Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of hydraulically mining of oil sands from a well pair drilled into an oil sands deposit is disclosed. The wells are preferably installed from a protected underground workspace in or near the producing zone. The method of hydraulic mining disclosed herein includes: means of drilling production and tailings injection wells; means of augmenting hydraulic excavation for example by inducing block caving and/or wormholing; means of isolating the underground personnel areas from formation gases and fluids; and means of backfilling the excavated volumes with tailings. In one configuration, production wells are formed and lined with a frangible material, for example, a weak concrete or an inflatable epoxy-impregnated felt tube. Hydraulic mining of the full deposit thickness using a directional water jet bit begins at the far end of the drill hole and continues back in stages toward the well-head.

Abstract: In one configuration, the present invention is directed to a method and system for extracting hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon-containing deposit. One or more underground excavations designed to at least partially cave in are used to increase the permeability of the deposit.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a selection process for installing underground workspace in or near a hydrocarbon deposit that is an appropriate workspace from which to drill, operate and service wells applicable to any of a number of methods of recovering hydrocarbons. The present invention includes a number of innovative methods for developing workspace for drilling from a shaft installed above, into or below a hydrocarbon deposit, particularly when the hydrocarbon reservoir is at significant formation pressure or has fluids (water oil or gases) that can enter the workspace. These methods can also be used for developing workspace for drilling from a tunnel installed above, into or below a hydrocarbon deposit. The present invention also discloses a procedure for evaluating the geology in and around the reservoir and using this information to select the most appropriate method of developing workspace for drilling from a shaft and/or tunnel.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a selection process for installing underground workspace in or near a hydrocarbon deposit that is an appropriate workspace from which to drill, operate and service wells applicable to any of a number of methods of recovering hydrocarbons. The present invention includes a number of innovative methods for developing workspace for drilling from a shaft installed above, into or below a hydrocarbon deposit, particularly when the hydrocarbon reservoir is at significant formation pressure or has fluids (water oil or gases) that can enter the workspace. These methods can also be used for developing workspace for drilling from a tunnel installed above, into or below a hydrocarbon deposit. The present invention also discloses a procedure for evaluating the geology in and around the reservoir and using this information to select the most appropriate method of developing workspace for drilling from a shaft and/or tunnel.

Abstract: Processes are disclosed for managing the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions by a process of mining, acquiring water, capturing carbon and disposing of water containing bicarbonates. A number of process configurations of accelerated weathering of carbonate mineral-containing materials (AWC) reactors are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a method and means of injecting hot fluids into a hydrocarbon formation using a combustion and steam generating device installed at or near the well-head of an injector well. The various embodiments are directed generally to substantially increasing energy efficiency of thermal recovery operations by efficiently utilizing the energy of the combustion products and waste heat from the generator. The generator apparatuses can be installed at the well-head which, in turn, can be located close to the producing formation. The combustion products may be injected into a well along with steam or sequestered at another location.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a method and means of collecting oil from a reservoir overlying a water aquifer or basement rock using a manned tunnel. A manned tunnel is used as a physical barrier to intercept oil and water flowing downward along a formation dip and to preferentially collect the oil or the water through a series of collector stations. This method can be used for oil spill clean-ups or for hydrocarbon recovery in appropriate reservoirs.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the operation of heating elements from wells emanating from an underground excavation to heat and mobilize hydrocarbons, such as bitumen, heavy oil and oil shale.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of hydraulically mining of oil sands from a well pair drilled into an oil sands deposit is disclosed. The wells are preferably installed from a protected underground workspace in or near the producing zone. The method of hydraulic mining disclosed herein includes: means of drilling production and tailings injection wells; means of augmenting hydraulic excavation for example by inducing block caving and/or wormholing; means of isolating the underground personnel areas from formation gases and fluids; and means of backfilling the excavated volumes with tailings. In one configuration, production wells are formed and lined with a frangible material, for example, a weak concrete or an inflatable epoxy-impregnated felt tube. Hydraulic mining of the full deposit thickness using a directional water jet bit begins at the far end of the drill hole and continues back in stages toward the well-head.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a method and means of collecting oil from a reservoir overlying a water aquifer or basement rock using a manned tunnel. A manned tunnel is used as a physical barrier to intercept oil and water flowing downward along a formation dip and to preferentially collect the oil or the water through a series of collector stations. This method can be used for oil spill clean-ups or for hydrocarbon recovery in appropriate reservoirs.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a method and means of injecting hot fluids into a hydrocarbon formation using a combustion and steam generating device installed at or near the well-head of an injector well. The various embodiments are directed generally to substantially increasing energy efficiency of thermal recovery operations by efficiently utilizing the energy of the combustion products and waste heat from the generator. The generator apparatuses can be installed at the well-head which, in turn, can be located close to the producing formation. The combustion products may be injected into a well along with steam or sequestered at another location.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a selection process for installing underground workspace in or near a hydrocarbon deposit that is an appropriate workspace from which to drill, operate and service wells applicable to any of a number of methods of recovering hydrocarbons. The present invention includes a number of innovative methods for developing workspace for drilling from a shaft installed above, into or below a hydrocarbon deposit, particularly when the hydrocarbon reservoir is at significant formation pressure or has fluids (water oil or gases) that can enter the workspace. These methods can also be used for developing workspace for drilling from a tunnel installed above, into or below a hydrocarbon deposit. The present invention also discloses a procedure for evaluating the geology in and around the reservoir and using this information to select the most appropriate method of developing workspace for drilling from a shaft and/or tunnel.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for installing, operating and servicing wells in a hydrocarbon deposit from a lined shaft and/or tunnel system that is installed above, into or under a hydrocarbon deposit. The entire process of installing the shafts and tunnels as well as drilling and operating the wells is carried out while maintaining isolation between the work space and the ground formation. In one aspect of the invention, well-head devices may be precast into the tunnel or shaft lining to facilitate well installation and operation in the presence of formation pressure and/or potential fluid in-flows. In another aspect of the invention, the tunnel itself can be used as a large diameter well for collecting hydrocarbons and, if required, for injecting steam or diluents into a formation to mobilize heavy hydrocarbons such as heavy crude and bitumen.

Abstract: In one configuration, the present invention is directed to a method and system for extracting hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon-containing deposit. One or more underground excavations designed to at least partially cave in are used to increase the permeability of the deposit.