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A method and apparatus for the improved recovery of oil from porous sub-surface deposits such as tar sands comprising mining and drilling a well with upper and lower horizontal rectangular grids extending outward into the deposit and applying steam heat or super heated crude oil vapor through the lower grid and hot pressurized flue gas through the upper grid. The flue gas and steam or super heated crude oil vapor are produced in a generation facility that provides electricity for the installation from turbine generators, the crude oil for super heating being provided by an initial production from the deposit following flue gas injection. Steam condensate is recycled from the recovered oil to the generation facility thereby reducing the water requirements and environmental pollution, and, where super heated crude oil vapor is used, a portion of the produced crude is used for this purpose.
1. A method for recovery of oil from porous sub-surface formations comprising:
a) mining a vertical shaft through said formation,
b) mining and drilling an upper, horizontal rectangular grid of drift and bore holes outward from said shaft,
c) mining and drilling a lower horizontal, rectangular grid of drift and bore holes outward from said shaft,
d) applying supper heated, pressurized oil vapor through alternate bore holes of said lower grid to heat said formation,
e) simultaneously applying hot, pressurized flue gas through said upper grid to heat said formation and force oil downward,
f) condensing said super heated oil vapor in said formation and recovering heated flowable crude oil mixed with said condensed oil vapor through said lower grid, and
g) recycling a portion of said recovered crude oil as said super heated, pressurized oil vapor.
wherein said upper and lower grids are oriented in a parallel relationship relative to the dip and strike of said sub-surface formation with said drifts aligned with the dip and said bore holes extending perpendicularly to said drifts and aligned with the strike.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein said super heated pressurized oil vapor is applied to the formation at a pressure of 50-100 PSI.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein said hot, pressurized flue gas is applied to the formation at a pressure greater than the prevailing reservoir pressure.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein said formation is heated to a temperature of 100�-650� F. above the ambient temperature of the formation.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein said super heated pressurized oil vapor is produced from crude oil obtained from said porous sub-surface formation and said hot flue gas is produced in conjunction with super heating of said oil vapor.
6. A method for recovery of oil from deep, porous, sub-surface formations:
a) mining a vertical shaft through the entire depth of said formation,
b) mining and drilling a plurality of horizontal rectangular grids of drift and bore holes outward from said shaft at sequential levels in and aligned with the dip and strike of said formation, each sequential pair of girds providing upper and lower boundaries for one interval of said formation,
c) applying a super heated pressurized oil vapor through a lower grid of a pair to heat the interval adjacently above.
d) simultaneously applying hot, pressurized flue gas through an upper grid of a pair to force oil downward in the interval adjacently below,
e) recovering heated flowable oil mixed with condensed super heated pressurized oil vapor from the interval of said formation through the lower grid of the pair,
f) recycling portions of said recovered oil as super heated oil vapor for application to said interval through said lower grid of a pair; wherein said rectangular grids are drilled at at least 50 foot vertical intervals within said formation and are used sequentially from the top of the formation to the bottom to extract oil from each successive interval of formation, the lower grid of one interval becoming the upper grid of the next interval down.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein said super heat pressurized oil vapor is produced from crude oil obtained from said formation by an initial application of hot flue gas.
8. A method for recovery of oil from porous sub-surface formations comprising:
a) mining a vertical shaft through said formation,
b) mining and drilling an upper horizontal rectangular grid of drift and bore holes outward from said shaft,
c) mining and drilling a lower horizontal rectangular grid of drift and bore hole outward from said shaft
d) applying a first hot, pressurized, condensable fluid through alternate bore holes of said lower grid to heat said formation,
e) applying a second hot, pressurized, non-condensable fluid through said upper grid to heat said formation and force oil downward,
f) recovering heated, flowable oil mixed with said first hot, pressurized, condensable fluid through said lower grid,
wherein said upper and lower grids are oriented in a parallel relationship relative to the dip and strike of said sub-surface formation with said drifts aligned with the dip and said bore holes aligned with the strike, and wherein each grid comprises at least one drift extending substantially horizontally from said shaft and a plurality of bore holes extending into said formation from and perpendicular to said drift and wherein said first hot pressurized fluid is super heated crude oil vapor and said second hot pressurized fluid is flue gas, said method further comprising:
g) first applying said flue gas to said formation through said upper grid thereby heating an initial area of said formation and producing a first quantity of crude oil therefrom,
h) collecting said first quantity of crude oil, separating a fraction thereof and super heating said fraction to a super heated vapor state,
i) applying said super heated crude oil vapor to said formation through alternating bore holes of said lower grid to heat said formation while simultaneously applying flue gas to said formation through said upper grid, whereby said flue gas provides an expanding heat chest in an upper portion of said formation and said super heated crude oil vapor condenses in said formation and mixes with in situ crude oil thereby heating said crude oil and reducing its viscosity whereby said crude oil and entrained condensate is recovered through alternating bore holes of said lower grid, said expanding heat chest serving to drive in situ crude oil downward in said formation toward said lower grid, and
j) separating a fraction of said recovered crude oil for continued generation of super heated crude oil vapor applied through said lower grid.
9. The method of claim 8 wherein said flue gas is generated in a facility for and as the result of super heating said crude oil.
10. A method for recovery of oil from deep, porous, sub-surface formations comprising:
a) mining a vertical shaft through the entire depth of a formation,
b) mining and drilling a plurality of horizontal rectangular grids of drift and bore holes outward from said shaft at sequential levels in and aligned with the dip and strike of said formation, each sequential pair of grids providing upper and lower boundaries for one interval of said formation,
c) applying a first hot, pressurized, condensable fluid through a lower grid of a pair to heat the interval adjacently above,
d) applying a second hot, pressurized, non-condensable fluid through an upper grid of a pair to force oil downward in the interval adjacently below,
e) recovering heated flowable oil mixed with said condensed first fluid from the interval of said formation through the lower grid of pair,
f) separating said recovered oil, and
g) recycling portions of said recovered oil;
wherein said rectangular grids are drilled at at least 50 foot vertical intervals within said formation and are used sequentially from the top of said formation to the bottom to extract oil from each successive interval of formation, the lower grid of one interval becoming the upper grid of the next interval downward, and further wherein each of said grids comprises at least one drift mined along the dip of said formation and a plurality of substantially horizontally extending bore holes drilled into said formation perpendicular to said drift and along the strike of said formation, the method further comprising:
h) applying said hot, pressurized condensable fluid to said formation through alternating bore holes of said lower grid, and
i) collecting produced crude oil through bore holes intermediate said alternating bore holes,
wherein the application of said fluid through said alternating bore holes produces pressure sinks in said formation corresponding to the location of said intermediate bore holes whereby in situ crude oil is caused to migrate to said pressure sinks for collection through said intermediate bore holes.
11. The method of claim 50 wherein said alternating bore holes and said intermediate bore holes are reversed such that said hot pressurized condensable fluid is applied through said intermediate bore holes and said crude oil is produced through said alternating bore holes, said reversal of said bore holes producing a reversal of said pressure sinks whereby production of crude oil from said formation is enhanced.
12. The method of claim 10 wherein said first hot, pressurized, condensable fluid is supper heated crude oil vapor obtained by heating crude oil recovered from said formation and said second hot, pressurized, non-condensable fluid is flue gas produced in conjunction with the heating of said crude oil.
13. The method of claim 10 further comprising recycling portions of said recovered oil as said first hot, pressurized, condensable fluid by heating said portions to vapor phase and super heating said vapor for application through a lower grid of a pair.
14. A method for production of oil from a steeply sloping porous sub-surface formation comprising:
a) mining a vertical shaft from the surface through said formation to a lower level thereof,
b) mining a single drift under said formation parallel to and upwardly along the dip of said formation,
c) drilling a plurality of substantially horizontal bore holes along and perpendicular to said drift into said formation and parallel to the strike of said formation,
d) injecting a hot, pressurized, non-condensable fluid into said formation through said bore holes at an up dip location along said drift,
e) recovering an initial flow of crude oil from said up dip bore holes,
f) super heating said initial flow of crude oil and injecting said super heated crude oil into said formation through bore holes at a down dip location along said drift, and
g) recovering produced crude oil from bore holes intermediate said up dip location and said down dip locations along said drift,
whereby said hot, pressurized, non-condensable fluid produces a heat chest in an upper level of said formation which migrates down dip as a pressure front through said formation and whereby said super heated crude oil injected at said down dip location heats in situ crude by conduction and condenses in said crude thereby reducing the viscosity of said crude, said reduced viscosity and said pressurized heat chest combining to force said crude oil out of said formation.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein said hot, pressurized, non-condensable fluid is flue gas.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein said super heated crude oil is injected into said formation in vapor form.
17. The method of claim 16 wherein said flue gas is produced in conjunction with the super heating of said crude oil.
18. The method of claim 14 wherein a portion of said recovered produced crude oil is recycled to said down dip location as super heated crude oil vapor.
This application is a continuation-in-part of copending application Ser. No. 07/621,875, filed Dec. 4, 1990, now abandoned, and priority is claimed therefrom.
The recoverable mineral wealth of this planet is bound up with the geological structure of the Earth's crust in such a way that particular rock layers are indicative of particular mineral types. One of the most important and valuable resources to be found are fossil fuels, coal, oil and gas. In fact oil has become so important to the world economy in this century that its continued supply has taken on strategic importance.
Oil is found around the world in many different types of deposits, from pools under pressure beneath salt dome formations that only require the drilling of a well in order to recover it, to rock formations that bind the oil so strongly that the high heat of a retort is required to separate it. One of the larger and more ubiquitous geological formations associated with the presence of oil deposits are the so-called oil and tar sands, sandstone formations where oil of varying viscosity fills the pores between the individual grains of sand that make up the rock. Other formations containing crude oil such as limestone formations, fractured shales, conglomerates and the like exist and would benefit from the method of the present invention.
Such sands, commonly referred to as tar sands, predominate in areas that were, at one time, the beds of prehistoric seas and typically extend from the surface to depths of about 5,000 feet. They are usually bounded by denser shale formations which prevent seepage of the oil away from the sandstone.
Within the United States, significant tar sand formations are found in California and Utah, among other states, with those in Utah ranging in size from tiny patches to areas covering hundreds of square miles. Estimates of the amount of oil in the Utah formations alone range from about 22 to 30 billion barrels. Reserves of this size are significant and too valuable to ignore. However, recovery of this oil has proved to be a difficult, expensive and environmentally messy proposition.
Because the underground pressures in these formations are low and viscosities relatively to extremely high, simple primary recovery means, such as merely drilling a conventional well are non-productive. Also, since the oil is usually a high pour point, hence a high viscosity, secondary means like water flooding are also non-productive. To date, the most effective method employed has been to physically mine the sands then wash them with vast amounts of hot water or solvent to remove the oil. The water or solvent must then be cleaned before it can be returned to the environment or disposed of. In the case of water, it is almost impossible to successfully remove all the oil residue which means that the remaining water must be left to settle or it will foul the environment. When this use of water is added to the fact that many of the tar sand formations are in arid or semi-arid locations it becomes clear how expensive it can be to make adequate use of these deposits.
Prior art oil recovery from tar sands and the other formations noted have also involved the use of a single hole recovery well surrounded by injection wells for the application of steam, flue gas or solvent to force oil into the recovery well. Other well constructions includes radial designs wherein a large diameter shaft is drilled into the formation with steam or flue gas drifts extending radially outward. Such constructions have employed the "huff and puff" method of recovery wherein hot gas is injected into the arms through conduits to heat and pressurize the formation, then the pressure is released allowing the oil to flow out through the arms into a reservoir at the bottom of the shaft for pumping to the surface through a conduit.
Prior methods have involved the use of heated fluids, but not in the manner contemplated by this invention. Prior art methods employ wells having two dimensional configurations such as those of U.S. Pat. No. 3,040,809, Pelzer, U.S. Pat. No. 3,983,939, Brown, et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 4,577,691, Huang, et al., having no lateral sweep component or radial wells as in U.S. Pat. No. 4,257,650, Allen, U.S. Pat. No. 4,265,485, Boxerman, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,410,216. Allen and Canadian Patent 1,072,442, Prior, which cannot attain a full field symmetry for a symmetrical sweep of the oil from the formation.
Prior methods also employ heated fluids to soften the oil in formation thereby causing it to flow into collection wells. However, such fluids are usually applied at only one level in the formation or one at a time in the manner of huff and puff wells. Furthermore, the prior art well designs do not allow the buildup of an energy cap oriented to the formation for a full sweep thereof by which the present invention achieves its improved yields.
These prior art methods, while marginally effective, are time consuming and inefficient, their maximum recovery rates being only about 30% of the oil present in the less viscous oil sands. For example, in the case of huff and puff wells, the heat level necessary to raise formation temperatures sufficiently often yields in situ distillation of the crude in the immediate vicinity of the arms, which results in the formation of heavy tar and paraffin deposits which clog the formation and prevent oil flow. Wells that employ flue gas with sufficient oxygen to support in situ combustion also suffer this problem. In the case of tar sands wherein the trapped oil is in the form of highly viscous bitumen, recovery has been only on the order of 1-5% using expensive and environmentally dirty methods of mining and washing. Because of this, the more viscous tar sands have been primarily used directly as bitumen paving material.
A further deficiency of radial wells is the continuously increasing distance between the arms as they extend outward. This makes efficient heat flooding of the formation and consequent oil recovery extremely difficult and renders such wells extremely susceptible to pressure breakthrough between the arms close to the main shaft. Such breakthrough disturbs the pressure symmetry across the field rendering an even sweep difficult, if not impossible. Single recovery wells surrounded by vertical injection bores suffer similarly since the heat or gas applied to the formation extends radially in all directions, not just toward the well bore.
Another problem with current methods of tar sand recovery is the heat produced. Waste heat and flue gas from processing the sands and coking the recovered oil is evacuated to the atmosphere contributing to chemical and thermal pollution. Alternatively, cooling facilities and gas scrubbers must be constructed on site in order to protect the environment.
The inventor herein has developed a method and apparatus that overcomes the deficiencies of the prior methods of oil and tar sand recovery permitting efficient and environmentally clean recovery of petroleum bound therein at levels heretofore unexpected and unobtainable by previous methods.
The present invention is an advanced, enhanced recovery technique for the production of crude oil reservoirs and bitumen from tar sands and other formations, heavy crude oil reservoirs and abandoned oil reservoirs which may still contain as much as 60% of their original reserve. Such reservoirs have historically been low yielding with regard to the crude oil, tar and bitumen they have given up to present day production methods.
The technique is centered around the use of steam and hot flue gases or super heated crude oil vapors and hot flue gases applied at different levels within the formation to liquify the oil and drive it out of the interstices. Toward this end, a vertical well is mined and upper and lower grids of bore holes extended outward therefrom in a specific pattern.
The technique of this invention raises the temperature of the reservoir with two hot fluids applied simultaneously, one at the crest of the oil bearing formation and the other at the base of the formation. Waste heat in the form of flue gas from the steam boiler or super heater is injected into the crest of the formation through the upper grid and the steam or super heated oil vapors are injected through the lower grid into the base of the formation. The hot flue gas scrubs the attic of the formation and forms a pressurized heat chest actually distilling a portion of the crude oil in situ. Gravity segregates this portion and creates a bank of fluid forcing it downward to the lower symmetrical grid. The bore holes of the lower grid alternate as heating and producing holes with the steam or super heated crude oil vapors which permeate the oil bearing formation, exchange the latent heat to the crude oil in situ as the vapors condense and are absorbed by or mix with the crude oil lowering its viscosity.
The liquid mixture of crude oil and condensed vapors, whether from steam or super heated crude, is collected in a main shaft gathering tank and pumped to the surface. A portion of the steam or oil vapor may be channeled through coils in the storage tank to keep the oil warm and flowable and can then be condensed and recycled. In the case of steam usage, the condensate from the lower grid that is mixed with oil is scrubbed in a separation facility to remove the oil, which then goes to a treatment facility, and the condensate is recycled through the boiler to reform as steam for reintroduction to the grid. By recycling the water in this manner, the volume required is kept to a minimum, only occasional make up volume is necessary to replace that lost through evaporation and harm to the environment is significantly reduced. Where super heated crude oil vapor is used, the condensate is completely miscible with the recovered crude thereby eliminating further treatment. A portion may be drawn off for super heating and introduction as vapor into the reservoir.
A further environmentally significant feature of the present invention involves the flue gas from the burners firing the boiler that is injected into the upper grid to push the oil downward. The formation acts as a filter for the gas, removing the need for separate SO2 and NOx scrubbers. Expressed oil is recovered from the lower grid into a holding tank at the bottom of the well from where it is pumped to the surface. Associated hydrocarbon gasses are also recovered and piped to the boiler as additional burner fuel, or for use in producing the super heated vapors injected to the lower grid.
Most of the heat delivered to the lower grid remains in the rock of the oil bearing formation and moves upward via conduction. Eventually, the entire formation will be heated. As crude oil is removed from the formation by alternately injecting and producing the lower grid bore holes, additional crude oil is forced into the voided porosity of the formation as the flue gas heat chest expands from above. This process will eventually void the entire reservoir of crude oil leaving only flue gas and a small residue of oil on the rock. Depending on the stabilized temperature reached and the nature of the crude oil, recoveries will be in the range of 80% to 95% of the original oil in place.
Installations of this type also have electricity requirements for pumps, compressors, fans and the like. Accordingly, it is also an object to incorporate into the apparatus a generation plant driven by the steam produced from the boiler. Thus the steam, before it is sent to the lower grid, passes through the generating plant. This serves two purposes; first, the generation of electricity needed for the installation and the surrounding area, and second, the moderation of the steam temperature. Excessive heat is to be avoided to prevent in situ distillation of the crude oil which would result in heavy deposits that would clog the pores of the rock formation and restrict or prevent oil flow therefrom.
It is therefor an object to provide a method for the improved recovery of crude oil from oil and tar sand and other formations.
It is a further object to provide a method for such recovery that is energy efficient and environmentally safe.
It is a still further object to provide a method whereby recovery of oil from such formations is on the order of 50-95% of the trapped crude.
And it is a still further object to provide a low gravity, crude oil tertiary production system for efficient recovery of oil from oil and tar sands and other formations that is economically and energy efficient, conservative of water, environmentally safe and provides significant increases in yield over prior systems.
FIG. 1 is a horizontal perspective view of a prefered well configuration of the present invention illustrating the upper and lower grid configuration.
FIG. 2 is a horizontal perspective view of an alternative well employed with the method of the present invention.
FIG. 3 illustrates a lower drift and bore hole relationship of the well of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a vertical cross section of a well emplacement according to the present invention illustrating the down hole elements and piping of the well.
FIG. 5 is a horizontal representation of a typical drift of the well of the present invention.
FIG. 6 illustrates the detail of connection between bore holes and drifts of the well configuration of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of the surface equipment configuration employed with the well of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is an isobaric cross section of a formation under production by the method and well configuration of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is an isobaric cross section or a formation under production as in FIG. 8 with the injection and production bore holes reversed.
FIG. 10 is a schematic representation of a generation and heating plant employed in conjunction with the well.
FIG. 11 is a schematic representation of an oil/water separation and oil treatment facility employed with the generation and heating plant and the well.
FIG. 12 is a graph of the production rate of a radial flow well.
FIG. 13 is a graph of the production rate of a well according to the present invention.
According to FIG. 1, the well is constructed in the following manner. A large diameter vertical main shaft 1 is mined and cased from the surface 9, through the oil bearing strata 6 at least to the bottom of the formation. Preferably shaft 1 extends approximately 50 feet below the strata 6. The casing may be a sprayed on material such as gunite. A second shaft 7 may be provided for emergency access and egress. Outward from opposite sides of the main shaft 1 and extending along the dip 42 of the strata 6 are mined two drifts 2, 4, an upper drift and a lower drift 4. Upper and lower bore holes 3, 5 extend in a plane parallel to the strike 90 degrees on either side of their respective drifts 2, 4 to form upper and lower grids each with a rectangular arrangement. The distance separating the upper and lower grids will depend on the permeability of the rock and may be the entire thickness of the deposit or any distance between the upper and lower limits thereof. However, all distances are included herein and 10 feet between the upper and lower grids is considered to be the minimum necessary. Where the tar sand deposit thickness and permeability dictate, the deposit will be tapped in stages from top to bottom in increments, the thickness of those increments will be dependent on the permeability of the rock. In such a case, a first set of grids will be mined and drilled and the oil extracted from the intervening formation. When this level has tapped out, another grid will be mined and drilled below the first lower grid. This will form the lower grid of the second level while the first lower grid will become the upper grid of the second level. This procedure will be continued over time to the bottom of the formation.
Where the dimensions and permeability of the oil bearing strata 6 permit, only one set of upper 2 and lower 4 drifts with their associated bore holes 3 and 5 need be mined and drilled. In such instances the upper drift 2 will preferably be mined above the strata 6 and along its dip 42 with the bore holes 3 drilled downward therefrom into the strata 6 and horizontally relative to the drift 2 along the strike 41 of strata 6. The bore holes 3 will normally be drilled on either side of drift 2 and will be parallel and equidistant to one another.
Lower drift 4 will preferably be mined below the oil bearing strata 6 along the dip 42 and parallel to upper drift 2. Bore holes 5 will be drilled upwardly into the strata 6 then horizontally along the strike 41. As with upper bore holes 3, lower bore holes 5 will normally extend from either side of drift 4 and be parallel and equidistant to one another.
Each of the drifts 2, 4 is cased like the main shaft while the bore holes 3, 5 are preferably open and uncased to allow for inflow of the flue gas and heat and outflow of the oil. By leaving the bore holes uncased, their full length is open to the formation for injection of heat and flue gas and removal of oil. In some formations, such as unconsolodated conglomerates, it may be necessary to case the bore holes 3,5. In such instances a casing of sand screen or mesh is preferred to maintain their open nature.
FIG. 2 illustrates a well configuration for use in a formation having a relatively thin oil bearing strata 6 with a steep dip 42, or angle relative to the surface. In such a formation the main shaft 1 is mined downward at the lower end of the strata 6 and a single drift 4 is mined up the dip 42 under the strata 6 until it reaches the upper end. As with the standard configuration of FIG. 1, bore holes 5 are drilled outward from the drift 4 into the strata 6 along the strike 41. Where the dip 42 is steep enough, only one grid of drift 4 and bore holes 5 will be needed as the bore holes will serve for both injection of flue gas and steam or superheated crude oil vapor and production holes in a manner to be described later. A second shaft 7 may also be provided along the drifts 2, connecting them to the surface for emergency access and egress.
FIG. 3 illustrates a drift and bore hole relationship; in this instance lower drift 4 and one set of bore holes 5. Steam or super heated crude oil vapor header 14, production header 18 and flue gas injection header 45 are shown extending along drift 4.
In FIG. 4, the down hole elements associated with main shaft 1, upper drift 2 and lower drift 4 are shown. At the bottom of main shaft 1 is located crude oil gathering tank 10, production pump 11 and production piping 12 connecting to the surface. In addition, an insulated hot flue gas header 15 connects to valves 46 in all of the upper bore holes 3, a first production header 18a connects to valves 17a in the upper bore holes 3 and a second production header 18b connects to valves 17b in the lower bore holes 5 of lower drift 4. Both production headers 18a and 18b empty into crude oil gathering tank 10 from which also extends a produced gas vent line 13 connecting the tank 10 to a vapor recovery system 38 which is preferably part of the surface equipment shown in FIG. 7. Insulated header 14 conveys steam or superheated crude oil vapors from the surface equipment to valve 16 at each of the lower bore holes 5 in lower drift 4. It is preferred that all valves 16, 17a, 17 b and 46 will be automated or remotely actuatable.
Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the relationship between the bore holes 3, 5 and their respective flue gas and steam or superheated crude oil vapor lines 14 and 15 together with the production lines 18a and 18b can be seen. Each bore hole 3 and 5 is drilled substantially horizontally from its respective drifts 2, 4 the connection thereto being through a header comprising a grouted flange 22 and a matching valve assembly flange 21. Bore holes 3, 5 may include a grouted conductor pipe 23 extending from the flanges 21, 22 into the bore hole 3, 5. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 the bore holes 5 of the lower grid may be drilled at a slight upward angle relative to the horizontal to assist in the flow of oil and condensate therefrom. Such an upward angle will have no adverse effect on the subsequent use of lower grid bore holes as an upper grid in formations that are tapped in sequential layers.
The flue gas and steam or super heated vapor lines 15, 14 connect to the bore holes 3, 5 through their respective valves 46 and 16 associated with valve flange 21. The flanges 21 have additional valves 17a and 17b below the valves 16 or 46 for outflow of oil and condensate. These outflow valves 17a and 17b connect to production lines 18a and 18b in the drifts that flow to storage tank 10 at the bottom of main shaft 1.
Both the flue gas pipe and the steam or superheated vapor pipe, represented by pipe 24 in FIG. 6, are perforated along their lengths, valves 16 or 46 at their inner ends allow for control of flow therein dependent on the stage of injection or production. The valves may be controlled from the surface and their inclusion at each bore hole permits greater control of heat and pressure levels in the well. The flue gas pipe is preferably rated for 50-100 PSI while the steam and super heated vapor pipe may have a lower rating on the order of 10-50 PSI, but may also be of a higher rating when necessary, such as 150 PSI. When necessary, support members for the respective pipes may be included and it is preferred that these pipes be constructed in sections to facilitate insertion and removal.
FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate the relationship between the drifts 2 and 4 and bore holes 3 and 5 and is equally applicable to the comparable portions of both upper and lower grids. The main lines for flue gas, steam, super heated vapor and oil production may feed all or part of the bore hole pipes in a particular grid and connect to the fluid sources at the surface or the collection tank 10 depending on whether it is feeding an upper grid or a lower grid or producing oil. If necessary, a plurality of main lines may be employed, each feeding a portion of the grid and each controlled by separate valves. Thermal sensing devices may be inserted into the formation between the bore holes for measuring the temperature of the formation, this data being used to regulate heat flow. Other sensors may be included at various points within the steam and flue gas lines to monitor temperatures and pressure for control purposes. The arrangement of the bore holes 3, 5 extending from each drift 2, 4 may be regular, or alternating.
At the bottom of the main shaft 1 is storage tank 10 into which the recovered oil flows from the grids through conduits 18a and 18b and which may include a heat exchange coil. A portion of the steam or super heated vapor supplied to the lower grid is preferably drawn off from conduits 15 or 14 to pass through this heat exchange coil which is submerged in the crude oil in tank 10. In the coil the steam or vapor condenses giving off heat to the surrounding oil to keep it fluid. The resulting condensate is then pumped to the surface for re-use. If superheated crude oil vapor is used instead of steam, it may be injected into the oil collected in tank 10, it being completely miscible therewith. When oil in tank 10 includes water from steam that has condensed in the bore holes 5 and flushed the oil into the tank 10, this oil/water combination is sent to the surface by pump 11 where it is separated, with the water being recycled in the system and the oil treated by coking, refining or the like. In the case of any pumps used, it is preferred that there be back-ups for use in the event of failure of the primary unit. Finally, conduit 13 conveys evolved hydrocarbon gases to the surface. These gases may be stored or directed to the generation or oil treatment plant as additional fuel. A compressor is placed in the hydrocarbon gas line 13 to drive hydrocarbon gases to the surface and to maintain a constant reduced pressure on tank 10 which in turn maintains a reduced pressure on the producing bore holes.
FIG. 7 illustrates a surface equipment configuration for use with the well configuration as described and in the method employing super heated crude oil vapor as the lower grid heat source. In this configuration crude oil delivered from the crude oil gathering tank 10 through pump 11 and discharge line 12 is treated at a three-phase gas-oil-water separator 28. Waste water 36 may be sent to a disposal well or, when required, used for steam production. A portion of the crude oil 44 will go to storage 29 for eventual sale and a portion 35 will be sent to the crude oil super-heater feed storage 30. Separated gas 34 will be sent to the super heater 31 fuel gas supply. Crude oil delivered to super heater storage 30 will be automatically transferred to the crude oil super-heater 31 as required. As the crude oil is distilled and the vapors become super-heated, they will reach a preset pressure which will allow them to exit the super heater 31 through an appropriate valve. As the super heated vapors leave the super heater 31 by of way of insulated header 14, additional crude oil feed will be delivered to super heater 31. The undistilled heavy ends of the crude will be continuously drawn off from super heater 31 and returned to storage 29 via return line 37. Preferably, this automatic drawing off of the heavy ends will be accomplished using a "head" switch which monitors the specific gravity of the fluid in super heater 31. This hot undistilled crude will serve as a heat source for three phase separator 28 by passing through a heat exchanger within separator 28 on its way to storage 29. Preferably, super heater 31 will operate at temperatures up to 650� F. and pressures up to 150 pounds per square inch. A portion of the flue gas from super heater 31 will be sent to a compressor 40 and then delivered to insulated header 15 for injection into the oil bearing strata 6 via bore holes 3. Vapor recovery system 38 will receive gases by way of vent line 13 from crude oil tank 10 and will deliver those gases through pipe 33 to super heater fuel supply 32.
Alternative surface installations are illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11 and comprise a steam generation plant 141 and an oil/water separation and oil treatment facility 142, respectively.
The steam generation plant 141 comprises a boiler 143 fired by coal, oil, gas or other, preferably local fuel. In the case of the Utah locations, compliance or low sulphur coal is readily available. Also, recovered gas from line 13 may be used as fuel. The primary fuel enters the burners 144 for the boiler 143 at 145 with water supplied to the boiler 143 at 146. Secondary fuel such as hydrocarbon gas recovered from the well through conduit 13, may be fed to the burner 144 at 147. The water fed to the boiler 143 will initially be new water to get the system started. However, once it is operational, most of the water fed in through 146 will be recycled condensate from the storage tank heat exchange coil and water recovered from the oil/water condensate mixture in the separator portion 163 of the separation/treatment facility 142.
Hot flue gas from the burner 144 exits through a flue 148 and may pass through a preliminary particulate separator 149 before entering a compressor 150. Hot pressurized gas exits the compressor 150 and is sent to the upper grid bore holes 3 via conduit 15. The compressor 150 may be electrically powered or, and more preferably, may be powered from a steam turbine 151 which also drives a generator 152 on a common axle 153. The steam turbine 151 itself is powered by steam produced in the boiler 143 and directed to the turbine 151 through line 154.
After performing work in the turbine, the steam or waste heat is then sent to the lower grid bore holes 5 of the well or to recovered oil storage through line 155 which may connect with the main steam line 14 in the main shaft 1.
The main portion of the steam produced in the boiler 143 exits through line 156 into a heat balancing system which may comprise a heat exchanger 157. In this manner the correct heat level going to the lower grid bore holes 5 may be maintained to prevent in situ distillation of the crude. After passing through the heat balancing system, the steam is sent to the lower grid bore holes 5 through the main line 14. Additional heat and steam may be added from a generator system comprising a turbine 158, compressor 159 and generator 160. In this system, steam from the boiler 143 enters turbine 158 through line 161. The turbine drives compressor 159 and generator 160 on a common axle 162. Steam and waste heat exiting the turbine 158 are pressurized in compressor 159 and added to steam flow in main line 14 or sent to oil storage as above to keep recovered oil fluid. Electricity produced by generators 152 and 160 is used to power equipment on site or is supplied to the local electrical grid.
The oil/water separation and oil treatment facility 142 shown in FIG. 11 is connected to the entire system between the well and the steam generation plant 141. This facility comprises a separation means 163 and an oil treatment means 164. The separation means 163 may be any process or apparatus that physically separates oil and water within a confined facility thereby allowing for recovery and subsequent re-use of the water. The oil/water combination retrieved from the well through conduit 13 enters the separator 163 at 165. Water removed from the oil exits at 166 and is fed to the boiler 143 by a connecting line to 146. Separated oil goes to a treatment means 164 through connecting line 167 for refining, coking, etc., the final product being retrieved at 168. The oil treatment means may be fueled through line 169 by any appropriate fuel, including recovered hydrocarbon gas from the well, or, if only heat energy is needed, it may be taken from the cogeneration plant and fed in through line 170. Any hot flue gas generated by this facility is taken from line 171 and is added to that from the cogeneration plant 141 in line 15 for injection into the upper grid bore holes 3, while waste heat from line 172 is added to the steam/heat line 14 either directly or through heat exchanger such as 157, for delivery to the lower grid bore holes 5 or to line 155 for delivery to oil storage.
Clearly, any excess heat and hydrocarbon fuel gas beyond that needed by the system can be used to provide heat and fuel for the rest of the facility including living quarters, maintenance buildings and the like. Also, waste heat from the turbines and other heat generators is used in heat tracing lines that parallel oil and steam lines in the system and production facilities. In addition, excess hydrocarbon fuel gas may be purified and shipped off site as a product of the well.
While the physical size of the well structure may be variable depending on conditions at the site, it is preferred that the main shaft 1 be on the order of 10 feet in diameter and the drifts 2, 4 have a 7 to 8 foot diameter. A combination elevator and lifting mechanism is includable to provide access and for placement and recovery of equipment. The bore holes 3, 5 need only be of small diameter sufficient to accommodate flue gas and steam pipes as described and allow for the flow of oil. Four to six inch diameter bore holes 3, 5 with two inch steam and flue gas pipes are preferred with the main line pipes 14, 15 and 18 in the drifts 2, 4 being 4-8 inch, non-perforated, thermally wrapped pipe stock rated for the necessary pressures. Spacing of the bore holes 3, 5 again depends on the condition of the formation, notably its permeability, but will preferably be 100 to 1,000 feet. When present, the thermal sensing devices will be located mid-way between the bore holes.
In some locations, tar sands have an exposed, substantially vertical face and run back into an outcropping in a manner similar to a coal seam. Where these types of formations occur and present a face that is totally above ground, the vertical shaft may be omitted. Instead, the exposed face may be sealed, as with gunite, and the grids mined and drilled directly into the formation. A recovery tank will be located at the base of the vertical face, while the treatment and generation facility may be also at the base or located on the surface over the formation.
The oil recovery technique of this invention raises the temperature of the oil in formation with two hot fluids applied simultaneously at the crest and the base of the oil bearing strata. Waste heat in the form of flue gas from the super heater or steam boiler is injected into the crest of the formation while super heated crude oil vapor or steam is injected into the lower horizontal symmetrical grid. The hot flue gas scrubs the attic of the formation and forms a pressurized heat chest which actually distills a portion of the crude oil, segregates it by gravity and creates a bank of fluid forcing the oil downward to the lower symmetrical grid.
The initial injection of hot flue gas into the upper bore holes 3 will result in an initial production of oil from the upper bore holes 3 through valve 17a into production line 18a. This initial production can be recovered and processed through either the super heater assembly of FIG. 7 or the separator and steam generation facility of FIGS. 10 and 11 for the generation of super heated crude oil vapors or steam which are injected into lower bore holes 5 to initiate full production.
The lower grid bore holes 5 are alternately heated and produced as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 by the steam or super heated crude oil vapors. These hot fluids permeate the oil bearing strata, exchange latent heat to the crude oil and are either absorbed by the in situ crude oil, in the case of the super heated vapors thereby lowering the viscosity through heat and miscibility, or flush the softened crude out of formation in the case of the condensed steam.
The liquid mixture of crude oil and condensed vapors or steam is gathered in the crude oil gathering tank 10 in main shaft 1 from which it is sent to separation and super heating or storage. Most of the heat delivered to the lower grid remains in the rock of the oil bearing strata and migrates upward by conduction as the flue gas cap pushes downward to eventually heat the entire formation. The expanding heat chest forces additional crude from the upper portion of the strata into the voided and heated porosity of the lower strata thus flushing the entire formation. The rectangular symmetry of the grid structure provides the most effective sweep possible and keeps the operating pressures substantially evenly distributed across the field. This, coupled with the low operating pressures necessary in this system allow a high rate of production with a significantly reduced tendency toward a premature break through of the injected fluids.
Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the isobaric cross section of a producing field is shown as the lower grid bore holes 5 are alternated between injection and production. In FIG. 8 flue gas injection 25 is delivered to the gas cap 19 through upper grid bore holes 3. Lower grid bore holes 5 alternate between injection of super heated crude oil vapors or steam 26 and production of oil 27. Due to the pressure difference between the injection bore holes 26 and the production bore holes 27, pressure sinks are produced between the injection holes 26 causing oil to be drawn out through the production holes 27. This action is further assisted by keeping a slightly reduced pressure in oil gathering tank 10. The cross section of FIG. 9 has the same configuration as that of FIG. 8 except that the injection 26 and production 27 bore holes have been reversed. Such alternating reversal of injection and production holes in the lower grid tends to produce a pumping action which further helps to draw the crude oil out of the formation.
In the case of the steeply sloping formation depicted in FIG. 2 where only one grid is used, the gas cap is formed at the upper end of the formation by first injecting flue gas through the up dip bore holes at that end of the field. Production can be conducted sequentially down the dip of the field by changing bore holes from production to gas injection as the gas cap progresses, or, if the size of the field permits, the up dip bore holes may be used for gas cap injection and the down dip holes for oil production.
The method wherein super heated crude oil vapors are applied to the lower grid is preferred over the use of steam particularly in arid or semi-arid regions as it reduces or eliminates the need for water in the system. Ground water produced with the oil and separated therefrom can be returned to the ground or used in other processes. Where the steam method is used, again ground water produced with the oil is recyclable in the system which reduces the outside water requirement and eliminates the problem of waste water disposal. The use of super heated crude oil vapors is also preferred in view of the miscibility of such vapors with the in situ oil and the reduced requirements for outside raw materials or fuel.
Of the heat energy produced by the steam generation plant or the super heater facility, 100% is utilized in the system to either generate electricity or produce crude oil. The energy breakdown related to use is: 40-60% of the heat energy as steam used to produce electricity, 20-30% as steam or super heated vapor to heat the lower grid, and 20-30% as hot pressurized flue gas injected into the formation through the upper grid. Because of this total usage with all the combustion products and heat energy being injected into the formation or used to keep stored oil fluid and steam water being recycled, the environmental problems normally associated with the burning of fossil fuels and oil recovery from tar sands are avoided. Produced gases, particularly SO2 and NOx, are filtered by the reservoir rock as they move through the formation, all heat is transferred to the formation and the oil therein, or used elsewhere in the facility, instead of wasted to the atmosphere, and any hydrocarbon gases generated are captured and used as fuel or processed for other use.
It is noted that circumstances may arise wherein additional or alternative pressurized fluids may, of necessity, be applied to the upper grid, fluids such as natural gas or even compressed air. In such circumstances, it is considered to be within the teaching of this invention to include such additional or alternative fluids. Similarly, whereas it is anticipated that the steam or super heated vapors and flue gas will provide sufficient heat for the extraction of oil from the formations, at times it may become necessary to increase the boiling point of the water used to generate steam applied to the lower grid. This would be more likely in the case of the high viscosity, bituminous tar sands. In such instances additives, such as ethylene glycol and the like, having the effect of raising the boiling point of water, and thereby the temperature of the steam, may be added to the boiler water.
Tests indicate that tar sand deposits, such as those in Utah, hold an average of 1500 Bbl/acre foot of formation, the range being 1100-1800 Bbl/acre foot. Therefore, given a single 40 acre tract at 200 foot thickness, the amount of oil in such a section equals approximately 12�106 Bbl. Oil recovery using the well system and method of this invention is estimated to be 50-80% or 6�106 Bbl to 9.6�106 Bbl at a rate of 5,000-35,000 Bbl/day for each 40 acre abstract. Actual amounts of oil present in the formation and recoverable depend on the geological structure and porosity of the rock. Carrying the above figures on to a full 160 acre tract where the main shaft 1 has two sets of drifts extending in opposite directions among the dip 42 and where each drift serves two 40 acre sections, a single well thereby covering 160 acres, the yield is 24.0�106 Bbl to 38.4�106 Bbl. Applying these calculations to the broader range, the recovery capable with this system is 4.4�106 to 11.5�106 Bbl from a 40 acre tract, a full 160 acre system delivering 17.6�106 to 46.0�106 Bbl. With thicker deposits, the yield will clearly be even greater. As shown in the following example, preliminary tests on samples from the White Rocks area of Utah indicate that the system of this invention will produce yields of at least 50% and possibly as high as 90% of the oil in formation, far in excess the 1-30% recovery rates encountered with prior methods.
Samples of tar sand native to Duchesne County, Utah were obtained and tested by TerraTek Geoscience Services of Salt Lake City, Utah under routine core analysis. The samples tested were plugs taken from two blocks of tar sand outcrop material.
Residual water was removed and measured by means of the solvent distillation extraction technique using toluene. Remaining tar was removed by flushing with chloroform/methanol azeotrope. Porosities were determined by measuring grain volumes in a helium expansion porosimeter using Boyle's Law and bulk volumes in mercury using Archimedess' principle. Permeabilities to nitrogen gas were measured in a Hassler sleeve using an orifice-equipped pressure transducer to monitor downstream flow. The analysis results are presented in Table-1.
TABLE 1______________________________________Preliminary Sample Analysis Oil Water Permea-Sample Block Porosity saturation saturation bilityNo. No. % % % md______________________________________1 1 23.6 74.3 7.6 11692 1 23.4 75.4 7.0 23703 2 23.3 64.9 15.2 21844 2 23.0 71.9 11.2 4045______________________________________ NOTE: Samples 2 and 4 were jacketed in lead sleeve.
Following the preliminary analysis above, a fifth sample, taken from Block No. 2, was tested using an experimental setup to duplicate the method of this invention as it would be applied in the field.
A two inch diameter sample was pressed into an elastomeric sleeve and clamped in place to ensure that gas would not bypass the sand. Steel end caps closed the ends with the upper cap having fittings for pressurization and the lower cap having ports for oil to run out through and to allow insertion of a thermocouple. The sample thus prepared was supported inside a length of six inch diameter steel pipe on top of the heat exchanger of a coal fired forced air furnace. The heat exchanger temperature was in the range of 800�-900� F. resulting in a core temperature of 150�-300� F., heat transfer taking place by convection.
As a pressuring gas introduced at the top of the sample, nitrogen was used. This was preheated by passing a six foot section of the delivery tube through the furnace flue. The test data of core temperature, nitrogen flow rate and pressure is summarized in Table-2.
TABLE 2______________________________________Test Data Flow rate PressureTime Core Temp. �F. CFH PSI______________________________________ 8:15 175 4 20 8:28 186 5 20 8:30 193 6 21 9:00 205 7 21 9:45 212 9 2110:15 229 10 2110:30 228 10.5 2110:45 233 11 2111:15 241 11 2112:00 264 13.5 2312:16 260 15 2312:45 266 16 24______________________________________
The increasing gas flow rate as a function of time indicates that the oil and water are being pushed out providing more paths for gas flow through the sand.
Following this treatment, the sample was provided to TerraTek for routine analysis as described above. Table-3 summarizes this analysis.
TABLE 3______________________________________Analysis After Extraction Oil Water Permea-Sample Block Porosity saturation saturation bilityNo. No. % % % md______________________________________5 2 23.0 35.6 30.8 1479______________________________________
Comparing the analysis of Table-3 with extraction analysis results in Table-1, it is shown that the method of the invention succeeded in extracting 50% of the oil contained by the sample in only 41/2 hours at low pressure and the relatively low temperature obtainable with steam and flue gas.
Thus recovery is achieved at lower pressures and with more efficient energy usage and less pollution than any other system. Since tar sand deposits are usually shallow there is insufficient formation pressure to force the oil out. For in situ separation of the oil from the formation, pressure must be added to force the oil out of the rock. In conventional wells that employ just flue gas, these pressures can be quite high in order to get the relatively thick crude to flow. Huff and puff type wells require similarly high pressures to ensure sufficient flow as the formation cools and loses pressure. In addition, the prior art radial wells and single bore wells have inefficient drainage geometries which contribute to their low recovery figures.
In contrast, the present method obtains increased recovery at lower pressures. This is in part through the use of the upper and lower rectangular grids for the application of hot flue gas and steam heat or super heated crude oil vapors which results in a more even distribution of the heat and gas pressures within the formation and which provides a greatly improved and more efficient drainage geometry. Additionally, the low pressure in the lower grid results in a heating of the formation without a buildup of pressure that would restrict oil flow, thereby further reducing the gas pressure necessary. Similarly, by applying the heat and the gas pressure at the same time but from different levels, i.e., heat from below and heat and gas pressure from above, initial flow begins sooner and overall recovery is greater due to early and more even heating of the formation. Where heat and pressure are applied simultaneously from an outer zone inward toward the recovery well, the entire formation must be heated before flow begins. Furthermore, while the heat line progresses, the already heated portion of the formation continues to acquire heat with the risk of in situ distillation and the resulting formation of thick deposits that clog the pores of the rock and reduce oil flow. The present method reduces this risk by dividing the heating of the formation from the recovery zone upward and from the pressure zone downward so that the oil and the rock are more evenly heated and the oil flows out of the rock before it gets too hot. The hot flue gas injected into the tar sand from above adds to the formation pressure as well as the even temperature and to the force of gravity to increase the flow, the relatively low added pressure, 50-100 PSI, being sufficient in combination with gravity and even the low inherent pressure of the formation to force the softened or liquified oil out. Even though relatively low, the flue gas pressure should be greater than the prevailing pressure in the reservoir or formation. The effective pressure within the formation may be increased by maintaining the storage tank 10 at a reduced pressure.
Tests indicate that pressures within tar sand formations are generally from 25-60 PSI. Thus by adding 50-100 PSI of flue gas, the effective pressure on the oil in the formation will be 75-160 PSI. With the oil heated from above and below to its flowing temperature, such pressures are sufficient for continued flow of oil out of the rock into the recovery well.
The temperature range for heating the formation is preferably as low as is necessary to produce oil flow and will normally range between 100�-650� F. above the ambient formation temperature. In the case of heavy formations, the higher range of temperatures, up to a temperature just below the coking temperature of the particular crude being recovered would be preferable, whereas lighter crudes may be produced with a lower temperature.
In addition, computer modeling was conducted to compare the theoretical production of a conventional vertical radial well and the well of the present invention using the process described. Exhibit A is tabulation of the results of a computer model of what is referred to as "RADIAL FLOW".
__________________________________________________________________________EXHIBIT ARADIAL FLOW MODELDRAINAGE AREA: 640 Acres, 50 Ft. ThickDRAINAGE PATTERN: 10 Acre spacingNO. OF VERTICAL WELLS: 64Radial Flow Equation:BOPD = [0.00708 * k * kor * L * d.P]/(vo * Bo * In(re/Dw/2) [FromCalhoun,"Fundamentals of Reservoir Engineering," Section 30, "Darcy's Law-RadialFlow"]L = 50 ft, borehole lengthDw = 0.5 ft, borehole diameterd.P = 150 psi, differential pressurek = (variable) md, permeability to airkor = 0.6 relative permeability to oilvo = (variable) cp, viscosity of crude oilBo = 1.0 formation volume factorre = 330 ft, drainage radius - each vertical wellB.H. = 64 No. of boreholes (wells) for 640 AcresEst. Fmk = 50 100 200 400 600 800 1000Temp Visc BOPD BOPD BOPD BOPD BOPD BOPD BOPDTfm in from 64 from 64 from 64 from 64 from 64 from 64 from 64deg F.Fm cp B. holes B. holes B. holes B. holes B. holes B. holes B. holes__________________________________________________________________________ 70 25317.0 1 1 3 6 8 11 14100 808.7 22 43 87 174 261 348 435125 174.2 101 202 404 807 1211 1615 2018150 64.3 273 547 1094 2188 3281 4375 5469175 31.9 551 1103 2205 4411 6616 8822 11027200 18.9 930 1861 3721 7443 11164 14885 18606225 12.6 1399 2798 5595 11190 16785 22380 27976250 9.0 1944 3888 7775 15550 23326 31101 38876275 6.9 2553 5107 10214 20428 30642 40856 51070300 5.5 3218 6435 12871 25741 38612 51482 64353325 4.5 3928 7856 15712 31424 47135 62847 78559350 3.8 4678 9355 18710 37421 56131 74842 93552__________________________________________________________________________Viscosity calculations API = 12.0vo = 10 x - 1 = 12.2 centipoisex = y(T) - 1.163 = 1.5y = 10 z = 616.1z = 3.0324 - 0.02023G = 2.8G = deg API = 12.0T = Temperature, Deg F.SpGo = Spec. Grav. Crude = 0.986__________________________________________________________________________ The equation: BOPD=(0.00708 *k*kor*L*d.PY/(vo*Bo*in(re/Dw/2); From Calhoun, "Fundamentals of Reservoir Engineering," Section 30, "Darcys Law--Radial Flow";
BOPD=barrels of oil per day produced from radial flow
L=50 ft. borehole length
Dw=0.5 ft, borehole diameter
d.P=150 psi, differential pressure
k=(variable) md, permeability to air
kor=0.6 relative permeability to oil
vo=(variable) cp, viscosity of crude oil
Bo=1.0 formation volume factor
re=330 ft, drainage radius--each vertical well
B.H.=64 No. of boreholes (wells) for 640 Acres
was utilized to determine the production for 64 vertical wells using different permeabilities (resistance to fluid flow through reservoir rocks--the higher the permeability the better) and viscosities of crude oil at different temperatures (the lower the viscosity the better). The model was set up to accept different API gravities and to calculate the crude viscosity at specific temperatures according to the following equations:
______________________________________Viscosity calculations: API = 12.0vo = 10 x - 1 = 12.2 centipoisex = y(T) - 1.163 = 1.5y = 10 z = 616.1z = 3.0324 - 0.02023G = 2.8G = deg API = 12.0T = Temperature, Deg F.SpGo = Spec. Gravity Crude = 0.986______________________________________
Exhibit B is a tabulation of the results of a computer model of the equation for gravity drainage through a horizontal bore hole, as it relates to the TARHEVCOR process of the present invention: Bore hole BOPD=(1.127e-3 *L*k*kor*Dw*d.P)/(vo)) *B.H.; From Timmerman, "Practical Reservoir Engineering, Vol. 2" Chap. 11, "Gravity Drainage";
______________________________________BOPD = barrels per day oil production through a horizontal boreholeL = 2600 ft, borehole lengthDw = 0.5 ft, borehole diameterd.P = 150 psi, gas cap pressurek = (variable) md, permeability to airkor = 0.6 relative permeability to oilvo = (variable) cp, viscosity of oilB.H. = 48 No. of boreholes for 640 Acres______________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________EXHIBIT BMASEK TARHEVCOR PROJECTVISCOSITY/PRODUCTION MODELGRAVITY DRAINAGE (With Gas Cap Pressure Above)DRAINAGE AREA: 640 Acres, 50 Ft. Thick Oil Bearing ZoneBorehole BOPD = [(1.127e-3 * L * k * kor * Dw * d.P)/(vo)] * B.H.[From Timmerman, "Practical Reservoir Engineering, Vol. 2" Chap. 11,"Gravity Drainage"]Where:L = 2600 ft, borehole lengthDw = 0.5 ft, borehole diameterd.P = 150 psi, gas cap pressurek = (variable) md, permeability to airkor = 0.6 relative permeability to oilvo = (variable) cp, viscosity of oilB.H. = 48 No. of boreholes for 640 AcresEst. Fmk = 50 100 200 400 600 800 1000Temp Visc BOPD BOPD BOPD BOPD BOPD BOPD BOPDTfm in from 48 from 48 from 48 from 48 from 48 from 48 from 48deg F.Fm cp B. holes B. holes B. holes B. holes B. holes B. holes B. holes__________________________________________________________________________ 70 25317.0 12 25 50 100 150 200 250100 808.7 391 783 1565 3131 4696 6261 7827125 174.2 1817 3633 7267 14533 21800 29066 36333150 64.3 4922 9844 19688 39377 59065 78754 98442175 31.9 9925 19850 39700 79400 119099 158799 198499200 18.9 16746 33492 66985 133969 200954 267939 334923225 12.6 25179 50357 100715 201430 302145 402860 503575250 9.0 34990 69979 139958 279917 419875 559833 699792275 6.9 45964 91928 183856 367712 551568 735424 919280300 5.5 57919 115839 231677 463354 695031 936708 1158385325 4.5 70705 141410 282820 565640 848461 1131281 1414101350 3.8 84099 168399 336798 673595 1010393 1347190 1683988__________________________________________________________________________Viscosity calculations API = 12.0vo = 10 x - 1 = 12.2 centipoisex = y(T) - 1.163 = 1.5y = 10 z = 616.1z = 3.0324 - 0.02023G = 2.8G = deg API = 12.0T = Temperature, Deg F.SpGo = Spec. Grav. Crude = 0.986__________________________________________________________________________
Both Exhibit A and B computer models were set up to drain an area of 640 acres with identical pressure differentials in the reservoir which was 50 feet thick. Permeabilities, viscosities and other oil bearing zone physical characteristics were kept the same in both models.
As can be seen in comparing rates for a given temperature and permeability on the two tables; e.g. 150 deg F. and 100 md, the horizontal boreholes out performed the vertical boreholes by a ratio of 18:1 (9,844 BOPD to 547 BOPD) with this particular set of physical reservoir characteristics. This ratio is constant when comparing any production rate at any specific temperature and permeability on these two tables.
FIGS. 12 and 13 graphically illustrate the difference in producing rates between the two flow processes, which differ essentially in two aspects: (1) geometry of the boreholes (vertical vs. horizontal) and (2) length of boreholes (formation thickness for the vertical wells vs. 2600 feet for the horizontal). Both graphs are plots of BOPD vs. permeability at two different temperatures 150 and 200 degrees Farenheit (with associated improved viscosity).
The foregoing is the preferred embodiment of the invention. Variations and modifications within the scope of the following claims are included herein.
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With no exact details on where Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 went missing, Indian Ocean currents may have swept one piece of the complicated puzzle to shores on Reunion Island.
United States travel weather forecast
Cooler conditions will move into the Interior Northeast early this week, but the warmth will hold on a little longer along the Interstate-95 corridor.
Extended Weather forecast overview for the Northeast United States
A disturbance will swing across the Midwest and fire a round of severe thunderstorms to end the weekend.
Short-Range Weather forecast overview for the Northeast United States
In the most destructive hurricane season in recorded history, images from Katrina, Rita, Wilma and others still resonate today and immediately bring to mind the total despair millions of Americans faced in 2005.
A blue moon, which occurs only once every few years, is set to grace skies Friday night.
The first Blue Moon since 2012 graced the nighttime skies on Friday night into Saturday morning and observers across the world captured the rare phenomenon.Read Story >
Heat and humidity remained in control over the much of the country during the last week of July.Read Story >

subset: commoncrawl


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Since 1974 our family has lived in Fayette County and built over 58 communities here. We have a deep committment to the success of this community.
Michael Rossetti is a Real Estate Broker and is a Past President of the Home Builders Association of Midwest Georgia
Vince Rossetti is a Past President of of the Home Builders Association of Midwest Georgia
DeSales Rossetti deGolian is a licencsed realtor and is a member of the Fayette County Board of Realtors
Roch deGolian is currently serving as the Secretary of Home Buiders Association of Midwest Georgia
Ravin Homes, Inc. is a local, family owned home builder. We were incorporated in 1982 and have been providing personalized home building services ever since. Ravin Homes has been involved in all levels of home building. We have built starter homes on small lots for the first time buyer as well as multi-million dollar homes on large tracts of land. Over the years we have built upwards of 2,500 homes in 58 neighborhoods around Peachtree City and Fayetteville, GA. We have also built homes in Clayton, Henry, Coweta, Fulton and Fayette Counties.
In addition to home building, Ravin has built and/or renovated many commercial projects around the south side of Atlanta.
Additionally, Ravin has recently formed Ravin Home Maintenance and Remodeling, LLC. This company is structured to provide project management services for residential renovations, additions and repair type projects as well as commercial office space build outs and reconfigurations.


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UCL Centre for Digital Humanities Blog Archive The Future of the Past
Source – UCL Centre for Digital Humanities Blog Archive The Future of the Past
"It also noted that the academic market for historical studies is not the most profitable one, so we should strive to create large historical, crowd-sourced projects and collaborations to counterbalance commercial resources and act against the commodification of knowledge. "
"…Farquhar added, needs to rely on comprehensive digital collections and infrastructures, especially as radical changes in research have seen a growth of digital content, more interdisciplinary and collaborative work, more data analysis and repurposing of content. "
"…Good examples of this new digital wave are the First World War digitisation project, set up to celebrate its 100th anniversary; the British Newspaper Archive which aims to become a free service and to facilitate historical research; the collaboration with Google to digitise books produced between the French revolution and the end of slavery; and the IMPACT project, whose aim is to improve state-of-the-art OCR technology which has yet to produce satisfactory results for old books, magazines and newspapers."
Tags: digital, project, digital humanities, historical, Andrew Prescott


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Posted by Ambopheric on 07/31/2006
I ate at Bianca yesterday and had a great time. The service was prompt and courteous and the atmoshpere was perfect for an intimate date: soft lighting, lively, but quiet clientelle and elegant, but quaint decor. The appetizer we ordered, the vegetable tart, did not really impress. The salmon, however, was fresh and perfectly prepared and the tagliolini ai frutti de mar was delicately flavored and not overpowering. I definitely recommend it for a date or any sort of nice occasion.
Posted by Anonymous on 07/14/2006
I went for a friends brithday dinner here and fell in love. Italian food that is not your typical chicken parmagiana. Every dish was good, portions initially looked small but i guess were not because i left stuffed, and i can really eat. Grilled calamari and shrimp appitizer is a great vaule, and is great tasting, ive been back a dozen times since my friends brithday and the food and service is aways great. You dont need to spend alot of money for a great dinner in NYC, you just have to know where to eat and this place is a great spot to eat. Two people can eat like kings with appitzers, entree and great homemade desserts, for 70bucks.
Posted by Anonymous on 05/06/2006
I have to say, one of the best meals ive had in NYC in a long time that didnt cost an arm & a leg. Sausage with beans was very good, the sausage seemed to be be homemade. a friend had the gnocci with gorgonzola which was also great. Desserts were all homemade and delicious, and all for 25-30 bucks a person, what a deal. Definately on my list of regular places now.
Posted by Italy on 01/31/2006
Hi. This meal was amazing. Great food, generous portions, and the price was right. We played the guessing game at the end of the meal, and we were both $30 over the actual retail price. And the wine was delicious.
Posted by Your Mother on 01/06/2006
This place is great. My favorite indie-restaurant in NYC. Highly recommended date spot. Very intimate. The food is wonderful, and the wine was delicious.
Posted by foodfan on 11/21/2005
You just don't get food this good at these prices. From the gnocco and ham to the warm apple cake, the meal was perfect. They make the extra effort: fried artichokes came with fried parsey, which was lovely. Negatives? It's crowded and noisy and they don't take credit cards. But I'd go back tomorrow.
Posted by Hungry Mike on 10/04/2005
Bianca is a small and friendly restaurant. The atmosphere and service welcome you in and the prices are more than fair. In fact, it's rare to see such a good deal in Manhattan. We had a party of ten and everyone was more than pleased with their meals. I strongly recommend this place for a group or a date. I will definitely be back soon.


text: In an effort to be a true one stop shop, Diesel Power Products is now offering original Mopar, Cummins and Holset parts for your 89-2011 Dodge Ram. Look for this section of the website to expand rapidly in the next few months. If you need parts but don't see them send an email to [email protected] or just give us a call. We can provide any part you might need at a very affordable price.


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Welcome to The Power Wash Store.
We invite you to browse through our store and shop with confidence feel free to create an account with us if you like, or shop as a guest. Either way, your shopping cart will be active until you leave the store. Orders over $50.00 will receive free shipping with the exclusion of items marked as "Freight Not Included" or "shipping not included". All orders under $50.00 will be charged a $5.00 service fee plus shipping charges.
Thank you for visiting.


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More sections »
Local Stories
KSL Investigates
Your Life - Your Health
Staying Safe
More on the web
Man arrested in connection with Taylorsville apartment fire
A 28-year-old man was arrested following a fire at an apartment complex Sunday.
Most Recent
PHOTOS: Heavy rainfall causes flooding in much of Davis County
Angie H. Treasure | Posted
Aug 3rd - 5:32pm
Monday's consistent rainfall affected much of northern Utah, flooding streets and causing delays along roadways.
North Ogden man arrested in child rape investigation
Pat Reavy | Posted
Aug 3rd - 5:18pm
A 20-year-old man was arrested over the weekend in connection with the rape of a 12-year-old girl, North Ogden police announced Monday.
Solitude Fire acreage revised to 2,100
Celeste Tholen Rosenlof | Posted
Aug 3rd - 4:02pm
Rain slowed the growth of the Solitude Fire, and U.S. Forest Service officials were able to obtain accurate aerial mapping of the acreage.
Local brothers representing Etsy in NY with leatherworks
Amanda Taylor, KSL.com Contributor | Posted
Aug 3rd - 2:42pm
Scott and Joe Rawlings are both the brains and the brawn behind Fullgive, a leather shop that specializes in aesthetically pleasing and extremely functional wallets.
9 things related to money your kids will never experience
Mountain America Credit Union | Posted
Aug 3rd - 2:34pm
How today's young people view and spend money is vastly different from two or three decades ago. Here are nine things parents did as young people that their teens will never experience.
Teen's prize-winning pig rakes in $31K for mom with cancer
Tracie Snowder | Posted
Aug 3rd - 1:21pm
A teen's prize-winning pig at the Morgan County Fair is helping his mom face breast cancer thanks to generous bidders.
Have You Seen This? Karl Malone delivers new truck to Heber man
Faith Heaton Jolley | Posted
Aug 3rd - 1:06pm
A Heber City man got quite the surprise when the truck he won was delivered to him by "The Mailman" himself.
6 more family-friendly Utah hikes with waterfalls
Arianne Brown, KSL.com Contributor | Posted
Aug 3rd - 11:40am
Utah is a hiker's paradise and that includes kid hikers. But, sometimes kids need a little extra motivation to get to the top and what better than a waterfall? Here are 6 kid friendly Utah hikes with waterfalls.
The woman in the next seat, other moments that made your day
Celeste Tholen Rosenlof | Posted
Aug 3rd - 11:15am
Goodness isn't hard to find if you're looking for it and especially if you're making it. This week, three readers share stories of times someone has reached out to them and lifted their mood.
Power outage hits Summit, Salt Lake counties
Linda Williams | Posted
Aug 3rd - 10:37am
Crews worked Monday morning to repair a power outage that left 70 percent of Park City without power at one point, according to police.
EPA's Clean Power Plan draws Utah criticism and praise
Amy Joi O'Donoghue | Posted
Aug 3rd - 9:49am
The long-awaited, highly controversial Clean Power Plan proposed by the Obama administration was released Monday, and the furor and disagreement are already in high gear over the move to cut power plant emissions.
ACLU says prisoners want improved living conditions, more opportunity
Celeste Tholen Rosenlof | Posted
Aug 3rd - 8:22am
Sunday, the Utah ACLU released a statement supporting the prisoners on a hunger strike in a Utah prison facility, encouraging the Utah Department of Corrections to reassess several of the issues outlined in the inmates' letter. The department said, however, that it has been working over the last several months to address those issues.
Pro-Israel, pro-peace group J Street launches in Utah
Amy Joi O'Donoghue | Posted
Aug 3rd - 7:59am
J Street had its official launch in Utah on Sunday at the Jewish Community Center in Salt Lake City, where its founder, Jeremy Ben-Ami, discussed the pending Iranian nuclear agreement. J Street is a growing pro-Israel, pro-peace movement.
ICYMI: 10 stories from the weekend
Angie H. Treasure | Posted
Aug 3rd - 7:33am
Here are 10 local stories you may have missed this weekend. As always, click on the headline to read the full story.
Utah man grows, eats weeds
Peter Rosen | Posted
Aug 2nd - 10:32pm
There are weeds in Mike Wood's small backyard garden that he planted on purpose. What other people call weeds, he calls lunch. And he wants to educate others on how they can eat weeds, too.
Solitude forest fire grows to 1,104 acres
Celeste Tholen Rosenlof | Posted
Aug 2nd - 10:32pm
A lightning-caused fire has grown to 1,104 acres since its July 19 sparking, affecting nearby areas with its plumes of smoke. Officials are managing the fire, however, as a means of cleaning up the forest.
UHP identifies woman dead, man injured in motorcycle accident
Angie H. Treasure | Posted
Aug 2nd - 10:26pm
A woman is dead and her husband has been flown to the hospital in critical condition after a motorcycle crash on I-80 Sunday morning, the Utah Highway Patrol said.
Girl killed in I-15 rollover after being ejected, struck
Celeste Tholen Rosenlof | Posted
Aug 2nd - 10:24pm
A teenage girl traveling with her parents was killed after being ejected from an SUV and hit by another car, Utah Highway Patrol reported Sunday.
Mudslide causes significant delays in Spanish Fork Canyon
Angie H. Treasure | Posted
Aug 2nd - 10:24pm
Heavy rain in Utah County led to a mudslide that covered all lanes of U.S. 6 in Spanish Fork Canyon Sunday afternoon, Utah Highway Patrol said.
Police ID man who crashed into Kearns home
Celeste Tholen Rosenlof | Posted
Aug 2nd - 10:22pm
Police identified the man who died after crashing into a home in Kearns Saturday night.
Load More Stories
Education »
BYU named No. 1 stone-cold sober school by Princeton Review
New AP US History teaching framework released after controversy
Overall, Utah schools stack up, report says
School technology task force employs California-based firm
2 SLC students who 'beat the odds' invited to White House
KSL Investigates »
Pinterest says nude photos could be considered art; mom disagrees
Terminating telemarketer calls: 3 smartphone apps put to the test
A day with Apple Pay: testing the 'wallet of the future'
Panhandlers finding ways around off-ramp safety law
A look at the crime Utahns commit
Staying Safe »
Pinterest says nude photos could be considered art; mom disagrees
Thousands of children injured in furniture toppling tragedies each year
Wal-Mart announces infant car seat designed to prevent hot car deaths
Car interiors become unbearably hot in a hurry, demonstration proves
Boy credits parents' teachings in thwarting abduction
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|Mattie Coffee
|Monday, 04 February 2013 08:12
Mattie Coffee, 76, of Scottsville, KY died at 2:30 a.m. Sunday, February 3, 2013 at her residence. The Jackson County, TN native was a homemaker and a daughter of the late Robert Lee Stafford and Elizabeth Vanhauser Stafford.
She is survived by 4 sons: Stanley Coffee, Holland, KY; Ronnie Coffee and Johnny Coffee and wife, Janet, all of Lafayette, TN; Ricky Coffee and wife, Darlene, Scottsville, KY;
4 daughters: Rose Coffee, Scottsville, KY; Julie Sherrard and husband, Melvin, Elizabethtown, KY; Tammy Coffee, Holland, KY and Robbie Morris, Scottsville, KY;
1 brother: James Stafford, Hartsville, TN;
18 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews;
She was preceded in death by 5 brothers: Mitchell Stafford, Ralph Stafford, Junior Stafford, Rajoe Stafford and Ross Stafford and 5 sisters: Rose Trisdale, Jewell Hunter, Erma Sue Meadows, Willie Mae German and Mary Lee Young.
Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at Goad Funeral Home with Bro. Danny Patrick and Bro. Randy Sloan officiating and burial in Mt. Zion Cemetery. Visitation will be after 11:00 a.m. Tuesday at Goad Funeral Home.


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Braid lists
Games I Completed9
Games I've played to the completion of the main storyline or to where I felt I'd experienced most of the game. Since Giant Bomb doesn't have entries for Flash games or apps, here are the Flash games I've played to completion: Achievement Unlocked: po...
The games I've played (properly)6
This is to be an authoritative (and chronological) list of all the games I've ever played for a decent amount of time, including all those games that I haven't actually owned or bought, but have still played at friends' houses or have borrowed from a...
Most Artistic Games7
If someone were to say that games can't be art then I would show them this list. These are the most artistic games I've ever played, both visually and many other ways.
Games I've completed since Giantbomb's inception (and my thoughts thereof.)1
Giantbomb launched July 21st 2008. Since then I've played a good number of games. The aim of this list is to keep a journal dedicated to the ones I've finished, collecting my thoughts into one tidy string.
Game Library0
The list of games that I own
Games I'm Currently Smacking Down0
I be playin' me some games these days. I tend to like them as a rule, need to play them as I make them, and hey, it's colder than a witch's titty in the MA in the wintertime, so I need to start flexing some of those cave-dwellin' gamer muscles if I p...
Completed Games1
Games that I have completed since 2005
This list is as simple as they come. 2008 was a huge year for games, and I feel compelled to make a top 10 list just like everyone else. What's interesting about this year in particular is that I can actually make a legitimate top 10 list- I don't kn...
Games I Beat!3
Games I proudly consider beat. By me, with a stick. Stick of completedness. This is a work in progress and will take roughly as long as the great wall of china to finish.
Best Games of 20082
In order, my favorite, or the best, games of 2008.
PC Collection - PartualThis is an almost complete list of all of the PC games I currently own. I started playing and even programming games in 1989 on my grandfathers Amstrad PC, when I was 6 years old, starting off with Digger, Space Invaders, Cats,...
Thousand Master6
Games I have completed (or, for those games which can't be completed, games I consider myself to be experienced in). My aim is to add a thousand games to this list!
Every Video Game I've Ever Beaten.617
Basically a list of all the games I have beaten in my life. I know it looks short, but that is due to the site not listing a few obscure games and because they don't register multiple versions of a game, instead preferring to umbrella them all into o...
Games I've finished0
I've finished the career/story mode in these games.
10 most annoying things in video gaming.23
While we all love video games, but there are some things that are so annoying, so terribly terribly infuriating. These are in no particular order.
365 Games To Play Before You Die40
These are all the game that have appeared on my (ir)regular blog of the same title. They are in no particular order and I'm going to update it as I go along.
Art Styles That I Find Pretty Damn Awesome2
Self-explanitory. I like some good looking games, mate.
My Collection9
This is my collection of video games. Included are stories about what I thought about the games and whatnot. The games are sorted by the release of the console and then alphabetically. Many of them won't have interesting stories as I haven't played a...
My Top 100 Favourite Games of All Time6
This list used to be about my top 50 games ever, but since Giant Bomb wants me to put 95 items into a list for a new quest I thought hey, why the hell not? Keep in mind I revise this list every now and then, check back frequently to see changes. A fe...
Games I have finished!5
I have also decided to add my own review score, for funzies ;) Any game that has been finished by ROM-Emulation will be marked: *ROM. (out of 5 BTW) ConsoleNo# of games finished.PS1 3 PS2 34 PS3 22 PSP 4 DS 8 N64 1 GC 3 SNES 6 Wii 6 GBC/GB 2 NES 3...
All the games I have ever played.9
This is my crazy and insane attempt to document every single game I have ever played. I've not necessarily completed these games, or even played very much of some of them, but I have played all of them a bit. The list isn't complete (and will probab...
Pc games I want to try5
Game Informer's Top 200 Games of All Time13
In the 200th issue of Game Informer, they suggested the following games were the greatest ever made. My ambition is to play every game on the list. Can I do it? (spoiler alert: probably not! that's a lot of games!) How many have you played? Do you...
Every Game I've Ever Finished56
Accurate count: 636
Every Goddamn Videogame and Console I've Ever Owned, Ever0
What have I gotten myself into? WHAT HAVE I DONE!? Games amassed over the last 22 years. All this junk is still in my possession unless otherwise noted. My god. P.S. there went 3 1/2 hours of my life.
Game Log1
Starting this in June 2010. This will be a list of games I play from now on and some thoughts about them. The closer to the top a game is the more recently I played it. If a game is on this list it means I'm either finished with it or that I've at le...
Games I can remember beating0
My memory is bad, so this list will be updated as I hopefully remember stuff. (There's a ton of older stuff that I expect to never remember whether or not I beat them. I'm trying to stick to games I can specifically remember beating the final level...
Xbox Live Arcade Collection1
This platform sure has changed over the since its inception. Remember when all there was were classic arcade games? Remember when there was a size limit of 64MB? Luckily, those days are over, because XBLA has become the home of a slew of new, origina...
PC Collection3
Despite being a prime example of EQ addict for the better part of four years, I've never really been that big on PC gaming. The first computer my mom bought (other than the TI-99/4A we had) was an Intel 486 with a whopping 25 MHz processor, Windows 3...
Every Game I've Beaten (That I Remember)9
So somewhere in the darkness of the late 90s, I decided that the breadth of games that I had gone through merited a list. Perhaps for absurdity's sake, perhaps to try and convince myself to kick the "childish" habit; whatever the case, I now have pro...
Why Do I Have Two (or More) of These?9
For some reason (sometimes not a good one), I own more than copy of certain games.
Experiment #2: Acrostic Reviews. So these things are basically game reviews/descriptions where the letters at the start of each word spell the name of the game. I'm sure this won't be a complete failure! Cautiously optimistic exclamation point!
Games I Have Gotten for Free0
I'm pretty sure making this list will kill any future chances of getting free games. So why am I doing this? Because LOOK AT HOW MANY GAMES PEOPLE HAVE SIMPLY GIVEN ME FOR NO REASON! But first, a few rules: No games that are distributed for free. I'm...
THE 100 TOP GAMES OF GIANT BOMB (Entries go in the list after your vote)32
Just making my own statistic here .Based of what people would reply here : http://www.giantbomb.com/forums/off-topic/31/your-3-top-games-ever/550576/#2 we can see the top 100 games that the people of Giantbomb prefer.The number next to the title icon...
Games of the Generation0
Totally a work in progress.
Brad's (almost) Annual Hearfelt, Touching, Slightly Emo Indie Darlings with Fantastic Artwork4
As disclosed on the August 13, 2013 Bombcast at 2:22:50 and following.
Humble Obsession Bundle4
Hello, my name is StarFoxA, and I have a problem.
Somewhere in January I realized I was beating games at an unusually rapid clip for me, so I figured I ought to see if I could beat 100 games in a year. As of April I've started to fell off the pace, but we'll see how it goes.
GiantBomb's top 100 games of all time. (2014)1
Top 3 games of all time 2014 is a fun making list to see what the people here prefer the most . Based of what people vote here http://www.giantbomb.com/forums/off-topic-31/your-top-3-games-of-all-time-2014-1482746/#1/ i am adding to the list and i su...
Games of the Generation2
Like many others, I (finally) decided to post a list of my favorite games of the past "generation". While this list is mostly self explanatory, there are a few points that deserve clarification. First, everyone seems to have their own criteria for wh...
This edit will also create new pages on Giant Bomb for:Beware, you are proposing to add brand new pages to the wiki along with your edits. Make sure this is what you intended. This will likely increase the time it takes for your changes to go live.
Comment and Save
Until you earn 1000 points all your submissions need to be vetted by other Giant Bomb users. This process takes no more than a few hours and we'll send you an email once approved.


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Stanford Law School Grade Reform FAQ
What is being proposed?
On May 28, 2008, the law school faculty voted to adopt a grade reform proposal that will change the law school's grading system to an honors, pass, restricted credit, no credit system for all semesters and quarters. The new system includes a shared norm for the proportion of honors to be awarded in both exam and paper courses.
What is the current grading system at SLS?
Under the regular grading system, a student receives one of 21 numerical grades ranging from 2.1 to 4.3. Each grade has a letter equivalent, ranging from A+ to F.
JD students also have the option to take any or all of their first–semester, first–year courses on the optional "3K" grading basis (this system uses the symbols K, RK, and NK, which translates into credit, restricted credit, and no credit.) No matter what selection a student makes in the first semester, after the first semester, JD students may take no more than two courses on the optional 3K grading basis. All other work for the JD degree must be taken on the grading system employing letter grades and numerical equivalents (with the exception of courses that are "mandatory 3K" per the instructor).
How will grade reform be implemented and when?
While the law school faculty have voted in favor of the grade reform proposal, many details still need to been worked out. There have not been any decisions about when the new proposal will begin to be implemented, how students who entered Stanford under one grading system would be graded if a different system is put into place while they are still in residence, and whether the school will retain the current system of graduation honors (either for classes that entered under the old system or for classes that enter when the new one is in place) and if so, how eligibility for honors would be calculated. Faculty are also studying the possibility of devising alternative methods to honor exceptional student performance. Law school faculty will soon be reviewing a proposal to resolve these issues, and it is expected that a decision will be reached either this summer or in the early fall.


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Before: Dated Bathroom
A tiny, unfinished space.
Unsightly wood panelling, exposed piping and a boxed-in shower made the bathroom feel more like an outhouse.
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News Room
Yokohama's Interactive LA Auto Show Booth will be Social Media Central
Tire maker using Facebook and Twitter to engage consumers and media during the November 16-27 show, including a daily giveaway of a free tablet computer
November 04, 2011
FULLERTON, CA (Nov. 4, 2011) – The Yokohama Tire Corporation social media and digital express at the Los Angeles Auto Show is ready to roll. Using Facebook and Twitter, Yokohama will conduct contests throughout the 12-day show (November 16-27), with prizes ranging from auto show tickets to tablet computers.
"This year, we really wanted to focus on providing education about tires in an interactive, engaging manner", said Alan Holtschneider, Yokohama manager, advertising, promotions & events. "Each day, visitors to Yokohama's exhibit in the West Hall lobby will find a wide array of things to do while getting a chance to win some items such as Yokohama gear and the world's most popular tablet computer."
"We further aim at bringing the excitement of the show to those who can't be at the show," added Theresa Palang, Yokohama manager of public relations and digital marketing. " We've created a dedicated online presence for the LA Auto Show within Yokohama's corporate website and this will house everything from the ticket giveaway to the Twitpic Contest to 'reports from the floor', as well as video and photo galleries for the event."
The Official Tire of the LA Auto Show since 2006, Yokohama will feature digital and social media components such as:
-- Twitter Contest: From November 4-11, consumers can log onto Twitter.com, follow @YokohamaTC and tweet the message "@YokohamaTC I want #LAautoshow tickets! #YOKOTIX" for a chance to win two free tickets to the LA Auto Show. The contest is open to all Southern California residents and one thousand lucky winners will be selected to receive the tickets.
--Daily tablet computer giveaway: Each day during the LA Auto Show, from November 16-27, a winner will be chosen to receive a tablet computer via a drawing from Yokohama's Twitpic Contest. Both consumers and media alike who are present at the show are eligible to win.
To enter, visitors take their photo anywhere inside the Yokohama LA Auto Show booth and tweet their photo using special instructions provided at the booth. Each night, a winner will be randomly selected to win a popular tablet computer.
--Hourly Yokohama gear giveaway: Each hour during the show, from the Twitpics received, a random entry will be chosen to win a gift bag, which will include a variety of Yokohama merchandise.
--Photos of all contest winners will be posted on Yokohama's Web site on a special "Winner's Circle" page at www.yokohamatire.com.
--"Reports from the floor:" Yokohama will post daily reports from the show floor on Facebook and its Web site.
Yokohama Tire Corporation is the North American manufacturing and marketing arm of Tokyo, Japan-based The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., a global manufacturing and sales company of premium tires since 1917. Servicing a network of more than 4,500 points of sale in the U.S., Yokohama Tire Corporation is a leader in technology and innovation. The company's complete product line includes the dB Super E-spec™ – the world's first tire to use orange oil to reduce petroleum – as well as tires for high-performance, light truck, passenger car, commercial truck and bus, and off-the-road mining and construction applications. For more information on Yokohama's extensive product line, visit www.yokohamatire.com.
Connect with Yokohama Tire Corporation:
Yokohama is a strong supporter of the tire care and safety guidelines established by the Rubber Manufacturers Association and the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration. Details can be found at the "Tire Safety" section at www.yokohamatire.com.


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Rumors from mystery sources about the next Xbox have been swirling as of late, but now Microsoft itself has added to the rumor mill. As spotted by Fusible, Microsoft has acquired the domain names www.XboxFL.com and www.XboxFL.net.
Both domain names redirect users to a Web search for "Xbox FL" through Microsoft's Bing search engine. As of press time, Microsoft had not responded to GameSpot's request for comment.
Earlier this week, blogger MS Nerd suggested Microsoft was preparing a stripped-down Xbox, which would run Arcade games and Kinect apps and retail for around $100.
For more on speculation concerning the next-generation Xbox, check out GameSpot's rumor roundup feature.