Method for excavating a large diameter shaft into the earth and at least partially through an oil-bearing formation

Abstract

A method for positioning a large diameter shaft from the surface into the earth and at least partially through a subterranean oil-bearing formation, said method comprising (a) Positioning a central well near the center of a selected shaft location, said central well extending at least partially through said oil-bearing formation; (b) Positioning a plurality of wells at a selected distance outside the diameter of said shaft and about said shaft, said wells extending at least partially through said oil-bearing formation; (c) Injecting a fluid through at least a portion of said wells into said oil-bearing formation to remove oil from said oil-bearing formation; (d) Producing fluids from said central well; (e) Injecting water into said oil-bearing formation through said portion of said wells after the injection of said fluid through said portion of the said wells; (f) Freezing a zone about said location; and, (g) Excavating said shaft.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.