In Situ Combustion Patents (Class 166/256)
  • Patent number: 8167036
    Abstract: A novel method is provided for in situ combustion and recovery of oil from underground reservoirs including injecting oxygen into the reservoir at a region near the reservoir floor, establishing a combustion front wherein hot combustion gases rise at the combustion front, withdrawing hot combustion gases from a region near the reservoir ceiling, and extracting oil from a horizontal production well near the reservoir floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Precision Combustion, Inc.
    Inventor: William C. Pfefferle
  • Patent number: 8151877
    Abstract: A method for in situ heating of an organic-rich rock formation is provided. Preferably the organic-rich rock formation comprises kerogen. The method may include the steps of providing a first wellbore extending at least to a depth of the organic-rich rock formation, and providing a second wellbore also extending to a depth of the organic-rich rock formation and intersecting the first wellbore. The method may also include injecting air and a combustible fuel into the first wellbore, and providing a downhole burner in the wellbore so as to cause the air and the combustible fuel to mix and to combust at substantially the depth of the organic-rich rock formation. The method may further include, circulating combustion products into and up the second wellbore such that a pyrolysis zone is created from the first wellbore and second wellbores that provides substantially complete pyrolysis of the organic-rich rock formation between the first wellbore and the second wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Robert D. Kaminsky, Chad C. Rasmussen
  • Publication number: 20120067568
    Abstract: The present invention relates to systems, apparatuses, and methods for providing a reliable, high purity source of CO2 that is used in the recovery of formation deposits, such as fossil fuels. At least a portion of the fossil fuels recovered may be directly combusted or extracted using the same process used to provide the pure source of CO2 without the need to first remove CO2, sulfur, other fossil fuels, or other impurities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventors: Miles Palmer, Rodney John Allam, Jeremy Eron Fetvedt, David Arthur Freed, Glenn William Brown, JR.
  • Patent number: 8127842
    Abstract: A method for the production of a CO2 rich stream for sequestration in depleted oil sand reservoirs. The method comprises the steps of: a) purging non-condensable gases from an oil sand reservoir with steam; b) contacting a gaseous oxidant stream comprising oxygen, carbon dioxide, and steam with bitumen in an oil reservoir; c) separating the production well product from the oil sand reservoir into bitumen, water, sand and fuel gas streams; d) producing a carbon dioxide rich gas by combustion of the said fuel gas with substantially pure oxygen; e) utilizing substantially pure oxygen and a portion of said carbon dioxide rich gas as constituents of said gaseous oxidant stream; and f) sequestering a balance of said carbon dioxide rich gas into a depleted oil said reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Linde Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Donald Prentice Satchell, Jr., Stevan Jovanovic
  • Patent number: 8122955
    Abstract: A method for in situ heating of a selected portion of a targeted organic-rich rock formation such as an oil shale formation is provided. The method includes the steps of providing casing in a wellbore extending to a depth within or below the selected portion of the organic-rich rock formation, and also providing a tubing within the casing. An annular region is formed between the tubing and the surrounding casing. Air or other oxidant and a combustible fuel are injected into the wellbore. Either the air or the combustible fuel is in stoichiometric combustion excess. The method also includes providing hardware in the wellbore so as to cause the air and the combustible fuel to mix and to combust at substantially the depth of the organic-rich rock formation. The hardware may include more than one burner. Insulation may be placed along the tubing adjacent the first burner in order to reduce the heat transfer coefficient within the tubing and to provide a more uniform temperature within the annulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Robert D. Kaminsky, Chad C. Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 8118095
    Abstract: Methods and systems relate to in situ combustion utilizing configurations of injection and production wells to facilitate the in situ combustion. The wells define vertically deviated lengths that have different orientations from one another. Further, heating processes such as resistive heating and cyclic steam stimulation may take place in one or both of the injection and production wells to precondition a reservoir prior to the in situ combustion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Partha S. Sarathi, Wayne Reid Dreher, Jr., Thomas J. Wheeler, Wendell P. Menard
  • Patent number: 8056624
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an in situ reservoir recovery process that uses a horizontal well located near the top of a reservoir and an inclined production well to extract bitumen or heavy oil from a reservoir. In a first stage, the top well is used for cold production of reservoir fluids to the surface, in which, reservoir fluids are pumped to the surface in the absence of stimulation by steam or other thermal and/or solvent injection. A lower production well is drilled into the formation below the top well. The top well is converted to an injection well or, if no cold production then a top well is drilled as an injector well. A portion of the bottom well is inclined so that one end of the incline is closer to the injector well than the other end of the incline. In the process, steam circulation creates a heated zone at the point of the two wells that are closest together in the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: UTI Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Ian Donald Gates, Stephen Richard Larter, Jennifer Jane Adams
  • Patent number: 7931080
    Abstract: A system and method for extracting hydrocarbon products from oil sands using nuclear energy sources for power to decrease the viscosity of bitumen in oil sands deposits and provide sufficient heat and pressure to produce liquid and gaseous hydrocarbon products. Steps for extracting the hydrocarbon products form the oil sands deposits are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Shale and Sands Oil Recovery LLC
    Inventor: Thomas B. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 7909097
    Abstract: A well liner segment for use in hydrocarbon recovery processes. An elongate, typically cylindrical outer liner member, and an inner elongate liner member concentrically located therewithin is provided. Hydrocarbon upgrading catalyst is provided in the interstitial space between the two members. The outer liner members may be threadably coupled together. A slidable seal is provided between the outer liner and the inner liner to accommodated differential thermal growth between the two liners. A process for use of well liner segments having hydrocarbon upgrader catalyst pre-installed therein, is also provided, as is a method for manufacture of a well liner segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Archon Technologies Ltd.
    Inventor: Conrad Ayasse
  • Patent number: 7866385
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and heaters for treating a subsurface formation are described herein. At least one method includes treating a hydrocarbon containing formation. The method may include providing heat to the formation; producing heated fluid from the formation; and generating electricity from at least a portion of the heated fluid using a Kalina cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventor: Gene Richard Lambirth
  • Patent number: 7841404
    Abstract: A modified method for in situ recovery of hydrocarbon from an underground hydrocarbon-containing formation. An ā€œLā€ shaped production well, having a vertical section, and a lower horizontal leg positioned low in the formation, is provided. The horizontal leg connects to the vertical section at a heel portion, and has a toe portion at an opposite end thereof. Oxidizing gas is injected into the formation in or proximate the vertical section. A combustion front sweeps outwardly from the vertical section and laterally within the formation above the horizontal leg, from the heel to the toe, causing hydrocarbons in the formation above the horizontal leg to drain downwardly into the horizontal leg, which are then delivered to surface via production tubing. A non-oxidizing gas is injected into at least the heel portion and preferably additional portions of the horizontal leg via injection tubing contained within the vertical section of the production well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Archon Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Conrad Ayasse, Xinjie Wu, Chris Bloomer
  • Publication number: 20100258305
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of recovering stranded oil wherein heated fluid is injected into a reservoir containing stranded oil in a region near the reservoir ceiling, or alternatively the heated fluid is generated downhole using a downhole combustor and then injected into the reservoir. The heated oil drains toward the reservoir floor and is recovered via a production well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2010
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Inventor: William C. Pefferle
  • Publication number: 20100258265
    Abstract: A method of recovering energy from a subsurface hydrocarbon containing formation includes introducing an oxidizing fluid in a wellbore positioned in at least a first portion of the formation. At least a portion of the first portion of the formation has been subjected to an in situ heat treatment process. The portion includes a treatment area having elevated levels of coke substantially adjacent the wellbore. The pressure in the wellbore is increased by introducing the oxidizing fluid under pressure such that the oxidizing fluid substantially permeates a majority of the treatment area and initiates a combustion process. Heat from the combustion process is allowed to transfer to fluids in the treatment area. Pressure decreases in the wellbore such that heated fluids from the portion of the formation are conveyed into the wellbore. The heated fluids are transferred to a heat exchanger configured to collect thermal energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2010
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Inventors: John Michael Karanikas, Robert Irving McNeil, III, Richard Pollard
  • Patent number: 7784533
    Abstract: A downhole combustion unit for creating a high temperature, high pressure, thermal energy carrier fluid or TECF inside a drill hole, which can be injected into a hydrocarbon, permeable zone for mining and producing hydrocarbons therefrom. The combustion unit includes an outer well-bore casing cemented in place in the drill hole. An inner well-bore casing, with injection holes in a lower portion thereof is used as a combustion chamber. The inner casing is suspended inside the outer casing. The configuration of the concentric outer and inner casings provide an outer annulus therebetween for receiving a natural gas fuel and water mixture from a ground surface and circulated downwardly under pressure. Compressed air and steam are circulated down the inside of the inner casing. A glow plug may be attached to a lower end of an electric power cable and suspended inside the combustion chamber for better control in igniting the fuel and water mixture in the compressed air and steam mixture creating the TECF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Inventor: Gilman A. Hill
  • Publication number: 20100206563
    Abstract: Methods and systems relate to in situ combustion utilizing configurations of injection and production wells to facilitate the in situ combustion. The wells define vertically deviated lengths that have different orientations from one another. Further, heating processes such as resistive heating and cyclic steam stimulation may take place in one or both of the injection and production wells to precondition a reservoir prior to the in situ combustion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY
    Inventors: Partha S. Sarathi, Wayne Reid Dreher, JR., Thomas J. Wheeler, Wendell P. Menard
  • Publication number: 20100200227
    Abstract: A method for the production of a CO2 rich stream for sequestration in depleted oil sand reservoirs and the production and use of a CO2 rich oxidant for in situ bitumen production from oil sand reservoirs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2009
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Inventors: Donald Prentice SATCHELL, JR., Stevan JOVANOVIC
  • Publication number: 20100155060
    Abstract: The present invention is a process for recovering oil from an underground oil-containing reservoir. The process includes providing one or more injection wells for injecting a gaseous fluid (steam and air) into the reservoir, the one or more injection wells having a plurality of generally horizontal injector legs, the injector legs positioned within a first depth region in the reservoir. The process further includes providing one or more extraction wells for recovering oil from the reservoir, the one or more extraction wells having plurality of generally horizontal extractor legs, the extractor legs positioned within a second depth region in the reservoir below the first depth region and spaced between the injector legs. Gaseous fluid, typically steam, is injected through the injector legs for a first period of time; and then air is injected through at least one of the injector legs. Alternative embodiments of the invention are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Mohsen R. Hanna
  • Patent number: 7740062
    Abstract: A system and a method for recovering hydrocarbons from a reservoir containing hydrocarbons, by in-situ combustion. The system includes a primary liquid production wellbore having a substantially horizontal primary production length extending through the reservoir, a vent well in fluid communication with the reservoir at a venting position which is relatively higher in the reservoir than the primary production length, an injector apparatus in fluid communication with the reservoir along an injection line in the reservoir which is relatively higher in the reservoir than the primary production length and relatively lower in the reservoir than the venting position, and an injection gas source connected with the injector apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Alberta Research Council Inc.
    Inventors: Git Lim, John Ivory, Roy Coates
  • Publication number: 20100139915
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus relate to controlling location of inflow into a production well during in situ combustion. The production well includes intervals closable to the inflow at identified times. Once a combustion front from the in situ combustion passes one of the intervals, a blockage conveyed from surface into the production well forms a barrier to the inflow at the interval that has been passed by the combustion front. An example of the blockage includes a cement plug delivered through coiled tubing into the production well, which may include production tubing that defines the intervals based on at least two consecutive alternating lengths of solid wall sections and slotted or perforated sections of the production tubing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Wayne Reid Dreher, JR., Wendell Peter Menard
  • Patent number: 7730947
    Abstract: Methods for treating a tar sands formation are described herein. Methods for treating a tar sands may include heating a portion of a hydrocarbon layer in the formation from one or more heaters located in the portion. The heat may be controlled to increase the permeability of at least part of the portion to create an injection zone in the portion with an average permeability sufficient to allow injection of a fluid through the injection zone. A drive fluid and/or an oxidizing fluid may be provided into the injection zone. At least some hydrocarbons are produced from the portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: George Leo Stegemeier, Gary Lee Beer, Etuan Zhang
  • Publication number: 20100126719
    Abstract: A method of recovering petroleum from dormant oil wells or increasing the production of oil wells is disclosed. An alkali or alkali earth carbonate is introduced into a water layer associated with a subterranean petroleum reservoir and/or an explosive composition is introduced into an oil layer associated with a subterranean petroleum reservoir. CO2 gas is produced by reacting the alkali or alkali earth carbonate with an acid and/or by detonating the explosive composition. Additional explosive composition can be introduced and detonated to achieve sufficient CO2 gas production to increase pressure within the subterranean petroleum reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Inventors: James Kenneth Sanders, Duck Joo Yang
  • Publication number: 20100078167
    Abstract: A process relates to the energy efficient, environmentally friendly recovery of liquid and gaseous products from solid or semi-solid hydrocarbon resources, in particular, oil shale or tar sands. The process involves non-oxidative pyrolysis to recover fluid energy values, oxidative combustion to recover energy values as recoverable heat, and environmental sequestration of gases produced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Inventors: James W. Bunger, Christopher P. Russell, Donald E. Cogswell
  • Patent number: 7662275
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and method of providing water management and utilization during the process of dewatering and retorting of oil shale. More specifically, the process described relates to co-producing potable and non-potable water, for various uses, during the extraction of petroleum from shale oil deposits. Generally, the process allows the production of multiple streams of waters or varying salinity and pressures at least one of which is of high enough pressure for reinsertion into geological formations or reservoirs, and another which may supply a potable water source. In one embodiment, the high pressure required for reinserting the non-potable water into geological formation or reservoirs may be utilized for producing the potable water supply. In another embodiment, the non-potable water supply may also be used for entraining and sequestering undesired emissions, such as CO2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Colorado School of Mines
    Inventor: John R. Dorgan
  • Patent number: 7654320
    Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for treating a mixture of hydrocarbon and carbon dioxide gas produced from a hydrocarbon reservoir. The system includes a gas power turbine adapted to burn the produced gas mixture of hydrocarbon and carbon dioxide gas with oxygen as an oxidizing agent and a capture system to collect the exhaust gas from the power turbine. An inlet compressor receives exhaust gas from the capture system and compresses the exhaust gas for injection of the exhaust gas into a hydrocarbon reservoir and for recycle to the power turbine. The system may further include a membrane system that preferentially removes carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide from the produced gas stream before said stream is used as fuel gas in the power turbine. The carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide removed by the membrane system is combined with the exhaust gas, and the combined gas is injected into a hydrocarbon reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Occidental Energy Ventures Corp.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Payton
  • Publication number: 20090236092
    Abstract: A system and method for extracting hydrocarbon products from oil sands using nuclear energy sources for power to decrease the viscosity of bitumen in oil sands deposits and provide sufficient heat and pressure to produce liquid and gaseous hydrocarbon products. Steps for extracting the hydrocarbon products form the oil sands deposits are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2006
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventor: Thomas B. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 7581587
    Abstract: A novel method is provided for in situ combustion and recovery of oil from underground reservoirs including injecting air into the reservoir at a region near the reservoir floor, withdrawing combustion products from a region near the reservoir ceiling, and collecting oil from a horizontal production well near the reservoir floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Precision Combustion, Inc.
    Inventor: William C. Pfefferle
  • Publication number: 20090200022
    Abstract: Systems and methods of treating a gas stream are described. A method of treating a gas stream includes cryogenically separating a first gas stream to form a second gas stream and a third stream. The third stream is cryogenically contacted with a carbon dioxide stream to form a fourth and fifth stream. A majority of the second gas stream includes methane and/or molecular hydrogen. A majority of the third stream includes one or more carbon oxides, hydrocarbons having a carbon number of at least 2, one or more sulfur compounds, or mixtures thereof. A majority of the fourth stream includes one or more of the carbon oxides and hydrocarbons having a carbon number of at least 2. A majority of the fifth stream includes hydrocarbons having a carbon number of at least 3 and one or more of the sulfur compounds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2008
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Inventors: Jose Luis Bravo, Albert Destrehan Harvey, III, Harold J. Vinegar
  • Publication number: 20090200023
    Abstract: A method of heating a portion of a subsurface formation includes drawing fuel on a fuel carrier through an opening formed in the formation. Oxidant is supplied to the fuel at one or more locations in the opening. The fuel is combusted with the oxidant to provide heat to the formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2008
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Inventors: Michael Costello, Harold J. Vinegar
  • Publication number: 20090188667
    Abstract: A system and a method for recovering hydrocarbons from a reservoir containing hydrocarbons, by in-situ combustion. The system includes a primary liquid production wellbore having a substantially horizontal primary production length extending through the reservoir, a vent well in fluid communication with the reservoir at a venting position which is relatively higher in the reservoir than the primary production length, an injector apparatus in fluid communication with the reservoir along an injection line in the reservoir which is relatively higher in the reservoir than the primary production length and relatively lower in the reservoir than the venting position, and an injection gas source connected with the injector apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventors: Git Lim, John Ivory, Roy Coates
  • Publication number: 20090178805
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for producing methane gas from a hydrate formation. A column of modified material substantially filling a wellbore extending into the hydrate formation. The column of modified material is permeable to gases. A heat source extends into the column of modified material and is operable to provide heat to the hydrate formation so as to release methane gas from the hydrate formation. Methane gas flow through the column of modified material to a gas collector, which regulates the flow of gas to a production system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Inventor: Charles R. Yemington
  • Patent number: 7533722
    Abstract: A surge chamber assembly (70) for use in a wellbore includes a housing (80) having one or more openings (112), a surge chamber (100) and a combustion chamber (98). The openings (112) provide fluid communication between the exterior (82) of the housing (80) and the surge chamber (100). A sleeve (114) is slidably positioned within the housing (80) and has a first position wherein fluid communication through the openings (112) is prevented and a second position wherein fluid communication through the openings (112) is allowed. A combustible element (124) is positioned in the combustion chamber (98) such that combusting the combustible element (124) generates pressure in the combustion chamber (98) that actuates the sleeve (114) from the first position to the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Flint R. George, Ryan A. Harrison, Roger C. Watson
  • Publication number: 20080289819
    Abstract: A method for utilizing gas produced from an in situ conversion process is provided. The method may include heating an organic-rich rock formation, for example an oil shale formation, in situ. The method may further include producing a production fluid from the organic-rich rock formation where the production fluid having been at least partially generated as a result of pyrolysis of formation hydrocarbons, for example oil shale, located in the organic-rich rock formation. The method may include obtaining a gas stream from the production fluid, where the gas stream comprises combustible hydrocarbon fluids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Inventors: Robert D. Kaminsky, C. Stan Speed, Todd S. Griffith, Loren K. Starcher, William A. Symington
  • Publication number: 20080283241
    Abstract: A method for in situ heating of an organic-rich rock formation is provided. Preferably the organic-rich rock formation comprises kerogen. The method may include the steps of providing a first wellbore extending at least to a depth of the organic-rich rock formation, and providing a second wellbore also extending to a depth of the organic-rich rock formation and intersecting the first wellbore. The method may also include injecting air and a combustible fuel into the first wellbore, and providing a downhole burner in the wellbore so as to cause the air and the combustible fuel to mix and to combust at substantially the depth of the organic-rich rock formation. The method may further include, circulating combustion products into and up the second wellbore such that a pyrolysis zone is created from the first wellbore and second wellbores that provides substantially complete pyrolysis of the organic-rich rock formation between the first wellbore and the second wellbore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventors: Robert D. Kaminsky, Chad C. Rasmussen
  • Publication number: 20080257549
    Abstract: A downhole tool having a body or structural component comprises a material that is at least partially consumed when exposed to heat and a source of oxygen. The material may comprise a metal, such as magnesium, which is converted to magnesium oxide when exposed to heat and a source of oxygen. The downhole tool may further comprise a torch with a fuel load that produces the heat and source of oxygen when burned. The fuel load may comprise a flammable, non-explosive solid, such as thermite.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2008
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Loren C. Swor, Brian K. Wilkinson
  • Publication number: 20080135238
    Abstract: A wellhead gas recovery system and method for the generation of power from wellhead gas is provided. A gas conduit is used to direct wellhead gas from a wellhead casing or wellhead bore to a stirling engine where the wellhead gas is used as the fuel source for the stirling engine. The wellhead gas is ignited and the burning wellhead gas is used as the heat source for the stirling engine. The thermal energy from the burning wellhead gas is converted transferred into motion by the stirling engine and the output of the stirling engine can be used to drive devices at the wellsite, generate electricity or other use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventors: Matt Cugnet, Tim Cugnet
  • Patent number: 7114566
    Abstract: An in situ process for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation is provided. The process may include providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion of the formation. Heat sources may include a natural distributed combustor. The natural distributed combustor may include an oxidizing fluid source to provide oxidizing fluids to a reaction zone in the formation to generate heat within the reaction zone. The heat may be allowed, in some embodiments, to transfer from the reaction zone to a selected section of the formation such that heat from one or more heat sources pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section. Hydrocarbons may be produced from the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Harold J. Vinegar, Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, Scott Lee Wellington, Robert Martijn Van Hardeveld
  • Patent number: 7086468
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon containing formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. 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 positioned within open wellbores in the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, Harold J. Vinegar, Scott Lee Wellington, John Michael Karanikas, Ilya Emil Berchenko, Etuan Zhang, Thomas David Fowler, Charles Robert Keedy, Robert Charles Ryan, Bruce Gerard Hunsucker
  • Patent number: 7040397
    Abstract: An 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 may also be applied to the formation to increase a permeability of the formation. In some embodiments, the permeability of a portion of the formation may increase to a relatively high permeability as compared to the initial permeability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    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
  • Patent number: 7036583
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon containing 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 may also uniformly increase a porosity of a treated portion of the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, Harold J. Vinegar, Scott Lee Wellington, Ilya Emil Berchenko, George Leo Stegemeier, Etuan Zhang, Gordon Thomas Shahin, Jr., Thomas David Fowler, Robert Charles Ryan
  • Patent number: 6994169
    Abstract: An 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 desired temperature. In some embodiments, the formation to be treated may be selected based on formation characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Etuan Zhang, Ilya Emil Berchenko, Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, Thomas David Fowler, Kevin Albert Maher, Robert Charles Ryan, Gordon Thomas Shahin, Jr., George Leo Stegemeier, Harold J. Vinegar, Scott Lee Wellington
  • Patent number: 6991031
    Abstract: A coal 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. Heating may be controlled such that at least a selected amount of a total organic carbon content of the hydrocarbon material in the formation may be converted into formation fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    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, Thomas David Fowler, Robert Charles Ryan
  • Patent number: 6966372
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon containing 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. The mixture produced from the formation may contain condensable hydrocarbons, with some of the hydrocarbons being oxygen containing hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Scott Lee Wellington, Harold J. Vinegar, Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, Ilya Emil Berchenko, George Leo Stegemeier, Etuan Zhang, Gordon Thomas Shahin, Jr., Thomas David Fowler, Robert Charles Ryan
  • Patent number: 6953087
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon containing 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 may also be applied to the formation to increase a permeability of the formation. The permeability may increase uniformly throughout the treated portion of the formation. The permeability may increase to a relatively high permeability as compared to the initial permeability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, Harold J. Vinegar, Scott Lee Wellington, Ilya Emil Berchenko, George Leo Stegemeier, Etuan Zhang, Gordon Thomas Shahin, Jr., Thomas David Fowler, Robert Charles Ryan
  • Patent number: 6951247
    Abstract: An oil shale formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. Heat may be provided to a portion of the formation from one or more heat sources having a horizontal orientation in the formation. Heat may be allowed to transfer from the heat sources to a section of the formation. Hydrocarbons, H2, and/or other formation fluids may be produced from the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, Ilya Emil Berchenko, Thomas David Fowler, John Michael Karanikas, Kevin Albert Maher, Robert Charles Ryan, Gordon Thomas Shahin, Jr., Harold J. Vinegar, Scott Lee Wellington, Etuan Zhang
  • Patent number: 6866097
    Abstract: A coal 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 may increase a permeability of the formation. The permeability may increase uniformly throughout the treated formation. The permeability of the treated portion may increase to a relatively high permeability as compared to an initial permeability of the untreated coal formation. The porosity of the treated formation may also uniformly increase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Harold J. Vinegar, Scott Lee Wellington, Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, John Michael Karanikas, Ilya Emil Berchenko, George Leo Stegemeier, Gordon Thomas Shahin, Jr., Kevin Albert Maher, Etuan Zhang, Thomas David Fowler, Robert Charles Ryan
  • Patent number: 6820688
    Abstract: A coal 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. A formation may be selected that will produce a relatively large amount of condensable hydrocarbons and/or a relatively large amount of non-condensable hydrocarbons. Hydrocarbons within the formation may have a relatively high initial elemental hydrogen weight percentage. Hydrocarbons within the formation may have an initial hydrocarbon to carbon ratio within a desired range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    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, Thomas David Fowler, Robert Charles Ryan
  • Publication number: 20040154793
    Abstract: The invention relates to oil and natural gas production and can be used for recovering hydrocarbons from hydrocarbon-bearing formations, for example, from oil-bearing formations, or, for example, from gas-condensate reservoirs. A method for recovery of hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon-bearing formation, comprises: recovering a hydrocarbon-containing fluid through at least one production well, separating at least a part of a gaseous mixture from the fluid, injecting a gas through injection well. The separated gaseous mixture (all or a part of it) is combusted with air, which is used as oxidant, in a power plant, and, exhaust gases resulting from said combustion, which comprise nitrogen and carbon dioxide, are discharged from the power plant. Said air and the separated gaseous mixture are mixed and a gas-air mixture resulting from said mixing is compressed prior to said combustion, or the gas-air mixture is ignited during said compression.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventor: Alexei Leonidovich Zapadinski
  • Patent number: 6745832
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon containing 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 and pressure applied to the formation may be controlled so that a majority of the hydrocarbons produced from the formation have carbon numbers less than 25. Conditions may be controlled to produce low quantities of olefins in non-condensable hydrocarbons produced from the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Scott Lee Wellington, Harold J. Vinegar, Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, Ilya Emil Berchenko, George Leo Stegemeier, Etuan Zhang, Gordon Thomas Shahin, Jr., Thomas David Fowler, Robert Charles Ryan
  • Patent number: 6736215
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon containing formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. 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. Pyrolysis products may be produced from the formation. After pyrolysis, the temperature of the portion may be raised to a synthesis gas production temperature. A synthesis gas producing fluid may be introduced into the formation to generate synthesis gas. After synthesis gas production, the portion may be cooled and used to store carbon dioxide or other fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Kevin Albert Maher, Harold J. Vinegar, Scott Lee Wellington, Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, John Michael Karanikas, Ilya Emil Berchenko, Etuan Zhang, Lanny Gene Schoeling
  • Patent number: 6732794
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon containing 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. The mixture produced from the formation may have a relatively high hydrogen partial pressure, and a large portion of the pressure within the formation may be attributable to hydrogen partial pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Scott Lee Wellington, Harold J. Vinegar, Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, Ilya Emil Berchenko, George Leo Stegemeier, Etuan Zhang, Gordon Thomas Shahin, Jr., Thomas David Fowler, Robert Charles Ryan