Oil extraction system and method

Abstract

A system for extracting crude oil is discussed herein. The system includes a main shaft and one or more horizontal drifts extending from the base of the main shaft, which are located subjacent or below a reservoir trap or oil formation. A plurality of production boreholes are drilled upwardly from the horizontal drift towards the reservoir trap to gather the oil mixture and direct it to flow, either by gravity or from reservoir pressure at an angle towards the drifts below the formation. A manifold or distribution system located in the one or more horizontal drifts collect flow from the plurality of production boreholes. The collected flow is either pumped or lifted to the surface for separation, treatment, and/or processing or alternatively treated before pumped or lifted to the surface.

1 . A system for extracting crude oil from an oil formation below ground, the system comprising: 
 a main shaft extending into the oil formation and terminating below the formation and in communication with an opening at ground surface level;    a drift tunnel extending at an angle to the main shaft;    a plurality of oil production bore holes extending between the oil formation and the drift tunnel, at least one oil production bore hole having a section positioned at an angle relative to the main shaft; and    a manifold system for collecting oil mixture from the plurality of oil production bore holes located in the drift tunnel.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a vent shaft connecting the drift tunnel to surface level atmosphere.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising a production hole spaced apart from the main shaft and extending between the drift tunnel and ground surface level.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising a second vent shaft connecting the drift tunnel to surface level atmosphere.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a break out chamber connected to both the main shaft and the drift tunnel.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the main shaft is at least 400 feet deep measured from ground surface level.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 5 , further comprising a drilling station spaced apart from the break out chamber and in communication with the drift tunnel.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 7 , further comprising a plurality of entry bore holes located at the break out chamber.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each production bore hole is in communication with at least one entry bore hole.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the entry bore hole is about 6 inches to about 10 inches in diameter.  
   
   
       11 . A system for extracting crude oil from an oil formation below ground, the system comprising: 
 a main shaft extending into the oil formation and terminating below the oil formation and in communication with an opening at ground surface level, the main shaft comprising a metal pipe and grout;    a drift tunnel of a first general cross-sectional dimension extending from the main shaft    a drilling station of a second general cross-sectional dimension in communication with the drift tunnel and spaced apart from the main shaft;    a plurality of oil production bore holes extending between the oil formation and the drilling station, at least two oil production bore holes each having a section positioned at an angle relative to the main shaft; and    a manifold system for collecting oil mixture from the plurality of oil production bore holes located in the drift tunnel.    
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising a vent shaft connecting the drift tunnel to surface level atmosphere.  
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12 , further comprising a production hole spaced apart from the main shaft and extending between the drift tunnel and ground surface level.  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 12 , further comprising a second vent shaft connecting the draft tunnel to surface level atmosphere.  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising a second drilling station spaced apart from the drilling station.  
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 15 , further comprising a plurality of oil production bore holes extending between the oil formation and the second drilling station.  
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the second general cross-sectional dimension is larger than the first general cross-sectional dimension.  
   
   
       18 . A system for extracting crude oil from an oil formation below ground, the system comprising: 
 a main shaft extending into an oil formation and terminating below the oil formation;    a drift tunnel of at least 500 feet in length extending below the oil formation;    a plurality of oil production bore holes extending between the oil formation and the draft tunnel;    a manifold system for collecting oil mixture from the plurality of oil production bore holes located in the drift tunnel; and    a pumping system for pumping the oil mixture to ground surface level.    
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the pumping system comprises a pump located in the drift tunnel.  
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 18 , further comprising a ventilation system for moving air into the drift tunnel.  
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the pumping system comprises a pump located at ground surface level.