Patents Assigned to Apache Corporation
  • Patent number: 10730005
    Abstract: A method for continuous pressure swing adsorption separation of a pressurized feed gas stream, including separating hydrocarbons heavier than methane from the pressurized feed gas stream by applying an adsorbent porous material to produce at least two product streams, a first product stream being substantially pure methane suitable for transport by natural gas pipeline, and a second product stream being substantially comprised of components with a greater molecular weight than methane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: APACHE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jason G. S. Ho, J Calvin Cooper
  • Publication number: 20200179865
    Abstract: A method for continuous pressure swing adsorption separation of a pressurized feed gas stream, including separating hydrocarbons heavier than methane from the pressurized feed gas stream by applying an adsorbent porous material to produce at least two product streams, a first product stream being substantially pure methane suitable for transport by natural gas pipeline, and a second product stream being substantially comprised of components with a greater molecular weight than methane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2020
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Applicant: Apache Corporation
    Inventors: Jason G.S. Ho, J Calvin Cooper
  • Patent number: 10646817
    Abstract: A method for continuous pressure swing adsorption separation of a pressurized feed gas stream, including separating hydrocarbons heavier than methane from the pressurized feed gas stream by applying an adsorbent porous material to produce at least two product streams, a first product stream being substantially pure methane suitable for transport by natural gas pipeline, and a second product stream being substantially comprised of components with a greater molecular weight than methane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: APACHE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jason G. S. Ho, J Calvin Cooper
  • Publication number: 20190351365
    Abstract: A method for continuous pressure swing adsorption separation of a pressurized feed gas stream, including separating hydrocarbons heavier than methane from the pressurized feed gas stream by applying an adsorbent porous material to produce at least two product streams, a first product stream being substantially pure methane suitable for transport by natural gas pipeline, and a second product stream being substantially comprised of components with a greater molecular weight than methane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Applicant: Apache Corporation
    Inventors: Jason G.S. Ho, J Calvin Cooper
  • Patent number: 10450841
    Abstract: A method for optimizing a well production forecast includes inputting into a computer: initial production rate measurements and probability distributions to estimate production forecast model parameters. The computer generates an initial forecast of fluid production rates and total produced fluid volumes using a selected production forecast model. After a selected time, the initial forecast is compared with actual production rate and total produced fluid volume measurements to generate an error measurement. Parameters of the selected production forecast model are adjusted to minimize the error measurement, thereby generating an adjusted production forecast model. The parameter adjustment and error measurement are repeated for a plurality of iterations to generate a plurality of production forecast models each having a determined likelihood of an error measurement. The plurality of production forecast models are displayed with respect to likelihood of error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: APACHE CORPORATION
    Inventor: David Fulford
  • Patent number: 10441915
    Abstract: Methods and systems for continuous pressure swing adsorption separation of a pressurized feed gas stream, the method including separating hydrocarbons heavier than methane from the pressurized feed gas stream to produce at least two product streams, a first product stream being substantially pure methane, and a second product stream being substantially comprised of components with a greater molecular weight than methane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: APACHE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jason G. S. Ho, J Calvin Cooper
  • Patent number: 10376861
    Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to methods of capturing CO2 from an environment at pressures above 1 bar by associating the environment with a porous material that has a surface area of at least 2,800 m2/g, and a total pore volume of at least 1.35 cm3/g, where a majority of pores of the porous material have diameters of less than 2 nm. The present disclosure also pertains to methods for the separation of CO2 from natural gas in an environment at partial pressures of either component above 1 bar by associating the environment with a porous material that has a surface area of at least 2,200 m2/g, and a total pore volume of at least 1.00 cm3/g, where a majority of pores of the porous material have diameters of greater than 1 nm and less than 2 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignees: WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY, APACHE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Saunab Ghosh, Andrew R. Barron, Jason Ho
  • Publication number: 20190134556
    Abstract: Methods and systems for continuous pressure swing adsorption separation of a pressurized feed gas stream, the method including separating hydrocarbons heavier than methane from the pressurized feed gas stream to produce at least two product streams, a first product stream being substantially pure methane, and a second product stream being substantially comprised of components with a greater molecular weight than methane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2018
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Applicant: Apache Corporation
    Inventors: Jason G.S. Ho, J. Calvin Cooper
  • Patent number: 10232342
    Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to materials for CO2 adsorption at pressures above 1 bar, where the materials include a porous material with a surface area of at least 2,800 m2/g, and a total pore volume of at least 1.35 cm3/g, where a majority of pores of the porous material have diameters of less than 2 nm as measured from N2 sorption isotherms using the BET (Brunauer-Emmett-Teller) method. The present disclosure also pertains to materials for separation of CO2 from natural gas at partial pressures of either component above 1 bar, where the materials include a porous material with a surface area of at least 2,200 m2/g, and a total pore volume of at least 1.00 cm3/g, where a majority of pores of the porous material have diameters of greater than 1 nm and less than 2 nm as measured from N2 sorption isotherms using the BET method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignees: WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY, APACHE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Saunab Ghosh, Andrew R. Barron, Jason Ho
  • Patent number: 10168440
    Abstract: A method for determining an optimum spacing of seismic energy sources based on mutual admittance includes deploying a plurality of seismic energy sources along a source line, separated by a selected spacing. Seismic receivers are deployed along a receiver line orthogonal to the source line. Seismic energy is simultaneously transmitted from each of the plurality of seismic energy sources while recording signals from the seismic receivers. The transmitting and recording of signals is repeated for a plurality of different spacings between the energy sources. Seismic energy in the recorded signals is determined in separate time windows selected to represent reflected body wave signal, and source generated ground roll noise, respectively. A signal-to-noise ratio with respect to the spacing of the seismic energy sources is calculated and the optimum spacing between energy sources is selected based on the signal-to-noise ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: APACHE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert H. Brune, Michael Yates
  • Patent number: 10145970
    Abstract: A method for seismic surveying includes deploying a group of vertically sensitive seismic particle motion responsive sensors at each of a plurality of geodetic survey positions. The groups each include at least two sensors spaced apart by a first selected horizontal distance. The groups are separated from each other by a second selected distance larger than the first distance. Signals detected by each of the sensors resulting from actuation of a seismic energy source are recorded. At least one of an in-line and a cross-line component of a gradient of the vertical component of the seismic wavefield is determined at each group location by determining a difference between the signals detected by each sensor in a respective group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: APACHE CORPORATION
    Inventors: David Monk, Michael S. Bahorich, William N. Goodway
  • Publication number: 20180169611
    Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to methods of capturing CO2 from an environment at pressures above 1 bar by associating the environment with a porous material that has a surface area of at least 2,800 m2/g, and a total pore volume of at least 1.35 cm3/g, where a majority of pores of the porous material have diameters of less than 2 nm. The present disclosure also pertains to methods for the separation of CO2 from natural gas in an environment at partial pressures of either component above 1 bar by associating the environment with a porous material that has a surface area of at least 2,200 m2/g, and a total pore volume of at least 1.00 cm3/g, where a majority of pores of the porous material have diameters of greater than 1 nm and less than 2 nm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Applicants: William Marsh Rice University, Apache Corporation
    Inventors: Saunab Ghosh, Andrew R. Barron, Jason Ho
  • Patent number: 9921329
    Abstract: A method for selecting core points in subsurface formations includes selecting a zone from at least one subsurface formation. At least one statistical measure of at least one petrophysical measurement with respect to position along the selected zone is calculated. A predetermined number of core points at randomly selected positions along the selected zone is selected The at least one statistical measure is calculated for the randomly selected positions. Using a Monte Carlo iteration, the positions along the selected zone are randomly reselected and the at least one statistical measure is recalculated for the randomly reselected points until the at least one statistical measure for the randomly selected points is a maximum for a user selected statistical criterion applied to the at least one statistical measure of at least one petrophysical measurement with respect to position along the selected zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Apache Corporation
    Inventor: Ryan Banas
  • Patent number: 9908078
    Abstract: Methods and systems of enhanced carbon dioxide recovery from an inlet gas stream are provided, by introducing the gas stream to one or more membrane-based separation units to produce a permeate byproduct gas stream having increased concentration of carbon dioxide compared to the inlet gas stream and then introducing the permeate byproduct gas stream to one or more pressure swing adsorption units or trains to enhance recovery of hydrocarbons, such as methane, lost in the byproduct stream and to produce a substantially pure carbon dioxide stream, while minimizing process compression and eliminating process heat for process regeneration. The methods introduced herein are for enhancing product recovery by enhancing carbon dioxide recovery from gas streams with pressures greater than atmospheric conditions. Further refinement to the methods would be the introduction of hydrogen sulfide polishing units within the process to produce product that meets or exceeds sales quality specifications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Apache Corporation
    Inventors: Jason G. S. Ho, J. Calvin Cooper
  • Publication number: 20170304801
    Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to materials for CO2 adsorption at pressures above 1 bar, where the materials include a porous material with a surface area of at least 2,800 m2/g, and a total pore volume of at least 1.35 cm3/g, where a majority of pores of the porous material have diameters of less than 2 nm as measured from N2 sorption isotherms using the BET (Brunauer-Emmett-Teller) method. The present disclosure also pertains to materials for separation of CO2 from natural gas at partial pressures of either component above 1 bar, where the materials include a porous material with a surface area of at least 2,200 m2/g, and a total pore volume of at least 1.00 cm3/g, where a majority of pores of the porous material have diameters of greater than 1 nm and less than 2 nm as measured from N2 sorption isotherms using the BET method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Applicants: William Marsh Rice University, Apache corporation
    Inventors: Saunab Ghosh, Andrew R. Barron, Jason Ho
  • Publication number: 20170175523
    Abstract: A method for analyzing total oil in place and fraction that is movable oil in a fine gain rock formation includes monitoring thermal extraction of hydrocarbon and non-hydrocarbon compounds from a sample of a subsurface formation by heating the sample. The heating has a selected initial temperature, and a temperature increase at a selected rate to a final temperature. The extracted hydrocarbon and non-hydrocarbon compounds are passed through a capillary column to a flame ionization detector. Types of hydrocarbon and non-hydrocarbon compounds and relative fractional amounts of each type thereof are determined from the sample by analyzing a chemical thermogram generated by the flame ionization detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Applicant: APACHE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Michael A. Abrams
  • Patent number: 9651699
    Abstract: A method for characterizing subsurface formations penetrated by a wellbore includes accepting as input to a computer measurements of a physical parameter of the formations made over a selected axial interval of the wellbore. At least one attribute of the measurements is determined from a change in the measurements over the selected axial interval. At least one characteristic of the formations in the selected axial interval using the at least one attribute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: APACHE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Cameron A Snow, James A Ruiz
  • Publication number: 20170114617
    Abstract: A method for optimizing a well production forecast includes a) inputting initial production rate measurements made at selected times, b) inputting probability distributions to estimate production forecast model parameters, c) generating an initial forecast of fluid production rates and total produced fluid volumes using a selected production forecast model, d) at a time after a last one of the selected times, comparing the initial forecast with actual production rate and total produced fluid volume measurements to generate an error measurement, e) adjusting parameters of the selected production forecast model to minimize the error measurement, thereby generating an adjusted production forecast model, f) repeating (d) and (e) for a plurality of iterations to generate a plurality of production forecast models each having a determined likelihood of an error measurement and displaying the plurality of production forecast models with respect to likelihood of error.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2015
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Applicant: APACHE CORPORATION
    Inventor: David FULFORD
  • Publication number: 20170108601
    Abstract: A method for seismic surveying includes deploying a group of vertically sensitive seismic particle motion responsive sensors at each of a plurality of geodetic survey positions. The groups each include at least two sensors spaced apart by a first selected horizontal distance. The groups are separated from each other by a second selected distance larger than the first distance. Signals detected by each of the sensors resulting from actuation of a seismic energy source are recorded. At least one of an in-line and a cross-line component of a gradient of the vertical component of the seismic wavefield is determined at each group location by determining a difference between the signals detected by each sensor in a respective group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Applicant: APACHE CORPORATION
    Inventors: David Monk, Michael S. Bahorich, William N. Goodway
  • Patent number: 9593552
    Abstract: A system for cementing a wellbore penetrating an earth formation into which a pipe extends. A cement material is positioned in the space between the wellbore and the pipe by circulated capsules containing the cement material through the pipe into the space between the wellbore and the pipe. The capsules contain the cementing material encapsulated in a shell. The capsules are added to a fluid and the fluid with capsules is circulated through the pipe into the space between the wellbore and the pipe. The shell is breached once the capsules contain the cementing material are in position in the space between the wellbore and the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignees: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC, Apache Corporation
    Inventors: Roger D. Aines, William L. Bourcier, Eric B. Duoss, William C. Floyd, III, Christopher M. Spadaccini, John J. Vericella, Kenneth Michael Cowan