Abstract: Method and apparatus for recovering natural gas from geopressured salt water by discharging the geopressured salt water from the subsurface strata into a variable volume tank at substantially atmospheric pressure. By flowing the discharged salt water over a plurality of mechanical baffles prior to entry of the salt water into the interior of the variable volume tank, release of the gas dissolved in the salt water is enhanced. In addition, electrodes are positioned in the path of the salt water flowing through the baffle area, and an AC electric current is established therethrough which aids in the release of additional hydrocarbon gases from the salt water. The pressurized hot salt water may also be utilized to generate electrical or mechanical energy before or after the release of the dissolved gases.

Abstract: A single cell protein plant is operated to produce high density cell growth and a substantially pure stream of generally high pressure carbon dioxide for further use, for example, in enhanced oil recovery operations. The plant employs an air separator producing substantially pure streams of oxygen and nitrogen. The oxygen stream is used to enrich a carrier fluid and used for aeration of the fermenter. The off-gases from the fermenter are separated into a generally high pressure, substantially pure carbon dioxide stream which can be used for enhanced oil recovery and a residual recycle stream to which oxygen is again added and which is returned to the fermenter. The single cell protein is dried and further processed as required for human or animal consumption.

Abstract: An integrated in situ combustion process for producing subterranean carbonaceous deposits in which the resulting flue gas of low heating value is combusted over an oxidation catalyst at substoichiometric conditions and is expanded in a gas turbine which drives the air compressor for injecting the combustion air into the underground carbonaceous deposit. An oxidation catalyst is provided for reducing carbon monoxide in the combusted flue gas comprising platinum and palladium.

Abstract: A secondary oil recovery method and system utilizing a concentric tank arrangement receiving crude oil from an oil well in the inner tank thereof with the crude oil being heated by a solar furnace to facilitate separation of water, oil and gas with the water being disposed within the outer tank for insulation of the inner tank and for use in an injection well for water flooding with the gas being removed from the inner tank from a dome trap at the top thereof and separated oil being moved to a storage tank or other point of use from the inner tank. The solar furnace includes heat exchange tubes disposed in the inner and outer tanks and oriented in relation to a heat collector panel and provided with a heat exchange medium therein by which solar energy is used to heat the crude oil in the inner tank as well as the water at the bottom thereof and water in the outer tank.

Abstract: Oil is recovered from underground reservoirs using hydrocarbons produced from cracking equipment located near the site. The equipment is operated at pressures proximate existing underground formation pressure to produce hydrocarbons for direct injection into the formation with reduced or no further compression. The hydrocarbons are injected at selected locations in the reservoir to pressurize the field, effectively reduce the oil viscosity and cause its flow into production wells. Specialized field cracking equipment, such as units for simple, small scale, low fouling operation that circulate heavy coke slurries, may be used to produce the hydrocarbons for injection.

Abstract: In situ coal gasification to form a methane rich gas is carried out by injecting a lower aliphatic alcohol such as methanol into a coal seam, raising the temperature to cause dissociation of the alcohol and injecting water into the same. Nascent hydrogen is produced which reacts with the coal to form methane. The product gas may also contain hydrogen and carbon monoxide which can be separated and reacted to form methanol.

Abstract: In accordance with the method of the present invention, methane and other similar fuel components are separated from the brine found in geopressurized geothermal zones by immersing gas permeable membranes selective for these fuel components into the brine in these zones, and permitting these fuel components to permeate through the membranes while rejecting the brine. The permeated fuel components then are collected.

Abstract: A method of treating a subterranean formation which has undergone an in situ leaching operation which utilzed an ammonium solution as the lixiviant. In such a leach operation, ammonium ions will exchange into the clay in the formation and will present a threat of contamination to any ground waters that may be present in the formation. The present method involves flushing the formation with a halogenated restoration fluid, e.g., chlorinated water having a halogen therein which reacts with ammonia within the formation to decompose the ammonia to nitrogen. The halogenated restoration fluid can be continuously injected or it can be injected as a slug followed by a relatively halogen-free solution to complete the operation. The ammonia concentration of the produced fluids is monitored and when it drops below a desired value, the method is complete.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of hydrocarbons from oil field reservoirs, wherein dry pipeline quality natural gas, essentially entirely methane, is injected, stored and recycled in the wells of the reservoir to effect a significant recovery of the oil in the reservoir while storing and holding the gas for ultimate use only after the oil has been recovered from the reservoir, whereby the relatively scarce gas is utilized to its maximum extent and oil is produced which would be otherwise difficult or uneconomical to produce by prior known processes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for generating steam from water containing high concentrations of particulate matter such as silt, clay, etc., without the need for filtering and otherwise treating the water prior to generation of steam therefrom, especially useful for use in a viscous oil recovery process. The method comprises introducing solid particulate materials such as coarse sand, etc., into a thermal cracking unit such as, for example, that is used in the Lurgi-Ruhrgas process. The solids are heated to a temperature of at least 1400.degree. F., and on contacting the crude, cause cracking of the viscous crude into lighter molecular weight hydrocarbons and form a solid coke-like residue on the sand grain. The sand grains containing the coke residue are transported into a second chamber into which air is injected and the solid coke residue ignited. The carbon coke residue burns, raising the temperature of the sand or other granular solids.

Abstract: A method of producing a hydrocarbon or hydrocarbons is disclosed. The method employs carbon containing material, water and a reaction chamber in a hot subterranean formation. The method steps include:(a) forming an aqueous slurry containing said material in divided, flowable form,(b) passing the slurry into said subterranean formation for chemical interaction of said material at said elevated temperature to form said hydrocarbon, and(c) recovering said hydrocarbon.

Abstract: The efficiency of conversion of coal in the coal-gasification process is increased by pre-treatment of the coal to increase the fluid-permeability thereof. The reagent used for increasing the coal permeability is recoverable in high yield. Pre-treatment of bituminous coal by this process makes it possible to gasify coals of this rank effectively, such coals previously having been gasifiable only at low conversion efficiencies. Pre-treatment with a permeability-enhancing reagent is also useful as a step in the process of dissolving coal.

Abstract: A process for enhanced recovery of petroleum from subterranean formations is disclosed, wherein steam is injected into a formation via an injection well, and a mixture of petroleum and steam condensate is produced via a production well, wherein the produced mixture is flashed for production of a steam-distilled hydrocarbon fraction, and wherein the steam distilled hydrocarbon fraction is injected, with additional steam, into a subterranean formation for increased recovery of petroleum. The process disclosed is particularly useful in recovery of heavy (low API gravity) petroleum.

Abstract: Coal gas is produced in situ using the techniques of gasification, liquefaction and pyrolysis. Normal effluents to the atmosphere are recycled in part to the underground reaction zone for conversion into commercial products. Contaminants to underground aquifers are captured and injected into the underground reaction zone for destruction and transformation into useful products.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling a well providing access to an underground source of high temperature geothermal brine against flashing as the hot brine is delivered upwardly through the well to surface power apparatus for use of heat from the brine in the generation of electrical power, thereby eliminating plugging of the well by precipitated mineral deposits as well as other problems which have heretofore caused most geothermal resources of this character to be beset with operational problems. A pump down in the well pressurizes the hot output liquid that is delivered to the surface generating equipment against flashing, the pump having a novel long tailpipe suspended therefrom which extends deep into the well.

Abstract: A technique is described for breaking the very strong emulsion of shale oil and water produced by an in situ oil shale retorting process so that separate shale oil and water phases can be recovered. The emulsion is broken by heating it to a temperature of at least about 120.degree. F. and holding at a temperature in the range of from about 120.degree. to 180.degree. F. for about one day. Preferably the shale oil and water are held in the range of from about 130.degree. to 150.degree. F. for about one day and the phases separated by gravity. Heat for the process can be obtained by injecting water into a spent in situ oil shale retort for generating steam and transferring heat from the steam to the emulsion.

Abstract: Natural gas enriched in methane is produced from underground natural gas reservoirs of high CO.sub.2 content by water flooding to absorb the CO.sub.2 within the formation.

Abstract: Process for the gasification of coal in situ comprising driving shafts or tunnels into a coal seam, injecting air into the bore holes to ignite and burn the coal to raise its temperature ceasing the flow of air when the coal is hot enough to support the endothermic water gas reaction, and injecting steam into the hot coal formation, such steam preferably being preheated by the flue gases taken from the same end of the bore holes where the air was injected, and recovering product gases, including carbon monoxide and hydrogen, and also product oil, exiting the tunnel at the other end of the bore holes. When the temperature of the coal drops during injection of steam to a level which will just permit combustion, the steam flow is stopped, and the cycle is repeated by air injection and flue gas removal at the front end of the bore holes, and through the tunnel connected therewith. This cyclic process is repeated until the entire mass of coal within the area encompassed by the bore holes is exhausted.

Abstract: A combination structure adapted for use in a catalytic process for stimulating the recovery of hydrocarbons from porous and permeable hydrocarbon bearing strata in earth formations utilizing at least one injection well and at least one production well both completed in said hydrocarbon bearing strata and a finely divided hydrocarbon cracking catalyst which is delivered by and through said structural combination of parts and elements to said strata by injection gas controlled at suitable pressure, temperature and O.sub.2 content to promote and advance in place catalytic cracking of hydrocarbons and catalyst regeneration within said strata to be produced by utilizing said combination structure or its equivalent.

Abstract: The hydrogen sulfide concentration and total sulfur concentration of a gas of relatively higher hydrogen sulfide and total sulfur concentration are reduced by combining hydrogen sulfide in the gas with oxygen in the presence of a fragmented permeable mass of particles containing oil shale treated to remove organic materials to yield a gas with relatively lower hydrogen sulfide and total sulfur concentration for withdrawal from the fragmented permeable mass.

Abstract: The hydrogen sulfide concentration of a gas is reduced by reacting hydrogen sulfide in the gas with oxygen in the presence of raw oil shale. The ratio of sulfur dioxide to sulfur produced by this reaction depends upon the molar ratio of oxygen to hydrogen sulfide present. Sulfur is the predominant product when hydrogen sulfide is reacted in the presence of oil shale with less than about 1 mole of oxygen for each 2 moles of hydrogen sulfide.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved system method for in situ extraction of mineral values from subterranean deposits of ores of the oxide; carbonate; sulphide, or other type ores which contain sought-for metal values and which evolve gas when reacted with suitable chemicals in solution and/or gaseous form. The invention is particularly applicable to in situ mining of the previously found types of copper, nickel, manganese, etc. oxide, carbonate, and sulphide ores and the like; and especially features conservation of energy which otherwise would be wasted.

Abstract: The hydrogen sulfide concentration of a gas of relatively higher hydrogen sulfide concentration is reduced by combining at a temperature less than about 650.degree. F hydrogen sulfide in the gas with oxygen in the presence of a fragmented permeable mass of particles containing oil shale to yield a gas with relatively lower hydrogen sulfide concentration for withdrawing from the fragmented permeable mass.

Abstract: Viscous oil may be recovered from subterranean, viscous oil-containing formations by injecting a heated aqueous fluid into the formation to raise the temperature of the viscous petroleum, and to displace it toward a remotely located production well. The heated aqueous fluid, which may be liquid, gaseous or a mixture thereof, is obtained from a deeper, higher temperature permeable oil formation. At least two spaced apart fluid flow communication means are established between the surface of the earth and the deeper, high temperature formation. At least two spaced apart separate communication means are established between the surface of the earth and the shallow viscous oil formation. Ordinarily the deeper, high temperature oil formation is one in which secondary recovery, e.g., waterflooding, will be ended or approaching the point where further production of oil and water is not commercially justified.

Abstract: This invention is a process for mining an underground formation of coal having high oxygen content by contacting the coal with a heated basic aqueous solution for a time sufficient to dissolve at least a portion of the coal formation to produce a coalate. Periodically or continuously, some of the dissolved material is removed to facilitate or improve access to the coal formation. The dissolved coal or coalate is then treated with a regenerating agent to recover basic aqueous solution from the coalate.

Abstract: A process for in situ retorting of oil shale wherein an externally heated gas is circulated through a first retort zone. Surface retorting units comprised of compressors and furnaces are used to start the retorting process and to continue same until the off gas being recovered from the first retort zone reaches a temperature condition which is indicative that adequate heat is available in the retort zone to complete the retorting process without further external heating of the retorting gas. The surface retorting units are then replaced with frontal advance units comprised of low head fans which are capable of circulating the required volume of retorting gas but which require substantially less power to operate than the compressors. Also, when the units are interchanged the off gas from the first retort zone is diverted through a second retort zone to cool the off gas and to preheat the second zone.

Abstract: A method and system is provided wherein water is injected into a producing formation, particularly one which is partially depleted, for flow laterally into an offset well and thence downwardly into a separation zone or cavity which is located at a depth greater than the producing formation. The oil and water separates in the separation zone or cavity and each is separately flowed to the earth's surface. The arrangement is such that substantially no back pressure is exerted from the well into the formation. Preferably, the water is recirculated back for reinjection into the formation. Also, a treating chemical, such as an emulsion breaker can be injected into the separation zone or cavity for phase separation of the oil and water.

Abstract: Viscous petroleum may be recovered from viscous petroleum-containing formations including tar sand deposits by injecting into the formation a gaseous mixture of a carrier gas and a solvent which is liquid at reservoir conditions, such as pentane, hexane, heptane, octane, carbon disulfide, etc., and mixtures thereof. The gaseous mixture is formed by contacting a normally liquid solvent with a carrier gas such as nitrogen and introducing the carrier gas having solvent vaporized therein into the formation. Recovery of petroleum and solvent may be from the same well as is used for injection or from a remotely located well. The carrier gas and/or solvent may be heated prior to injection to increase solvency rate and vapor pressure. In throughput operations, the gaseous solvent mixture may be followed by water, hot water or steam to displace the residual solvent from the formation.

Abstract: The subject process pertains to the secondary recovery of oil by the steam stimulation of an underground oil reservoir. As an added benefit, mechanical power and/or electrical energy may be simultaneously produced. In the subject process, raw fuel gas is first produced by the partial oxidation in a free-flow gas generator of a hydrocarbonaceous feed, such as preferably a portion of the oil recovered. The raw fuel gas is cleaned, purified, and burned in a gas turbine which drives a compressor or electric generator. The sensible heat in the raw fuel gas leaving the gas generator and in the flue gas discharged from the gas turbine is recovered by the production of high quality steam. This steam is injected into subterranean formations and reservoirs to accelerate production and to provide additional oil recovery.

Abstract: Coal liquids and gases are recovered from a thick underground coal seam by drilling one or more boreholes from the earth's surface into the lower part of the seam, burning out the coal over a limited area near the bottom of the seam, collapsing the overlying coal to form a rubblized zone extending vertically to a point near the upper boundary of the seam, driving a flame front vertically through the rubblized zone to liberate hydrocarbon liquids and produce gases, and recovering the liquids and gases from the rubblized zone.

Abstract: Water employed for the pipeline transmission of an oil core inside a water annulus is conserved by continuously recycling the water either for further use as a core flow fluid or for use in oil production.

Abstract: A secondary recovery process using injected air to pressurize the formation and maintain mobility of the reservoir oil by diluting the oil with carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is produced as a by-product of air injection, either by auto-oxidation of carbonaceous materials in the reservoir rock, or by ignition of oil in the reservoir. Efficiency of oxidation is observed by testing O.sub.2 content of the effluent gas; it is desirable to hold the oxygen content in the effluent gas to less than 3% by volume in the effluent gas. When this content cannot be reached by auto-oxidation, it is necessary to ignite the oil.