Patents by Inventor Etuan Zhang

Etuan Zhang 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).

  • In situ thermal processing of a coal formation to produce nitrogen and/or sulfur containing formation fluids
    Patent number: 6588504
    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. The mixture produced from the formation may contain condensable hydrocarbons fluids with some nitrogen containing hydrocarbons and/or with some sulfur containing hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Scott Lee Wellington, Harold J. Vinegar, 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 to produce sulfur containing formation fluids
    Patent number: 6581684
    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. The produced mixture may contain condensable hydrocarbons with sulfur containing hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Scott Lee Wellington, Harold J. Vinegar, Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, Ilya Emil Berchenko, George Leo Stegemeier, Etuan Zhang, Gordon Thomas Shahin, Jr., Thomas David Fowler, Robert Charles Ryan
  • In situ thermal processing of an oil shale formation using horizontal heat sources
    Publication number: 20030111223
    Abstract: An oil shale formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. Heat may be provided to a portion of the formation from one or more heat sources having a horizontal orientation in the formation. Heat may be allowed to transfer from the heat sources to a section of the formation. Hydrocarbons, H2, and/or other formation fluids may be produced from the formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Inventors: Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, Ilya Emil Berchenko, Thomas David Fowler, John Michael Karanikas, Kevin Albert Maher, Robert Charles Ryan, Gordon Thomas Shahin, Harold J. Vinegar, Scott Lee Wellington, Etuan Zhang
  • In situ thermal processing of a relatively permeable formation in a reducing environment
    Publication number: 20030102125
    Abstract: A method for treating a relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons in situ may include providing heat from one or more heat sources to a portion of the formation. The heat may be allowed to transfer from the heat sources to a selected section of the formation. The transferred heat may pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section. A mixture of hydrocarbons may be produced from the selected section. In some embodiments, a reducing environment may be maintained in a portion of the formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Publication date: June 5, 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 to produce pyrolsis products
    Publication number: 20030085034
    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. The produced mixture may include a hydrocarbon component. The hydrocarbon component may include a relatively low weight percentage of compounds having carbon numbers greater than 25. The hydrocarbon component may include a relatively low amount of olefins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Inventors: Scott Lee Wellington, Harold J. Vinegar, Etuan Zhang, Ajay Madhav Madgavkar
  • In situ thermal processing of a relatively impermeable formation in a reducing environment
    Publication number: 20030079877
    Abstract: A method for treating a relatively low permeability formation containing heavy hydrocarbons in situ may include providing heat from one or more heat sources to a portion of the formation. The heat may be allowed to transfer from the heat sources to a selected section of the formation. The transferred heat may pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section. A mixture of hydrocarbons may be produced from the selected section. In some embodiments, a reducing environment may be maintained in a portion of the formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Publication date: May 1, 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 substantially parallel formed wellbores
    Publication number: 20030075318
    Abstract: Wellbores may be formed in a coal formation. Wellbores may be formed by geosteered drilling and/or by a steerable motor with an accelerometer. Parallel wellbores may be formed using magnetic steering. Heating mechanisms may be disposed within selected wellbores so that heat transfers to at least a portion of the formation during use. Selected wellbores may be production wells that allow for fluid removal from the formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventors: Charles Robert Keedy, 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
  • In situ thermal processing of a coal formation to produce nitrogen and/or sulfur containing formation fluids
    Publication number: 20030070807
    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. The mixture produced from the formation may contain condensable hydrocarbons fluids with some nitrogen containing hydrocarbons and/or with some sulfur containing hydrocarbons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Scott Lee Wellington, Harold J. Vinegar, John Michael Karanikas, Ilya Emil Berchenko, George Leo Stegemeier, Etuan Zhang, Thomas David Fowler, Robert Charles Ryan
  • In situ thermal processing of a coal formation producing a mixture with oxygenated hydrocarbons
    Publication number: 20030066642
    Abstract: A coal formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. A mixture of hydrocarbons, H2, and/or other formation mixtures may be produced from the formation. The produced mixture may include a hydrocarbon component. The hydrocarbon component may include a relatively low weight percentage of compounds having carbon numbers greater than 25. The hydrocarbon component may include oxygenated hydrocarbon compounds and a relatively low amount of olefins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Inventors: Scott Lee Wellington, Harold J. Vinegar, Etuan Zhang
  • In situ thermal processing of a coal formation using a relatively slow heating rate
    Publication number: 20030066644
    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. Heat input into the formation may be controlled to raise a temperature of the formation at a selected rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Inventors: John Michael Karanikas, Harold J. Vinegar, Scott Lee Wellington, Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, Ilya Emil Berchenko, George Leo Stegemeier, Etuan Zhang, Thomas David Fowler, Robert Charles Ryan
  • In situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation to produce nitrogen containing formation fluids
    Publication number: 20030062164
    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. The mixture produced from the formation may contain condensable hydrocarbons fluids with some nitrogen containing hydrocarbons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Inventors: Scott Lee Wellington, Harold J. Vinegar, Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, Ilya Emil Berchenko, George Leo Stegemeier, Etuan Zhang, Gordon Thomas Shahin, Thomas David Fowler, Robert Charles Ryan
  • In situ thermal processing of a coal formation with heat sources located at an edge of a coal layer
    Publication number: 20030051872
    Abstract: A coal 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 sources within a relatively thin layer of coal may be positioned in a staggered pattern near to edges of the layer so that superposition of heat from the heat sources allows a large percentage of the layer to reach a desired temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, Harold J. Vinegar, John Michael Karanikas, Ilya Emil Berchenko, George Leo Stegemeier, Kevin Albert Maher, Etuan Zhang, Thomas David Fowler, Robert Charles Ryan, Scott Lee Wellington
  • In situ thermal processing of a coal formation with a selected hydrogen content and/or selected H/C ratio
    Publication number: 20030019626
    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 formation may be selected that will produce a relatively large amount of condensable hydrocarbons and/or a relatively large amount of non-condensable hydrocarbons. Hydrocarbons within the formation may have a relatively high initial elemental hydrogen weight percentage. Hydrocarbons within the formation may have an initial hydrocarbon to carbon ratio within a desired range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Inventors: Harold J. Vinegar, Scott L. Wellington, Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, John Michael Karanikas, Ilya Emil Berchenko, George Leo Stegemeier, Kevin Albert Maher, Etuan Zhang, Thomas David Fowler, Robert Charles Ryan
  • In situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation with a selected vitrinite reflectance
    Publication number: 20030006039
    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. The formation to be treated may be chosen so that the mixture produced from the formation will have a desired amount of condensable hydrocarbons and non-condensable hydrocarbons. The formation to be treated may be chosen based on an initial vitrinite reflectance of the formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Publication date: January 9, 2003
    Inventors: Etuan Zhang, Harold J. Vinegar, Scott Lee Wellington, Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, Gordon Thomas Shahin, Ilya Emil Berchenko, George Leo Stegemeier, Kevin Albert Maher, Thomas David Fowler, Robert Charles Ryan
  • In situ thermal processing of a coal formation in reducing environment
    Publication number: 20020191969
    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 high hydrogen partial pressure within the formation may allow for hydrogenation of formation fluid within the formation. In addition, hydrogen, from produced formation fluid or from another source, may be used to hydrogenate produced fluid in a surface hydrogenation unit. The mixture produced from the formation may have a relatively high hydrogen partial pressure, and a large portion of the pressure within the formation may be attributable to hydrogen partial pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    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
  • Production of synthesis gas from a coal formation
    Publication number: 20020132862
    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 producing fluid may be introduced into the formation to generate synthesis gas. Synthesis gas may be produced from the formation in a batch manner or in a substantially continuous manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Inventors: Harold J. Vinegar, Scott Lee Wellington, Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, John Michael Karanikas, Ilya Emil Berchenko, George Leo Stegemeier, Kevin Albert Maher, Etuan Zhang, Thomas David Fowler, Robert Charles Ryan, Robert Martijn Van Hardeveld
  • In situ thermal processing of a coal formation to convert a selected total organic carbon content into hydrocarbon products
    Publication number: 20020104654
    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. Heating may be controlled such that at least a selected amount of a total organic carbon content of the hydrocarbon material in the formation may be converted into formation fluids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Applicant: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Harold J. Vinegar, Scott Lee Wellington, Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, John Michael Karanikas, Ilya Emil Berchenko, George Leo Stegemeier, Kevin Albert Maher, Etuan Zhang, Thomas David Fowler, Robert Charles Ryan
  • In situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation using a controlled heating rate
    Publication number: 20020096320
    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. 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: July 25, 2002
    Inventors: Scott Lee Wellington, Harold J. Vinegar, Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, Ilya Emil Berchenko, George Leo Stegemeier, Etuan Zhang, Gordon Thomas Shahin, Thomas David Fowler, Robert Charles Ryan
  • In situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation to increase a porosity of the formation
    Publication number: 20020084074
    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 also uniformly increase a porosity of a treated portion of the formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventors: Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, Harold J. Vinegar, Scott Lee Wellington, Ilya Emil Berchenko, George Leo Stegemeier, Etuan Zhang, Gordon Thomas Shahin, Thomas David Fowler, Robert Charles Ryan
  • In situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation to produce hydrocarbons having a selected carbon number range
    Publication number: 20020077515
    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. 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 is 25. A small number 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, 2001
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventors: Scott Lee Wellington, Harold J. Vinegar, Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, Ilya Emil Berchenko, George Leo Stegemeier, Etuan Zhang, Gordon Thomas Shahin, Thomas David Fowler, Robert Charles Ryan