Co2 Or Carbonated Gas Patents (Class 166/402)
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Patent number: 11851610Abstract: A method for subsurface sequestration of carbon dioxide includes placing into a subterranean zone an oxidizer having a redox potential of at least 0.5 volts. The subterranean zone has an average total organic content of at least three weight percent. Carbon dioxide is injected into the subterranean zone via one or a plurality of wells. A total volume of all fluids injected into the subterranean zone via the one or the plurality of wells includes, on average per well per month, at least sixty-five weight percent carbon dioxide and less than thirty weight percent water.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2021Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventors: Katherine Leigh Hull, Hasmukh A. Patel, Younane N. Abousleiman, David Jacobi, Poorna Srinivasan
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Patent number: 11821297Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling fracturing operations include monitoring pressure within a monitor well poroelastically couplable to an active well. In response to pressure changes observed in the monitor well, operational parameters of the fracturing operation are modified to, among other things, encourage or inhibit fracture initiation and propagation. For example, modifications to properties of the fracturing fluid, modification to pumping parameters, rate cycling, and diversion operations may each be undertaken in response to observed pressure changes within the monitor well. Single-well applications are also provided in which pressure measurements are obtained from an isolated section of a well poroelastically couplable to an uphole section of the same well. The pressure measurements are subsequently used to control fracturing operations of the uphole section.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2022Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: Devon Energy CorporationInventors: Kyle L. Haustveit, Tarik Ouradi, Brendan M. Elliott, Jacob R. Melton, Toby T. Deen, John T. Dwyer
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Patent number: 11802466Abstract: A method of recovering crude oil from a reservoir by: determining a depletion pressure for providing a lights-depleted crude oil comprising a reduced amount of light ends including methane, nitrogen, carbon dioxide (CO2), or a combination thereof and having a CO2 multi contact Minimum Miscibility Pressure (CO2-MMP) below a CO2-MMP of a native crude oil, wherein the native crude oil is crude oil extracted from the reservoir prior to primary oil recovery therefrom; depleting the pressure of the reservoir from an initial reservoir pressure to the determined depletion pressure, thus providing the lights-depleted crude oil; repressurizing the reservoir to an operating pressure for recovering the lights-depleted crude oil from the reservoir via carbon dioxide (CO2) injection; injecting CO2 into the reservoir via at least one injection well; and recovering at least a portion of the lights-depleted crude oil from the reservoir via at least one production well.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2019Date of Patent: October 31, 2023Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEMInventors: Ganesh C. Thakur, Peila Chen, Sriram Balasubramanian, Sushanta Bose
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Patent number: 11795784Abstract: A CO2 sequestration system sequesters carbon dioxide as carbon dioxide hydrate in offshore saline aquifers. The system includes an offshore aquifer in a tropical region. A plurality of wellbores are positioned inside or around a perimeter of the aquifer. The CO2 may be injected into the aquifer via separate injectors located in the wellbores connected to the aquifer while aquifer water or brine is produced from one or more of the other wellbores and provided to the aquifer. Injection of the CO2 into and production of water from the offshore aquifer at separately timed intervals may maintain the reservoir pressure below the reservoir fracture pressure and the hydrate formation pressure so that the CO2 may be stored as carbon dioxide hydrate within the aquifer. Depending on the specific output desired, the aquifer may be positioned either straddling or within a hydrate stability zone. A method for sequestering CO2 uses the aforementioned system to carry out CO2 sequestration.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2022Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: Low Carbon Energies, LLCInventors: Hon Chung Lau, Kai Zhang
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Patent number: 11549053Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for enhancing oil recovery from low permeability subterranean formation using three mechanisms: repressurization; reduction of interfacial tension; and increased permeability. The subject compositions comprise a chelating agent, a biosurfactant, a carbonate or bicarbonate salt, water, and a pH adjusting substance, which when applied to an oil-bearing formation according to the methods of the subject invention, allow for controlled release of carbon dioxide within the formation without complicated machinery or gas-producing microorganisms.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2019Date of Patent: January 10, 2023Assignee: LOCUS SOLUTIONS IPCO, LLCInventors: Sean Farmer, Ken Alibek, Andrew R Lefkowitz, Karthik N Karathur, Martin R Shumway, Alibek Moldakozhayev
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Patent number: 11506034Abstract: The method for enhancing shallow heavy oil reservoir production is an enhanced oil recovery method for shallow heavy oil reservoirs using cyclic steam polymer injection. The method involves injecting steam into the reservoir through an injection well, shutting down the well for three months to allow the steam to soak into the reservoir, then opening the well and injecting a viscous polymer concentration of 0.7 lb/STB into the reservoir. The cycle may be repeated three times over the life of the reservoir. The heated steam reduces the viscosity of the heavy oil, and the polymer displaces the oil to the production well. The method avoids the production rate drop normally associated with steam injection. Although continuous steam injection produces a higher cumulative oil production, cyclic steam polymer injection has lower capital cost and produces a better Net Present Value (NPV).Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2021Date of Patent: November 22, 2022Assignee: GIFTEDNESS AND CREATIVITY COMPANYInventor: Bashayer Dashti
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Patent number: 11401456Abstract: The present invention provides an enhanced oil recovery method by nanofluid-assisted CO2 huff-n-puff. A nanofluid is injected into an injection well in an oil reservoir formation having hydrophilic wetting characteristics, and soaking is performed; in the soaking stage, after the nanofluid tends to replace crude oil to occupy dead-ends of fractures and pores, and liquid CO2 is injected; and in the process of production, CO2 originally dissolved in the formation fluid reaches a supersaturated state. As a result, CO2 preferentially nucleates at the nanofluid side to generate CO2 bubbles, grows and expands with the continuous reduction of formation pressure, and pushes crude oil near the dead-ends of fractures and pores to move outward, thereby improving the recovery efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2020Date of Patent: August 2, 2022Assignee: TSINGHUA UNIVERSITYInventors: Peixue Jiang, Ruina Xu, Feng Huang
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Patent number: 11358183Abstract: Included are methods and systems for recycling a gas emitted from non-aqueous cleaning. An example method includes contacting a contaminated equipment with a non-aqueous cleaning material; wherein the spent non-aqueous cleaning material emits the gas. The method further comprises capturing the emitted gas, filtering the emitted gas, and recycling the emitted gas into the non-aqueous cleaning material.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2017Date of Patent: June 14, 2022Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Kevin G. Kleinguetl, Brice A. Jackson, Lawrence J. Herskowitz, Adam Dotson
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Patent number: 11131173Abstract: A pump system includes a centrifugal pump having an impeller, a first inlet arranged to receive a first flow of liquid, a second inlet arranged to receive a flow of gas at a first pressure, the gas being soluble in the liquid, and an outlet arranged to discharge a second flow of liquid that contains the flow of gas solubilized therein. An injection pump has an inlet arranged to receive the second flow of liquid. The injection pump is operable to increase the pressure of the second flow of liquid to produce a high-pressure flow of liquid, and includes a discharge arranged to discharge the high-pressure flow of liquid.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2020Date of Patent: September 28, 2021Assignee: SIEMENS ENERGY, INC.Inventors: Shane Broussard, Bruce M. Schertz, Chad L. Felch
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Patent number: 11078768Abstract: Disclosed belongs to the technical field of oil and gas field development engineering, and particularly relates to a super heavy oil development method for strengthening an SAGD steam chamber to break through a low physical property reservoir. The super heavy oil development method for strengthening the SAGD steam chamber to break through the low physical property reservoir includes the following steps: (1) selection of a developed oil reservoir; (2) well distribution; (3) steam chamber forming; (4) steam chamber expansion; (5) steam chamber strengthening. The method may enhance the ability of the steam chamber to break through the low physical property reservoir, enlarge the development height of the steam chamber, and further improve the SAGD development effect of super heavy oil.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2019Date of Patent: August 3, 2021Assignee: CHINA UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM (EAST CHINA)Inventors: Teng Lu, Zhaomin Li, Jianping Yang, Hongyuan Wang, Shizhong Wang, Yao Wei, Zhuangzhuang Wang, Dawei Hou, Yajie Xu
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Patent number: 10829682Abstract: A method for enhanced or improved oil recovery includes injecting a miscible injection fluid comprising an unfractionated hydrocarbon mixture through an injection well into a hydrocarbon bearing reservoir at a structurally higher position to initiate gravity-stable displacement and gas cap expansion processes. Residual hydrocarbons in the hydrocarbon bearing reservoir are mobilized and displaced by the miscible injection fluid to a structurally lower position within the hydrocarbon bearing reservoir adjacent a production well through which they are produced to the surface.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2016Date of Patent: November 10, 2020Assignee: Linde AktiengesellschaftInventors: John A. Babcock, Charles P. Siess, III
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Patent number: 10421611Abstract: A geological storage system of carbon dioxide according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: an injection pipe that extends to a carbon storage reservoir that includes a plurality of rock grains and brine, from the ground surface, and supplies an injection material that includes carbon dioxide (CO2) to the carbon storage reservoir; a plurality of pores that are disposed between the plurality of rock grains; and a storage structure that is connected with a part of the plurality of pores and where the carbon dioxide reaches through the plurality of pores and then stored.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2018Date of Patent: September 24, 2019Assignee: KOREA ADVANCED INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGYInventors: Tae-Hyuk Kwon, Taehyung Park
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Patent number: 9840899Abstract: A method includes a first injection phase that includes injecting a first gas-based fluid into a subterranean formation at a first pressure that exceeds a fracture pressure of the subterranean formation. The method also includes a second injection phase that includes injecting a second gas-based fracturing fluid into the subterranean formation at a second pressure that exceeds a minimum miscibility pressure of the second gas-based fluid, followed by a shut in period. The method further includes a third injection phase that includes injecting the first gas-based fluid or a third gas-based fluid into the subterranean formation at the first fracture pressure or at a third pressure exceeding the fracture pressure of the subterranean formation. The first gas-based fluid, second gas-based fluid, and third gas-based fluid include carbon dioxide (CO2).Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2014Date of Patent: December 12, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Glen Richard Murrell
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Patent number: 9458707Abstract: A method of enhancing oil recovery by providing a mobile surfactant injection system including a storage tank, means for injecting surfactant into a supercritical CO2 stream, and a feedback control for maintaining a constant concentration of surfactant in a gas stream, the method including the steps of creating a fluid comprising the surfactant and the injection gas, and injecting the fluid into the oil field strata.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2012Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLCInventors: Aaron W. Sanders, Terry A. Mann
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Patent number: 9350209Abstract: A coil fastening part in a stator of the present invention can be turned about its axis of rotation in a gap between an end face of a tooth and an inner circumferential surface of a unit coil and has a noncircular shape cross-section vertical to its axis of rotation. The noncircular shape cross-section of the coil fastening part has a first dimension which is represented by a first line segment which intersects its axis of rotation and a second dimension which is represented by a second line segment which intersects its axis of rotation, is different from the first line segment, and is larger than the first dimension. The coil fastening part is arranged in the gap in a state where the second line segment is aligned with the height direction of the gap and pushes against both the end face and the inner circumferential surface to thereby fasten the unit coil to a tooth.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2014Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: Fanuc CorporationInventor: Yoshinori Murakami
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Patent number: 9316093Abstract: A method is provided for sequestration of a greenhouse gas in a water-laden formation by injection of a fluid comprising greenhouse gas (GHG) into a formation under conditions suitable for generating an unstable front of said greenhouse gas within the formation. The injection may comprise a first stage wherein a gas phase comprising CO2 is injected into the formation, followed by a second stage comprising injecting an aqueous liquid into the formation, to thereby generate an unstable front within the formation that results in relatively rapid dissolution of the injected CO2 within the formation water. The cyclic nature of the injection, alternating between GHG and water injection, can be repeated for a number of times until the carrying capacity of the formation is deemed to have been reached.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2013Date of Patent: April 19, 2016Inventors: Roman Bilak, Maurice B. Dusseault
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Patent number: 9303867Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for enhancing heavy oil recovery using fixed-bed chemical looping combustion processes that incorporate carbon dioxide capture and/or sequestration. A fixed-bed chemical looping combustion process is provided for generating heat and carbon dioxide. The heat thus generated may be employed in thermal recovery techniques such as SAGD to enhance recovery of heavy oils. Additionally or alternatively, the carbon dioxide produced by the process may be sequestered, captured, employed as a tertiary recovery technique, or any combination thereof. Advantages of certain embodiments include one or more of the following advantages: lower cost, relatively high conversion rates, and high theoretical efficiency of carbon dioxide capture.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2013Date of Patent: April 5, 2016Assignee: ConocoPhillips CompanyInventor: Scott MacAdam
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Patent number: 9057249Abstract: A method for producing hydrocarbons from and/or storing C02 in an organic-rich rock formation. One embodiment of the method includes the steps of injecting the C02 into an injection well in the organic-rich rock formation and producing the hydrocarbons from a production well when a drainage volume of the production well has an average reservoir pressure equal to or less than a predetermined pressure. The hydrocarbons substantially include natural gas and the injection well is in fluid communication with the production well. The embodiment also includes capping the production well and feeding the C02 into the injection well when the produced hydrocarbons include a C02 mole fraction greater than or equal to a predetermined mole fraction.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2011Date of Patent: June 16, 2015Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Stuart R Keller, William B. Maze, Gary F. Teletzke
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Patent number: 8991510Abstract: A system comprises an injection well for accessing a reservoir containing a native fluid comprising a hydrocarbon. The reservoir is located below one or more caprocks, is at a first temperature, and is accessible without using large-scale hydrofracturing. The system further includes a production well in fluid communication with the reservoir, a supply apparatus configured to feed a non-water based working fluid at a second temperature that is lower than the first temperature through the injection well to the reservoir. The working fluid mixes with the native fluid to form a production fluid comprising at least a portion of the working fluid and at least a portion of the hydrocarbon at a third temperature that is higher than the second temperature. An energy recovery apparatus in fluid communication with the productions well converts energy contained in the production fluid to electricity, heat, or combinations thereof.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2012Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignees: Regents of the University of Minnesota, Heat Mining Company LLCInventors: Martin O. Saar, Jimmy Bryan Randolph, Thomas H. Kuehn, Kenneth Carpenter
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Patent number: 8991491Abstract: The present invention relates to producing oil from an oil-bearing geological formation using a selection process. The process includes selecting a treatment option such as carbon dioxide flooding for enhancing oil recovery from a geological formation in a remote location. Various characteristic properties such as a physical or chemical property of the oil or rock may be used in the selection process and the carbon dioxide may be captured from a combustion process.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2011Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignees: Siemens Energy, Inc., Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: David Kalinowski, Steven Higgens
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Patent number: 8984857Abstract: Methods and systems for low emission power generation in hydrocarbon recovery processes are provided. One system includes integrated pressure maintenance and miscible flood systems with low emission power generation. An alternative system provides for low emission power generation, carbon sequestration, enhanced oil recovery (EOR), or carbon dioxide sales using a hot gas expander and external combustor. Another alternative system provides for low emission power generation using a gas power turbine to compress air in the inlet compressor and generate power using hot carbon dioxide laden gas in the expander. Other efficiencies may be gained by incorporating heat cross-exchange, a desalination plant, co-generation, and other features.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2009Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Moses Minta, Franklin F. Mittricker, Peter C. Rasmussen, Loren K. Starcher, Chad C. Rasmussen, James T. Wilkins, Richard W. Meidel, Jr.
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Patent number: 8973668Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include compositions for use in enhanced oil recovery, and methods of using the compositions for recovering oil. Compositions of the present disclosure include a nonionic, non-emulsifying surfactant having a CO2-philicity in a range of about 1.5 to about 5.0, carbon dioxide in a liquid phase or supercritical phase, and water, where the nonionic, non-emulsifying surfactant promotes a formation of a stable foam formed of carbon dioxide and water.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2014Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLCInventors: Aaron W. Sanders, Keith P. Johnston, Quoc Nguyen, Stephanie Adkins, Xi Chen, Ed G. Rightor
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Patent number: 8967283Abstract: A system and method for cracking, hydrogenating and extracting oil from underground deposits includes a gasifier, an injection well and a production well. The gasifier creates high pressure, high temperature syngas. The pressurized syngas flows through an injection well into a deposit of oil under the ground to crack and hydrogenate the oil to produce upgraded oil with a reduced density and viscosity. The production well of the system receives the reduced density and viscosity oil, transports it above the ground where it may be further separated into a portion that may be sold and a portion that can be gasified in the gasifier.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2011Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: Syagd Inc.Inventors: Jose J. P. Lourenco, John Gordon Murphy
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Patent number: 8939223Abstract: There are provided a carbon dioxide storage apparatus and a carbon dioxide storage method which, through direct injection of carbon dioxide into an underground brine aquifer, can store carbon dioxide efficiently in the brine aquifer. A filter formed of, for example, grindstone is provided at a tip portion of an injection well. A pumping apparatus pumps carbon dioxide stored in a carbon dioxide tank. The pumping apparatus feeds carbon dioxide from the carbon dioxide tank into the injection well by means of a pump. In the pumping apparatus, carbon dioxide is held within a predetermined pressure range and a predetermined temperature range. Carbon dioxide is fed through the injection well, and is injected into a brine aquifer. Carbon dioxide injected into the brine aquifer assumes the form of microbubbles.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2010Date of Patent: January 27, 2015Assignee: Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiromichi Kameyama, Susumu Nishio, Ziqiu Xue, Toshifumi Matsuoka
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Patent number: 8936074Abstract: An apparatus for distributing CO2 with an advanced function of adjusting the pressure and temperature of CO2 for geologic injection includes a manifold including a plurality of branching pipes to receive carbon dioxide for geologic injection from a plurality of storage tanks, a distribution chamber having an inlet communicating with the manifold and an outlet connected to an injection pipe extending to an underground tubular well, so that the carbon dioxide, which has been received through the manifold, is supplied through the injection pipe, a temperature adjusting part to adjust the temperature of the carbon dioxide introduced into the distribution chamber, and a flow rate and hydraulic pressure adjusting part to adjust a flow rate and a hydraulic pressure of the carbon dioxide injected into an underground through the distribution chamber. The temperature and pressure conditions of CO2 on geologic injection are controlled through a user interface.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2011Date of Patent: January 20, 2015Assignee: Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (Kigam)Inventors: Tae-Hee Kim, Ki-Sung Sung, Jeong-Chan Kim
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Publication number: 20140352984Abstract: A method and apparatus for sequestering carbon dioxide (CO2) gas and releasing natural gas from underground coal and/or gas shale formations using CO2 gas captured from the flue gas of a coal burning power plant, and processing it to produce cold liquid pressurized CO2, and injecting the cold liquid CO2 under pressure to create fractures within the formation and causing the CO2 to be adsorbed into the coal or gas shale and natural gas (CH4) to be desorbed, released and recovered. A special pressure cycling process is used to enable the pressure within the formation to be increased and decreased, including allowing the liquid CO2 to change phase to a gaseous CO2, and injecting the liquid CO2 under pressure repeatedly, which causes greater expansion of the proliferation zone within the formation, and more efficiently releases CH4.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2014Publication date: December 4, 2014Inventors: Ben M. Enis, Paul Lieberman
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Patent number: 8899340Abstract: A method for recovering gas from a subterranean formation having a hydrate deposit located therein and a gas reservoir located under the hydrate deposit that includes injecting a hydrate-forming fluid into an upper region of the gas reservoir neighboring the hydrate deposit; and producing gaseous hydrocarbons from a lower region of the gas reservoir is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2009Date of Patent: December 2, 2014Assignee: M-I L.L.C.Inventors: Robert L. Horton, Frederick B. Growcock
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Publication number: 20140345880Abstract: A system for sequestering CO2 gas and releasing natural gas from underground coal and/or gas shale formations using CO2 gas captured from the flue gas of a coal burning power plant, and processing it to produce cold liquid pressurized CO2, and injecting the cold liquid CO2 under pressure to create fractures within the formation and causing the CO2 to be adsorbed into the coal or gas shale and CH4 to be desorbed, released and recovered.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2014Publication date: November 27, 2014Inventors: Ben M. Enis, Paul Lieberman
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Patent number: 8869889Abstract: The present invention relates to systems, apparatuses, and methods for providing a reliable, high purity source of CO2 that is used in the recovery of formation deposits, such as fossil fuels. At least a portion of the fossil fuels recovered may be directly combusted or extracted using the same process used to provide the pure source of CO2 without the need to first remove CO2, sulfur, other fossil fuels, or other impurities.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2011Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignees: Palmer Labs, LLC, 8 Rivers Capital, LLCInventors: Miles Palmer, Rodney John Allam, Jeremy Eron Fetvedt, David Arthur Freed, Glenn William Brown, Jr.
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Patent number: 8863855Abstract: Methods of enhancing oil recovery from subterranean hydrocarbon reservoirs are described, wherein a microorganism capable of digesting oil is injected into the formation.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2008Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: Statoil ASAInventor: Hans Kristian Kotlar
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Patent number: 8857527Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include compositions for use in enhanced oil recovery, and methods of using the compositions for recovering oil. Compositions of the present disclosure include a nonionic, non-emulsifying surfactant having a CO2-philicity in a range of about 1.5 to about 5.0, carbon dioxide in a liquid phase or supercritical phase, and water, where the nonionic, non-emulsifying surfactant promotes a formation of a stable foam formed of carbon dioxide and water.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2009Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLCInventors: Aaron W. Sanders, Ed G. Rightor, Keith P. Johnston, Quoc Nguyen, Stephanie Adkins, Xi Chen
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Publication number: 20140284066Abstract: The present invention is an in-situ apparatus for generating carbon dioxide gas at an oil site for use in enhanced oil recovery (EOR). The apparatus includes a steam generator adapted to boil and superheat water to generate a source of superheated steam, as well as a source of essentially pure oxygen. The apparatus also includes a steam reformer adapted to react a carbonaceous material with the superheated steam and the pure oxygen, in an absence of air, to generate a driver gas comprising primarily carbon dioxide gas and hydrogen gas. A separator is adapted to separate at least a portion of the carbon dioxide gas from the rest of the driver gas to generate a carbon dioxide-rich driver gas and a hydrogen-rich fuel gas. A compressor is used for compressing the carbon dioxide-rich driver gas for use in enhanced oil recovery, and the compressed carbon dioxide-rich driver gas, with substantially no oxygen, is injected to a predetermined depth in order to enhance oil recovery at the oil site.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2013Publication date: September 25, 2014Applicant: Pioneer Energy, Inc.Inventors: Robert M. Zubrin, Mark H. Berggren
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Patent number: 8839875Abstract: A system for sequestering CO2 gas and releasing natural gas from underground coal and/or gas shale formations using CO2 gas captured from the flue gas of a coal burning power plant, and processing it to produce cold liquid pressurized CO2, and injecting the cold liquid CO2 under pressure to create fractures within the formation and causing the CO2 to be adsorbed into the coal or gas shale and CH4 to be desorbed, released and recovered. No high volume of water, no toxic additives to the water and no sand proppants are used for hydro-fracture of the gas shale or coal bed.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2010Date of Patent: September 23, 2014Inventors: Ben M. Enis, Paul Lieberman
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Patent number: 8833474Abstract: A method and apparatus for sequestering carbon dioxide (CO2) gas and releasing natural gas from underground coal and/or gas shale formations using CO2 gas captured from the flue gas of a coal burning power plant, and processing it to produce cold liquid pressurized CO2, and injecting the cold liquid CO2 under pressure to create fractures within the formation and causing the CO2 to be adsorbed into the coal or gas shale and natural gas (CH4) to be desorbed, released and recovered. A special pressure cycling process is used to enable the pressure within the formation to be increased and decreased, including allowing the liquid CO2 to change phase to a gaseous CO2, and injecting the liquid CO2 under pressure repeatedly, which causes greater expansion of the proliferation zone within the formation, and more efficiently releases CH4.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2012Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Inventors: Ben M. Enis, Paul Lieberman
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Patent number: 8833475Abstract: A system comprises an injection well for accessing an underground reservoir having a first temperature. The reservoir is located below a caprock and is accessible without using large-scale hydrofracturing. The injection well includes an injection well reservoir opening in fluid communication with the reservoir. The system also includes a production well having a production well reservoir opening in fluid communication with the reservoir. A working-fluid supply system provides a non-water based working fluid to the injection well at a second temperature lower than the first temperature. Exposure of the non-water based working fluid to the first temperature produces heated non-water based working fluid capable of entering the production well reservoir opening. An energy converting apparatus connected to the productions well converts thermal energy contained in the heated non-water based working fluid to electricity, heat, or combinations thereof.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2012Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: Regents of the University of MinnesotaInventors: Martin O. Saar, Jimmy Bryan Randolph, Thomas H. Kuehn
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Patent number: 8826995Abstract: A method for the transport of carbon dioxide from a feed means to a removal means in a pressure pipe, which method includes the production of a transport mixture containing up to 80 mol % carbon dioxide and an inert gas, in particular nitrogen, in the feed means, the pressurised feeding of the transport mixture into the pressure pipe, and the pressurised transport of the transport mixture in the pressure pipe to the removal means.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2011Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: Linde AktiengesellschaftInventors: Alexander Alekseev, Ramachandran Krishnamurthy, Guillermo Locht
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Patent number: 8789592Abstract: A method includes introducing a treatment fluid including a first polymer gel into a subterranean formation to generate a production fluid having an aqueous portion and a hydrocarbon portion, treating the aqueous portion of the production fluid with chlorine dioxide to separate additional hydrocarbons from the aqueous portion, and adjusting the viscosity of the treated aqueous portion prior to introducing the treated aqueous portion back into the subterranean formation.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2013Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: Sabre Intellectual Property Holdings LLCInventor: John Mason
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Patent number: 8783364Abstract: A gas hydrate is produced by injecting guest molecules into voids in a layer of which temperature and pressure condition allows the guest molecules to cause to form hydrate, in a form of emulsion where liquid of the guest molecules is dispersed in water as minute particles having a size of less than a size of voids, and thereby dispersing the guest molecules uniformly into the voids in the layer.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2006Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: Central Research Institute of Electric Power IndustryInventor: Yojiro Ikegawa
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Patent number: 8783371Abstract: A process and apparatus of separating CO2 gas from industrial off-gas source in which the CO2 containing off-gas is introduced deep within an injection well. The CO2 gases are dissolved in the, liquid within the injection well while non-CO2 gases, typically being insoluble in water or brine, are returned to the surface. Once the CO2 saturated liquid is present within the injection well, the injection well may be used for long-term geologic storage of CO2 or the CO2 saturated liquid can be returned to the surface for capturing a purified CO2 gas.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2010Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Inventors: Gerald Blount, Alvin A. Siddal, Ronald W. Falta
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Patent number: 8776901Abstract: Recovering oil and gas from subterranean oil and gas reservoirs using gas injection can serve an additional purpose of capturing and sequestering carbon dioxide. This can be accomplished where the feed gas for the gas injection is, at least in part, carbon dioxide from a carbon dioxide capture and sequestration process. Corrosion of steel in a gas transportation system due to the presence of carbon dioxide and water and oxygen may be prevented or at least mitigated by employing a corrosion inhibitor effective at preventing or mitigating steel corrosion in the presence of oxygen and carbon dioxide. The corrosion inhibitors may incorporate alkyl succinic acids, alkyl succinic anhydrides, and trimer acids.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2011Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Sunder Ramachandran, Vladimir Jovancicevic, Ksenija Babic-Samardzija, Ha M. Nguyen
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Patent number: 8763710Abstract: A method of recovering oil from a heterogeneous reservoir, comprising a plurality of permeable porous blocks of rock whose pores contain oil and which form interfaces with regions between the blocks, e.g. fractures, having a higher permeability than the blocks. Treating the interfaces such that the wettability of the surfaces of the blocks is in a predetermined wettability range, then reducing the permeability in the highly permeable regions, and finally flooding the reservoir by injecting a chase fluid into the reservoir. With the present method, water phase bridges are established between adjacent blocks in the reservoir thus allowing a transmission of injection pressure for viscous displacement from one block to the next across the reservoir. A method for long-time storage of CO2 by using CO2 as chase fluid or foaming gas according to the present method for oil recovery from heterogeneous reservoirs.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2010Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Assignee: Bergen Teknologioverforing ASInventor: Arne Graue
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Patent number: 8734545Abstract: Methods and systems for low emission power generation in hydrocarbon recovery processes are provided. One system includes integrated pressure maintenance and miscible flood systems with low emission power generation. The system may also include integration of a pressure swing reformer (PSR), air-blown auto-thermal reformer (ATR), or oxygen-blown ATR with a gas power turbine system, preferably a combined cycle gas power turbine system. Such systems may be employed to capture and utilize greenhouse gases (GHG) and generate power for use in hydrocarbon recovery operations.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2009Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Frank Hershkowitz, Eric D. Nelson, Patrick D. McMahon
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Patent number: 8733459Abstract: An enhanced oil recovery process that is integrated with a synthesis gas generation process, such as gasification or reforming, involving capture and recycle of a sour carbon dioxide stream for EOR use.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2010Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: GreatPoint Energy, Inc.Inventor: Paul Wallace
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Patent number: 8673257Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for reducing contaminants from industrial processes. More particularly, the invention is directed to a method of sequestering pollutants from flue gases in operational plants. The method includes sequestering contaminants from a point source by reacting an alkaline material with a flue gas containing contaminants to be sequestered, wherein the reaction has a rapid mass transfer rate to sequester at least a portion of the contaminants.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2009Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: University of WyomingInventors: Katta J. Reddy, Morris D. Argyle
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Patent number: 8668022Abstract: A system and method for cracking, hydrogenating and extracting oil from underground deposits is presented. A system includes injecting carbon dioxide and syngas into a deposit of oil under the ground to crack and hydrogenate the heavy oil to produce upgraded oil with a reduced density and reduced viscosity. The carbon dioxide acts as a pressurization agent to further reduce the viscosity of the heavy oil. The method transports the reduced density and reduced viscosity oil aboveground. The carbon dioxide is left underground after the reduced viscosity oil is transported aboveground.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2011Date of Patent: March 11, 2014Assignee: Agosto Corporation Ltd.Inventors: Jose J. P. Lourenco, John Gordon Murphy
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Patent number: 8663589Abstract: The invention relates to a method for recovering sulphur from a sour gas containing hydrogen sulphide and carbon dioxide, comprising: oxidation of the sour gas, wherein a part of the hydrogen sulphide is oxidized to sulphur dioxide and water, reaction of the resulting sulphur dioxide with the residual hydrogen sulphide to elementary sulphur, and removal of elementary sulphur. According to the invention carbon dioxide and/or carbon dioxide generated by oxidation of the sour gas is compressed, and at least a part of the carbon dioxide is injected into an oil well. Furthermore, the invention relates to a plant suitable for performing the above method.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2012Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: Linde AktiengesellschaftInventor: Stephen Rhys Graville
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Publication number: 20140054050Abstract: Disclosed is a well configuration and method of forming the configuration and producing hydrocarbons from the configuration. In one embodiment, multiple fractures are formed from a wellbore in a subterranean hydrocarbon gas formation. One fracture is filled with material to create a flow barrier that modifies the flow pattern of at least one fluid within the subterranean hydrocarbon formation. Also disclosed is the process of injecting a Dew Point altering gas into the formation on one side of the barrier and producing a mixture of formation gas and injected gas from the fractures on the other side of the barrier.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2012Publication date: February 27, 2014Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.Inventors: Sharlene Dawn Lindsay, Jennifer Lyn Williamson, Loyd Eddie East, JR.
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Patent number: 8657019Abstract: Methods and systems of hydrocarbon recovery use treatment fluids comprising low salinity carbonated water. Certain embodiments comprise forming a carbonated aqueous solution formed of either fresh water or low salinity water and introducing the carbonated aqueous solution into a formation to enhance hydrocarbon recovery. Low salinity brines may be used in lieu of or in combination with the foregoing fresh water. The carbonated water or low salinity carbonated brine may be introduced as a treatment fluid through a secondary well and used to provide a motive force to sweep the hydrocarbons towards one or more production wells. The carbonated water may be produced at a well site through a desalination process that uses naturally occurring brine as its feed. Using fresh water or law salinity brines allows a higher concentration of carbon dioxide to be dissolved in the water, which enhances hydrocarbon recovery.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2011Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: ConocoPhillips CompanyInventor: Jean Denis Pone
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Patent number: 8646538Abstract: The methods disclosed herein relate to sequestering carbon dioxide in an aquifer by trapping the CO2 in interstitial pores of the aquifer. Trapping the CO2 in the interstitial pores of the aquifer prevents the sequestered CO2 from escaping back to the surface and allows a much larger percentage of a CO2 to be stably sequestered compared to techniques that rely on dissolving the CO2 to achieve stable sequestration.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2010Date of Patent: February 11, 2014Inventor: Larry L. Baxter
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Publication number: 20140020913Abstract: A method for improving the SWAG process for extracting the hydrocarbon, bitumen, from tar sands by injecting carbon dioxide into the reservoir. Said carbon dioxide will dissolve in the bitumen producing a solution having increased producibility greatly above that of the native bitumen. Recovery of the bitumen CO2 solution can be further enhanced by heat. Heat can be supplied by various means including elevating the temperature of the carbon dioxide prior to injection, injecting a mixture of carbon dioxide and steam or generating heat in-situ by including oxygen, preferably purified, with any of the above-mentioned injectants. This invention is ideally conducted through, but not limited to, the use of horizontal wells completed near the top and base of the reservoir.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2012Publication date: January 23, 2014Inventor: John Tinsman Patton