Entries |
Document | Title | Date |
20080277113 | Heating tar sands formations while controlling pressure - Methods for treating a tar sands formation are described herein. Methods may include heating at least a section of a hydrocarbon layer in the formation from a plurality of heaters located in the formation. A pressure in the majority of the section may be maintained below a fracture pressure of the formation. The pressure in the majority of the section may be reduced to a selected pressure after the average temperature reaches a temperature that is above 240° C. and is at or below pyrolysis temperatures of hydrocarbons in the section. At least some hydrocarbon fluids may be produced from the formation. | 11-13-2008 |
20090071648 | HEAVY OIL RECOVERY WITH FLUID WATER AND CARBON DIOXIDE - Diluted wet combustion forms a hot process fluid or VASTgas comprising carbon dioxide (CO | 03-19-2009 |
20090084547 | DOWNHOLE BURNER SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR HEATING SUBSURFACE FORMATIONS - A gas burner assembly for heating a subsurface formation includes an oxidant conduit, a fuel conduit, and a plurality of oxidizers coupled to the oxidant conduit. At least one of the oxidizers includes a mix chamber for mixing fuel from the fuel conduit with oxidant from the oxidant conduit, an igniter, and a shield. The shield includes a plurality of openings in communication with the oxidant conduit. At least one flame stabilizer is coupled to the shield. | 04-02-2009 |
20090139715 | PROCESS TO UPGRADE WHOLE CRUDE OIL BY HOT PRESSURIZED WATER AND RECOVERY FLUID - A process for upgrading whole crude oil utilizing a recovery fluid, depressurizing an extracted whole crude oil/recovery fluid mixture in a step-wise fashion, and subsequently contacting at least a portion of the whole crude oil with supercritical water fluid to produce high value crude oil having low sulfur, low nitrogen, and low metallic impurities for use as hydrocarbon feedstock. | 06-04-2009 |
20090139716 | METHOD OF RECOVERING BITUMEN FROM A TUNNEL OR SHAFT WITH HEATING ELEMENTS AND RECOVERY WELLS - The present invention is directed to the operation of heating elements from wells emanating from an underground excavation to heat and mobilize hydrocarbons, such as bitumen, heavy oil and oil shale. | 06-04-2009 |
20090260808 | METHOD FOR TREATING A HYDROCARBON CONTAINING FORMATION - Methods of generating subsurface heat for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation are described herein. The methods include providing a stream that includes water to a plurality of wellbores. Fuel and oxidant is provided to one or more flameless distributed combustors positioned in at least one of the wellbores. The fuel and oxidant is mixed to form a fuel/oxidant mixture. At least a portion of the mixture is flamelessly combusted in at least one of the flameless distributed combustors to generate heat. The fuel includes at least 0.1% hydrogen sulfide by volume. | 10-22-2009 |
20090260809 | METHOD FOR TREATING A HYDROCARBON CONTAINING FORMATION - Methods of generating subsurface heat for treatment of a hydrocarbon containing formation are described herein. Methods include providing steam to at least a portion of a hydrocarbon containing formation from a plurality of locations in a wellbore. The steam is hotter than a temperature of the portion. The steam is heated in the wellbore by combusting a stream comprising hydrogen sulfide in the wellbore. Heat from the combustion transfers to the steam. The steam provided the portion at a first location in the wellbore is hotter than steam provided at a second location in the wellbore along the length of the wellbore, where the first location is further from a surface of the formation than the second location along the length of the wellbore. | 10-22-2009 |
20090308608 | Field Managment For Substantially Constant Composition Gas Generation - A method for producing hydrocarbon fluids from an organic-rich rock formation to a surface facility is provided. The method may include heating the organic-rich rock formation in situ in order to cause pyrolysis of formation hydrocarbons, and producing production fluids from the organic-rich rock formation via two or more wells. The produced fluids have been at least partially generated as a result of pyrolysis of the formation hydrocarbons located in the organic-rich rock formation. In addition, the produced fluids comprise non-condensable fluids, or gases, which taken together have an averaged Wobbe Index which varies at a rate of more than 5% over a period of time. The method also includes controlling production from one or more of the two or more wells such that a combination of the production fluids from the two or more wells results in a combined gas stream whose averaged Wobbe Index varies at a rate of less than 5% over the period of time. The combined stream comprises combustible hydrocarbon fluids. | 12-17-2009 |
20100006287 | Device For The Thermal Stimulation Of Gas Hydrate Formations - A method for the thermal stimulation of a geological gas hydrate formation ( | 01-14-2010 |
20100025035 | Swelling Delay Cover for a Packer - A swelling packer is covered with a material that is preferably in a tubular form and slipped over the swelling element to be shrink fit with applied heat. The material is formulated to break down at temperatures slightly below the expected downhole temperatures so that ideally the packer has about 48 hours of swelling delay which is normally a time period long enough to allow it to be properly located without it swelling so much as to cause it to be damaged by running in. Various polymers can be used to make an imperious covering for run in that on the way starts to break down. Ideally the material for the cover disappears about the time of sealing or shortly thereafter. | 02-04-2010 |
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 |
20100089574 | Methods and Apparatus for Wellbore Enhancement - Methods for enhancing existing wells, such as increasing the diameter of an existing well by hydrothermal spallation are provided. Such methods may include providing a housing comprising a reaction chamber and a catalyst element held within the reaction chamber, providing at least one jet nozzle, contacting one or more unreacted fluids or solids with the catalyst element, wherein the unreacted fluid or solid is adapted to react with the catalyst element, thus generating a reacted fluid, and emitting the reacted fluid through the at least one nozzle, wherein the at least one nozzle may be directed to a production zone of an internal wall of the existing well. | 04-15-2010 |
20100089575 | In Situ Co-Development of Oil Shale With Mineral Recovery - A method of producing hydrocarbon fluids from a subsurface organic-rich rock formation, for example an oil shale formation, in which the oil shale formation contains water-soluble minerals, for example nahcolite, is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes the step of heating the organic-rich rock formation in situ. Optionally, this heating step may be performed prior to any substantial removal of water-soluble minerals from the organic-rich rock formation. In accordance with the method, the heating of the organic-rich rock formation both pyrolyzes at least a portion of the formation hydrocarbons, for example kerogen, to create hydrocarbon fluids, and converts at least a portion of the water-soluble minerals, for example, converts nahcolite to soda ash. Thereafter, the hydrocarbon fluids are produced from the formation. | 04-15-2010 |
20100175876 | Method and System Integrating Thermal Oil Recovery And Bitumen Mining For Thermal Efficiency - Thermal oil recovery operations, such as SAGD, result in waste heat that is typically released to the environment. Bitumen mining operations require heat input for heating fluids used in the mining process. A method and system of recovering heat from a thermal recovery operation for use in bitumen mining operation is described. A heated donor fluid from a thermal recovery operation is used to heat an acceptor fluid for use in bitumen mining via proximal heat exchange using a power cycle or heat exchange module, such as an ammonia and water based Kalina® Cycle. By utilizing waste heat from thermal recovery operations to heat fluids used in bitumen mining, thermal efficiencies are realized. | 07-15-2010 |
20100212893 | CATALYTIC DOWN-HOLE UPGRADING OF HEAVY OIL AND OIL SAND BITUMENS - The invention relates to systems and methods for catalytic down-hole upgrading of heavy oil and oil sand bitumens. The method enables upgrading heavy oil in a production well within a hydroprocessing zone including the steps of: introducing a controlled amount of heat to the hydroprocessing zone; introducing a selected quantity of hydrogen to the hydroprocessing zone to promote a desired hydrocarbon upgrading reaction; and, recovering upgraded hydrocarbons at the surface. The invention further includes the hardware capable of performing the method. | 08-26-2010 |
20100218945 | Recovery of Hydrocarbons From Oil Shale Deposits - This invention relates to recovering hydrocarbons from oil shale preferably in-situ where the temperature of the oil shale deposit is controlled to maximize recovery of hydrocarbons and minimize decomposition of carbonate minerals into carbon dioxide that might be released into the atmosphere. The process includes generating heat from hydrocarbon gases recovered from the oil shale and then later performing a controlled burn of the char that is left in the spent shale after the kerogens have been thermally cracked and the most of the recoverable hydrocarbons have been recovered. The burning of the char is also controlled based on the temperature of the oil shale in-situ, the temperature of the gases retuning to the surface from the oil shale and the carbon dioxide in the gases returning to the surface. | 09-02-2010 |
20100270015 | IN SITU THERMAL PROCESSING OF AN OIL SHALE FORMATION - A oil shale formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. A mixture of hydrocarbons, H | 10-28-2010 |
20110005748 | RECOVERING HEAVY OIL THROUGH THE USE OF MICROWAVE HEATING IN HORIZONTAL WELLS - A process to enhance secondary recovery of underground formations having heavy hydrocarbons through the use of a horizontal source well and a producing well. The horizontal source well is equipped with a plurality of microwave source emitters and the producing well is equipped with an artificial lift system. The horizontal source well is positioned within close proximity to the underground hydrocarbon formation and microwave energy is emitted from the microwave source emitters into the underground hydrocarbon formation. The microwave radiation heats up the heavy hydrocarbons, thereby lowering their viscosity, which allows the hydrocarbons to more easily flow into the producing well. | 01-13-2011 |
20110042084 | IRREGULAR PATTERN TREATMENT OF A SUBSURFACE FORMATION - A method of heating a subsurface hydrocarbon containing formation includes providing heat flux per volume to a first portion of a subsurface hydrocarbon containing formation. The heat flux per volume is provided by two or more first heat sources positioned in the first portion. Heat flux per volume is provided to a second portion of the subsurface hydrocarbon containing formation with the heat flux per volume being provided by two or more second heat sources positioned in the second portion. The heat flux per volume provided by the two or more second heat sources is greater than the heat flux per volume provided by the two or more first heat sources. The second portion is positioned below the first portion. | 02-24-2011 |
20110048703 | HEATING APPARATUS - Disclosed herein is a use of pulsed combustion to convert chemical energy to usable heat. For example, in boilers, heat is generated by burning fuel at burners and transferring the heat to water or other fluids, including air, through heat exchangers. In one form, these heated fluids may then be utilized to assist in removing oil from oil sand reservoirs. | 03-03-2011 |
20110061867 | METHOD FOR PRODUCTION OF HIGH PURITY DISTILLATE FROM PRODUCED WATER FOR GENERATION OF HIGH PRESSURE STEAM - Embodiments presented herein provide an evaporation based zero liquid discharge method for generation of up to 100% quality high pressure steam from produced water in the heavy oil production industry. De-oiled water is processed in an evaporation system producing a distillate that allows steam to be generated with either drum-type boilers operating at higher pressures or once-through steam generators (OTSGs) operating at higher vaporization rates. Evaporator blowdown is treated in a forced-circulation evaporator to provide a zero liquid discharge system that could recycle>98% of the deoiled water for industrial use. Exemplary embodiments of the invention provide at least one “straight sump” evaporator and at least one hybrid external mist eliminator. Embodiments of the evaporation method operate at a higher overall efficiency than those of the prior art by producing distillate at a higher enthalpy which minimizes the high pressure boiler preheating requirement. | 03-17-2011 |
20110094738 | Apparatus for Upgrading Crude Oil and System Incorporating Same - A scalable system for producing upgraded crude oil includes one or more production lines. Bach of the one or more production lines comprises an oil well, an upgrader using microwave radiation operably associated with the oil well, and a pump operably associated with the upgrader. The upgrader is constructed to reduce the viscosity of and increase the API gravity of crude oil. A method for scalably upgrading crude oil includes providing an upgrader using a microwave radiation proximate an oil well, producing crude oil from the oil well, and transporting the crude oil to the upgrader. The method further includes upgrading the crude oil in the upgrader and transporting the upgraded crude oil away from the upgrader. | 04-28-2011 |
20110120708 | COAL BED METHANE RECOVERY - Methods relate to recovering coal bed methane. In-situ heating of coal facilitates desorption and diffusion of the methane for production of the methane through a wellbore. Water within fractures of the coal forms an electrical conduit through which current is passed. The heating relies at least in part on resistivity of the water, which thereby preheats the coal for the recovering of the methane. | 05-26-2011 |
20110139452 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PRODUCING OIL AND/OR GAS - A system for producing oil and/or gas comprising a formation comprising a mixture of oil and/or gas and an enhanced oil recovery mixture comprising an additive to increase an auto-ignition temperature of the mixture and a carbon disulfide formulation and/or a carbon oxysulfide formulation; and a mechanism for recovering at least a portion of the oil and/or gas. | 06-16-2011 |
20110146981 | Method and Device for the "In-Situ" Conveying of Bitumen or Very Heavy Oil - A method for the “in situ” extraction of bitumen or very heavy oil is provided. An electric/electromagnetic heater to reduce the viscosity of bitumen or very heavy oil with at least two linearly expanded conductors are configured in a horizontal alignment at a predetermined depth of the reservoir. The conductors are connected to each other in an electrically conducting manner inside or outside of the reservoir, and together form a conductor loop, and are connected to an external alternating current generator outside of the reservoir for electric power. The heating of the reservoir is predetermined in a chronologically and/or locally variable manner in accordance with the electric parameters, and may be changed outside of the reservoir for optimizing the feed volume during the conveying of the bitumen. At least one generator is present in the related device, wherein the parameters thereof are variable for the electric power. | 06-23-2011 |
20110214858 | DOWNHOLE STEAM GENERATOR AND METHOD OF USE - A downhole steam generation system may include a burner head assembly, a liner assembly, a vaporization sleeve, and a support sleeve. The burner head assembly may include a sudden expansion region with one or more injectors. The liner assembly may include a water-cooled body having one or more water injection arrangements. The system may be optimized to assist in the recovery of hydrocarbons from different types of reservoirs. A method of recovering hydrocarbons may include supplying one or more fluids to the system, combusting a fuel and an oxidant to generate a combustion product, injecting a fluid into the combustion product to generate an exhaust gas, injecting the exhaust gas into a reservoir, and recovering hydrocarbons from the reservoir. | 09-08-2011 |
20110247805 | INSULATED CONDUCTOR HEATERS WITH SEMICONDUCTOR LAYERS - A heater used to heat a subsurface formation includes an electrical conductor, a semiconductor layer at least partially surrounding the electrical conductor, an insulation layer at least partially surrounding the electrical conductor, an electrically conductive sheath at least partially surrounding the insulation layer. The heater may be located in an opening in the subsurface formation. | 10-13-2011 |
20110247806 | ELECTRODES FOR ELECTRICAL CURRENT FLOW HEATING OF SUBSURFACE FORMATIONS WITH CONDUCTIVE MATERIAL IN WELLBORE - A first wellbore includes a substantially horizontal or inclined portion in a hydrocarbon containing layer in the formation. A first conductor having electrically conductive material is at least partially positioned in the first wellbore. At least one conducting material substantially surrounds the first conductor in the first wellbore. A second conductor having a substantially horizontal or inclined portion is located in the hydrocarbon containing layer in the formation. The second conductor includes electrically conductive material. At least one conducting material substantially surrounds the second conductor. A power supply is coupled to the first conductor to electrically excite the electrically conductive materials of the first conductor such that current flows between the electrically conductive materials in the first conductor, through at least a portion of the formation, to the second conductor, and the current resistively heats at least a portion of the formation between the two conductors. | 10-13-2011 |
20110247807 | ELECTRODES FOR ELECTRICAL CURRENT FLOW HEATING OF SUBSURFACE FORMATIONS WITH TAPERED COPPER THICKNESS - A first conductor is positioned in the substantially horizontal or inclined portion of a first wellbore. The first conductor includes electrically conductive material. A portion of the first conductor positioned in the first wellbore includes copper coupled to the electrically conductive material. The copper tapers from a larger thickness at a first end of the portion to a smaller thickness at a second end of the portion. A power supply coupled to the first conductor electrically excites the electrically conductive materials of the first conductor such that current flows between the electrically conductive materials in the first conductor, through at least a portion of the formation, to a second conductor located in the hydrocarbon containing layer in the formation, and the current resistively heats at least a portion of the formation between the two conductors. | 10-13-2011 |
20110247808 | LEAK DETECTION IN CIRCULATED FLUID SYSTEMS FOR HEATING SUBSURFACE FORMATIONS - A method of treating a subsurface formation includes circulating at least one molten salt through at least one conduit of a conduit-in-conduit heater located in the formation to heat hydrocarbons in the formation to at least a mobilization temperature of the hydrocarbons. At least some of the hydrocarbons are produced from the formation. An electrical resistance of at least one of the conduits of the conduit-in-conduit heater is assessed to assess a presence of a leak in at least one of the conduits. | 10-13-2011 |
20110247809 | METHODOLOGIES FOR TREATMENT OF HYDROCARBON FORMATIONS USING STAGED PYROLYZATION - Methods for treating a subsurface formation are described herein. Some methods include providing heat from a plurality of heaters to a section of the hydrocarbon containing formation; controlling the heat from the plurality of heaters such that an average temperature in at least a majority of a first portion of the section is above a pyrolyzation temperature; providing heat from the plurality of heaters to a second portion substantially above the first portion of the section after heating the first portion for a selected time; controlling the heat from the plurality of heaters such that an average temperature in the second portion is sufficient to allow the second portion to expand into the first portion; and producing hydrocarbons from the formation. | 10-13-2011 |
20110247810 | METHODS FOR HEATING WITH SLOTS IN HYDROCARBON FORMATIONS - Systems and methods for treating a subsurface formation are described herein. Some embodiments generally relate to systems, methods, and/or processes for treating fluid produced from the subsurface formation. Some methods include providing heat to a first section of the hydrocarbon containing formation from a plurality of heaters located in the formation; allowing the heat to transfer from the heaters to heat a portion of the first section to mobilize formation fluid; and producing formation fluid from the formation. | 10-13-2011 |
20110247811 | METHODS FOR TREATING HYDROCARBON FORMATIONS BASED ON GEOLOGY - Systems and methods for treating a subsurface formation are described herein. Some method include providing heat to a section of the formation from a plurality of heaters located in the formation, allowing the heat to transfer from the heaters to heat a portion of the section to a selected temperature to generate an in situ deasphalting fluid in the section, contacting at least a portion of the in situ deasphalting fluid with hydrocarbons in the section to remove at least some asphaltenes from the hydrocarbons in the section, and producing at least a portion of the deasphalted hydrocarbons from the formation. The in situ deasphalting fluid may include hydrocarbons having a boiling range distribution between 35° C. and 260° C. at 0.101 MPa. A majority of the hydrocarbons in the section may have a boiling point greater than 260° C. at 0.101 MPa. | 10-13-2011 |
20110253366 | CURABLE FIBER - Fibers comprising a first thermoplastic composition having a softening temperature up to 120° C and a curable resin. Also disclosed are compositions comprising a plurality of fibers, with some of the fibers comprising a first thermoplastic composition having a softening temperature up to 120° C and some of the fibers comprising a curable resin. The fibers have an aspect ratio of at least 2:1 and a maximum cross-sectional dimension up to 60 micrometers. Fluid compositions containing the fibers and methods of contacting a subterranean formation using the fibers are also disclosed. | 10-20-2011 |
20110272154 | DISSIPATING HEAT FROM A DOWNHOLE HEAT GENERATING DEVICE - Embodiments disclosed herein relate to heat dissipating apparatus to be used with a downhole tool, including a tubular housing having an axis defined therethrough, a heat generating device disposed within the tubular housing, a heat sink disposed adjacent to the heat generating device and configured to dissipate heat from the heat generating device, and a displacement mechanism disposed within the tubular housing and configured to position the heat sink between a first position and a second position within the tubular housing in which, in the first position, a gap is formed between the heat sink and the tubular housing, and in the second position, the heat sink contacts the tubular housing. | 11-10-2011 |
20120043081 | SINGLE WELL STEAM ASSISTED GRAVITY DRAINAGE - The present invention provides a method for recovering hydrocarbons from a sub-surface reservoir having present therein a wellbore in which a production conduit and an injection conduit are located, said method comprising injecting a heating fluid into the reservoir via said injection conduit, characterised in that said heating fluid is released via a plurality of discrete permeable sections (injection sections) located along the length of the injection conduit and produced hydrocarbons are collected via a plurality of discrete permeable sections (production sections) located along the length of the production conduit. | 02-23-2012 |
20120085535 | METHODS OF HEATING A SUBSURFACE FORMATION USING ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE PARTICLES - Systems and methods for heaters used in treating a subsurface formation are described herein. Some embodiments also generally relate to heaters that have novel components therein. Such heaters may be obtained by using the systems and methods described. Some embodiments also generally relate to systems, methods, and/or processes for treating fluid produced from the subsurface formation. | 04-12-2012 |
20120103604 | SUBSURFACE HEATING DEVICE - In one aspect, the present invention provides a subsurface heating device comprising: (a) a combustion conduit casing defining a combustion conduit; (b) at least two combustors disposed within the combustion conduit casing; (c) at least one fuel supply conduit; d) at least one oxygen supply conduit configured to supply oxygen to at least one combustor; and (e) a combustion product gas outlet. The at least two combustors are characterized by an inter-combustor distance of at least one thousand feet and a combustion power of at least 3.41 million BTU per hour. The at least one fuel supply conduit is configured to supply a combustible fuel to at least one combustor. Also provided in another aspect of the present invention, is a method for heating a subsurface zone. | 05-03-2012 |
20120125607 | PARALLEL FED WELL ANTENNA ARRAY FOR INCREASED HEAVY OIL RECOVERY - A parallel fed well antenna array and method for heating a hydrocarbon formation is disclosed. An aspect of at least one embodiment is a parallel fed well antenna array. It includes an electrically conductive pipe having radiating segments and insulator segments. It also includes a two conductor shielded electrical cable where the shield has discontinuities such that the first conductor and the second conductor are exposed. The first conductor is electrically connected to the conductive pipe and the second conductor is electrically connected to the shield of the electrical cable just beyond an insulator segment of the conductive well pipe A radio frequency source is configured to apply a signal to the electrical cable. | 05-24-2012 |
20120125608 | TWINAXIAL LINEAR INDUCTION ANTENNA ARRAY FOR INCREASED HEAVY OIL RECOVERY - A radio frequency applicator and method for heating a hydrocarbon formation is disclosed. An aspect of at least one embodiment disclosed is a linear radio frequency applicator. It includes a transmission line and a current return path that is insulated from the transmission line. At least one conductive sleeve is positioned around the transmission line and the current return path. The transmission line and the current return path are electrically connected to the conductive sleeve. A radio frequency source is configured to apply a signal to the transmission line. When the linear applicator is operated, a circular magnetic field forms, which creates eddy current in the formation causing heavy hydrocarbons to flow. The heat is reliable as liquid water contact is not required. The applicator may operate in permafrost regions and without caprock. | 05-24-2012 |
20120125609 | TRIAXIAL LINEAR INDUCTION ANTENNA ARRAY FOR INCREASED HEAVY OIL RECOVERY - A radio frequency applicator and method for heating a hydrocarbon formation is disclosed. An aspect of at least one embodiment disclosed is a linear radio frequency (RF) applicator. It includes a transmission line and a current return path that is insulated from the transmission line and surrounds the transmission line to create a coaxial conductor. At least one conductive sleeve is positioned around the transmission line and the current return path. The transmission line and the current return path are electrically connected to the conductive sleeve. A radio frequency source is configured to apply a signal to the transmission line. When the linear applicator is operated, a circular magnetic field forms, which creates eddy current in the formation causing heavy hydrocarbons to flow. The applicator provides enhanced oil recovery where steam may not be used. | 05-24-2012 |
20120152536 | HEAT GENERATING SYSTEM FOR ENHANCING OIL RECOVERY - The instant invention pertains to a composition which may be useful for enhancing oil recovery. The composition typically comprises the reaction mixture of at least (a) two or more compounds capable of generating at least about 20 kcal to about 150 kcal per mole when contacted; (b) one or more suitable surfactants or one or more suitable polymers or a mixture thereof; and (c) oil. The invention also pertains to a method for enhancing oil recovery wherein a suitable system is injected through a wellbore into a reservoir to enhance mobility of oil. | 06-21-2012 |
20120152537 | AUGER FOR GAS AND LIQUID RECOVERY FROM REGOLITH - A resource recovery system includes a capture container located at a desired surface defining a capture volume between the surface and an interior of the capture container. One or more hole-making devices are located in the capture container to excavate soil from at least one hole in the surface. A heater located in the hole making device heats the excavated soil, releasing one or more compounds from the excavated soil. The capture container is configured to capture gas and/or liquid compounds released from the excavated soil. A method of resource extraction from soil includes covering a desired surface with a capture container defining a capture volume between the desired surface and an interior of the capture container. Soil is excavated from a hole in the desired surface into the capture volume with an auger. The auger heats the excavated soil thereby releasing one or more compounds into the capture volume. | 06-21-2012 |
20120234536 | ENHANCED RECOVERY AND IN SITU UPGRADING USING RF - A method for heating heavy oil inside a production well. The method raises the subsurface temperature of heavy oil by utilizing an activator that has been injected below the surface. The activator is then excited with a generated non-microwave frequency from 0.1 MHz to 300 MHz such that the excited activator heats the heavy oil. | 09-20-2012 |
20130048277 | METHOD FOR HYDROCARBON RESOURCE RECOVERY INCLUDING ACTUATOR OPERATED POSITIONING OF AN RF APPLICATOR AND RELATED APPARATUS - A method of hydrocarbon resource recovery from a subterranean formation may include forming a plurality of spaced apart injector/producer well pairs in the subterranean formation. Each injector/producer well pair may include a laterally extending producer well and a laterally extending injector well spaced thereabove. The method may include forming an intermediate well adjacent a given injector/producer well pair, and operating a positioning actuator to position a radio frequency (RF) applicator coupled to the positioning actuator to at least one predetermined location within the intermediate well. The method may further include supplying RF energy to the RF applicator at the at least one predetermined location within the intermediate well to selectively heat at least one corresponding portion of the subterranean formation adjacent the given injector/producer well pair. The method may also include recovering hydrocarbon resources from the plurality of injector/producer well pairs including the given injector/producer well pair. | 02-28-2013 |
20130105155 | METHOD OF PROCESSING A HYDROCARBON RESOURCE INCLUDING SUPPLYING RF ENERGY USING AN EXTENDED WELL PORTION | 05-02-2013 |
20130153217 | ENHANCING WATER RECOVERY IN SUBTERRANEAN WELLS WITH A CRYOGENIC PUMP - The present invention provides methods and apparatuses for the enhanced recovery of fluids from subterranean reservoirs using cryogenic fluids. Using the Earth's geothermal energy to warm cryogenic flood fluids injected into subterranean reservoirs, the pressure within the subterranean reservoir is increased. Consequently, the reservoir conductivity is enhanced due to thermal cracking, and improved sweep efficiency of the reservoir by the flood fluids is provided. This rise in pressure due to the injection of the cryogenic fluid increases the reservoir conductivity enhancement and improves sweep efficiency of the flood fluids, which leads to the production of more fluids from to the subterranean reservoirs. | 06-20-2013 |
20130192825 | HYDROCARBON RESOURCE HEATING APPARATUS INCLUDING UPPER AND LOWER WELLBORE RF RADIATORS AND RELATED METHODS - A device for heating a hydrocarbon resource in a subterranean formation having at least one pair of laterally extending upper and lower wellbores therein may include a radio frequency (RF) source. The device may also include an upper wellbore RF radiator to be positioned in the laterally extending upper wellbore and including a plurality of first terminals. The device may further include a lower wellbore RF radiator to be positioned in the laterally extending lower wellbore and comprising a plurality of second terminals. The device may also include an interconnection arrangement configured to couple the RF source and the first and second terminals so that at least one of the upper and lower wellbore RF radiators heat the hydrocarbon resource in the subterranean formation. | 08-01-2013 |
20140000885 | Multi-Stage Enhanced Oil Recovery Process | 01-02-2014 |
20140014336 | ENHANCING FLUID RECOVERY IN SUBTERRANEAN WELLS WITH A CRYOGENIC PUMP AND A CRYOGENIC FLUID MANUFACTURING PLANT - The present invention provides methods and apparatuses for the enhanced recovery of fluids from subterranean reservoirs using cryogenic fluids. Using the Earth's geothermal energy to warm cryogenic flood fluids injected into subterranean reservoirs, the pressure within the subterranean reservoir is increased. Consequently, the reservoir conductivity is enhanced due to thermal cracking, and improved sweep efficiency of the reservoir by the flood fluids is provided. This rise in pressure due to the injection of the cryogenic fluid increases the reservoir conductivity enhancement and improves sweep efficiency of the flood fluids, which leads to the production of more fluids from to the subterranean reservoirs. | 01-16-2014 |
20140102700 | MITIGATING THIEF ZONE LOSSES BY THIEF ZONE PRESSURE MAINTENANCE THROUGH DOWNHOLE RADIO FREQUENCY RADIATION HEATING - Methods are provided for mitigating thief zone losses during hydrocarbon recovery by thief zone pressure maintenance through downhole radio frequency (RF) radiation heating. A thief zone situated near a hydrocarbon reservoir poses a risk of losing valuable components from the reservoir to the thief zone. In addition to the risk of loss of diluent, heat, or steam to the thief zone, valuable hydrocarbons may also be lost to the thief zone. One way to mitigate these losses is by maintaining thief zone pressure. RF radiation may be used to heat a thief zone fluid to maintain pressure in the thief zone, decreasing the driving force for losses to the thief zone. In some cases, steam generated thusly may be used to enhance hydrocarbon thermal recovery. Advantages of methods herein include: lower costs, higher efficiencies, higher hydrocarbon recovery, less hydrocarbon contamination, increased hydrocarbon mobility, and fewer thief zone losses. | 04-17-2014 |
20140190691 | METHOD OF SELECTING A PRODUCTION WELL LOCATION IN A HYDROCARBON SUBSURFACE FORMATION - An in situ process for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation is provided. A method for treating a tar sands formation includes providing heat from one or more heaters to a hydrocarbon containing layer in the formation such that at least some hydrocarbons in the layer are mobilized; and producing at least some of the hydrocarbons through one or more production wells located in the hydrocarbon containing layer. At least one of the production wells is located at a selected depth in the hydrocarbon containing layer so that hydrocarbons of a selected quality are produced from a part of the hydrocarbon containing layer. | 07-10-2014 |
20140305640 | IN SITU THERMAL PROCESSING OF AN OIL SHALE FORMATION USING CONDUCTIVE HEATING - Methods and systems of treating an oil shale formation using an in situ thermal process are described herein. A method of treating an oil shale formation in situ includes providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion of the formation; allowing the heat to transfer from at least the portion to a selected section of the formation substantially by conduction of heat; pyrolyzing at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section of the formation; and producing a mixture from the formation. | 10-16-2014 |
20140311739 | ACCELERATION OF HEAVY OIL RECOVERY THROUGH DOWNHOLE RADIO FREQUENCY RADIATION HEATING - Heavy oil recovery using downhole radio frequency radiation heating accelerates SAGD thermal recovery processes. In one embodiment, one or more SAGD well pairs traverse a subterranean formation for recovering heavy oil. The SAGD well pairs each create a steam chamber which, over time, expands to allow each steam chamber to interact with one another and in this way, increases the recovery heavy oil from the formation. One or more antennas may be interposed between the steam chambers to introduce electromagnetic radiation into the formation to heat the fluids therein to accelerate expansion of the steam chambers, particularly where antennas are judiciously situated to optimize steam chamber expansion. Where an infill production well is present, the antennas may be situated to accelerate steam chamber communication with the infill production well. Advantages include lower cost, higher efficiencies, quicker and increased hydrocarbon recovery. | 10-23-2014 |
20140332209 | POLYOL FOR IMPROVING SWEEP EFFICIENCY IN OIL RESERVOIRS - The proposed method is an improved chemical flooding of an oil reservoir, especially one containing heavy oil or bitumen, that is cheaper than traditional chemical flooding techniques. This is obtained by viscosifying the displacing phase with a polyol, such as glycerol and/or its derivatives. Glycerol and its derivatives are an excellent additive because they are cheaper than the more commonly used chemicals, work only as a viscosifying agent, do not alter the reservoir properties, and have a wide range of viscosity facilitating the displacement of a wider range of heavy oils. This improved chemical flooding can be used with any other enhanced oil recovery technique, including thermal means, solvent assisted and polymer floodings. | 11-13-2014 |
20150322758 | SOLVENT INJECTION RECOVERY PROCESS - A process for the recovery of hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon bearing formation and in which are situated an upper injection well and a lower production well is presented. The region between the wells is preheated by circulating hot solvent through at least part of both of the wells until hydraulic communication between both wells is achieved. Solvent is injected into the upper injection well at or above its critical temperature and the solvent is pentane or a mixture of butane and pentane. A hot solvent chamber is created consisting of solvent vapour and liquid. Bitumen and solvent are mixed at the boundary of the solvent chamber so formed. The hydrocarbon and solvent are caused to be mixed to drain downwards by gravity and sideways by pressure gradient towards the lower production well. The mixture is produced to the surface through the lower production well. | 11-12-2015 |