Patents by Inventor Steve R. Krohn

Steve R. Krohn 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).

  • Combined development of oil shale by in situ heating with a deeper hydrocarbon resource
    Patent number: 8151884
    Abstract: A method for producing hydrocarbons from subsurface formations at different depths is first provided. In one aspect, the method includes the step of heating organic-rich rock, in situ, within a subsurface formation at a first depth. The result of the heating step is that at least a portion of the organic-rich rock is pyrolyzed into hydrocarbon fluids. Preferably, the organic-rich rock of the subsurface formation of the first depth is oil shale. The method also includes providing at least one substantially unheated zone within the formation of the first depth. In this way, the organic-rich rock in that zone is left substantially unpyrolyzed. The method further includes drilling at least one production well through the unheated zone, and completing the at least one production well in a subsurface formation at a second depth that is deeper than the first depth. Thereafter, hydrocarbon fluids are produced through the at least one production well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Robert D. Kaminsky, William A. Symington, Jesse D. Yeakel, Michele M. Thomas, Steve R. Krohn
  • Combined development of oil shale by in situ heating with a deeper hydrocarbon resource
    Publication number: 20080087427
    Abstract: A method for producing hydrocarbons from subsurface formations at different depths is first provided. In one aspect, the method includes the step of heating organic-rich rock, in situ, within a subsurface formation at a first depth. The result of the heating step is that at least a portion of the organic-rich rock is pyrolyzed into hydrocarbon fluids. Preferably, the organic-rich rock of the subsurface formation of the first depth is oil shale. The method also includes providing at least one substantially unheated zone within the formation of the first depth. In this way, the organic-rich rock in that zone is left substantially unpyrolyzed. The method further includes drilling at least one production well through the unheated zone, and completing the at least one production well in a subsurface formation at a second depth that is deeper than the first depth. Thereafter, hydrocarbon fluids are produced through the at least one production well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Inventors: Robert D. Kaminsky, William A. Symington, Jesse D. Yeakel, Michele M. Thomas, Steve R. Krohn