Abstract

Successful oil mining will require a producing zone of reasonable thickness. Competence of rock types underlying the reservoir will determine depth limits.

Successful oil mining will make full use of all of the usual primary and secondary drive systems with the added full use of gravity, to recover the 50% or more of the original oil usually left in depleted reservoirs, or to produce from virgin reservoirs.

Careful geologic mapping of jointing and faulting within mine workings should permit a much better understanding of the fracture geology of the reservoir which in turn should permit much better placing of drill holes for optimum production. This should be particularly helpful for limestone reservoirs.

A mine plan should provide for simultaneous mine development, well development, oil production, and utilization of secondary drive systems, either for a virgin or depleted reservoir. The system should provide for full safety of all underground personnel at all times.

U.S. Patent #4,458,945, entitled “Oil Recovery Mining Method and Apparatus” issued July 10, 1985, and the associated divisional patent, patent pending, fully provide for design of a successful oil mine.