Abstract: Embodiments of generating controlled fractures in geologic formation are provided herein. In one embodiment, a method comprises preconditioning by applying a sufficient amount of energy comprising AC power to the electrodes to induce an electrical field between opposite electrode contact points to generate a least one conductive channel between a pair of electrodes. The generation of the conductive channel is complete when current flow measured by a network analyzer exhibits a measured reduction of channel resistance of 90% ohms or more in 6 hours or less from when preconditioning first began. The method further comprises, subsequent to generating the conductive channel, fracturing by applying electrical impulses to the electrodes. The application of the electrical pulses generates multiple controlled fractures within and about the conductive channel. The energy is applied using a single phase configuration, a multiphase configuration, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: Embodiments of generating controlled fractures in geologic formation are provided herein. In one embodiment, a method comprises preconditioning by applying a sufficient amount of energy comprising AC power to the electrodes to induce an electrical field between opposite electrode contact points to generate a least one conductive channel between a pair of electrodes. The generation of the conductive channel is complete when current flow measured by a network analyzer exhibits a measured reduction of channel resistance of 90% ohms or more in 6 hours or less from when preconditioning first began. The method further comprises, subsequent to generating the conductive channel, fracturing by applying electrical impulses to the electrodes. The application of the electrical pulses generates multiple controlled fractures within and about the conductive channel. The energy is applied using a single phase configuration, a multiphase configuration, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: Controlled fracturing in geologic formations is carried out in a method employing a combination of alternating and impulsive current waveforms, applied in succession to achieve extensive fracturing and disintegration of rock materials for liquid and gas recovery. In a pre-conditioning step, high voltage discharges and optionally with highly ionizable gas injections are applied to a system of borehole electrodes, causing the formation to fracture with disintegration in multiple directions but confined between the locations of electrode pairs of opposite polarity. After pre-conditioning, intense current waveform of pulse energy is then applied to the system of borehole electrodes to create waves of ionization or shock waves with bubbles of heated gas that propagate inside and outside the high conductivity channels, resulting in rock disintegration with attendant large scale multiple fracturing.

Abstract: Controlled fracturing in geologic formations is carried out by a system for generating fractures. The system comprises: a plurality of electrodes for placing in boreholes in a formation with one electrode per borehole, for the plurality of electrodes to define a fracture pattern for the geologic formation; a first electrical system for delivering a sufficient amount of energy to the electrodes to generate a conductive channel between the pair of electrodes with the conductivity in the channel has a ratio of final to initial channel conductivity of 10:1 to 50,000:1, wherein the sufficient amount of energy is selected from electromagnetic conduction, radiant energy and combinations thereof; and a second electrical system for generating electrical impulses with a voltage output ranging from 100-2000 kV, with the pulses having a rise time ranging from 0.05-500 microseconds and a half-value time of 50-5000 microseconds.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for extracting a kerogen-based product from subsurface shale formations. The methods utilize in-situ reaction of kerogen involving liquid phase chemistry at ambient temperatures at pressures for the subsurface shale formation. These methods rely on chemically modifying the shale-bound kerogen to render it mobile using metal particulate catalysts. In the methods disclosed herein a fluid comprising metal is provided to the subsurface shale formation comprising kerogen in an inorganic matrix. A reducing agent is provided to the subsurface shale formation. The kerogen is converted by contacting the kerogen with a metal particulate catalyst formed from the metal; and a mobile kerogen-based product is formed. At least a portion of the mobile kerogen-based product is recovered. The kerogen-derived product can be upgraded to provide commercial products.

Abstract: Methods for extracting a kerogen-based product from subsurface (oil) shale formations rely on chemically modifying the shale-bound kerogen using a chemical oxidant so as to render it mobile. The oxidant is provided to a formation fluid in contact with the kerogen in the subsurface shale. An alkaline material is also provided to the formation fluid to mobilize organic acids which are produced during oxidation of the kerogen. A mobile kerogen-based product which includes the organic acids is withdrawn from the subsurface shale formation and further processed to isolate the organic acids contained therein. These organic acids are valuable as hydrocarbon products for creating commercial products and a portion of these organic acids can also be used in the process for extracting the kerogen-based product from the subsurface shale formation.

Abstract: Controlled fracturing in geologic formations is carried out by a system for generating fractures. The system comprises: a plurality of electrodes for placing in boreholes in a formation with one electrode per borehole, for the plurality of electrodes to define a fracture pattern for the geologic formation; a first electrical system for delivering a sufficient amount of energy to the electrodes to generate a conductive channel between the pair of electrodes with the conductivity in the channel has a ratio of final to initial channel conductivity of 10:1 to 50,000:1, wherein the sufficient amount of energy is selected from electromagnetic conduction, radiant energy and combinations thereof; and a second electrical system for generating electrical impulses with a voltage output ranging from 100-2000 kV, with the pulses having a rise time ranging from 0.05-500 microseconds and a half-value time of 50-5000 microseconds.

Abstract: Controlled fracturing in geologic formations is carried out in a method employing a combination of alternating and impulsive current waveforms, applied in succession to achieve extensive fracturing and disintegration of rock materials for liquid and gas recovery. In a pre-conditioning step, high voltage discharges and optionally with highly ionizable gas injections are applied to a system of borehole electrodes, causing the formation to fracture with disintegration in multiple directions but confined between the locations of electrode pairs of opposite polarity. After pre-conditioning, intense current waveform of pulse energy is then applied to the system of borehole electrodes to create waves of ionization or shock waves with bubbles of heated gas that propagate inside and outside the high conductivity channels, resulting in rock disintegration with attendant large scale multiple fracturing.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for extracting a kerogen-based product from subsurface (oil) shale formations. These methods rely on chemically modifying the shale-bound kerogen using a chemical oxidant so as to render it mobile. The oxidant is provided to a formation fluid in contact with the kerogen in the subsurface shale. A mobile kerogen-based product which includes the organic acids is withdrawn from the subsurface shale formation and processed to isolate the organic acids contained therein. The isolated organic acids are upgraded by a reaction process that make the products suitable as refinery feedstocks, fuel or lubricant blendstocks, reaction intermediates, chemical feedstocks, or chemical intermediate blendstocks.

Abstract: Methods for extracting a kerogen-based product from subsurface (oil) shale formations. These methods rely on chemically modifying the shale-bound kerogen using a chemical oxidant so as to render it mobile. The oxidant is provided to a formation fluid in contact with the kerogen in the subsurface shale. An alkaline material is also provided to the formation fluid to mobilize organic acids which are produced during oxidation of the kerogen. A mobile kerogen-based product which includes the organic acids is withdrawn from the subsurface shale formation and further processed to isolate the organic acids contained therein.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for extracting a kerogen-based product from subsurface (oil) shale formations. These methods rely on chemically modifying the shale-bound kerogen using a chemical oxidant so as to render it mobile. The oxidant is provided to a formation fluid in contact with the kerogen in the subsurface shale. A mobile kerogen-based product which includes the organic acids is withdrawn from the subsurface shale formation and processed to isolate the organic acids contained therein. In one embodiment, the mobile kerogen-based product is treated such that at least a portion of the organic acids form a separate phase from the mobile kerogen-based product to isolate the acids. The organic acids may further be extracted from the mobile kerogen-based product using an organic extraction fluid.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a process for preparing transportation fuel and optionally a middle distillate, a diesel fuel, a heating oil, a jet fuel, a kerosene, an aviation gasoline, a gasoline fuel, or a lubricant base oil. The process includes the steps of (a) producing a naturally occurring aqueous fluid containing greater than 1 wt. % soluble carboxylic acids; (b) isolating at least a portion of the organic acids from the naturally occurring aqueous fluid; and (c) upgrading the isolated carboxylic acids. The step of upgrading the isolated carboxylic acids can include at least one of hydrotreating, hydrocracking, isomerization, esterification and FCC cracking. The aqueous fluid can then be used in processes for recovery of a mobile kerogen based product. Also disclosed herein is a process for preparing a biofuel comprising the organic acids isolated from naturally occurring aqueous fluid.

Abstract: Methods of extracting a hydrocarbon-based product from subsurface (oil) shale formations are provided. These methods rely on the use of an extraction fluid comprising pentane for facilitating the production of a mobile hydrocarbon-based product when the pentane contacts hydrocarbons in subsurface shale. The contacting process, and the subsequent process of recovering the mobile hydrocarbon-based product, is further enhanced by the methods of fracturing and/or rubblizing portions of the shale formation, so as to enhance their fluid permeability.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for extracting a kerogen-based product from subsurface (oil) shale formations. These methods rely on chemically modifying the shale-bound kerogen using a chemical oxidant so as to render it mobile. The oxidant is provided to a formation fluid in contact with the kerogen in the subsurface shale. A mobile kerogen-based product which includes the organic acids is withdrawn from the subsurface shale formation and processed to isolate the organic acids contained therein. An exemplary method for isolating the acids includes treating the mobile kerogen-based product such that at least a portion of the organic acids form a separate phase from the mobile kerogen-based product. The organic acids may further be extracted from the mobile kerogen-based product using an organic extraction fluid.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for extracting a kerogen-based product from subsurface (oil) shale formations. These methods rely on chemically modifying the shale-bound kerogen using a chemical oxidant so as to render it mobile. The oxidant is provided to a formation fluid in contact with the kerogen in the subsurface shale. A mobile kerogen-based product which includes the organic acids is withdrawn from the subsurface shale formation and processed to isolate the organic acids contained therein. The isolated organic acids are upgraded by a reaction process that make the products suitable as refinery feedstocks, fuel or lubricant blendstocks, reaction intermediates, chemical feedstocks, or chemical intermediate blendstocks.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for extracting a kerogen-based product from subsurface (oil) shale formations. These methods rely on chemically modifying the shale-bound kerogen using a chemical oxidant so as to render it mobile. The oxidant is provided to a formation fluid in contact with the kerogen in the subsurface shale. An alkaline material is also provided to the formation fluid to mobilize organic acids which are produced during oxidation of the kerogen. A mobile kerogen-based product which includes the organic acids is withdrawn from the subsurface shale formation and further processed to isolate the organic acids contained therein. These organic acids are valuable as hydrocarbon products for creating commercial products and a portion of these organic acids can also be used in the process for extracting the kerogen-based product from the subsurface shale formation.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for extracting a kerogen-based product from subsurface (oil) shale formations. These methods rely on chemically modifying the shale-bound kerogen using a chemical oxidant so as to render it mobile. The oxidant is provided to a formation fluid in contact with the kerogen in the subsurface shale. An alkaline material is also provided to the formation fluid to mobilize organic acids which are produced during oxidation of the kerogen. A mobile kerogen-based product which includes the organic acids is withdrawn from the subsurface shale formation and further processed to isolate the organic acids contained therein.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for extracting a kerogen-based product from subsurface (oil) shale formations, wherein such methods rely on fracturing and/or rubblizing portions of said formations so as to enhance their fluid permeability, and wherein such methods further rely on chemically modifying the shale-bound kerogen so as to render it mobile. The present invention is also directed at systems for implementing at least some of the foregoing methods. Additionally, the present invention is also directed to methods of fracturing and/or rubblizing subsurface shale formations and to methods of chemically modifying kerogen in situ so as to render it mobile.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for extracting a kerogen-based product from subsurface (oil) shale formations, wherein such methods rely on fracturing and/or rubblizing portions of said formations so as to enhance their fluid permeability, and wherein such methods further rely on chemically modifying the shale-bound kerogen so as to render it mobile. The present invention is also directed at systems for implementing at least some of the foregoing methods. Additionally, the present invention is also directed to methods of fracturing and/or rubblizing subsurface shale formations and to methods of chemically modifying kerogen in situ so as to render it mobile.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for extracting a kerogen-based product from subsurface (oil) shale formations, wherein such methods rely on fracturing and/or rubblizing portions of said formations so as to enhance their fluid permeability, and wherein such methods further rely on chemically modifying the shale-bound kerogen so as to render it mobile. The present invention is also directed at systems for implementing at least some of the foregoing methods. Additionally, the present invention is also directed to methods of fracturing and/or rubblizing subsurface shale formations and to methods of chemically modifying kerogen in situ so as to render it mobile.