--> ABSTRACT: Potential for Oil Mining at Elk Basin Oil Field, Wyoming-Montana, by Maynard F. Ayler and Charles Brechtel; #91040 (2010)

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Potential for Oil Mining at Elk Basin Oil Field, Wyoming-Montana

Maynard F. Ayler, Charles Brechtel

By using the teachings of two U.S. Patents, 4,458,945 and 4,595,239, it is possible to place mine workings below the Frontier sands of the Elk basin field, drill upward safely into the reservoir, and produce by gravity added to any present drive system. The patents describe equipment and a way of drilling upward with all cuttings and fluids flowing into a closed pipeline system for surface discharge. A final casing can be cemented into place and the well completed, again with all production into a closed pipeline.

This system would permit field pressure control and maintenance with gravity drainage. Wells could be placed on one-acre spacing or less, thus producing much of the oil normally lost between surface wells.

An analysis will be presented of probable mining costs for development of the Elk basin oil field on one-acre spacing. Petroleum engineers will then be able to estimate for themselves which method has the most profit potential and maximum recovery--the present systems or oil recovery by mining.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #91040©1987 AAPG Rocky Mountain Section Meeting, Boise, Idaho, September 13-16, 1987.