Abstract: A method for operating a kerogen-rich unconventional gas reservoir characterized by there being multiple hydraulically-fractured wells drilled thereinto comprises: recovering a methane-containing gas from a first hydraulically-fractured well drilled into the gas reservoir, steam-methane reforming the recovered methane-containing gas to yield a hydrogen gas and an inorganic carbon-containing gas, injecting at least a portion of the hydrogen gas into a second hydraulically-fractured well drilled into the gas reservoir, and injecting at least a portion of the inorganic carbon-containing gas into a third hydraulically-fractured well drilled into the gas reservoir.

Abstract: The following invention is used for determining the relative permeability of a fluid in a rock for three different phases: water, oil, and gas, in both conventional and unconventional formations. The permeability of a phase describes how much it can flow in porous media given a pressure gradient and is useful in evaluating reservoir quality and productivity. The following invention is a method to determine the three-phase relative permeabilities in both conventional and unconventional formations using NMR restricted diffusion measurements on core with NMR-active nuclei, combined with centrifugation of the core. In addition, the tortuosity, pore size (surface-to-volume ratio), fluid-filled porosity, and permeability is determined for each of the three phases in a rock.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting a subsurface tunnel includes propelling an instrumented pipeline pig through a horizontal detection conduit, acquiring and analyzing magnetometer measurements and VLF EM resistivity measurements to detect distortions and/or anomalies in the Earth's magnetic field and/or VLF electromagnetic field, respectively, and correlating the data with position data of the pipeline pig to compute a parameter of a tunnel such as, for example, location, size and depth.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to heater patterns and related methods of producing hydrocarbon fluids from a subsurface hydrocarbon-containing formation (for example, an oil shale formation) where a heater cell may be divided into nested inner and outer zones. Production wells may be located within one or both zones. In the smaller inner zone, heaters may be arranged at a relatively high spatial density while in the larger surrounding outer zone, a heater spatial density may be significantly lower. Due to the higher heater density, a rate of temperature increase in the smaller inner zone of the subsurface exceeds that of the larger outer zone, and a rate of hydrocarbon fluid production ramps up faster in the inner zone than in the outer zone. In some embodiments, a ratio between a half-maximum sustained production time and a half-maximum rise time of a hydrocarbon fluid production function is relatively large.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for generating an areal map of a pre-determined hydrocarbon liquid property of a subsurface kerogen-containing source rock from an electromagnetic resistivity profile. Preferably, the profile is generated by a transient EM method such as a long-offset transient electromagnetic (LOTEM) method. In some embodiments, the areal map is generated by employing resistivity-hydrocarbon liquid-quality relationship data describing a relationship between (i) a property of hydrocarbon liquid generated within the source rock pore space to (ii) an electrical resistivity of the source rock. In some embodiments, it is possible to acquire such data even in the absence of source rock samples where the hydrocarbon liquids within the samples has been preserved. The areal map is useful for determining a target location and/or depth in the source rock to drill for oil. The presently-disclosed techniques are particularly relevant to tight oil formations.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to heater patterns and related methods of producing hydrocarbon fluids from a subsurface hydrocarbon-containing formation (for example, an oil shale formation) where a heater cell may be divided into nested inner and outer zones. Production wells may be located within one or both zones. In the smaller inner zone, heaters may be arranged at a relatively high spatial density while in the larger surrounding outer zone, a heater spatial density may be significantly lower. Due to the higher heater density, a rate of temperature increase in the smaller inner zone of the subsurface exceeds that of the larger outer zone, and a rate of hydrocarbon fluid production ramps up faster in the inner zone than in the outer zone. In some embodiments, a ratio between a half-maximum sustained production time and a half-maximum rise time of a hydrocarbon fluid production function is relatively large.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to heat transfer fluids (e.g. molten-salt) as a thermal buffer for heating, by thermal energy derived from wind-generated electricity, at least one of (i) a subsurface hydrocarbon-containing formation or (ii) a bed of hydrocarbon-containing rocks. During times when wind is plentiful, wind electricity is used to heat the heat transfer fluid—e.g. by means of an electrically resistive heater immersed in the heat transfer fluid. At any time, thermal energy from the wind electricity may be transferred to the hydrocarbon-containing rocks or subsurface formation by the heat transfer fluid. In some embodiments, the fluid is heated both by wind-generated electricity and by solar radiation. Some embodiments relate to a subsurface molten salt heater (e.g. powered by wind-generated electricity) having a non-thermally insulation portion through which molten salt flows.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a method for producing, from sulfur-rich type IIs kerogen, a sweetened synthetic crude having a sulfur concentration of at most 1% wt/wt, a nitrogen concentration of at most 0.2% wt/wt and an API gravity of at least 30°. Hydrotreating is performed under only low-severity conditions of at most about 350 degrees Celsius and a maximum pressure of at most 120 atmospheres. In some embodiments, the feedstock to the hydrotreater comprises hydrocarbon pyrolysis liquids generated primarily by low temperature pyrolysis of the sulfur-rich type IIs kerogen. For example, the feedstock may be rich in easier-to-hydrotreat heterocyclic species. In some embodiments, it is possible to optimize the pyrolysis process by monitoring relative concentrations of the easier-to-hydrotreat heterocyclics and the harder-to-treat heterocyclics.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention relate to the use of wind-electricity to produce unconventional oil from a kerogen-containing or bitumen-containing subsurface formation. A heater cell may be divided into nested inner and outer zones. In the smaller inner zone, heaters may be arranged at a relatively high spatial density while in the larger surrounding outer zone, a heater spatial density may be significantly lower. Due to the higher heater density, a rate of temperature increase in the smaller inner zone of the subsurface exceeds that of the larger outer zone, and a rate of hydrocarbon fluid production ramps up faster in the inner zone than in the outer zone. In some embodiments, at least a majority of the heaters in the inner zone are powered primarily by fuel combustion and at least a majority of heaters in the outer zone are powered primarily by electricity generated by wind.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon strategic reserve method comprises operating production wells deployed in a post-pyrolysis oil shale formation at significantly elevated wellhead pressures for an extended period of time so as to store hot hydrocarbon fluids within pore space thereof. In some embodiments, the hydrocarbon fluids are stored at a depth of at least 100 meters or at least 200 meters or at least 300 meters. In some embodiments, the hydrocarbon fluids are stored substantially at or above bubble point curve thereof.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a pyrolysis method comprises: a. heating kerogen or bitumen to initiate pyrolysis so that a stream of pyrolysis formation gases is recovered via production wells or production conduits; b. monitoring or estimating a concentration of acid gas within the gas stream; c. contingent upon an acid gas concentration being below a threshold value, subjecting pyrolysis gases of the stream to sequestration; and d. responding to an estimated or monitored increase in acid gas concentration of the gas stream by performing at least one of: i. subjecting a greater fraction of the stream to an acid gas separation process and/or acid gas elimination process; and ii. subjecting a lesser fraction of the stream to a sequestration. The presently disclosed teachings are applicable both to in situ pyrolysis and to pyrolysis performed within an enclosure such as a pit.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a method and system for pyrolyzing kerogen or mobilizing bitumen using thermal energy of a carbonate molten salt mixture having a melting point of at most 395 degrees Celsius or at most 390 degrees Celsius or at most 385 degrees Celsius. The carbonate molten salt may include lithium cations (e.g. at a cationic molar concentration of at least 0.2) and/or relatively small quantities of nitrates (e.g. at an anionic molar concentration of at least 0.01 and at most 0.1). Preferably, the molten salt mixture is non-oxidizing or non-explosive when brought into contact with crude oil.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relates to a pyrolysis-derived thiophenic composition having a high concentration of C1 and/or C2 and/or C3 alkylthiophenes. Preferably, the composition is derived from pyrolysis (e.g. by slow, low-temperature pyrolysis) of type IIs kerogen (e.g. of a kerogenous chalk). In some embodiments, the thiophenic composition may be used as an enhanced oil recovery (EOR) fluid. Some advantages of the presently-disclosed alkylthiophene-rich enhanced oil recovery (EOR) fluids are that (i) the alkyl-thiophene fluids have excellent solvency for heavy hydrocarbons, (ii) alkyl-thiophene fluids are insoluble in water; (iii) it is possible to blend the alkyl-thiophene fluids to a density of about 1.0 g/cc which matches extra heavy oils and bitumens and water; (iv) a boiling point of alkyl-thiophenes exceeds that of water, making it possible to inject heated EOR fluid and create steam in situ for steam distillation. Methods of use of the EOR fluid are disclosed herein.

Abstract: Hydrocarbon-containing rocks (e.g, mined oil shale or mined coal or tar sands) are introduced into an excavated enclosure (e.g. a pit or an impoundment) to form. a bed of rocks therein, One or more heaters (e.g. molten salt heaters) are operated to pyrolyze kerogen or bitumen of the rocks. In some embodiments, a hydrocarbon reflux loop is maintained within the enclosure to convectively heat the hydrocarbon-containing rocks by boiling hydrocarbon liquids from a reservoir at the bottom of the enclosure so that vapor passes to the top of the enclosure, condenses, and falls back through the bed. Alternatively or additionally, the rocks may be heated by heaters embedded within wall(s) and/or a floor of the enclosure. Some embodiments relate to techniques for upgrading mined coal to recover both hydrocarbon pyrolysis fluids and upgraded coal (e.g. anthracite coal).

Abstract: An oil production well is drilled into a kerogenous chalk source rock comprising (i) type IIs kerogen and (ii) shallow naturally-occurring unconventional oil derived from the type IIs kerogen that is resident within pore space of the source rock. In some embodiments, the production well is drilled at a location where the geothermal gradient is at least 3 degrees C. per 100 m is present at or near the production well. It is believed that the presence of this geothermal gradient accelerated maturation of the type IIs kerogen of the source rock to convert a portion of the type IIs kerogen into the unconventional oil. In some embodiments, the shallow production well is non-vertical. In some embodiments, at depths that are shallow and within the source rock, the production well is cased and perforated. Oil from the source rock may be produced via the production well and the shallow-depth perforated locations thereof.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to heater patterns and related methods of producing hydrocarbon fluids from a subsurface hydrocarbon-containing formation (for example, an oil shale formation) where a heater cell may be divided into nested inner and outer zones. Production wells may be located within one or both zones. In the smaller inner zone, heaters may be arranged at a relatively high spatial density while in the larger surrounding outer zone, a heater spatial density may be significantly lower. Due to the higher heater density, a rate of temperature increase in the smaller inner zone of the subsurface exceeds that of the larger outer zone, and a rate of hydrocarbon fluid production ramps up faster in the inner zone than in the outer zone. In some embodiments, a ratio between a half-maximum sustained production time and a half-maximum rise time of a hydrocarbon fluid production function is relatively large.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for generating an areal map of a pre-determined hydrocarbon liquid property of a subsurface kerogen-containing source rock from an electromagnetic resistivity profile. Preferably, the profile is generated by a transient EM method such as a long-offset transient electromagnetic (LOTEM) method. In some embodiments, the areal map is generated by employing resistivity-hydrocarbon liquid-quality relationship data describing a relationship between (i) a property of hydrocarbon liquid generated within the source rock pore space to (ii) an electrical resistivity of the source rock. In some embodiments, it is possible to acquire such data even in the absence of source rock samples where the hydrocarbon liquids within the samples has been preserved. The areal map is useful for determining a target location and/or depth in the source rock to drill for oil. The presently-disclosed techniques are particularly relevant to tight oil formations.

Abstract: Hydrocarbon-containing rocks comprising type IIs kerogen are introduced into an excavated enclosure (e.g. a pit or an impoundment) to form a bed of rocks therein. One or more heaters (e.g. molten salt heaters) are operated to pyrolyze type IIs kerogen of the rocks. In some embodiments, a hydrocarbon reflux loop is maintained within the enclosure to convectively heat the type IIs-kerogen-containing rocks by boiling hydrocarbon liquids from a reservoir at the bottom of the enclosure so that vapor passes to the top of the enclosure, condenses, and falls back through the bed. Alternatively or additionally, the rocks may be heated by heaters embedded within wall(s) and/or a floor of the enclosure.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to heater patterns and related methods of producing hydrocarbon fluids from a subsurface hydrocarbon-containing formation (for example, an oil shale formation) where a heater cell may be divided into nested inner and outer zones. Production wells may be located within one or both zones. In the smaller inner zone, heaters may be arranged at a relatively high spatial density while in the larger surrounding outer zone, a heater spatial density may be significantly lower. Due to the higher heater density, a rate of temperature increase in the smaller inner zone of the subsurface exceeds that of the larger outer zone, and a rate of hydrocarbon fluid production ramps up faster in the inner zone than in the outer zone. In some embodiments, a ratio between a half-maximum sustained production time and a half-maximum rise time of a hydrocarbon fluid production function is relatively large.

Abstract: High strength metal alloys are described herein. At least one composition of a metal alloy includes chromium, nickel, copper, manganese, silicon, niobium, tungsten and iron. System, methods, and heaters that include the high strength metal alloys are described herein. At least one heater system may include a canister at least partially made from material containing at least one of the metal alloys. At least one system for heating a subterranean formation may include a tubular that is at least partially made from a material containing at least one of the metal alloys.