Patents by Inventor Eric Pierre de Rouffignac

Eric Pierre de Rouffignac 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).

  • Treatment of a hydrocarbon containing formation after heating
    Publication number: 20030196810
    Abstract: A method for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation is provided. In one embodiment, heat from one or more heaters may be provided to at least a portion of the formation. Heat may be allowed to transfer from the one or more heaters to at least a part of the formation. In certain embodiments, the heat from the one or more heaters may pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbons in the formation. In an embodiment, a first fluid may be introduced into at least a portion of the formation. The portion may have previously undergone an in situ conversion process. A mixture of the first fluid and a second fluid may be produced from the formation. Such mixture may, in some embodiments, be treated or burned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Inventors: Harold J. Vinegar, Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, Ajay Madhav Madgavkar, Kevin Albert Maher, Billy John McKinzie,, Bruce Donald Palfreyman, Robert Charles Ryan, George Leo Stegemeier, John Michael Ward, Scott Lee Wellington
  • In situ recovery from a kerogen and liquid hydrocarbon containing formation
    Publication number: 20030178191
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a method of treating a kerogen and liquid hydrocarbon containing formation in situ may include providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion of the formation. Heat may be allowed to transfer from the one or more heat sources to a part of the formation. In some embodiments, at least a portion of liquid hydrocarbons in the part may be mobilized. At least a portion of kerogen in the part may be pyrolyzed. In certain embodiments, a pressure within at least a part of the formation may be controlled. The pressure may be controlled to be at least about 2.0 bars absolute. A mixture may be produced from the formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Inventors: Kevin Albert Maher, Ilya Emil Berchenko, Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, John Michael Karanikas, Harold J. Vinegar, Scott Lee Wellington, Etuan Zhang
  • In situ thermal processing of a heavy oil diatomite formation
    Publication number: 20030173082
    Abstract: An in situ process for treating a diatomite formation is provided. The process may include providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation. The heat may be allowed to transfer from the one or more heaters to a part of the formation such that heat from the one or more heat sources pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the part. Hydrocarbons may be produced from the formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventors: Harold J. Vinegar, Ilya Emil Berchenko, Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, John Michael Karanikas, Kevin Albert Maher, George Leo Stegemeier, Gordon Thomas Shahin,, Scott Lee Wellington
  • In situ thermal processing of an oil shale formation to produce a condensate
    Publication number: 20030173078
    Abstract: An oil shale formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. Hydrocarbons, H2, and/or other formation fluids may be produced from the formation. Heat may be applied to the formation to raise a temperature of a portion of the formation to a pyrolysis temperature. Heat input into the formation may be controlled to maintain a temperature below about a maximum selected temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventors: Scott Lee Wellington, Ilya Emil Berchenko, Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, Thomas David Fowler, John Michael Karanikas, Robert Charles Ryan, Gordon Thomas Shahin, George Leo Stegemeier, Harold J. Vinegar, Etuan Zhang
  • In situ thermal processing of an oil shale formation using a pattern of heat sources
    Publication number: 20030173080
    Abstract: A oil shale formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. A mixture of hydrocarbons, H2, and/or other formation fluids may be produced from the formation. Heat may be applied to the formation to raise a temperature of a portion of the formation to a pyrolysis temperature. Heat sources may be used to heat the formation. The heat sources may be positioned within the formation in a selected pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventors: Ilya Emil Berchenko, Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, Thomas David Fowler, John Michael Karanikas, Robert Charles Ryan, Gordon Thomas Shahin, George Leo Stegemeier, Harold J. Vinegar, Scott Lee Wellington, Etuan Zhang
  • In situ thermal processing of an oil shale formation in a reducing environment
    Publication number: 20030164239
    Abstract: An oil shale formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. A mixture of hydrocarbons, H2, and/or other formation fluids may be produced from the formation. Heat may be applied to the formation to raise a temperature of a portion of the formation to a pyrolysis temperature. A reducing environment may be maintained within a portion of the formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Publication date: September 4, 2003
    Inventors: Scott Lee Wellington, Ilya Emil Berchenko, Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, Thomas David Fowler, Robert Charles Ryan, Gordon Thomas Shahin, George Leo Stegemeier, Harold J. Vinegar, Etuan Zhang
  • In situ thermal processing of a coal formation using a controlled heating rate
    Publication number: 20030164238
    Abstract: A coal formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. A mixture of hydrocarbons, H2, and/or other formation fluids may be produced from the formation. Heat may be applied to the formation to raise a temperature of a portion of the formation to a pyrolysis temperature. A heating rate to a selected volume of the formation may be controlled by altering an amount of heating energy per day that is provided to the selected volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Publication date: September 4, 2003
    Inventors: Harold J. Vinegar, Scott Lee Wellington, Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, John Michael Karanikas, Ilya Emil Berchenko, George Leo Stegemeier, Etuan Zhang, Thomas David Fowler, Robert Charles Ryan
  • In situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation using a movable heating element
    Publication number: 20030164234
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon containing formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. A mixture of hydrocarbons, H2, and/or other formation fluids may be produced from the formation. Heat may be applied to the formation to raise a temperature of a portion of the formation to a pyrolysis temperature. Heat may be applied to the formation from heating elements positioned within wellbores. Portions of the heater elements may be free to move within the wellbores to inhibit failure of the heater elements due to thermal expansion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Publication date: September 4, 2003
    Inventors: Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, Harold J. Vinegar, Scott Lee Wellington, Gordon Thomas Shahin, Ilya Emil Berchenko, George Leo Stegemeier, Etuan Zhang, Thomas David Fowler, Robert Charles Ryan
  • In situ thermal processing of a coal formation and ammonia production
    Patent number: 6609570
    Abstract: A coal formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. A mixture of hydrocarbons, H2, and/or other formation fluids may be produced from the formation. Heat may be applied to the formation to raise a temperature of a portion of the formation to a synthesis gas production temperature. A synthesis gas generating fluid may be introduced into the portion. Synthesis gas may be produced from the formation Synthesis gas may be used as a feed stream in an ammonia synthesis process. Ammonia may be used as a feed stream in a urea synthesis process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Scott Lee Wellington, Harold J. Vinegar, Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, Ilya Emil Berchenko, Kevin Albert Maher, John Michael Ward, Robert Martijn Van Hardeveld
  • In situ thermal processing of a tar sands formation
    Publication number: 20030155111
    Abstract: An in situ process for treating a tar sands formation is provided. The process may include providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation. The heat may be allowed to transfer from the one or more heaters to a part of the formation such that heat from the one or more heat sources pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the part. Hydrocarbons may be produced from the formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Inventors: Harold J. Vinegar, Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, John Michael Karanikas, Kevin Albert Maher, Meliha Deniz Sumnu-Dindoruk, Scott Lee Wellington, Steven Dexter Crane, Margaret Ann Messier, Bruce Edmunds Roberts
  • In Situ thermal processing of a coal formation to produce a condensate
    Patent number: 6607033
    Abstract: A coal formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. Hydrocarbons, H2, and/or other formation fluids may be produced from the formation. Heat may be applied to the formation to raise a temperature of a portion of the formation to a pyrolysis temperature. Heat input into the formation may be controlled to raise a temperature of the formation at a selected rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Scott Lee Wellington, Harold J. Vinegar, Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, John Michael Karanikas, Ilya Emil Berchenko, George Leo Stegemeier, Etuan Zhang, Thomas David Fowler, Robert Charles Ryan
  • Removable heat sources for in situ thermal processing of an oil shale formation
    Publication number: 20030146002
    Abstract: An oil shale formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. Heat may be applied to the formation from one or more heat sources to raise a temperature of a portion of the formation to a desired temperature. Hydrocarbons, H2, and/or other formation fluids may be produced from the formation. Some or all of the sources may be removable from the formation during and/or after use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventors: Harold J. Vinegar, Fredrick Gordon Carl, John Matthew Coles, Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, Bruce Gerard Hunsucker, James Louis Menotti, Scott Lee Wellington
  • In situ thermal processing of an oil shale formation using a natural distributed combustor
    Publication number: 20030148894
    Abstract: An oil shale formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. A mixture of hydrocarbons, H2, and/or other formation fluids may be produced from the formation. Heat may be applied to the formation to raise a temperature of a portion of the formation to a pyrolysis temperature. A reducing environment may be maintained within a portion of the formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventors: Harold J. Vinegar, John Matthew Coles, Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, John Michael Karanikas, James Louis Menotti, Robert Martijn Van Hardeveld, Scott Lee Wellington
  • In situ thermal processing through an open wellbore in an oil shale formation
    Publication number: 20030141068
    Abstract: An oil shale formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. Heat may be provided to the treatment area from one or more heat sources. A heat source may be positioned in an uncased wellbore. Heat may be allowed to transfer from the heat source to a section of the formation. Subsequently, hydrocarbons, H2, and/or other formation fluids may be produced from the formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, Ilya Emil Berchenko, Thomas David Fowler, Bruce Gerard Hunsucker, John Michael Karanikas, Charles Robert Keedy, Robert Charles Ryan, Harold J. Vinegar, Scott Lee Wellington, Etuan Zhang
  • In situ thermal processing of an oil shale formation while inhibiting coking
    Publication number: 20030141066
    Abstract: An oil shale formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. Heat may be provided to a portion of the formation. Heat may be allowed to transfer from one or more heat sources to a section of the formation. Hydrocarbons, H2, and/or other formation fluids may be produced from the formation through a production well. Conditions at the production well may be controlled to inhibit coking at or near the production well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: John Michael Karanikas, Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, Harold J. Vinegar, Scott Lee Wellington
  • In situ thermal processing of an oil shale formation to increase permeability of the formation
    Publication number: 20030141067
    Abstract: An oil shale formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. A mixture of hydrocarbons, H2, and/or other formation fluids may be produced from the formation. Heat may be applied to the formation to raise a temperature of a portion of the formation to a pyrolysis temperature. Heat may also be applied to the formation to increase a permeability of the formation. In some embodiments, the permeability of a portion of the formation may increase to a relatively high permeability as compared to the initial permeability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, Ilya Emil Berchenko, Thomas David Fowler, Robert Charles Ryan, Gordon Thomas Shahin, George Leo Stegemeier, Harold J. Vinegar, Scott Lee Wellington, Etuan Zhang
  • In situ thermal processing of hydrocarbons within a relatively permeable formation
    Publication number: 20030141065
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon containing formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. Hydrocarbons, H2, and/or other formation fluids may be produced from the formation. Heat may be applied to a first portion of the formation to mobilize hydrocarbons within the formation. Heat may be applied to a second portion of the formation to raise a temperature of the second portion to a pyrolysis temperature. Vaporized hydrocarbons and pyrolysis fluids may be produced from the formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: John Michael Karanikas, Harold J. Vinegar, Scott L. Wellington, Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, Kevin Albert Maher, Etuan Zhang, Thomas David Fowler, Robert Charles Ryan, Meliha Deniz Sumnu-Dindoruk
  • In situ thermal processing of an oil shale formation using a controlled heating rate
    Publication number: 20030142964
    Abstract: An oil shale formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. A mixture of hydrocarbons, H2, and/or other formation fluids may be produced from the formation. Heat may be applied to the formation to raise a temperature of a portion of the formation to a desited temperature. A heating rate for a selected volume of the formation may be controlled by altering an amount of heating energy per day that is provided to the selected volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: Scott Lee Wellington, Ilya Emil Berchenko, Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, Thomas David Fowler, Robert Charles Ryan, Gordon Thomas Shahin, George Leo Stegemeier, Harold J. Vinegar, Etuan Zhang
  • In situ thermal processing of an oil shale formation to produce hydrocarbons having a selected carbon number range
    Publication number: 20030137181
    Abstract: An oil shale formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. A mixture of hydrocarbons, H2, and/or other formation fluids may be produced from the formation. Heat may be applied to the formation to raise a temperature of a portion of the formation to a desired temperature. An average temperature and/or pressure within the formation may be controlled to inhibit production of hydrocarbons that have carbon numbers greater than a selected carbon number. In some embodiments, the selected carbon number may be 25. A small amount of hydrocarbons having carbon numbers greater than the selected carbon number may be entrained in vapor produced from the formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventors: Scott Lee Wellington, Ilya Emil Berchenko, Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, Thomas David Fowler, Robert Charles Ryan, Gordon Thomas Shahin, George Leo Stegemeier, Harold J. Vinegar, Etuan Zhang
  • In situ thermal processing while controlling pressure in an oil shale formation
    Publication number: 20030136559
    Abstract: An oil shale formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. Heat may be provided to the treatment area. Heat may be allowed to transfer from at least one heat source to a section of the formation. Pressure within a portion of the formation may be controlled. Hydrocarbons, H2, and/or other formation fluids may be produced from the formation. In some embodiments, the pressure may be controlled to obtain a desired property in the produced fluids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventors: Scott Lee Wellington, Ilya Emil Berchenko, Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, Thomas David Fowler, Robert Charles Ryan, Gordon Thomas Shahin, George Leo Stegemeier, Harold J. Vinegar, Etuan Zhang