Method of extracting hydrocarbons

Abstract

A method of extracting hydrocarbons entrapped in a land formation includes forming at least one passage into an exposed surface portion of the land formation, such that the passage is formed as a substantially horizontal or as an upwardly inclined passage into the land formation. The exposed surface portion is positioned vertically lower than at least a portion of the entrapped hydrocarbons. The method of extraction includes accessing the entrapped hydrocarbons with the passage, removing the entrapped hydrocarbons from the land formation via the passage, and capturing the removed hydrocarbons. Optionally, the entrapped hydrocarbons may be detected via a directionally-variable seismic exploration system or method, which may include projecting seismic signals into the land formation from different locations and receiving return signals in response thereto. The return signals may provide information indicative of entrapped hydrocarbons within the land formation.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional applications, Ser. No. 60/730,805, filed Oct. 27, 2005, by Ian K. Rosen for METHOD OF EXTRACTING HYDROCARBONS; and Ser. No. 60/753,880, filed Dec. 23, 2005, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a method of identifying and extracting hydrocarbons from a land formation.

Oil and gas hydrocarbons are found commercially below the surface of the land or water. Typically, such hydrocarbons are found in commercial quantities in “traps” of various types. These traps may include tops or caps formed of hard, dense geological material that are impermeable to seepage and restrain the hydrocarbons in underground pockets, and may include similarly formed side enclosures and/or walls forming multiple sections or compartments within the trap.

Typical indicators of hydrocarbon traps are source rock outflows, which may be found in valleys and flatlands, where most hydrocarbon exploration presently takes place. Also, land formations having such traps often include interior structural changes, features and/or anomalies, such as anticlines, synclines, fracturing, fragmenting, faulting, over-thrusts, horsts and grabens, which may result from movement of the geological formation and create a trap within the land formation.

Known methods of exploration for these traps or pockets of hydrocarbons include drilling down from above to penetrate or tap the traps of hydrocarbons and to pump the hydrocarbons out of the trap or let them pressure flow to the surface. Sometimes “slant” drilling from the top location to the perceived trap is used for environmental or technical reasons to reach a pocket that cannot be reached by drilling straight down from the top surface. A relatively new technique involves drilling down and then shifting to horizontal drilling (i.e. an “L” shaped configuration, where the horizontal component is underground) to cover a broader area in the “pay zone” and to break down honeycomb structure or configuration or other compartments in the trap or traps to increase the recovery. However, such L-style drilling is more costly than the standard vertical known method of drilling and often involves the use of narrower diameter drilling bores, which may reduce the rate of recovery of the hydrocarbons.

It is also known to erect drilling rigs on hills or mountains to tap possible hydrocarbon pockets in such land formations using the drilling techniques mentioned above. Land formations such as mountains may include, for example, anti-cline fold traps, stratigraphic traps and fault traps containing significant quantities of entrapped hydrocarbons. However, the construction and operation of oil rigs on mountainous and/or hilly land formations is costly and difficult due to logistical factors such as the lack of roads to and general inaccessibility of the drilling location, the depth of drilling required, and the like. Therefore, level or generally level terrain and valleys rather than mountains are more consistently and economically explored and drilled.

Another known method of exploration in a mountain or other rock formation includes creating passageways by chipping and blasting away at the rock or other geological matter. This method is generally used for the exploration of solid formations, such as coal, gold, silver, copper and the like, and may be used to create a large access tunnel for transportation of vehicles, trains, miners or other workers, equipment and the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a method of identifying and extracting hydrocarbons from uneven land formations such as mountains, hills and ridges. The method may include drilling generally horizontally or at an upwardly inclined angle from a surface, such as a side of a mountain or hill, or drilling vertically upward from the bottom of a surface, such as a cliff or ridge, and into a pocket or trap of hydrocarbons.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a method of extracting hydrocarbons entrapped in a land formation includes forming at least one passage into the land formation at an exposed surface portion of the land formation such that the passage is formed as a substantially horizontal or as an upwardly inclined passage into the land formation. The exposed surface portion is positioned vertically lower than at least a portion of the entrapped hydrocarbons. The method of extraction includes accessing the entrapped hydrocarbons with the passage, removing the entrapped hydrocarbons from the land formation via the passage, and capturing the removed hydrocarbons.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a hydrocarbon extraction system for extracting entrapped hydrocarbons from a land formation comprises a drilling mechanism operable to form at least one substantially horizontal or upwardly inclined passage into the land formation.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of directionally-variable seismic exploration for hydrocarbons entrapped in a land formation comprises projecting a first seismic signal into the land formation from a first location and receiving a first return signal in response to the first seismic signal. The method further comprises projecting a second seismic signal into the land formation from a second location and receiving a second return signal in response to the second seismic signal. The second location is remote from the first location, and the first and second seismic signals generally intersect within the land formation. The first and second return signals are adapted to provide information indicative of entrapped hydrocarbons within the land formation.

Therefore, the present invention provides a means and method of identifying and drilling into or accessing hydrocarbons within a mountain or hill from the side of the mountain or hill. The generally horizontal passage and/or an upwardly inclined passage formed in the land formation from the exposed surface portion enables the hydrocarbons to be readily removed or drained from the land formation with the assistance of gravity. The substantially horizontal passage and/or upwardly inclined passage (which allows the hydrocarbons to flow generally downwardly and out of the land formation) thus significantly reduces any pumping force that may be required to remove the hydrocarbons as compared to a vertically drilled passage that requires the hydrocarbons to be pumped upwards. Also, because the trap may be accessed at a lower portion of the trap, the present invention may, in some geographical situations, avoid drilling through a hard cap formation covering the entrapped hydrocarbons. Furthermore, a greater portion of the hydrocarbons may be removed when the passage penetrates the entrapped pool of hydrocarbons at a bottom or lower portion of the pool as compared to drilling a passage vertically into a top portion of the entrapped hydrocarbon pool.

These and other objects, advantages, purposes, and features of the present invention will become apparent upon review of the following specification in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevation and partial sectional view of entrapped hydrocarbons being extracted from a mountain in accordance with the method and system of the present invention;

FIG. 1A is a side elevation and partial sectional view of the hydrocarbon extraction system of the present invention, showing an upwardly angled generally L-shaped passage formed in the land formation;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation and partial sectional view of the hydrocarbon extraction system of the present invention, showing the drilling device for drilling a passage through the land formation.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation and partial sectional view of a directionally-variable seismic exploration system for exploration of entrapped hydrocarbons within a land formation in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a seismic testing apparatus interface for projecting and receiving seismic signals in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of another seismic testing apparatus interface for projecting and receiving seismic signals in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a three dimensional image of a rock formation entrapping hydrocarbons that may be detected by the directionally-variable seismic exploration system of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein the numbered elements in the following written description correspond to like-numbered elements in the figures. A method of extracting hydrocarbons or a hydrocarbon extraction system 18 functions to identify and extract hydrocarbons from a land formation where the entrapped gasified or liquefied hydrocarbons 10 are generally contained as a pool 12 within a pocket or cavity or trap 14 located within a land formation 16, such as a mountain or hill or ridge or cliff or the like. The land formation 16 includes an exterior or exposed surface portion or side 20 with the trap 14 located interior of the side 20, such that at least a portion of the side 20 is positioned lower than or below at least a portion of the entrapped hydrocarbons 10. A passage 22 is drilled or otherwise formed in the land formation 16 by hydrocarbon extraction system 18. The passage 22 originates at the exposed surface portion and extends into the sides 20 of land formation 16 and penetrates the entrapped hydrocarbons 10, whereby the hydrocarbons 10 may be released or removed through the passage 22.

As shown in FIG. 1, passage 22 may be drilled substantially horizontally into the land formation. Further, another passage 24 may also or otherwise be drilled or otherwise formed by the hydrocarbon extraction system at an upwardly inclined angle into land formation 16 without affecting the scope of the present invention. Optionally, and as shown in FIG. 1A, a passage 22′ formed by a hydrocarbon extraction system 18′ may have a generally horizontal or inclined passage or component 22a′ and may turn or angle upward inside the land formation to have a generally vertical or more inclined passage or component 22b′. Optionally, the passage may turn or angle directly upward, or vertically, such that the passage forms a generally L-shaped passage. The substantially horizontal or L-shaped passage 22 or 22′ (or upwardly inclined passage 24) extending into the land formation 16 from the exposed surface portion or side 20 enables the hydrocarbons 10 to be more readily removed via gravitational draining of the hydrocarbons 10 from the trap 14 within the land formation 16 and, in some geographical situations, may avoid the necessity of drilling through a hard cap 26 formation covering the entrapped hydrocarbons 10 and/or may provide the shortest drilling distance to the entrapped hydrocarbons 10. The substantially horizontal or L-shaped passage 22, 22′ and/or upwardly inclined passage 24 also significantly reduce any pumping force that may be required to remove the hydrocarbons as compared to a conventional, vertically or substantially vertically formed passage. Furthermore, a substantial amount or a greater portion of the hydrocarbons 10 may be removed when the passage 22, 24 penetrates the entrapped pool of hydrocarbons at a bottom or lower portion 28 of the pool 12 as compared to drilling a passage vertically into a top portion 30 of the entrapped hydrocarbon pool 12.

As noted above, the land formation 16 may include a cap 26 covering the entrapped hydrocarbons 10 contained within trap 14. Cap 26 may cover more than one trap 14 containing hydrocarbons 10 (such as shown in FIG. 1A). Although shown as having exposed surface portion 20 positioned vertically below a portion of the entrapped hydrocarbons 10 (and at which passages 22, 24 originate), it should be appreciated, however, that, due to the multiple sloping faces or sides of the land formation or hill or mountain, other exposed surface portions or sides may exist at which passages could be formed that would still penetrate the entrapped hydrocarbons 10, with the number of suitable exposed surface portions being dependent upon the geographical structure of the land formation 16. Furthermore, although passages 22, 24 originating from a single exposed surface portion 20 are illustrated, it should be appreciated that other passages at multiple exposed surface portions about the land formation 16 could be formed in accordance with the present invention to reach the entrapped hydrocarbons 10. Still further, although two passages 22, 24 are illustrated in FIG. 1, it should also be appreciated that only one passage need be formed in land formation 16 (such as shown, for example, in FIG. 1A) to extract hydrocarbons 10 in accordance with the present invention, with such a passage formed as either a substantially horizontal passage or as an upwardly inclined passage or as a generally L-shaped passage, depending on the particular land formation and/or location of the trap within the land formation and/or accessibility to the exposed surface or side of the land formation and/or the like.

Although land formation 16 is illustrated as a mountain, it should be appreciated that other land formations may contain entrapped hydrocarbons that may be removed by the method of extraction of the present invention. Many above-ground land formations, including but not limited to ridges, hills, cliffs, and the like, have many of the characteristics and phenomena that are indicative of what is presently sought underground. Such land formations may include entrapped hydrocarbons within the land formation and may have at least one exposed surface portion or side or wall or face that has a portion located at or lower than or below a portion of the entrapped hydrocarbons, such that the hydrocarbons may be desirably removed using the presently described extraction method. Such land formations generally include sides or walls or other exposed surface portions formed by natural causes, such as erosion or tectonic events. It should also be appreciated, however, that land formations containing entrapped hydrocarbons may be provided with exposed surface portions positioned vertically lower than a portion of the entrapped hydrocarbons as a result of human made efforts or causes. For example, a valley or depression or other exposed exterior surface may be formed or enlarged at an adjacent mountain side or other land formation by blasting and/or removal of the rocks, soil, and/or minerals located at the land formation. Thus, the present invention teaches a novel way to identify and exploit such above-ground indicators of potential hydrocarbon opportunities.

As previously noted, passage 22 and/or 24 is/are formed by hydrocarbon extraction system 18 drilling into land formation 16 to remove the entrapped hydrocarbons 10, where the passage or passages may be formed as a generally horizontal passage 22 extending into the trap or as a passage 24 extending at an upwardly inclined angle into the trap. The spud-in, or initial penetration into mountain or land formation 16 to form passages 22, 24 may be accomplished using known oil and gas exploration systems, such as by drilling equipment or the like. For example, a rotary drill bit that is between about two and 40 inches in diameter may be used to form a circular or tubular passage through the land formation. Such a rotary drill bit is commonly used in essentially downward or vertically-drilled oil and gas exploration, in which oil and gas and/or other flowable substances are lifted or pumped up and out of the land formation. The passage may also be formed, in total or in part, by blasting, high pressure eroding, or some combination thereof. By way of example, and as shown in FIG. 2, hydrocarbon extractor system 18 may include a drilling mechanism 31, which is operable to form passages, such as a horizontal passage 33 into land formation 16. The passage 33 is shown as a partial passage and, upon completion of the drilling process, the passage formed by drilling mechanism 31 may be substantially similar to passage 22 and/or 24 illustrated in FIG. 1 or to passage 22′ of FIG. 1A.

As noted, passages 22, 22′, 24 penetrate the entrapped hydrocarbons 10 beneath cap 26, where cap 26 may be a solid rock formation, or the like, that entraps the hydrocarbons 10 within land formation 16. Due to the hard, dense geological structure of cap 26, cap 26 provides greater resistance to the formation of a passage to the trap from above the trap. Thus, it should be appreciated that the formation of passages 22, 22′, 24 into trap 14 beneath cap 26 is more readily accomplished as compared to drilling a passage downward from above and through cap 26, and thus may be accomplished with less wear and tear to the drilling equipment and/or by using lower cost equipment. Although not illustrated, the caps at traps within land formations may also include geological structures forming side enclosures extending about the sides or around the entrapped hydrocarbons, thereby necessitating that the passage be formed through such side enclosures, in order to fully or substantially access the hydrocarbons within the trap. The geological formation of the land formation may be such that the side enclosures are either of thinner formation as compared to the top cap portion and/or are located closer to the outer surface of the land formation. In such situations, the drilling method of the present invention may access a lower portion of the trap to drain the hydrocarbons from the trap and without having to form one or more passages through the cap structure. Thus, access and substantial draining of the hydrocarbons from such a trap may be more readily accomplished using the hydrocarbon extraction method of the present invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, land formation 16 may also include additional geological wall formations 32 within trap 14 that subdivide the trap 14 and the entrapped hydrocarbons 10 therein into separate sections 34, 36. Although only one such geological wall formation 32 is shown extending in a generally vertical manner, it should be appreciated that land formations containing entrapped hydrocarbons may include additional such geological walls extending at various angles within the trap, whereby the hydrocarbons become entrapped within a honeycomb like structure. As shown in FIG. 1, passage 22 may extend through sections 34, 36 of trap 14 and thus may be adapted to be used to remove the hydrocarbons 10 from both sections 34, 36 of trap 14. Also, or otherwise, the passage may be formed at a lower or bottom portion of the trap (such as shown with passage 24) to substantially access and drain both sections or compartments of the trap. It should be appreciated that a conventional, generally vertical passage penetrating a trap from above may only be useful in removing the entrapped hydrocarbons from a single section of such a trap, thus leaving a significant portion of the hydrocarbons within the land formation or necessitating the construction of additional generally vertical passages to penetrate the other sections.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the land formation 16 may include more than one trap of entrapped hydrocarbons 10. Although only two traps 14′ are illustrated, it should be appreciated that a land formation may include a number of these traps. As shown in FIG. 1A, a cap 26 covers the two traps 14′, including a lower trap 35 and an upper trap 37. To access the entrapped hydrocarbons 12 in both traps 35, 37, passage 22a′ of passage 22′ is formed or drilled to extend in a generally horizontal direction into land formation 16 and then is formed or drilled to turn or angle generally upward (to form passage 22b′) to extend through a bottom or lower portion 35a of lower trap 35. Passage 22b′ may be further formed or drilled to exit an upper portion 35b of lower trap 35 and then continue through a bottom or lower portion 37a of upper trap 37. Thus, the hydrocarbons entrapped in both traps 35, 37 may be accessible and drained or extracted via the generally L-shaped passage 22′.

The entrapped hydrocarbons 10 positioned within the trap or traps and above or at least partially above the passage 22, 22′, 24 often include potential or stored energy due to their vertical elevation relative to the passage 22, 22′, 24. This feature, together with the generally horizontal orientation of the passage or the downward slope of the passage from the trap to the exposed surface portion 20, significantly aids in the removal of the hydrocarbons 10 from the trap or traps by natural gravitational draining. Thus, the method of the present invention includes controlled, gravitational extraction and/or downward flow of hydrocarbons from a land formation, which is different from prior methods of extraction for both solids and flowable substances.

Furthermore, the pocket of entrapped hydrocarbons 10, which may be in a gasified (“gas”) or liquefied (“oil”) state, may be pressurized relative to atmospheric pressure at the exposed surface portion 20. In such an application, the pressurized hydrocarbons 10 may further aid in the discharge of the hydrocarbons 10 through passages 22, 22′, 24.

Optionally, and as shown in FIGS. 1 and 1A, hydrocarbon extraction system 18, 18′ may include a pumping system or mechanism 38 to further assist the removal of hydrocarbons 10 from the land formation 16. Pumping system 38 may comprise any known type of pumping unit, such as the types typically used in vertical hydrocarbon extraction, such as a downhole sucker rod pump system or the like, that is modified for operating in connection with the generally horizontal or L-shaped or upwardly inclined passages 22, 22′, 24. As noted, the pumping forces required to remove the entrapped hydrocarbons 10 through passages 22, 22′, 24 would be significantly lower as compared to pumping the hydrocarbons out of a vertical passage. As such, lower cost pumping equipment or other extracting equipment may be utilized to remove the hydrocarbons.

Optionally, hydrocarbon extraction system 18, 18′ may include a conduit or casing 40, 40′, 42 within and along passage or passages 22, 22′, 24, respectively, to assist in extracting the hydrocarbons through the passage or passages. Such casings are typically implemented in conventional downward or vertical drilling techniques and are known in the field of oil and gas hydrocarbon extraction. Casings 40, 40′, 42 may be formed of a steel tubing and may include perforated sections to allow the entry of the hydrocarbons into the casings 40, 40′, 42. Although not shown, a casing may also utilize liners extending out in a “T” fashion from the casings at various intervals, where such liners are also known in the field of oil and gas hydrocarbon extraction. Depending on the geological strata through which such a casing extends, cement may also be distributed between the earthen wall of the passage and the outer surface of the casing, with such a cementing process being known in the art and intended to provide mechanical support to the casing.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 1A, hydrocarbon extraction system 18, 18′ may also include a piping system 44 employed in connection with the extraction of the hydrocarbons 10. The piping system 44 may be formed utilizing known construction and functions to transport the released hydrocarbons, as through pipeline 46, to a location remote from the land formation 16, such as to a ship or containment vessel or processing facility. Alternatively, the released hydrocarbons may be captured and temporarily stored in a container located in the general area of land formation 16.

In the illustrated embodiments, passages 22, 22′, 24 are formed to penetrate the entrapped hydrocarbons 10 at the lower or bottom portion of the trap or traps such that a significant portion of the hydrocarbons 10 are located vertically higher than the entrance location of the passages 22, 22′, 24 at the trap. It should be understood, however, that a passage may be alternatively formed to penetrate a trap at a middle or upper portion of the trap such that a smaller portion of the entrapped hydrocarbons are located vertically above the passage, with the present extraction method still functioning as intended within the scope of the present invention. In such applications, a pump or other extraction device may be desirable to assist in drawing the hydrocarbon from the trap.

It should be appreciated that generally vertical or slanted passages formed to penetrate entrapped hydrocarbons from above a trap are not as well suited to removing hydrocarbons as compared to the method and system of the present invention. Such a vertical passage, in the case of pressurized hydrocarbons, may enable a portion of the hydrocarbons to discharge from the land formation. However, when the pressure within the trap becomes substantially equalized with the atmospheric pressure, the entrapped hydrocarbons will no longer flow out of the passage without employing additional removal techniques. For example, it may be necessary to pump out the hydrocarbons or to input a pressure catalyst or volume filler, such as another gas or liquid, into the trap to force or float the hydrocarbons out of the trap. Furthermore, the removal of entrapped hydrocarbons using passages formed to penetrate traps from above are not as proficient at substantially fully evacuating the hydrocarbons as compared to the method of hydrocarbon removal of the present invention due to the hydrocarbons settling at the bottom portion of the trap and thus being distally or remotely located from the vertical passages entering the trap at the upper portion of the trap.

Therefore, the method and system of hydrocarbon extraction of the present invention readily enables a greater portion of entrapped hydrocarbons to be removed from a land formation with less effort as compared to conventional vertical drilling. A substantially horizontal or L-shaped passage or upwardly inclined passage extending into a land formation and originating from an exposed surface portion that is located vertically lower than at least a portion of the entrapped hydrocarbons enables the hydrocarbons to be readily removed due to the assistance of gravitational draining of the hydrocarbons from the land formation, and in some geographical situations may avoid the necessity of drilling through a hard cap formation covering the entrapped hydrocarbons. If pumping is required or desired to remove the hydrocarbons, the substantially horizontal or L-shaped passage and/or upwardly inclined passage may significantly reduce the pumping force or power needed to remove the hydrocarbons as compared to the force/power required to extract the hydrocarbons through a vertically drilled passage. Furthermore, by forming a passage that penetrates the entrapped hydrocarbons at a location beneath the upper portion of the trap, a greater percentage of the entrapped hydrocarbons may be removed as compared to passages that are formed from vertically above the entrapped hydrocarbon pool.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a directionally-variable seismic exploration system 150 is illustrated in connection with exploration and identification of entrapped hydrocarbons 110 within a land formation 116, such as a mountain or hill or the like. Seismic exploration is known to be used for non-invasively detecting the presence of entrapped hydrocarbons within the interior of a land formation and involves projecting seismic signals, such as shock waves, into the ground and recording or detecting reflected signals (described below) that may indicate key markers for the presence of entrapped hydrocarbons. For example, and with reference to FIG. 3, the projected shock waves may reflect from hard, dense geological material within the mountain that forms a trap 114 about the hydrocarbons 110.

Conventional seismic exploration techniques are typically conducted over a single, limited geographical location and involve projecting seismic signals, such as shock waves generated by explosions, in a generally vertically downward direction from a generally horizontal surface and recording the reflected signals that are returned in a generally vertically upward direction. Conventional seismic exploration techniques, thus, provide a limited topographical understanding of the position, size, and quantity of entrapped hydrocarbons within a land formation. The topographical information provided is related to the overall footprint of the potentially entrapped hydrocarbons and the depth from the surface to various portions of the trap.

In contrast, the seismic exploration system of the present invention involves projecting and receiving seismic signals generally horizontally at a side of a mountain or hill or other similar land formation. In a preferred embodiment, a directionally-variable exploration system projects and receives seismic signals from at least two separate geographic locations, with the projected signals (such as one oriented generally vertically and one oriented generally horizontally) being oriented to generally intersect within the interior of the land formation. The directionally-variable seismic exploration system is able to generate a more detailed, three-dimensional-type understanding regarding the position, size, and quantity of hydrocarbons potentially entrapped within the land formation.

The directionally-variable seismic exploration system 150 includes a first or generally vertical seismic testing apparatus or system 152a, shown as being located at the top or upper portion 154 of land formation 116, and a second or generally horizontal seismic testing apparatus or system 152b, shown as being located on a side or exposed surface portion 155 of land formation 116, with the second seismic testing apparatus 152b being positioned at a vertical height orientation that is below the first seismic testing apparatus 152a. The first and second seismic testing apparatuses 152a, 152b are used to generate and project seismic signals 156a, 156b, respectively, into the interior of the land formation 116. In the illustrated embodiment, the first seismic testing apparatus 152a generates signals 156a that project in a generally vertically downward orientation and the second seismic testing apparatus 152b generates signals 156b that project in a generally horizontal orientation. As illustrated, the projected seismic signals 156a, 156b are oriented to generally intersect within the interior of the land formation 116 and may be targeted at particular depths and/or locations for finding and analyzing traps 114 that may indicate or entrap hydrocarbons within the land formation 116.

The first and second seismic testing apparatuses 152a, 152b are also adapted to receive or detect or record return signals 158a, 158b, respectively, that correspond to the projected seismic signals 156a, 156b. The return signals 158a, 158b reflect or bounce off various formations or elements within the land formation, such as, for example, a trap 114. The return signals 158a, 158b, through known techniques, may be processed, as by the use of a processor or computer 160, to provide information regarding the geological makeup and/or formation and/or size of the interior of land formation 116. Notably, the return signals 158a, 158b may be used to generate three-dimensional data or an image 162 (FIG. 6) regarding the potential position and size of a trap 114 to indicate the quantity of entrapped hydrocarbons 110 within land formation 116.

As previously noted, the first and second seismic testing apparatuses 152a, 152b are positioned at remote locations from each other, such as at the top or upper portion 154 and side 155 of land formation 116. It should be appreciated that first and second seismic testing apparatuses 152a, 152b are schematically illustrated and may incorporate various individual components and/or equipment, as described below, and may cover variously sized surface areas on land formation 116.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate alternative interfaces 163a, 163b for certain of the components and/or equipment of one or both of seismic testing apparatuses 152a, 152b with locations on a land formation for projecting and receiving seismic signals. As shown in FIG. 4, the interface 163a may include various shock points 164a for generating seismic shock wave signals, such as by detonation of explosive charges. The interface 163a of the seismic testing apparatus 152a, 152b includes shock points 164a extending in both a first axis 166 and a second axis 168 to form a “two-dimensional” testing interface grid. The seismic testing apparatus 152a, 152b includes a detecting or receiving or recording device 170a for receiving the reflected or returned seismic signals that bounce off or are reflected from geological formations within the land formation. Optionally, and as shown in FIG. 5, the interface 163b, may include additional shock points 164b that extend over substantially the entire interface 163b to form a “three-dimensional” testing grid. The seismic testing apparatus includes a detecting or receiving or recording device 170b for receiving the reflected or returned seismic signals.

It should be appreciated that the first and second seismic testing apparatuses 152a, 152b may be constructed to have an interface having either a “two-dimensional” or a “three-dimensional” grid, as described above. It should also be appreciated that testing may be done using a single shock point to generate a single seismic wave, and that the seismic signals may be formed by different means, such as by sound or other wave signal. Furthermore, although illustrated as including only first and second seismic testing apparatuses in FIG. 3, directionally-variable seismic exploration system 150 may alternatively be constructed to include additional seismic testing apparatuses that project seismic signals into a land formation and record returned seismic signals. Directionally-variable seismic exploration may also involve, and such as illustrated in FIG. 3, forming a tunnel 172 into the land formation 116 and placing a seismic testing apparatus (not shown) into the tunnel 172 for projecting seismic signals and detecting or recording returned signals.

As noted above, first seismic testing apparatus 152a may be positioned to project seismic signals 156a and receive return signals 158a in a generally vertical orientation and second seismic testing apparatus 152b may be positioned to project seismic signals 156b and receive return signals 158b in a generally horizontal orientation. Two or more seismic testing apparatuses may, however, be alternatively positioned with respect to each other and with respect to a land formation to perform directionally-variable seismic exploration within the scope of the present invention. For example, one or more seismic testing apparatuses may be oriented to project and receive seismic signals at an angle with respect to both a vertical plane and a horizontal plane.

Seismic exploration is generally significantly less costly than exploratory drilling for entrapped hydrocarbons. The improved data, information, and understanding regarding the potential presence and size of entrapped hydrocarbons in a given land formation obtained through directionally-variable seismic exploration in accordance with the present invention, therefore, will be highly beneficial to the field of hydrocarbon extraction. Specifically, the investments of time and money in actually drilling and extracting hydrocarbons will be more predictable in terms of the hydrocarbon yield and the associated costs to obtain.

Accordingly, once a trap is detected in a mountain or other land formation via the directionally-variable seismic exploration system of the present invention, the extraction method or system of the present invention may be used to extract the hydrocarbons from the detected trap or traps. The extraction system may provide a generally horizontal or upwardly inclined passage that starts at a location at the side of the mountain that is at or near the bottom of or below the detected trap, whereby the passage may intersect the trap to extract the hydrocarbons. Optionally, an upward passage may be formed or established at an end of the generally horizontal or inclined passage and at a location generally beneath the detected trap, whereby the upwardly inclined or generally vertical passage intersects the trap to drain the hydrocarbons from the trap via the generally L-shaped passage. The L-shaped passage may be formed via any suitable or known drilling means, such as described above.

Therefore, the present invention provides a directionally-variable seismic exploration system that provides enhanced detection of hydrocarbon traps within mountains or hills or the like. The present invention also provides a method of extracting the hydrocarbons from the detected trap or trap that provides enhanced access to the trap and enhanced removal of the hydrocarbons from the trap. The present invention thus provides a method of detecting and extracting hydrocarbons from land formations for which conventional detection and extraction systems are not highly suited. The extraction method provides enhanced and controlled extraction via gravity and/or downward flow of the hydrocarbons from the trap to a piping system.

Changes and modifications in the specifically described embodiments can be carried out without departing from the principles of the present invention, which is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims, as interpreted according to the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents.

Claims

1. A method of extracting hydrocarbons entrapped in a land formation, the land formation having an exposed surface portion that is positioned vertically lower than at least a portion of the entrapped hydrocarbons, said method comprising:

forming at least one passage into the land formation at the exposed surface portion, said at least one passage being formed as at least one of (a) a substantially horizontal passage and (b) an upwardly inclined passage;

accessing the entrapped hydrocarbons with said at least one passage;

removing the entrapped hydrocarbons via said at least one passage; and

capturing the removed hydrocarbons.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein forming at least one passage comprises forming at least one passage by drilling into the land formation to access the entrapped hydrocarbons.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein forming at least one passage by drilling into the land formation comprises forming at least one passage by drilling into the land formation with a rotary drill bit having a diameter between approximately two inches and approximately forty inches.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein forming at least one passage by drilling into the land formation comprises forming at least one passage by drilling generally horizontally into the land formation to access the entrapped hydrocarbons.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein forming at least one passage by drilling into the land formation comprises forming at least one passage by drilling generally upwardly into the land formation to access the entrapped hydrocarbons.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein forming at least one passage by drilling into the land formation comprises forming at least one passage by drilling generally horizontally into the land formation to form a generally horizontal passage and then drilling generally upward into the land formation to form a generally vertical passage to access the entrapped hydrocarbons.

7. The method of claim 2, wherein forming at least one passage comprises forming at least one generally L-shaped passage by drilling into the land formation to access the entrapped hydrocarbons.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the entrapped hydrocarbons are at least one selected from the group consisting of a gasified state of matter and a liquefied state of matter.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein removing the entrapped hydrocarbons is substantially accomplished by force of gravity.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising pumping the entrapped hydrocarbons out of the land formation.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein accessing the entrapped hydrocarbons comprises accessing the entrapped hydrocarbons at a lower portion of the entrapped hydrocarbons.

12. The method of claim 1 further comprising inserting a conduit into the at least one passage.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the land formation is at least one selected from the group consisting of a mountain, a ridge, a hill, and a cliff.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the entrapped hydrocarbons are covered by a cap.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the entrapped hydrocarbons are located within a trap and are covered by a cap.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein forming at least one passage comprises forming at least one passage to access the trap at a location vertically lower than the cap.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein forming at least one passage comprises forming at least one passage to access at least two traps at a location vertically lower than the cap.

18. The method of claim 1 further comprising detecting entrapped hydrocarbons in the land formation and determining a target location for forming said passage.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein detecting entrapped hydrocarbons comprises:

projecting at least one seismic signal into the land formation from a first location;

receiving at least one first location return signal in response to the at least one seismic signal projected from the first location;

projecting at least one seismic signal into the land formation from a second location; and

receiving at least one second location return signal in response to the at least one seismic signal projected from the second location; and

wherein the second location is remote from the first location and said at least one seismic signal projected from the first and second locations generally intersect within the land formation, and wherein said first and second location return signals are adapted to provide information indicative of entrapped hydrocarbons within the land formation.

20. A hydrocarbon extraction system for extracting entrapped hydrocarbons from a land formation, said system comprising:

a drilling mechanism, said drilling mechanism operable to form at least one passage into the land formation, said drilling mechanism forming said at least one passage at an exposed surface portion that is positioned vertically lower than at least a portion of the entrapped hydrocarbons and forming said at least one passage into or at least partially through the land formation, whereby said drilling mechanism is operable to form said at least one passage as at least one of (a) a substantially horizontal passage and (b) an upwardly inclined passage.

21. The extraction system of claim 20 further comprising a pumping mechanism, said pumping mechanism operable to draw the hydrocarbons out of the land formation through said at least one passage.

22. The extraction system of claim 20 further comprising a conduit, said conduit being located within said at least one passage.

23. The extraction system of claim 20 further comprising a piping system, said piping system being adapted to transport the released hydrocarbons to a location remote from the land formation.

24. The extraction system of claim 20, wherein said drilling mechanism forms said at least one passage via a rotary drill bit.

25. A method of directionally-variable seismic exploration for hydrocarbons entrapped in a land formation, said method comprising:

projecting a first seismic signal into the land formation from a first location;

receiving a first return signal in response to said first seismic signal;

projecting a second seismic signal into the land formation from a second location; and

receiving a second return signal in response to said second seismic signal; and

wherein the second location is remote from the first location and said first seismic signal and said second seismic signal generally intersect within the land formation, and wherein said first and second return signals provide information indicative of entrapped hydrocarbons within the land formation.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein said first and second seismic signals and said first and second return signals comprise shock waves.

27. The method of claim 25 further comprising detonating an explosive for projecting at least one of said first and second seismic signals from at least one of the first and second locations.

28. The method of claim 25, wherein the second location is positioned vertically lower than the first location.

29. The method of claim 25 further comprising projecting a plurality of seismic signals into the land formation from at least one of the first and second locations.

30. The method of claim 25 further comprising projecting at least one seismic signal into the land formation from at least one additional location, the at least one additional location being remote from the first and second locations, and wherein said at least one seismic signal projected from the at least one additional location generally intersects with said first and second seismic signals projected from the first and second locations.

31. The method of claim 25, wherein at least one of the first and second locations is positioned within a tunnel.

32. The method of claim 25, wherein the land formation is at least one selected from the group consisting of a mountain, a ridge, a hill, and a cliff.

33. The method of claim 25, wherein projecting a first seismic signal comprises projecting a generally horizontally directed first seismic signal and wherein projecting a second seismic signal comprises projecting a generally vertically downwardly directed second seismic signal.

34. The method of claim 25 further comprising processing said first and second return signals to determine the presence and quantity of entrapped hydrocarbons within the land formation.

35. The method of claim 25 further comprising accessing and removing the detected entrapped hydrocarbons from the land formation.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein accessing and removing the detected hydrocarbons comprises:

forming at least one passage into the land formation at an exposed surface portion, said at least one passage being formed as at least one of a substantially horizontal passage and an upwardly inclined passage;

accessing the entrapped hydrocarbons with said at least one passage;

removing the entrapped hydrocarbons via said at least one passage; and

capturing the removed hydrocarbons.