Patents by Inventor Lanny Gene Schoeling
Lanny Gene Schoeling 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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Patent number: 8608249Abstract: A method of treating an oil shale formation in situ includes allowing a temperature of a portion of the formation to decrease. The portion has previously undergone an in situ heat treatment process. A first fluid is injected into a part of the portion and a second fluid is produced from the formation.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2010Date of Patent: December 17, 2013Assignee: Shell Oil CompanyInventors: Harold J. Vinegar, Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, Kevin Albert Maher, Lanny Gene Schoeling, Scott Lee Wellington
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Patent number: 7942203Abstract: A process may include providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of a subsurface formation. Heat may transfer from one or more heaters to a part of a formation. In some embodiments, heat from the one or more heat sources may pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbons in a part of a subsurface formation. Hydrocarbons and/or other products may be produced from a subsurface formation. Certain embodiments describe apparatus, methods, and/or processes used in treating a subsurface or hydrocarbon containing formation.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2010Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: Shell Oil CompanyInventors: Harold J. Vinegar, Mark Gregory Picha, Lanny Gene Schoeling
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Publication number: 20100270015Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2010Publication date: October 28, 2010Inventors: Harold J. Vinegar, Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, Kevin Albert Maher, Lanny Gene Schoeling, Scott Lee Wellington
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Patent number: 7798221Abstract: An oil shale formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. 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 the temperature of portion at a selected rate during pyrolysis of hydrocarbons within the formation. A mixture of hydrocarbons, H2, and/or other formation fluids may be produced from the formation. The mixture may be separated into condensable hydrocarbons and non-condensable hydrocarbons. The condensable hydrocarbons removed from the formation may be a high quality oil that has a relatively low olefin content and a relatively high API gravity.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2007Date of Patent: September 21, 2010Assignee: Shell Oil CompanyInventors: Harold J. Vinegar, Scott Lee Wellington, Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, John Michael Karanikas, Ilya Emil Berchenko, George Leo Stegemeier, Kevin Albert Maher, Etuan Zhang, Gordon Thomas Shahin, James Louis Menotti, John Matthew Coles, Thomas David Fowler, Charles Robert Keedy, Ajay Madhav Madgavkar, Robert Martijn Van Hardeveld, Robert Charles Ryan, Lanny Gene Schoeling, Frederick Gordon Carl
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Publication number: 20100181066Abstract: A process may include providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of a subsurface formation. Heat may transfer from one or more heaters to a part of a formation. In some embodiments, heat from the one or more heat sources may pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbons in a part of a subsurface formation. Hydrocarbons and/or other products may be produced from a subsurface formation. Certain embodiments describe apparatus, methods, and/or processes used in treating a subsurface or hydrocarbon containing formation.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2010Publication date: July 22, 2010Inventors: Harold J. Vinegar, Mark Gregory Picha, Lanny Gene Schoeling
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Patent number: 7735935Abstract: A method of treating an oil shale formation in situ includes providing heat directly from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation. The heat is controlled to maintain an average temperature of the portion below a dissociation temperature of carbonate minerals in the portion. A first fluid is injected into the portion of the formation. A second fluid is produced from the formation. An in situ conversion process is conducted in the portion of the formation.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2007Date of Patent: June 15, 2010Assignee: Shell Oil CompanyInventors: Harold J. Vinegar, Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, Kevin Albert Maher, Lanny Gene Schoeling, Scott Lee Wellington
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Patent number: 7640980Abstract: A process may include providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of a subsurface formation. Heat may transfer from one or more heaters to a part of a formation. In some embodiments, heat from the one or more heat sources may pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbons in a part of a subsurface formation. Hydrocarbons and/or other products may be produced from a subsurface formation. Certain embodiments describe apparatus, methods, and/or processes used in treating a subsurface or hydrocarbon containing formation.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2008Date of Patent: January 5, 2010Assignee: Shell Oil CompanyInventors: Harold J. Vinegar, Mark Gregory Picha, Lanny Gene Schoeling
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Patent number: 7559368Abstract: A method for treating an oil shale formation comprising nahcolite is disclosed. The method includes providing a first fluid to a portion of the formation through at least two injection wells. A second fluid is produced from the portion through at least one injection well until at least two injection wells are interconnected such that fluid can flow between the two injection wells. The second fluid includes at least some nahcolite dissolved in the first fluid. The first fluid is injected through one of the interconnected injection wells. The second fluid is produced from at least one of the interconnected injection wells. Heat is provided from one or more heaters to the formation to heat the formation. Hydrocarbon fluids are produced from the formation.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2006Date of Patent: July 14, 2009Assignee: Shell Oil CompanyInventors: Harold J. Vinegar, Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, Lanny Gene Schoeling
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Publication number: 20090101346Abstract: An oil shale formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. 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 the temperature of portion at a selected rate during pyrolysis of hydrocarbons within the formation. A mixture of hydrocarbons, H2, and/or other formation fluids may be produced from the formation. The mixture may be separated into condensable hydrocarbons and non-condensable hydrocarbons. The condensable hydrocarbons removed from the formation may be a high quality oil that has a relatively low olefin content and a relatively high API gravity.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2007Publication date: April 23, 2009Inventors: Harold J. Vinegar, Scott Lee Wellington, Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, John Michael Karanikas, IIya Emil Berchenko, George Leo Stegemeier, Kevin Albert Maher, Etuan Zhang, Gordon Thomas Shahin, James Louis Menotti, John Matthew Coles, Thomas David Fowler, Charles Robert Keedy, Ajay Madhav Madgavkar, Robert Martijn Van Hardeveld, Robert Charles Ryan, Lanny Gene Schoeling, Frederick Gordon Carl
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Publication number: 20090071647Abstract: A process may include providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of a subsurface formation. Heat may transfer from one or more heaters to a part of a formation. In some embodiments, heat from the one or more heat sources may pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbons in a part of a subsurface formation. Hydrocarbons and/or other products may be produced from a subsurface formation. Certain embodiments describe apparatus, methods, and/or processes used in treating a subsurface or hydrocarbon containing formation.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2008Publication date: March 19, 2009Inventors: Harold J. Vinegar, Mark Gregory Picha, Lanny Gene Schoeling
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Publication number: 20080314593Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2007Publication date: December 25, 2008Inventors: Harold J. Vinegar, Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, Kevin Albert Maher, Lanny Gene Schoeling, Scott Lee Wellington
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Patent number: 7360588Abstract: A process may include providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of a subsurface formation. Heat may transfer from one or more heaters to a part of a formation. In some embodiments, heat from the one or more heat sources may pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbons in a part of a subsurface formation. Hydrocarbons and/or other products may be produced from a subsurface formation. Certain embodiments describe apparatus, methods, and/or processes used in treating a subsurface or hydrocarbon containing formation.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2006Date of Patent: April 22, 2008Assignee: Shell Oil CompanyInventors: Harold J. Vinegar, Peter Veenstra, Steven Paul Giles, Chester L. Sandberg, Frederick Henry Kreisler Rambow, Christopher Kelvin Harris, Lanny Gene Schoeling, Mark Gregory Picha, Etuan Zhang, Gary Beer, Frederick Gordon Carl, Jr., Taixu Bai, Dong Sub Kim, Michael David Fairbanks, Guillermo Pastor Sanz
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Patent number: 7121342Abstract: A process may include providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of a subsurface formation. Heat may transfer from one or more heaters to a part of a formation. In some embodiments, heat from the one or more heat sources may pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbons in a part of a subsurface formation. Hydrocarbons and/or other products may be produced from a subsurface formation. Certain embodiments describe apparatus, methods, and/or processes used in treating a subsurface or hydrocarbon containing formation.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2004Date of Patent: October 17, 2006Assignee: Shell Oil CompanyInventors: Harold J. Vinegar, Peter Veenstra, Steven Paul Giles, Chester L. Sandberg, Frederick Henry Kreisler Rambow, Christopher Kelvin Harris, Lanny Gene Schoeling, Mark Gregory Picha, Etuan Zhang, Gary Beer, Fredrick Gordon Carl, Jr., Taixu Bai, Dong Sub Kim, Michael David Fairbanks, Guillermo Pastor Sanz
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Patent number: 7100994Abstract: 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 within 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 (or a second compound) may be produced from the formation. In some embodiments, a first fluid may be provided to the formation prior to pyrolyzing hydrocarbons in the formation, and a second fluid (or a second compound) may be produced prior to pyrolyzing hydrocarbons in the formation.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2002Date of Patent: September 5, 2006Assignee: Shell Oil CompanyInventors: Harold J. Vinegar, Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, Kevin Albert Maher, Lanny Gene Schoeling, Scott Lee Wellington
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Patent number: 6997518Abstract: An oil shale formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. Heat may be provided to the treatment area. Fluids may be injected into the formation to remove a component within the formation. Hydrocarbons, H2, and/or other formation fluids may be produced from the formation. In some embodiments, fluids may be injected prior to production of formation fluids. Alternatively, fluids may be injected after production of formation fluids.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2002Date of Patent: February 14, 2006Assignee: Shell Oil CompanyInventors: Harold J. Vinegar, Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, Kevin Albert Maher, Lanny Gene Schoeling, Scott Lee Wellington
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Patent number: 6871707Abstract: 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. The portion may be allowed or forced to cool after mixture production is ended. Carbon dioxide may be stored within the portion.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2001Date of Patent: March 29, 2005Assignee: Shell Oil CompanyInventors: John Michael Karanikas, Harold J. Vinegar, Scott Lee Wellington, Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, Ilya Emil Berchenko, George Leo Stegemeier, Kevin Albert Maher, Etuan Zhang, Lanny Gene Schoeling, Phillip Temmons Baxley
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Patent number: 6763886Abstract: 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. The portion may be allowed or forced to cool after mixture production is ended. Carbon dioxide may be stored within the portion.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2001Date of Patent: July 20, 2004Assignee: Shell Oil CompanyInventors: Lanny Gene Schoeling, Harold J. Vinegar, Scott Lee Wellington, Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, John Michael Karanikas, Ilya Emil Berchenko, George Leo Stegemeier, Kevin Albert Maher, Etuan Zhang, Phillip Temmons Baxley
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Patent number: 6739394Abstract: 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 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: GrantFiled: April 24, 2001Date of Patent: May 25, 2004Assignee: Shell Oil CompanyInventors: Harold J. Vinegar, Scott Lee Wellington, Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, John Michael Karanikas, Ilya Emil Berchenko, George Leo Stegemeier, Kevin Albert Maher, Thomas David Fowler, Robert Charles Ryan, Lanny Gene Schoeling, Robert Martijn Van Hardeveld
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Patent number: 6736215Abstract: 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. Pyrolysis products may be produced from the formation. After pyrolysis, the temperature of the portion may be raised to a synthesis gas production temperature. A synthesis gas producing fluid may be introduced into the formation to generate synthesis gas. After synthesis gas production, the portion may be cooled and used to store carbon dioxide or other fluids.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2001Date of Patent: May 18, 2004Assignee: Shell Oil CompanyInventors: Kevin Albert Maher, Harold J. Vinegar, Scott Lee Wellington, Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, John Michael Karanikas, Ilya Emil Berchenko, Etuan Zhang, Lanny Gene Schoeling
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Publication number: 20030201098Abstract: Systems and methods of using a computer system to simulate a process for in situ treatment of a hydrocarbon containing formation are provided. The in situ process may include providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least one portion of the formation. The in situ process may, in some embodiments, include allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section of the formation. In some embodiments, the method may include operating the in situ process using one or more operating parameters. At least one operating parameter of the in situ process may be provided to the computer system. In certain embodiments, at least one parameter may be used with a simulation method and the computer system to provide assessed information about the in situ process.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2002Publication date: October 30, 2003Inventors: John Michael Karanikas, Ilya Emil Berchenko, Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, Jean-Charles Ginestra, Kirk Samuel Hansen, Lanny Gene Schoeling, Gordon Thomas Shahin, Meliha Deniz Sumnu-Dindoruk, Harold J. Vinegar