Hop main shaft at Kern River. [Heavy oil process]

The Kern River oil field in California is the site of the first field test of the hot plate heavy oil recovery method. A large-diameter (7-ft) hole will be drilled to a given depth and cased. From the enlarged cavern at the bottom of the hole, horizontal shafts or laterals will be drilled. The laterals will carry steam to the sand, creating a hot plate effect, in a rotating sequential pattern. Conventional pumping units on the surface will lift the oil produced in the central cavern. This is the first project to qualify for the tertiary program under DOE approval procedures. The crude oil in place for all tertiary program projects is estimated at 4.75 billion bbl with probable recovery set at 237 million bbl.