Patents by Inventor John Michael Karanikas

John Michael Karanikas 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 using a movable heating element
    Patent number: 7096953
    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 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: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, Harold J. Vinegar, Scott Lee Wellington, John Michael Karanikas, Ilya Emil Berchenko, George Leo Stegemeier, Etuan Zhang, Thomas David Fowler, Robert Charles Ryan
  • In situ production of a blending agent from a hydrocarbon containing formation
    Patent number: 7086465
    Abstract: An in situ process for treating a hydrocarbon containing 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 reaction zone to a part of the formation such that heat from one or more heaters pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the part of the formation. A blending agent may be produced from the part of the formation, wherein a mixture produced with the blending agent has at least one selected property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Scott Lee Wellington, John Michael Karanikas, Kevin Albert Maher, Meliha Deniz Sumnu-Dindoruk, Harold J. Vinegar
  • In situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation using heat sources positioned within open wellbores
    Patent number: 7086468
    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 the formation to raise a temperature of a portion of the formation to a pyrolysis temperature. Heat sources may be positioned within open wellbores in the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, Harold J. Vinegar, Scott Lee Wellington, John Michael Karanikas, Ilya Emil Berchenko, Etuan Zhang, Thomas David Fowler, Charles Robert Keedy, Robert Charles Ryan, Bruce Gerard Hunsucker
  • Staged and/or patterned heating during in situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation
    Patent number: 7073578
    Abstract: A method for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation is described. The method for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation may include heating a first volume of the formation using a first set of heaters. A second volume of the formation may be heated using a second set of heaters. The first volume may be spaced apart from the second volume by a third volume of the formation. The first volume, second volume, and/or third volume may be sized, shaped, and/or located to inhibit deformation of subsurface equipment caused by geomechanical motion of the formation during heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Harold J. Vinegar, John Michael Karanikas, Kirk Samuel Hansen
  • In situ thermal processing of a tar sands formation
    Patent number: 7066254
    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: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    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
  • Methods and systems for heating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ with an opening contacting the earth's surface at two locations
    Patent number: 7063145
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a method for heating a hydrocarbon containing formation may include providing heat from one or more heaters to an opening in the formation. A first end of the opening may contact the earth's surface at a first location and a second end of the opening may contact the earth's surface at a second location. The heat may be allowed to transfer from the opening to at least a part of the formation. The transferred heat may pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbons in the formation. In certain embodiments, providing the heat to the opening may include providing heat, heated materials, and/or oxidation products from at least one heater to the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Peter Veenstra, Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, John Michael Karanikas, Harold J. Vinegar, Scott Lee Wellington
  • In situ thermal recovery from a relatively permeable formation with controlled production rate
    Patent number: 7055600
    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. A production rate of the mixture may be controlled to adjust the time that at least some hydrocarbons are exposed to pyrolysis temperatures in the formation in order to produce hydrocarbons of a selected quality in the mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Margaret Ann Messier, Steven Dexter Crane, Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, John Michael Karanikas, Kevin Albert Maher, Meliha Deniz Sumnu-Dindoruk, Bruce Edmunds Roberts, Harold J. Vinegar, Scott Lee Wellington
  • In situ thermal recovery from a relatively permeable formation with quality control
    Patent number: 7051807
    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 may be produced from the selected section. A quality of the produced mixture may be controlled by varying a location for producing the mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Harold J. Vinegar, Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, John Michael Karanikas, Meliha Deniz Sumnu-Dindoruk, Scott Lee Wellington
  • In situ thermal processing through an open wellbore in an oil shale formation
    Patent number: 7051811
    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: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    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 a relatively impermeable formation using an open wellbore
    Patent number: 7040400
    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 certain embodiments, one or more heat sources may be placed in an uncased wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    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
  • Production of synthesis gas from a coal formation
    Patent number: 7017661
    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: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: 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, Robert Martijn Van Hardeveld
  • In situ thermal processing of an oil shale formation using a natural distributed combustor
    Patent number: 7013972
    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 be supplied to the formation by reacting an oxidant with hydrocarbons adjacent to wellbores to generate heat. Generated heat may be transferred to the portion substantially by conduction to pyrolyze at least a portion of hydrocarbon material within the portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    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 recovery from a kerogen and liquid hydrocarbon containing formation
    Patent number: 7011154
    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: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Kevin Albert Maher, Ilya Emil Berchenko, Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, John Michael Karanikas, Harold J. Vinegar, Scott Lee Wellington, Etuan Zhang
  • Conductor-in-conduit heat sources for in situ thermal processing of an oil shale formation
    Patent number: 7004247
    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 from one or more heat sources to raise a temperature of a portion of the formation to a desired temperature. Some of the heat sources may be conductors placed within conduits. The conductors may be resistively heated so that the conductors radiantly heat the conduits. The generated heat may transfer to the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Anthony Thomas Cole, Lawrence James Bielamowicz, Fredrick Gordon Carl, Jr., John Matthew Coles, Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, Bruce Gerard Hunsucker, John Michael Karanikas, James Louis Menotti, Christopher Arnold Pratt, Harold J. Vinegar, Scott Lee Wellington
  • In situ thermal processing of a coal formation with a selected moisture content
    Patent number: 6994161
    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 formation to be treated may be selected based on initial moisture content of the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Inventors: Kevin Albert Maher, 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
  • Thermal processing of a relatively permeable formation
    Patent number: 6991036
    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 selected section of the formation. The heat provided to the selected section may pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbons in a lower portion of the formation. A mixture of hydrocarbons may be produced from an upper portion of the formation. The mixture of hydrocarbons may include at least some pyrolyzed hydrocarbons from the lower portion of the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Meliha Deniz Sumnu-Dindoruk, Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, John Michael Karanikas, Harold J. Vinegar, Scott Lee Wellington
  • In situ thermal processing of a coal formation to convert a selected total organic carbon content into hydrocarbon products
    Patent number: 6991031
    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: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: 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 an oil shale formation using a pattern of heat sources
    Patent number: 6991032
    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: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Ilya Emil Berchenko, Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, Thomas David Fowler, John Michael Karanikas, Robert Charles Ryan, Gordon Thomas Shahin, Jr., George Leo Stegemeier, Harold J. Vinegar, Scott Lee Wellington, Etuan Zhang
  • In situ thermal recovery from a relatively permeable formation
    Patent number: 6981548
    Abstract: A method for treating a relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons in situ may include providing heat from a first set of heat sources to a first section of the formation. The heat provided to the first section may pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbons in the first section. Heat may also be provided from a second set of heat sources to a second section of the formation. The heat provided to the second section may mobilize at least some hydrocarbons in the second section. A portion of the hydrocarbons from the second section may be induced to flow into the first section. A mixture of hydrocarbons may be produced from the formation. The produced mixture may include at least some pyrolyzed hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Scott Lee Wellington, Steven Dexter Crane, Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, John Michael Karanikas, Kevin Albert Maher, Margaret Ann Messier, Bruce Edmunds Roberts, Meliha Deniz Sumnu-Dindoruk, Harold J. Vinegar
  • In situ thermal recovery from a relatively permeable formation with backproduction through a heater wellbore
    Patent number: 6964300
    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 temperature proximate a selected portion of a heater well may be selectively limited to inhibit coke formation at or near the selected portion. A mixture of at least some hydrocarbons may be produced through the selected portion of the heater well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Harold J. Vinegar, Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, John Michael Karanikas, Meliha Deniz Sumnu-Dindoruk, Scott Lee Wellington