Abstract: This invention describes an apparatus and a method for integrity monitoring of a borehole and the seal integrity of a caprock suitable for sequestration of greenhouse gases. The apparatus includes plural neutrally buoyant sensors for placement outside of a casing, placement including distribution within at least mud filter cake, cement, and proppant. This invention also includes a method for monitoring integrity of a borehole suitable for sequestration of greenhouse gases or other types of well using the described apparatus.

Abstract: This invention relates to greenhouse gas reservoir systems and processes of storing and/or sequestering greenhouse gases. The greenhouse gas reservoir system includes a shale layer for containment of greenhouse gas and the shale layer has a vertical permeability of less than about 0.1 millidarcies. The greenhouse gas reservoir system includes a sandstone layer disposed at least partially below the shale layer and the sandstone layer delivers the greenhouse gas into the shale layer. The system includes a borehole for injection of the greenhouse gas into the sandstone layer.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus and a method for a wireless sensor to monitor barrier system integrity, such as used or employed during sequestration of greenhouse gases. This invention includes an apparatus for integrity monitoring of a borehole suitable for sequestration of greenhouse gases. The apparatus includes one or more sensors for placement outside of a casing to monitor a borehole, and a tool for movement within the casing to power and interrogate the one or more sensors. This invention also includes a method for monitoring integrity of a borehole suitable for sequestration of greenhouse gases or other types of well. The method includes the step of disposing one or more sensors outside a casing and the step of powering the one or more sensors with a tool inside the casing. The method also includes the step of interrogating the one or more sensors with the tool to monitor an engineered borehole and/or a natural caprock seal.

Abstract: A method for stimulating a wellbore penetrating a solid carbonaceous subterranean formation by positioning a hydrajet in an uncased portion of the wellbore penetrating the formation; perforating the formation with the hydrajet; and producing carbonaceous fluids and particulates from the formation through the wellbore and, thereby, forming a cavity in the formation surrounding the wellbore.

Abstract: A method for increasing the production of methane from a subterranean carbonaceous formation by chemically stimulating the formation of additional free surface area or cleats in the organic constituents of the formation and by causing inorganically adsorbed methane to be released from contained clay-minerals to increase the rate of methane desorption from the formation by injecting an aqueous oxidizing solution containing at least one oxidant into the formation, and thereafter producing methane from the formation at an increased rate. Suitable oxidants include peroxide, ozone, oxygen, chlorine dioxide, sodium hypochloride, water soluble salts of hypochlorous acid, perchlorate, chlorate, persulfate, perborate, percarbonate, permanganate, nitrate and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A method for increasing the production of methane from a subterranean coal formation by chemically stimulating the formation of cleats in the formation to increase the rate of methane production from the formation by injecting an aqueous oxidant solution into the formation to stimulate the formation of cleats in the formation; and thereafter producing methane from the formation at an increased rate. Suitable oxidants include chlorine dioxide, metallic salts of perchlorate, chlorate, persulfate, perborate, percarbonate, permanganate, nitrate and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A method for increasing the methane recovery from a subterranean carbonaceous formation by chemically stimulating the formation of cleats and increasing the surface area in the carbonaceous formation by injecting a gaseous oxidant into the carbonaceous formation to stimulate the formation of cleats in and increase the surface area of carbonaceous material in the carbonaceous formation; and thereafter producing methane from the carbonaceous formation at an increased rate. The gaseous oxidant may be ozone, oxygen or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A method for increasing the permeability to methane of a subterranean coal formation by chemically stimulating the coal formation by injecting a gaseous oxidant into the coal formation and thereafter producing methane from the coal formation at an increased rate. The gaseous oxidant is ozone, oxygen or combinations thereof. The completion of wells penetrating a subterranean coal formation is facilitated by injecting a gaseous oxidant into the coal formation surrounding the well prior to forming a cavity in the coal formation around the well.

Abstract: A method for completing a well penetrating a solid carbonaceous subterranean formation by positioning a perforating gun in an uncased portion of a wellbore penetrating the solid carbonaceous subterranean formation; perforating the coal formation; and, producing fluids and particulate coal from the coal formation through the well to form a cavity in the coal formation surrounding the well.

Abstract: A method for increasing the production of methane from a subterranean coal formation by chemically stimulating the formation of cleats in the coal formation in order to facilitate removal of formation water, and increase the rate of methane production from the coal formation is disclosed. The method comprises injecting an aqueous oxidant solution into the coal formations to stimulate the formation of cleats in the coal formation; and thereafter producing methane from the coal formations at an increased rate. The aqueous oxidant solution comprises hypochlorite, metallic salts of hypochlorous acid, hydrogen peroxide, ozone, oxygen and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Geomicrobiological exploration method employing one or more culture, luminometry or tritiated thymidine assays of microbes (bacteria) for sensitivity, determined as survival rate in percentage, of the microbes to selected toxic materials, preferably heavy metals and/or hydrocarbons. The survival assay values are plotted as contours on a geophysical map and target areas of potential interest are identified and further evaluated by inspection or other techniques. Examples show actual use of the techniques to identify a target area in a raw prospect petroleum lease area which was drilled to successful oil discovery thus proving the method. Sensitivity test incubation ranges from 1-3 hours (preferably 2 hours) for heavy metals at 20-25 degrees C., and 3-10 min. for pentene/hexane at 15-20 degrees C. Luminometry is fastest, being run in 1.5-30 minutes and most suitable for field surveys. Toxics concentrations may range from 0.001 ug/ml to 15,000 ug/ml for heavy metals to 0.001-25 vol % for hydrocarbons.