Patents by Inventor Robert A. Downey
Robert A. Downey 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: 12644039Abstract: System and method for the optimized production of hydrocarbons from shale oil reservoirs via cyclic injection to achieve an improved and optimal recovery of oil. The method can determine and optimize the composition of injected fluids to be injected, the rate, pressure and duration of injection, the production rate and pressure of produced fluids; can determine and utilize the optimum number of injection and production cycles; can determine the amount of soaking time (if any); and can determine the equipment design and operating characteristics to provide for the optimized injection of injection fluids, and the separation of produced fluids for both reinjection and delivery to sales or storage.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2024Date of Patent: June 2, 2026Assignee: Shale Ingenuity, LLCInventor: Robert A. Downey
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Publication number: 20250171680Abstract: System and method for the optimized production of hydrocarbons from shale oil reservoirs via cyclic injection to achieve an improved and optimal recovery of oil. The method can determine and optimize the composition of injected fluids to be injected, the rate, pressure and duration of injection, the production rate and pressure of produced fluids; can determine and utilize the optimum number of injection and production cycles; can determine the amount of soaking time (if any); and can determine the equipment design and operating characteristics to provide for the optimized injection of injection fluids, and the separation of produced fluids for both reinjection and delivery to sales or storage.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2024Publication date: May 29, 2025Applicant: SHALE INGENUITY, LLCInventor: Robert A. DOWNEY
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Patent number: 12180422Abstract: System and method for the optimized production of hydrocarbons from shale oil reservoirs via cyclic injection to achieve an improved and optimal recovery of oil. The method can determine and optimize the composition of injected fluids to be injected, the rate, pressure and duration of injection, the production rate and pressure of produced fluids; can determine and utilize the optimum number of injection and production cycles; can determine the amount of soaking time (if any); and can determine the equipment design and operating characteristics to provide for the optimized injection of injection fluids, and the separation of produced fluids for both reinjection and delivery to sales or storage.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2023Date of Patent: December 31, 2024Assignee: Shale Ingenuity, LLCInventor: Robert A. Downey
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Publication number: 20240392668Abstract: Method for enabling the optimized production of hydrocarbons from reservoirs via cyclic injection to reservoir pressures that exceed the formation fracture pressure to achieve an improved and optimal recovery of oil. The method determines and optimizes the composition of injected fluids to be injected, the rate, pressure and duration of injection, the production rate and pressure of produced fluids; determines and utilizes the optimum number of injection and production cycles; and the amount of soaking time; and determines the equipment design and operating characteristics to provide for the optimized injection of injection fluids, and the separation of produced fluids for both reinjection and delivery to sales or storage.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2023Publication date: November 28, 2024Applicant: SHALE INGENUITY, LLCInventor: Robert A. DOWNEY
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Publication number: 20240117242Abstract: System and method for the optimized production of hydrocarbons from shale oil reservoirs via cyclic injection to achieve an improved and optimal recovery of oil. The method can determine and optimize the composition of injected fluids to be injected, the rate, pressure and duration of injection, the production rate and pressure of produced fluids; can determine and utilize the optimum number of injection and production cycles; can determine the amount of soaking time (if any); and can determine the equipment design and operating characteristics to provide for the optimized injection of injection fluids, and the separation of produced fluids for both reinjection and delivery to sales or storage.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2023Publication date: April 11, 2024Applicant: SHALE INGENUITY, LLCInventor: Robert A. DOWNEY
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Patent number: 11851997Abstract: Method for production of hydrocarbons from shale oil reservoirs via a cyclic injection and production process. The method determines the composition of injected hydrocarbon-containing composition to be injected, performing injection and production steps, and then re-determines the composition of the injected hydrocarbon-containing composition to be injected.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2021Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: Shale Ingenuity, LLCInventor: Robert A. Downey
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Patent number: 11851609Abstract: System and method for the optimized production of hydrocarbons from shale oil reservoirs via cyclic injection to achieve an improved and optimal recovery of oil. The method can determine and optimize the composition of injected fluids to be injected, the rate, pressure and duration of injection, the production rate and pressure of produced fluids; can determine and utilize the optimum number of injection and production cycles; can determine the amount of soaking time (if any); and can determine the equipment design and operating characteristics to provide for the optimized injection of injection fluids, and the separation of produced fluids for both reinjection and delivery to sales or storage.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2020Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: Shale Ingenuity, LLCInventor: Robert A. Downey
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Publication number: 20210340428Abstract: System and method for the optimized production of hydrocarbons from shale oil reservoirs via cyclic injection to achieve an improved and optimal recovery of oil. The method can determine and optimize the composition of injected fluids to be injected, the rate, pressure and duration of injection, the production rate and pressure of produced fluids; can determine and utilize the optimum number of injection and production cycles; can determine the amount of soaking time (if any); and can determine the equipment design and operating characteristics to provide for the optimized injection of injection fluids, and the separation of produced fluids for both reinjection and delivery to sales or storage.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2020Publication date: November 4, 2021Applicant: Shale Ingenuity, LLCInventor: Robert A. Downey
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Publication number: 20210317733Abstract: Method for enabling the optimized production of hydrocarbons from shale oil reservoirs via cyclic injection to reservoir pressures that exceed the formation fracture pressure to achieve an improved and optimal recovery of oil. The method determines and optimizes the composition of injected fluids to be injected, the rate, pressure and duration of injection, the production rate and pressure of produced fluids; determines and utilizes the optimum number of injection and production cycles; and the amount of soaking time; and determines the equipment design and operating characteristics to provide for the optimized injection of injection fluids, and the separation of produced fluids for both reinjection and delivery to sales or storage.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2021Publication date: October 14, 2021Applicant: Shale Ingenuity, LLCInventor: Robert A. Downey
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Patent number: 9255472Abstract: A process for bioconverting a subterranean carbon-bearing subterranean formation deposit include the steps of injecting a fluid into the carbon bearing deposit with at least one injection well and removing injected fluid and product from the deposit through at least one production well, controlling fluid pressure within at least a portion of the deposit by use of the injected fluid such that the pressure causes a net effective stress decrease for the portion of the deposit and an increase in permeability of the deposit, bioconverting at least a portion of carbonaceous materials in the carbon bearing deposit to methane by a microbial consortium, and withdrawing the injected fluid and methane from the carbon bearing deposit. Cetane or butane may also be produced by the microbial consortium.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2013Date of Patent: February 9, 2016Assignee: Ciris Energy, Inc.Inventor: Robert A. Downey
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Patent number: 9102953Abstract: Method of bioconversion of coal to methane, carbon dioxide, and other valuable gaseous and liquid products in a multi-step process that may include particle size reduction, separation of non-coal materials, addition of chemicals, and multi-stage anaerobic fermentation are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2010Date of Patent: August 11, 2015Assignee: Ciris Energy, Inc.Inventors: Robert A. Downey, Song Jin, Paul H. Fallgren
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Publication number: 20140151027Abstract: Processes relating to the production of methane, carbon dioxide, gaseous and liquid hydrocarbons, and other valuable products from subterranean carbon bearing formations, in-situ, are disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, such production utilizes indigenous and/or non-indigenous microbial consortia that are capable of converting a carbon bearing material such as shale or coal to desired products. In a particularly preferred embodiment there is provided a process for bioconverting a carbon-bearing subterranean formation, wherein the process comprises injecting fluid into a carbon bearing deposit with at least one injection well and removing injected fluid and product from the deposit through at least one production well, and controlling fluid pressure within at least a portion of the deposit by use of the injected fluid, the pressure being controlled such that the fluid pressure within at least a portion of the deposit exceeds the fluid pressure that normally exists in that portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2013Publication date: June 5, 2014Inventor: Robert A. Downey
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Patent number: 8459350Abstract: A process for producing methane, carbon dioxide, gaseous and liquid hydrocarbons, and other valuable products from subterranean carbon bearing formations, in-situ. The process utilizes indigenous and/or non-indigenous microbial consortia that are capable of converting a carbon-bearing material such as shale or coal to desired products. The process comprises injecting fluid into a carbon bearing deposit with at least one injection well and removing injected fluid and product from the deposit through at least one production well, and controlling fluid pressure within at least a portion of the deposit by use of the injected fluid, the pressure being controlled such that the fluid pressure within at least a portion of the deposit exceeds the fluid pressure that normally exists in that portion.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2012Date of Patent: June 11, 2013Assignee: Ciris Energy, Inc.Inventor: Robert A. Downey
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Publication number: 20130059358Abstract: Methods of stimulating microbial consortia, such as microbial consortia in a geological formation, such as comprising methanogens and other bacteria, for producing methane and other fuels or fuel precursors from coal or other carbonaceous materials, are disclosed along with methods for increasing bioconversion of carbonaceous materials, such as coal, into methane and other useful hydrocarbon products, wherein the consortia respond to electrical stimulation, either physical or chemical.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2011Publication date: March 7, 2013Applicant: CIRIS ENERGY, INC.Inventors: Robert A. Downey, Song Jin, William J. Brown, Paul H. Fallgren
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Publication number: 20120285681Abstract: Processes relating to the production of methane, carbon dioxide, gaseous and liquid hydrocarbons, and other valuable products from subterranean carbon bearing formations, in-situ, are disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, such production utilizes indigenous and/or non-indigenous microbial consortia that are capable of converting a carbon bearing material such as shale or coal to desired products. In a particularly preferred embodiment there is provided a process for bioconverting a carbon-bearing subterranean formation, wherein the process comprises injecting fluid into a carbon bearing deposit with at least one injection well and removing injected fluid and product from the deposit through at least one production well, and controlling fluid pressure within at least a portion of the deposit by use of the injected fluid, the pressure being controlled such that the fluid pressure within at least a portion of the deposit exceeds the fluid pressure that normally exists in that portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2012Publication date: November 15, 2012Inventor: Robert A. Downey
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Patent number: 8176978Abstract: Processes relating to the production of methane, carbon dioxide, gaseous and liquid hydrocarbons, and other valuable products from subterranean carbon bearing formations, in-situ, are disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, such production utilizes indigenous and/or non-indigenous microbial consortia that are capable of converting a carbon bearing material such as shale or coal to desired products. In a particularly preferred embodiment there is provided a process for bioconverting a carbon-bearing subterranean formation, wherein the process comprises injecting fluid into a carbon bearing deposit with at least one injection well and removing injected fluid and product from the deposit through at least one production well, and controlling fluid pressure within at least a portion of the deposit by use of the injected fluid, the pressure being controlled such that the fluid pressure within at least a portion of the deposit exceeds the fluid pressure that normally exists in that portion.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2009Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: Ciris Energy, Inc.Inventor: Robert A. Downey
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Patent number: 8151876Abstract: Disclosed are processes for improving recovery of product from a subterranean carbonaceous deposit wherein there has been a reduction in product recovery from a production well, the processes comprising treating the deposit with a liquid that contains at least one of an oxoacid ester of phosphorous or an oxoacid acid ester of sulfur.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2009Date of Patent: April 10, 2012Assignee: Ciris Energy, Inc.Inventor: Robert A. Downey
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Publication number: 20110262987Abstract: Methods of producing useful products, such as hydrocarbons and other molecules that are useful as fuels, from carbonaceous materials, are disclosed. Such methods include obtaining a carbonaceous material, such as coal, from a deposit and treating the carbonaceous material with one or more chemicals, including acetic acid, salts of acetic acid, esters of acetic acid, hydroxides and peroxides, alone or in combination, to solubilize the material in preparation for further processing, such as bioconversion, to produce useful products, or solubilizing the carbonaceous material in a formation using the above-recited chemicals, removing the solubilized material from the formation and bioconverting it to produce useful products, or solubilizing the material using the above-recited chemicals and bioconverting at least a portion of the solubilized material in a formation followed by recovery of useful products from the formation.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2011Publication date: October 27, 2011Inventor: Robert A. Downey
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Publication number: 20110151533Abstract: Method of bioconversion of coal to methane, carbon dioxide, and other valuable gaseous and liquid products in a multi-step process that may include particle size reduction, separation of non-coal materials, addition of chemicals, and multi-stage anaerobic fermentation are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2010Publication date: June 23, 2011Inventors: Robert A. Downey, Song Jin, Paul H. Fallgren
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Publication number: 20100081184Abstract: A method for the evaluation, design and optimization of in-situ bioconversion processes for the conversion of carbon to methane and other useful gases and liquids. The method utilizes a comprehensive computer simulation model for accurately simulating the physical and dynamic conditions in a subterranean carbon-bearing formation and the effects of stimulating the growth of indigenous or non-indigenous microbes therein for the bioconverstion of carbon to methane and other useful gases and liquids. The method enables the prediction of bioconversion rates and efficiencies under a range of variables, and thus provides for the optimization of in-situ bioconversion process design and operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2009Publication date: April 1, 2010Inventors: Robert A. Downey, Marc Ware