Patents by Inventor Ben Nzekwu

Ben Nzekwu has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20120175110
    Abstract: The invention provides methods for natural gas and oil recovery, which include the use of air injection and in situ combustion in natural gas reservoirs to facilitate production of natural gas and heavy oil in gas over bitumen formations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Inventors: LARRY WEIERS, Ben Nzekwu
  • Patent number: 8215387
    Abstract: The invention provides methods for natural gas and oil recovery, which include the use of air injection and in situ combustion in natural gas reservoirs to facilitate production of natural gas and heavy oil in gas over bitumen formations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Encana Corporation
    Inventors: Larry Weiers, Ben Nzekwu
  • Patent number: 8167040
    Abstract: The invention provides methods for natural gas and oil recovery, which include the use of air injection and in situ combustion in natural gas reservoirs to facilitate production of natural gas and heavy oil in gas over bitumen formations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Encana Corporation
    Inventors: Larry Weiers, Ben Nzekwu
  • Publication number: 20110272149
    Abstract: The invention provides methods for natural gas and oil recovery, which include the use of air injection and in situ combustion in natural gas reservoirs to facilitate production of natural gas and heavy oil in gas over bitumen formations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventors: Larry WEIERS, Ben Nzekwu
  • Patent number: 7900701
    Abstract: The invention provides methods for natural gas and oil recovery, which include the use of air injection and in situ combustion in natural gas reservoirs to facilitate production of natural gas and heavy oil in gas over bitumen formations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Encana Corporation
    Inventors: Larry Weiers, Ben Nzekwu
  • Patent number: 7516789
    Abstract: The invention provides hydrocarbon recovery processes that may be utilized in heavy oil reservoirs. Horizontal hydrocarbon production wells may be provided below horizontal oxidizing gas injection wells, with distant combustion gas production wells offset from the injection well by a distance that is greater than the hydrocarbon production well offset distance. Oxidizing gases injected into the reservoir through the injection well support in situ combustion, to mobilize hydrocarbons. The process may be adapted for use in a reservoir that has undergone depletion of petroleum in a precedential petroleum recovery process, such as a steam-assisted-gravity-drainage process, leaving a residual oil deposit in the reservoir as well as mobile zone chambers. Processes of the invention may be modulated so that a portion of the residual oil supports in situ combustion, while a larger portion of the residual oil is produced, by channelling combustion gases along the pre-existing mobile zones with the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: EnCana Corporation
    Inventors: Harbir S. Chhina, Ben Nzekwu
  • Publication number: 20080264635
    Abstract: The invention provides hydrocarbon recovery processes that may be utilized in heavy oil reservoirs. Horizontal hydrocarbon production wells may be provided below horizontal oxidizing gas injection wells, with distant combustion gas production wells offset from the injection well by a distance that is greater than the hydrocarbon production well offset distance. Oxidizing gases injected into the reservoir through the injection well support in situ combustion, to mobilize hydrocarbons. The process may be adapted for use in a reservoir that has undergone depletion of petroleum in a precedential petroleum recovery process, such as a steam-assisted-gravity-drainage process, leaving a residual oil deposit in the reservoir as well as mobile zone chambers. Processes of the invention may be modulated so that a portion of the residual oil supports in situ combustion, while a larger portion of the residual oil is produced, by channelling combustion gases along the pre-existing mobile zones with the reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2006
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventors: Harbir S. Chhina, Ben Nzekwu
  • Publication number: 20080093071
    Abstract: The invention provides methods for natural gas and oil recovery, which include the use of air injection and in situ combustion in natural gas reservoirs to facilitate production of natural gas and heavy oil in gas over bitumen formations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2006
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Inventors: Larry Weiers, Ben Nzekwu