Patents by Inventor Myron I. Kuhlman
Myron I. Kuhlman 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: 10655441Abstract: Methods and systems for stimulating light tight shale oil formations to recover hydrocarbons from the formations. One embodiment includes positioning a downhole burner in a first well, supplying a fuel, oxidizer, and water to the burner to form steam, injecting the steam and surplus oxygen into the shale reservoir to form a heated zone within the shale reservoir, wherein the surplus oxygen reacts with hydrocarbons in the reservoir to generate heat; wherein the heat from the reactions with the hydrocarbons and the steam increases permeability in a kerogen-rich portion of the shale reservoir, and producing hydrocarbons from the shale reservoir.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2016Date of Patent: May 19, 2020Assignee: World Energy Systems, Inc.Inventor: Myron I. Kuhlman
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Publication number: 20180010434Abstract: Methods and systems for stimulating light tight shale oil formations to recover hydrocarbons from the formations. One embodiment includes positioning a downhole burner in a first well, supplying a fuel, oxidizer, and water to the burner to form steam, injecting the steam and surplus oxygen into the shale reservoir to form a heated zone within the shale reservoir, wherein the surplus oxygen reacts with hydrocarbons in the reservoir to generate heat; wherein the heat from the reactions with the hydrocarbons and the steam increases permeability in a kerogen-rich portion of the shale reservoir, and producing hydrocarbons from the shale reservoir.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2016Publication date: January 11, 2018Inventor: Myron I. KUHLMAN
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Patent number: 8899327Abstract: A method for recovering oil from a reservoir comprises performing a first CHOPS process in one or more first wells, performing a second CHOPS process in one or more second wells that are laterally offset from the first wells, and injecting gas and/or steam into the one or more second wells after the CHOPS processes are at least partially completed. A plurality of channels that extend from the one or more first and second wells may be created as a result of the CHOPS processes. The gas and/or steam may be injected into the channels of the one or more second wells via a downhole steam generator that is located in the one or more second wells. The gas and/or steam may form a gas and/or steam front that drives reservoir products into the channels of the one or more first wells. The reservoir products may be recovered to the surface through the one or more first wells.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2011Date of Patent: December 2, 2014Assignee: World Energy Systems IncorporatedInventors: Myron I. Kuhlman, Charles H. Ware
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Patent number: 8820420Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to methods for increasing the recovery of hydrocarbons from a subterranean reservoir. In one embodiment, a method for recovering hydrocarbons from a subterranean reservoir is provided. The method includes positioning a first device into a first horizontal well, injecting a first fluid into the first horizontal well through the first device, producing hydrocarbons from a second horizontal well disposed below the first well, injecting a second fluid into a third well laterally offset from each of the first and second wells to drive fluids in the reservoir toward the second well while continuing to produce hydrocarbons from the second well, and selectively ceasing injection into the first well when the second well is in fluid communication with the third well.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2012Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignee: World Energy Systems IncorporatedInventor: Myron I. Kuhlman
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Patent number: 8733437Abstract: Embodiments of the invention described herein relate to methods and apparatus for recovery of viscous hydrocarbons from subterranean reservoirs. In one embodiment, a method for recovery of hydrocarbons from a subterranean reservoir is provided. The method includes drilling an injector well to be in communication with a reservoir having one or more production wells in communication with the reservoir, installing casing in the injector well, cementing the casing, perforating the casing, positioning a downhole steam generator in the casing, flowing fuel, oxidant and water to the downhole steam generator to intermittently produce a combustion product and/or a vaporization product in the reservoir, flowing injectants to the reservoir, and producing hydrocarbons through the one or more production wells.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2012Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: World Energy Systems, IncorporatedInventors: Myron I. Kuhlman, Marvin J. Schneider, Norman W. Hein, Jr., Anthony Gus Castrogiovanni, Allen R. Harrison, Sharon Mayes
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Patent number: 8573292Abstract: A method for producing hydrocarbons from a reservoir. The method includes positioning a burner having a combustion chamber in a first well, supplying a fuel, an oxidant, and one of water or steam from the surface to the burner in the first well, supplying a viscosity-reducing gas from the surface to the reservoir in a conduit separate from the fuel, igniting the fuel and the oxidant in the combustion chamber to generate heat and steam in the burner, injecting the viscosity-reducing gas and steam into the reservoir to reduce the viscosity of and heat hydrocarbons within the reservoir, and recovering hydrocarbons from the reservoir.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2012Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignee: World Energy Systems IncorporatedInventors: Charles H. Ware, Myron I. Kuhlman
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Publication number: 20130180708Abstract: Embodiments of the invention described herein relate to methods and apparatus for recovery of viscous hydrocarbons from subterranean reservoirs. In one embodiment, a method for recovery of hydrocarbons from a subterranean reservoir is provided. The method includes drilling an injector well to be in communication with a reservoir having one or more production wells in communication with the reservoir, installing casing in the injector well, cementing the casing, perforating the casing, positioning a downhole steam generator in the casing, flowing fuel, oxidant and water to the downhole steam generator to intermittently produce a combustion product and/or a vaporization product in the reservoir, flowing injectants to the reservoir, and producing hydrocarbons through the one or more production wells.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2012Publication date: July 18, 2013Inventors: Myron I. Kuhlman, Marvin J. Schneider, Norman W. Hein, JR., Anthony Gus Castrogiovanni, Allen R. Harrison, Sharon Mayes
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Patent number: 8286698Abstract: A downhole burner is used for producing heavy-oil formations. Hydrogen, oxygen, and steam are pumped by separate conduits to the burner, which burns at least part of the hydrogen and forces the combustion products out into the earth formation. The steam cools the burner and becomes superheated steam, which is injected along with the combustion products into the earth formation. Carbon dioxide is also pumped down the well and injected into the formation.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2011Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: World Energy Systems IncorporatedInventors: Charles H. Ware, Myron I. Kuhlman
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Publication number: 20120103605Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to methods for increasing the recovery of hydrocarbons from a subterranean reservoir. In one embodiment, a method for recovering hydrocarbons from a subterranean reservoir is provided. The method includes positioning a first device into a first horizontal well, injecting a first fluid into the first horizontal well through the first device, producing hydrocarbons from a second horizontal well disposed below the first well, injecting a second fluid into a third well laterally offset from each of the first and second wells to drive fluids in the reservoir toward the second well while continuing to produce hydrocarbons from the second well, and selectively ceasing injection into the first well when the second well is in fluid communication with the third well.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2012Publication date: May 3, 2012Inventor: MYRON I. KUHLMAN
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Publication number: 20120067573Abstract: A downhole burner is used for producing heavy-oil formations. Hydrogen, oxygen, and steam are pumped by separate conduits to the burner, which burns at least part of the hydrogen and forces the combustion products out into the earth formation. The steam cools the burner and becomes superheated steam, which is injected along with the combustion products into the earth formation. Carbon dioxide is also pumped down the well and injected into the formation.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2011Publication date: March 22, 2012Inventors: Charles H. Ware, Myron I. Kuhlman
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Patent number: 8091636Abstract: Methods for increasing the recovery of hydrocarbons from a subterranean reservoir. A method may include the steps of injecting a first fluid into a first horizontal well in the reservoir by a first device; producing hydrocarbons from a second horizontal well disposed below the first well; injecting a second fluid into a third well laterally offset from each of the first and second wells while continuing to produce hydrocarbons from the second well; and selectively ceasing injection into the first well when the second well is in fluid communication with the third well. The first and second fluid may comprise steam, carbon dioxide, oxygen, or combinations thereof. Injection into the first well selectively may be ceased when pressure in the first well is increased to a first injection pressure.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2008Date of Patent: January 10, 2012Assignee: World Energy Systems IncorporatedInventor: Myron I. Kuhlman
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Patent number: 8091625Abstract: A downhole burner is used for producing heavy-oil formations. Hydrogen, oxygen, and steam are pumped by separate conduits to the burner, which burns at least part of the hydrogen and forces the combustion products out into the earth formation. The steam cools the burner and becomes superheated steam, which is injected along with the combustion products into the earth formation. Carbon dioxide is also pumped down the well and injected into the formation.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2006Date of Patent: January 10, 2012Assignee: World Energy Systems IncorporatedInventors: Charles H. Ware, Myron I. Kuhlman
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Publication number: 20110297374Abstract: A method for recovering oil from a reservoir comprises performing a first CHOPS process in one or more first wells, performing a second CHOPS process in one or more second wells that are laterally offset from the first wells, and injecting gas and/or steam into the one or more second wells after the CHOPS processes are at least partially completed. A plurality of channels that extend from the one or more first and second wells may be created as a result of the CHOPS processes. The gas and/or steam may be injected into the channels of the one or more second wells via a downhole steam generator that is located in the one or more second wells. The gas and/or steam may form a gas and/or steam front that drives reservoir products into the channels of the one or more first wells. The reservoir products may be recovered to the surface through the one or more first wells.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2011Publication date: December 8, 2011Inventors: Myron I. Kuhlman, Charles H. Ware
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Publication number: 20090272532Abstract: The invention relates to methods for increasing the recovery of hydrocarbons from a subterranean reservoir. A method may include the steps of injecting a first fluid into a first horizontal well in the reservoir by a first device; producing hydrocarbons from a second horizontal well disposed below the first well; injecting a second fluid into a third well laterally offset from each of the first and second wells while continuing to produce hydrocarbons from the second well; and selectively ceasing injection into the first well when the second well is in fluid communication with the third well. The first and second fluid may comprise steam, carbon dioxide, oxygen, or combinations thereof. Injection into the first well selectively may be ceased when pressure in the first well is increased to a first injection pressure.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2008Publication date: November 5, 2009Inventor: Myron I. Kuhlman
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Patent number: 4856589Abstract: A gas flooding process for displacing oil within a reservoir is improved by injections of a surfactant having a composition and concentration correlated with those of the brine used to remain substantially within the water phase of the injected fluid at a concentration below the critical micelle concentration of the surfactant.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 1988Date of Patent: August 15, 1989Assignee: Shell Oil CompanyInventors: Myron I. Kuhlman, John K. Borchardt, Andrew H. Falls
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Patent number: 4762178Abstract: In a carbonated waterflood oil recovery process the corrosivity of a premixed solution is reduced by dissolving the CO.sub.2 in water containing enough sodium carbonate or bicarbonate to maintain a pH of at least about 4.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 1987Date of Patent: August 9, 1988Assignee: Shell Oil CompanyInventors: Andrew H. Falls, Myron I. Kuhlman