Secondary Recovery from the Burbank Field, Northeastern Oklahoma, is Environmentally Attractive and Economically Feasible

AYLER, MAYNARD F., Hydrocarbon Mining Company, Golden, CO, THOMAS BINGHAM, Oklahoma Geological Survey, Norman, OK, and CARL BRECHTEL, Agipito and Associates, Grand Junction, CO

Mine workings in competent nonpermeable formations underlying the Burbank field could permit access for production wells drilled on one acre or closer spacing. Such wells would drain to a production pipeline within the mine workings for transport to the mine shaft for pumping to the surface. Drilling and well completion as described in U.S. patents 4,458,945 and 4,595,239 would permit controlled flow from each production well, thus adding gravity drainage to retained water, gas, or secondary field production systems.

Since the wells are drilled from below, drilling mud activities to aid cutting removal would not be needed; the wells could be drilled with clear water. Sealing of productive zones by drilling mud should not occur. Since there would be no wall cake, cementing of the production string should be easier and more effective.

Shafts for access to the mine would be 1 mi or more apart and could be located in areas with limited environmental impact. There would be no surface indication of the closely spaced production wells. Water produced during production should be returned to the reservoir to assist in retention of water drives.

Mine spoil produced in driving access ways might be used as concrete aggregate and/or road base material.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #91008©1991 AAPG Mid-Continent Section Meeting, Kansas Geological Society, Wichita Kansas, September 22-24, 1991 (2009)