Patents by Inventor Jesse D. Yeakel
Jesse D. Yeakel 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).
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Publication number: 20140102693Abstract: A method of producing hydrocarbon fluids from a subsurface organic-rich rock formation, for example an oil shale formation, in which the oil shale formation contains water-soluble minerals, for example nahcolite, is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes the step of heating the organic-rich rock formation in situ. Optionally, this heating step may be performed prior to any substantial removal of water-soluble minerals from the organic-rich rock formation. In accordance with the method, the heating of the organic-rich rock formation both pyrolyzes at least a portion of the formation hydrocarbons, for example kerogen, to create hydrocarbon fluids, and converts at least a portion of the water-soluble minerals, for example, converts nahcolite to soda ash. Thereafter, the hydrocarbon fluids are produced from the formation.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2013Publication date: April 17, 2014Inventors: Robert D. Kaminsky, William A. Symington, Jesse D. Yeakel, Michele M. Thomas
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Patent number: 8641150Abstract: A method of producing hydrocarbon fluids from a subsurface organic-rich rock formation, for example an oil shale formation, in which the oil shale formation contains water-soluble minerals, for example nahcolite, is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes the step of heating the organic-rich rock formation in situ. Optionally, this heating step may be performed prior to any substantial removal of water-soluble minerals from the organic-rich rock formation. In accordance with the method, the heating of the organic-rich rock formation both pyrolyzes at least a portion of the formation hydrocarbons, for example kerogen, to create hydrocarbon fluids, and converts at least a portion of the water-soluble minerals, for example, converts nahcolite to soda ash. Thereafter, the hydrocarbon fluids are produced from the formation.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2009Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Robert D. Kaminsky, William A. Symington, Jesse D. Yeakel, Michele M. Thomas
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Patent number: 8616279Abstract: A method for treating water at a water treatment facility is provided. In one aspect, the water has been circulated through a subsurface formation in a shale oil development area. The subsurface formation may comprise shale that has been spent due to pyrolysis of formation hydrocarbons. The method in one embodiment includes receiving the water at the water treatment facility, and treating the water at the water treatment facility in order to (i) substantially separate oil from the water, (ii) substantially remove organic materials from the water, (iii) substantially reduce hardness and alkalinity of the water, (iv) substantially remove dissolved inorganic solids from the water, and/or (v) substantially remove suspended solids from the water. The method may further includes delivering the water that has been treated at the water treatment facility re-injecting the treated water into the subsurface formation to continue leaching out contaminants from the spent shale.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2010Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: William A. Symington, Piyush S. Shah, John D Miller, Jesse D Yeakel, Ganesh L Ghurye
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Publication number: 20120267110Abstract: A method of producing hydrocarbon fluids with improved hydrocarbon compound properties from a subsurface organic-rich rock formation, such as an oil shale formation, is provided. The method may include the step of heating the organic-rich rock formation in situ. In accordance with the method, the heating of the organic-rich rock formation may pyrolyze at least a portion of the formation hydrocarbons, for example kerogen, to create hydrocarbon fluids. Thereafter, the hydrocarbon fluids may be produced from the formation. Hydrocarbon fluids with improved hydrocarbon compound properties are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2011Publication date: October 25, 2012Inventors: William P. Meurer, Robert D. Kaminsky, Glenn A. Otten, William A. Symington, Jesse D. Yeakel, Ana L. Braun, Lloyd M. Wenger
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Patent number: 8151884Abstract: A method for producing hydrocarbons from subsurface formations at different depths is first provided. In one aspect, the method includes the step of heating organic-rich rock, in situ, within a subsurface formation at a first depth. The result of the heating step is that at least a portion of the organic-rich rock is pyrolyzed into hydrocarbon fluids. Preferably, the organic-rich rock of the subsurface formation of the first depth is oil shale. The method also includes providing at least one substantially unheated zone within the formation of the first depth. In this way, the organic-rich rock in that zone is left substantially unpyrolyzed. The method further includes drilling at least one production well through the unheated zone, and completing the at least one production well in a subsurface formation at a second depth that is deeper than the first depth. Thereafter, hydrocarbon fluids are produced through the at least one production well.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2007Date of Patent: April 10, 2012Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Robert D. Kaminsky, William A. Symington, Jesse D. Yeakel, Michele M. Thomas, Steve R. Krohn
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Publication number: 20100218946Abstract: A method for treating water at a water treatment facility is provided. In one aspect, the water has been circulated through a subsurface formation in a shale oil development area. The subsurface formation may comprise shale that has been spent due to pyrolysis of formation hydrocarbons. The method in one embodiment includes receiving the water at the water treatment facility, and treating the water at the water treatment facility in order to (i) substantially separate oil from the water, (ii) substantially remove organic materials from the water, (iii) substantially reduce hardness and alkalinity of the water, (iv) substantially remove dissolved inorganic solids from the water, and/or (v) substantially remove suspended solids from the water. The method may further includes delivering the water that has been treated at the water treatment facility re-injecting the treated water into the subsurface formation to continue leaching out contaminants from the spent shale.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2010Publication date: September 2, 2010Inventors: William A. Symington, Piyush S. Shah, John D. Miller, Jesse D. Yeakel, Ganesh L. Ghurye
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Publication number: 20100089575Abstract: A method of producing hydrocarbon fluids from a subsurface organic-rich rock formation, for example an oil shale formation, in which the oil shale formation contains water-soluble minerals, for example nahcolite, is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes the step of heating the organic-rich rock formation in situ. Optionally, this heating step may be performed prior to any substantial removal of water-soluble minerals from the organic-rich rock formation. In accordance with the method, the heating of the organic-rich rock formation both pyrolyzes at least a portion of the formation hydrocarbons, for example kerogen, to create hydrocarbon fluids, and converts at least a portion of the water-soluble minerals, for example, converts nahcolite to soda ash. Thereafter, the hydrocarbon fluids are produced from the formation.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2009Publication date: April 15, 2010Inventors: Robert D. Kaminsky, William A. Symington, Jesse D. Yeakel, Michele M. Thomas
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Patent number: 7644993Abstract: A method of producing hydrocarbon fluids from a subsurface organic-rich rock formation, for example an oil shale formation, in which the oil shale formation contains water-soluble minerals, for example nahcolite, is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes the step of heating the organic-rich rock formation in situ. Optionally, this heating step may be performed prior to any substantial removal of water-soluble minerals from the organic-rich rock formation. In accordance with the method, the heating of the organic-rich rock formation both pyrolyzes at least a portion of the formation hydrocarbons, for example kerogen, to create hydrocarbon fluids, and converts at least a portion of the water-soluble minerals, for example, converts nahcolite to soda ash. Thereafter, the hydrocarbon fluids are produced from the formation.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2007Date of Patent: January 12, 2010Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Robert D. Kaminsky, William A. Symington, Jesse D. Yeakel, Michele M. Thomas
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Publication number: 20080207970Abstract: A method of producing hydrocarbon fluids with improved hydrocarbon compound properties from a subsurface organic-rich rock formation, such as an oil shale formation, is provided. The method may include the step of heating the organic-rich rock formation in situ. In accordance with the method, the heating of the organic-rich rock formation may pyrolyze at least a portion of the formation hydrocarbons, for example kerogen, to create hydrocarbon fluids. Thereafter, the hydrocarbon fluids may be produced from the formation. Hydrocarbon fluids with improved hydrocarbon compound properties are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2007Publication date: August 28, 2008Inventors: William P. Meurer, Robert D. Kaminsky, Glenn A. Otten, William A. Symington, Jesse D. Yeakel, Ana L. Braun, Lloyd M. Wenger
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Publication number: 20080087427Abstract: A method for producing hydrocarbons from subsurface formations at different depths is first provided. In one aspect, the method includes the step of heating organic-rich rock, in situ, within a subsurface formation at a first depth. The result of the heating step is that at least a portion of the organic-rich rock is pyrolyzed into hydrocarbon fluids. Preferably, the organic-rich rock of the subsurface formation of the first depth is oil shale. The method also includes providing at least one substantially unheated zone within the formation of the first depth. In this way, the organic-rich rock in that zone is left substantially unpyrolyzed. The method further includes drilling at least one production well through the unheated zone, and completing the at least one production well in a subsurface formation at a second depth that is deeper than the first depth. Thereafter, hydrocarbon fluids are produced through the at least one production well.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2007Publication date: April 17, 2008Inventors: Robert D. Kaminsky, William A. Symington, Jesse D. Yeakel, Michele M. Thomas, Steve R. Krohn
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Publication number: 20070246994Abstract: A method of producing hydrocarbon fluids from a subsurface organic-rich rock formation, for example an oil shale formation, in which the oil shale formation contains water-soluble minerals, for example nahcolite, is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes the step of heating the organic-rich rock formation in situ. Optionally, this heating step may be performed prior to any substantial removal of water-soluble minerals from the organic-rich rock formation. In accordance with the method, the heating of the organic-rich rock formation both pyrolyzes at least a portion of the formation hydrocarbons, for example kerogen, to create hydrocarbon fluids, and converts at least a portion of the water-soluble minerals, for example, converts nahcolite to soda ash. Thereafter, the hydrocarbon fluids are produced from the formation.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2007Publication date: October 25, 2007Inventors: Robert D. Kaminsky, William A. Symington, Jesse D. Yeakel, Michele M. Thomas