Process of maintaining and restoring the pressure in oil and gas fields

摘要

725,611. Pressurising oil fields. UNION RHEINISCHE BRAUNKOHLEN KRAFTSTOFF AKT.-GES., and KRIEGBAUM, O. May 11, 1953 [May 16, 1952], No. 13108/53. Drawings to Specification. Class 85. The gas pressure of an oil field is maintained by generating an inert gas in the productive formation by the combustion of natural gas or oil with oxygen containing gases or compounds splitting off oxygen. In a preferred method, inert gas is passed down through the well to clear it of natural gas, and this inert gas is followed by air under pressure. The mixture of the air and natural gas thus formed in the productive formation is ignited and the combustion regulated by varying the quantity of air injected into the formation. The descending air may be pre-heated by allowing some of the inert flue gas formed by combustion to flow upwards around the well.