17. The method of claim 16 wherein said oxidizing substance is a permanganate.
- 18. The method of claim 10 wherein said substance capable of reacting with said hydrogen peroxide is a reducing substance.
- 19. The method of claim 18 wherein said reducing substance is hydrazine, hydroxylamine and derivatives thereof.
- 20. The method of claim 10 wherein said substance capable of reacting with hydrogen peroxide is a component of said hydrocarbons contained in said hydrocarbon-bearing formation.
- 21. The method of claim 10 wherein said substance capable of reacting with said hydrogen peroxide is a catalytically active substance.
- 22. The method of claim 10 wherein said catalytically active substance are substances with large surfaces, manganese dioxide, ferrous salts, catalases and platinum metals, finely divided of an inert supporting material.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DE2018372A DE2018372C3 (en) | 1970-04-17 | 1970-04-17 | Process for incinerating petroleum-bearing formations |
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 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA948554A (en) |
| DE (1) | DE2018372C3 (en) |
| NL (1) | NL7104979A (en) |
Cited By (8)
| 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 (en) * | 2013-04-12 | 2013-08-14 | 中国石油天然气股份有限公司 | Method for exploiting heavy oil reservoir by strengthening in-situ combustion |
| 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)
| 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 |
-
1970
- 1970-04-17 DE DE2018372A patent/DE2018372C3/en not_active Expired
-
1971
- 1971-04-14 NL NL7104979A patent/NL7104979A/xx unknown
- 1971-04-15 US US00134463A patent/US3777816A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1971-04-16 CA CA110,589A patent/CA948554A/en not_active Expired
Patent Citations (5)
| 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)
| Title |
|---|
| L. F. Audrieth, The Chemistry of Hydrazine, 1951, Pages 129 133. * |
Cited By (14)
| 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 |
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| US20070240880A1 (en) * | 2006-04-13 | 2007-10-18 | Olsen Thomas N | Sub-Surface Coalbed Methane Well Enhancement Through Rapid Oxidation |
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| WO2009009297A2 (en) * | 2007-07-06 | 2009-01-15 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Generating heated fluid |
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| 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 (en) * | 2013-04-12 | 2013-08-14 | 中国石油天然气股份有限公司 | Method for exploiting heavy oil reservoir by strengthening in-situ combustion |
| CN103244092B (en) * | 2013-04-12 | 2016-08-17 | 中国石油天然气股份有限公司 | Method for exploiting heavy oil reservoir by strengthening in-situ combustion |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA948554A (en) | 1974-06-04 |
| DE2018372C3 (en) | 1975-06-05 |
| DE2018372B2 (en) | 1974-10-17 |
| NL7104979A (en) | 1971-10-19 |
| DE2018372A1 (en) | 1972-04-13 |
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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 |