METHOD OF PRODUCING OIL FROM AN OIL SHALE FORMATION CONTAINING NAHCOLITE AND DAWSONITE

摘要

A new and improved method of recovering hydrocarbons and dawsonite decomposition products from a subterranean oil shale formation containing substantial amounts of nahcolite and dawsonite comprising penetrating said formation with at least one well borehole and forming a cavern therein. A hot fluid is circulated in the upper region of the cavern to effect formation of carbon dioxide by decomposition of the nahcolite and dawsonite thereby causing pressure build-up resulting in fracturization and/or rubbling and enlargement of the cavern, thereafter injecting simultaneously or sequentially into the upper region of the cavern a cooling liquid, and into the rubblized zone a kerogen-pyrolyzing fluid to recover hydrocarbons and final by recovering dawsonite decomposition products by suitable means such as solution mining.