Importance

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Abstract

A method for recovering oil from a bed of tight reservoir rock in which a chamber is formed at the base of the bed followed by alternately combusting rubble in the chamber while recovering oil liberated by pyrolysis and spalling the walls of the chamber by injection of a coolant when oil production decreases. The method is practiced from a single well by extending a casing into the chamber and extending a tubing through the casing so that oxidant and coolant can be introduced into the chamber through the annulus between the casing and tubing while oil is recovered by a pump disposed in the tubing. Multiple well operation is practiced by forming a pancake fracture between the chamber and a laterally displaced well from which the oil can be pumped after seepage through the fracture. Oxidant and coolant are injected into the chamber in multiple well operation via a well at the bottom of which the chamber is formed.

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First Claim