Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080207970 | Heating an organic-rich rock formation in situ to produce products with improved properties - A method of producing hydrocarbon fluids with improved hydrocarbon compound properties from a subsurface organic-rich rock formation, such as an oil shale formation, is provided. The method may include the step of heating the organic-rich rock formation in situ. In accordance with the method, the heating of the organic-rich rock formation may pyrolyze at least a portion of the formation hydrocarbons, for example kerogen, to create hydrocarbon fluids. Thereafter, the hydrocarbon fluids may be produced from the formation. Hydrocarbon fluids with improved hydrocarbon compound properties are also provided. | 08-28-2008 |
20100078169 | Methods of Treating Suberranean Formation To Convert Organic Matter Into Producible Hydrocarbons - Methods are provided that include the steps of providing wells in a formation, establishing one or more fractures in the formation, such that each fracture intersects at least one of the wells, placing electrically conductive material in the fracture, and applying an electric voltage across the fracture and through the material such that sufficient heat is generated by electrical resistivity within the material to heat and/or pyrolyze organic matter in the formation to form producible hydrocarbons. | 04-01-2010 |
20120267110 | Heating An Organic-Rich Rock Formation In Situ To Produce Products With Improved Properties - A method of producing hydrocarbon fluids with improved hydrocarbon compound properties from a subsurface organic-rich rock formation, such as an oil shale formation, is provided. The method may include the step of heating the organic-rich rock formation in situ. In accordance with the method, the heating of the organic-rich rock formation may pyrolyze at least a portion of the formation hydrocarbons, for example kerogen, to create hydrocarbon fluids. Thereafter, the hydrocarbon fluids may be produced from the formation. Hydrocarbon fluids with improved hydrocarbon compound properties are also provided. | 10-25-2012 |
20130112403 | Multiple Electrical Connections To Optimize Heating For In Situ Pyrolysis - A method for heating a subsurface formation using electrical resistance heating is provided. The method includes placing a first electrically conductive proppant into a fracture within an interval of organic-rich rock. The first electrically conductive proppant has a first bulk resistivity. The method further includes placing a second electrically conductive proppant into the fracture. The second electrically conductive proppant has a second bulk resistivity that is lower than the first bulk resistivity, and is in electrical communication with the first proppant at three or more terminal locations. The method then includes passing an electric current through the second electrically conductive proppant at a selected terminal and through the first electrically conductive proppant, such that heat is generated within the fracture by electrical resistivity. The operator may monitor resistance and switch terminals for the most efficient heating. A system for electrically heating an organic-rich rock formation below an earth surface is also provided. | 05-09-2013 |
20130292114 | Methods For Containment and Improved Recovery in Heated Hydrocarbon Containing Formations By Optimal Placement of Fractures and Production Wells - A method for containing and capturing liquids and gases generated during in situ pyrolysis that migrate through pyrolysis generated or natural fractures includes placing a row of horizontal hydraulic fractures above and below the heated zone and completing production wells within the horizontal hydraulic fractures. The method serves at least two purposes: 1) provides a local zone of weak mechanical strength to blunt the propagation of vertical pyrolysis generated fractures and 2) provides a drainage point for fluids to relieve pressure in the formation and improve recovery. Preferably, the organic-rich rock formation is an oil shale formation. | 11-07-2013 |
20130292177 | Systems and Methods Of Detecting an Intersection Between A Wellbore and A Subterranean Structure That Includes A Marker Material - Systems and methods of detecting an intersection between a wellbore and a subterranean structure that includes a marker material. The systems and methods include drilling the wellbore and determining that the wellbore has intersected a portion of the subterranean structure that includes the marker material by detecting the marker material. The systems and methods also may include distributing the marker material within the subterranean structure, aligning the marker material within the subterranean structure, determining one or more characteristics of the marker material, ceasing the drilling, repeating the method, and/or producing a hydrocarbon from the subterranean structure. The systems and methods further may include forming an electrical connection between an electric current source and a granular resistive heater that forms a portion of the subterranean structure, forming the granular resistive heater, and/or forming the subterranean structure. | 11-07-2013 |
20130319662 | Systems and Methods For Hydrotreating A Shale Oil Stream Using Hydrogen Gas That Is Concentrated From The Shale Oil Stream - Systems and methods for hydrotreating a liquid fraction of a shale oil stream using hydrogen gas that is concentrated from a gaseous fraction of the shale oil stream. The systems and methods include providing a portion of the gaseous fraction to a sorptive separation assembly and separating a concentrated hydrogen stream from the portion of the gaseous fraction within the sorptive separation assembly. The system and methods further include providing the concentrated hydrogen stream and the liquid fraction to a hydrotreater and reacting the concentrated hydrogen stream with the liquid fraction within the hydrotreater to produce the hydrotreated liquid stream. The systems and methods may include generating the shale oil stream within a subterranean formation using an in situ process, such as an in situ shale oil conversion process and/or providing a supplemental hydrogen stream to the hydrotreater. | 12-05-2013 |
20140256055 | EXPLORATION METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETECTION OF HYDROCARBONS - A method for detecting hydrocarbons is described. The method includes performing a remote sensing survey of a survey location to identify a target location. Then, an underwater vehicle (UV) is deployed into a body of water and directed to the target location. The UV collects measurement data within the body of water at the target location, which is then analyzed to determine whether hydrocarbons are present at the target location. | 09-11-2014 |
20140284465 | EXPLORATION METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETECTION OF HYDROCARBONS WITH AN UNDERWATER VEHICLE - A method for detecting hydrocarbons with an underwater vehicle equipped with one or more measurement components is described. The method includes navigating the UV within the body of water; monitoring the body of water with measurement components associated with the UV to collect measurement data. The collected data from the UV is used to determine whether hydrocarbons are present and at the location. | 09-25-2014 |