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Abstract

A process is provided for the recovery of hydrocarbons, and especially heavy hydrocarbons, from oil-bearing strata, wherein mining liquids are injected at a bottom level and removed at an upper collecting level together with displaced liquid hydrocarbons, and the mining liquids are separated from the product hydrocarbons at the well-head and re-injected. The mining liquids may consist, in part, of an unrefined fraction from product cracking or semi-refining carried out in the vicinity of the well head, together with inorganic solvents, and are injected under pulsating pressure at a temperature not exceeding 100.degree. C. The strata can be deliberately fractured horizontally at the injection and collecting levels to promote desirable flow patterns, the fractures being propped open by means of a particulate filling medium. Hot gas under pressure can be injected at the boundaries of the working zone to create barriers to flow by the melting and re-solidifying of heavy hydrocarbons. If the particulate filling medium in the fractures is electrically conductive, a beneficial electrokinetic effect can be achieved by providing electrodes in contact therewith in the well bore.

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First Claim