Patents by Inventor Thomas David Fowler

Thomas David Fowler 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).

  • Patent number: 9016370
    Abstract: A method for treating a hydrocarbon containing layer in a subsurface formation is described. The method may include removing at most about 20% by weight of the nahcolite from one or more intervals in the hydrocarbon containing layer that include at least about 40% by weight nahcolite. Heat may be provided from a plurality of heaters to the hydrocarbon containing layer such that at least some hydrocarbons in the hydrocarbon containing layer are mobilized. At least some mobilized hydrocarbons may be produced through at least one production well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Gerald Jacob Daub, Charles Robert Keedy, Mariela Gertrudis Araujo Fresky, Thomas David Fowler, Matthew Lee Holman
  • Patent number: 8875788
    Abstract: Electrical current flow is induced in a ferromagnetic conductor providing time-varying electrical current at a first frequency to an electrical conductor located in a formation. The ferromagnetic conductor at least partially surrounds and at least partially extends lengthwise around the electrical conductor. The ferromagnetic conductor resistively heats up to a first temperature of at most about 300° C. Water in the formation is vaporized with heat at the first temperature. Subsequently, time-varying electrical current at a second frequency is provided to the elongated electrical conductor to induce electrical current flow at the second frequency such that the ferromagnetic conductor resistively heats up to a second temperature above about 300° C. Heat transfers from the ferromagnetic conductor at the second temperature to at least a part of the formation to mobilize at least some hydrocarbons in the part of the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Scott Vinh Nguyen, Thomas David Fowler
  • Patent number: 8789586
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, Ilya Emil Berchenko, Thomas David Fowler, Robert Charles Ryan, Gordon Thomas Shahin, Jr., George Leo Stegemeier, Harold J. Vinegar, Scott Lee Wellington, Etuan Zhang
  • Publication number: 20140027119
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Inventors: Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, llya Emil Berchenko, Thomas David Fowler, Robert Charles Ryan, Gordon Thomas Shahin, JR., George Leo Stegemeier, Harold J. Vinegar, Scott Lee Wellington, Etuan Zhang
  • Publication number: 20130264058
    Abstract: A method for treating a hydrocarbon containing layer in a subsurface formation includes forming a plurality of substantially vertical fractures in the formation at selected intervals along a length of at least one production wellbore positioned substantially horizontally in the hydrocarbon containing layer. Heat is provided from a plurality of heaters to the hydrocarbon containing layer such that at least some hydrocarbons in the hydrocarbon containing layer are mobilized. At least some of the plurality of heaters are positioned substantially horizontally in the hydrocarbon containing layer. At least some mobilized hydrocarbons are produced through at least one production wellbore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Inventor: Thomas David FOWLER
  • Patent number: 8485252
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, Ilya Emil Berchenko, Thomas David Fowler, Robert Charles Ryan, Gordon Thomas Shahin, Jr., George Leo Stegemeier, Harold J. Vinegar, Scott Lee Wellington, Etuan Zhang
  • Publication number: 20130008660
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Inventors: Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, Ilya Emil Berchenko, Thomas David Fowler, Robert Charles Ryan, Gordon Thomas Shahin, JR., George Leo Stegemeier, Harold J. Vinegar, Scott Lee Wellington, Etuan Zhang
  • Publication number: 20120255730
    Abstract: A method for treating a hydrocarbon containing layer in a subsurface formation is described. The method may include removing at most about 20% by weight of the nahcolite from one or more intervals in the hydrocarbon containing layer that include at least about 40% by weight nahcolite. Heat may be provided from a plurality of heaters to the hydrocarbon containing layer such that at least some hydrocarbons in the hydrocarbon containing layer are mobilized. At least some mobilized hydrocarbons may be produced through at least one production well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: SHELL OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Gerald Jacob DAUB, Charles Robert KEEDY, Mariela Gertrudis Araujo Fresky, Thomas David FOWLER, Matthew Lee HOLMAN
  • Patent number: 8267170
    Abstract: A plurality of first barrier wells are formed in a formation for a first barrier. A substantially constant spacing separates adjacent first barrier wells. The formation is analyzed to determine the principal fracture direction of at least one layer of the formation. An offset distance of second barrier wells relative to first barrier wells is determined based on the principal fracture direction to limit a maximum separation distance between a closest barrier well and a theoretical fracture extending between the first barrier and the second barrier along the principal fracture direction to a distance of less than one half of the spacing that separates adjacent first barrier wells. The second barrier wells are offset from the first barrier wells by a distance that is at least substantially the same as the offset distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Thomas David Fowler, Billy John McKinzie
  • Patent number: 8225866
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, Ilya Emil Berchenko, Thomas David Fowler, Robert Charles Ryan, Gordon Thomas Shahin, Jr., George Leo Stegemeier, Harold J. Vinegar, Scott Lee Wellington, Etuan Zhang
  • Publication number: 20110247819
    Abstract: Electrical current flow is induced in a ferromagnetic conductor providing time-varying electrical current at a first frequency to an electrical conductor located in a formation. The ferromagnetic conductor at least partially surrounds and at least partially extends lengthwise around the electrical conductor. The ferromagnetic conductor resistively heats up to a first temperature of at most about 300° C. Water in the formation is vaporized with heat at the first temperature. Subsequently, time-varying electrical current at a second frequency is provided to the elongated electrical conductor to induce electrical current flow at the second frequency such that the ferromagnetic conductor resistively heats up to a second temperature above about 300° C. Heat transfers from the ferromagnetic conductor at the second temperature to at least a part of the formation to mobilize at least some hydrocarbons in the part of the formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Inventors: Scott Vinh Nguyen, Thomas David Fowler
  • Publication number: 20110088904
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventors: Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, Ilya Emil Berchenko, Thomas David Fowler, Gordon Thomas Shahin, JR., Robert Charles Ryan, George Leo Stegemeier, Harold J. Vinegar, Scott Lee Wellington, Etuan Zhang
  • Patent number: 7798221
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    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, 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
  • Publication number: 20100108310
    Abstract: A plurality of first barrier wells are formed in a formation for a first barrier. A substantially constant spacing separates adjacent first barrier wells. The formation is analyzed to determine the principal fracture direction of at least one layer of the formation. An offset distance of second barrier wells relative to first barrier wells is determined based on the principal fracture direction to limit a maximum separation distance between a closest barrier well and a theoretical fracture extending between the first barrier and the second barrier along the principal fracture direction to a distance of less than one half of the spacing that separates adjacent first barrier wells. The second barrier wells are offset from the first barrier wells by a distance that is at least substantially the same as the offset distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventors: Thomas David Fowler, Billy John McKinzie
  • Patent number: 7635025
    Abstract: A system for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation includes a steam and electricity cogeneration facility. At least one injection well is located in a first portion of the formation. The injection well provides steam from the steam and electricity cogeneration facility to the first portion of the formation. At least one production well is located in the first portion of the formation. The production well in the first portion produces first hydrocarbons. At least one electrical heater is located in a second portion of the formation. At least one of the electrical heaters is powered by electricity from the steam and electricity cogeneration facility. At least one production well is located in the second portion of the formation. The production well in the second portion produces second hydrocarbons. The steam and electricity cogeneration facility uses the first hydrocarbons and/or the second hydrocarbons to generate electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Harold J. Vinegar, Thomas David Fowler, John Michael Karanikas
  • Patent number: 7610962
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and heaters for treating a subsurface formation are described herein. At least one method for providing acidic gas to a subsurface formation is described herein. The method may include providing heat from one or more heaters to a portion of a subsurface formation; producing fluids that include one or more acidic gases from the formation using a heat treatment process. At least a portion of one of the acidic gases may be introduced into the formation, or into another formation, through one or more wellbores at a pressure below a lithostatic pressure of the formation in which the acidic gas is introduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventor: Thomas David Fowler
  • Patent number: 7575052
    Abstract: An in situ conversion system for producing hydrocarbons from a subsurface formation is described. The system includes a plurality of u-shaped wellbores in the formation. Piping is positioned in at least two of the u-shaped wellbores. A fluid circulation system is coupled to the piping. The fluid circulation system is configured to circulate hot heat transfer fluid through at least a portion of the piping to form at least one heated portion of the formation. An electrical power supply is configured to provide electrical current to at least a portion of the piping located below an overburden in the formation to resistively heat at least a portion of the piping. Heat transfers from the piping to the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Chester Ledlie Sandberg, Thomas David Fowler, Harold J. Vinegar, Willen Jan Antoon Henri Schoeber
  • Publication number: 20090101346
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Inventors: 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
  • Publication number: 20080173449
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and heaters for treating a subsurface formation are described herein. At least one method for providing acidic gas to a subsurface formation is described herein. The method may include providing heat from one or more heaters to a portion of a subsurface formation; producing fluids that include one or more acidic gases from the formation using a heat treatment process. At least a portion of one of the acidic gases may be introduced into the formation, or into another formation, through one or more wellbores at a pressure below a lithostatic pressure of the formation in which the acidic gas is introduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Inventor: Thomas David Fowler
  • Patent number: 7225866
    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: January 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    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