US20090173491A1 - Method and system for extraction of hydrocarbons from oil shale and limestone formations - Google Patents
Method and system for extraction of hydrocarbons from oil shale and limestone formations Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20090173491A1 US20090173491A1 US12/278,509 US27850907A US2009173491A1 US 20090173491 A1 US20090173491 A1 US 20090173491A1 US 27850907 A US27850907 A US 27850907A US 2009173491 A1 US2009173491 A1 US 2009173491A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- limestone
- generator
- injection wells
- hydrocarbon products
- providing
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B43/00—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
- E21B43/25—Methods for stimulating production
- E21B43/26—Methods for stimulating production by forming crevices or fractures
- E21B43/263—Methods for stimulating production by forming crevices or fractures using explosives
- E21B43/2635—Methods for stimulating production by forming crevices or fractures using explosives by means of nuclear energy
Abstract
A system and method for extracting hydrocarbon products from limestone using nuclear energy sources for energy to fracture the limestone formations and provide sufficient heat and pressure to produce liquid and gaseous hydrocarbon products. Embodiments of the present invention also disclose steps for extracting the hydrocarbon products from the limestone formations.
Description
- This patent application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/600,992, filed on Nov. 17, 2006 and International Patent Application No. PCT/US07/04852, filed on 23 Feb. 2007. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/600,992 claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/765,667, filed on Feb. 6, 2006 and International Patent Application No. PCT/US07/04852 claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/766,435, filed on Feb. 24, 2006, the contents of each of these references being incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
- The present invention relates to using alternative energy sources to create a method and system that minimizes the cost of producing useable hydrocarbons from hydrocarbon-rich shales or “oil shales” and “limestone” geologic formations. The advantageous design of the present invention, which includes a system and method for the recovery of hydrocarbons, provides several benefits including minimizing energy input costs, limiting water use and reducing the emission of greenhouse gases and other emissions and effluents, such as carbon dioxide and other gases and liquids.
- Discovery of improved and economical systems and methods for extracting hydrocarbons from organic-rich rock formations, such as oil shale and limestone formations, has been a challenge for many years. Historically, a substantial amount of hydrocarbons are produced from subterranean reservoirs.
- The reservoirs can include organic-rich shale and limestone formations from which the hydrocarbons derive. The shale contains a hydrocarbon precursor known as kerogen. Kerogen is a complex organic material that can mature naturally to hydrocarbons when it is exposed to temperatures over 100° C. This process, however, can be extremely slow and takes place over geologic time.
- Immature oil shale formations are those that have yet to liberate their kerogen in the form of hydrocarbons. These organic rich rock formations represent a vast untapped energy source. The kerogen, however, must be recovered from the oil shale formations, which under prior known methods can be a complex and expensive undertaking, which may have a negative environmental impact such as greenhouse gases and other emissions and effluents, such as carbon dioxide and other gases and liquids.
- In a known method, kerogen-bearing oil shale near the surface can be mined and crushed and, in a process known as retorting, the crushed shale can then be heated to high temperatures to convert the kerogen to liquid hydrocarbons. There are, however, a number of drawbacks to surface production of shale oil including high costs of mining, crushing, and retorting the shale and a negative environmental impact, which also includes the cost of shale rubble disposal, site remediation and cleanup. In addition, many oil shale deposits are at depths that make surface mining impractical.
- In other methods, oil occurs in certain geologic formations at varying depths in the earth's crust. In many cases elaborate, expensive equipment is required for recovery. The oil is usually found trapped in a layer of porous sandstone, which lies beneath a dome-shaped or folded layer of some non-porous rock such as limestone. In other formations, the oil is trapped at a fault, or break in the layers of the crust.
- In the dome and folded formations of the limestone, natural gas is usually present below the non-porous layer and immediately above the oil. Below the oil layer, the sandstone is usually saturated with salt water. The oil is released from this formation by drilling a well and puncturing the limestone layer on either side of the limestone dome or fold.
- Attempts have been made to overcome the drawbacks of prior known methods of recovery by employing in situ (i.e., “in place”) processes. In situ processes can include techniques whereby the kerogen in oil shale is subjected to in situ heating through combustion, heating with other material or by electric heaters and radio frequencies in the shale formation itself. The shale is retorted and the resulting oil drained to the bottom of the rubble such that the oil is produced from wells. In still other attempts, in situ techniques have been described that include fracturing and heating the shale formations and limestone formations underground to release gases and oils. These types of techniques typically require finished hydrocarbons to produce thermal and electric energy and heat the shale and limestone formations, and may employ conventional hydro-fracturing techniques or explosive materials. These attempts, however, also continue to suffer from disadvantages such as negative environmental impacts, high fuel costs to produce thermal energy for heating and/or electricity, as well as high water consumption. In addition, these methods may have a negative environmental impact such as greenhouse gases and other emissions and effluents, such as carbon dioxide and other gases and liquids.
- Therefore, it would be desirable to overcome the disadvantages and drawbacks of the prior art with a method and system for recovering hydrocarbon products from rock formations, such as oil shale and limestone formations, which fracture the formation and heat the oil shale and/or limestone via thermal or electrically induced energy produced by a nuclear reactor. It would be desirable if the method and system can accelerate the maturation process of the precursors of crude oil and natural gas. It is most desirable that the method and system of the present invention is advantageously employed to minimize energy input costs, limit water use and reduce the emission of greenhouse gases and other emissions and effluents, such as carbon dioxide and other gases and liquids.
- Accordingly, a method and system is disclosed for recovering hydrocarbon products from rock formations, such as oil shale and limestone formations, which fracture the formation and heat the oil shale and/or limestone via thermal energy produced by a nuclear reactor for overcoming the disadvantages and drawbacks of the prior art. Desirably, the method and system can accelerate the maturation process of the precursors of crude oil and natural gas. The method and system may be advantageously employed to minimize energy input costs, limit water use and reduce the emission of greenhouse gases and other emissions and effluents, such as carbon dioxide and other gases and liquids. It is envisioned that the enhanced fracturing technologies disclosed can greatly increase the efficiency of producing oil from these limestone formations.
- In the method and system it is contemplated that supercritical material will be injected into the oil shale and/or limestone formations to produce fracturing and porosity that will maximize the production of useful hydrocarbons from the oil shale formation and limestone formations.
- In one particular embodiment, in accordance with the present disclosure, a method for recovering hydrocarbon products is provided. The method includes the steps of: producing thermal energy using a nuclear reactor; providing the thermal energy to a hot gas generator; providing a gas to the hot gas generator; producing a high pressure hot gas flow from the hot gas generator using a high pressure pump; injecting the high pressure hot gas flow into injection wells wherein the injection wells are disposed in a limestone formation; retorting limestone in the limestone formation using heat from the hot gas flow to produce hydrocarbon products; and extracting the hydrocarbon products from the recovery well. It is contemplated that the method, and the alternative embodiments discussed, include the injection wells, which may be disposed in rock formations that include oil shale and limestone, whereby oil shale and limestone is retorted. It is further contemplated that such rock formations only include oil shale.
- In an alternate embodiment, the method includes the steps of: generating electricity using a nuclear powered steam turbine; retorting limestone in a limestone formation using electric heaters powered by the electricity to produce hydrocarbon products; and extracting the hydrocarbon products from the injection well.
- In another alternate embodiment, the method includes the steps of: producing thermal energy using a nuclear reactor; providing the thermal energy to a molten salt or liquid metal generator; providing a salt or metal to the molten salt or liquid metal generator; producing a molten salt or liquid metal flow from the molten salt or liquid metal generator using a pump; injecting the molten salt or liquid metal flow into bayonet injection wells wherein the injection wells are disposed in a limestone formation; retorting limestone in limestone formation using heat from the molten salt or liquid metal flow to produce hydrocarbon products; and extracting the hydrocarbon products from the recovery well.
- In another alternate embodiment, the method includes the steps of: generating electricity using a nuclear powered steam turbine; retorting in a limestone formation using radio frequencies powered by the electricity to produce hydrocarbon products; and extracting the hydrocarbon products from the recovery well.
- The present invention provides a system and method for extracting hydrocarbon products from oil shale and/or limestone formations using nuclear reactor sources for energy to fracture the oil shale formations and/or limestone formations and provide sufficient heat and/or electric power to produce liquid and gaseous hydrocarbon products. Embodiments of the present invention also disclose steps for extracting the hydrocarbon products from the oil shale and/or limestone formations.
- Oil shale and limestone contain the precursors of crude oil and natural gas. The method and system can be employed to artificially speed the maturation process of these precursors by first fracturing the formation using supercritical materials to increase both porosity and permeability, and then heat the shale and/or limestone to increase the temperature of the formation above naturally occurring heat created by an overburden pressure. The use of a nuclear reactor may reduce energy input cost as compared to employing finished hydrocarbons to produce thermal energy and/or electricity. Nuclear reactors produce the supercritical temperature in the range from 200° to 1100° C. (depending on the material to be used) necessary for increasing the pressure used in the fracturing process compared to conventional hydro fracturing and/or the use of explosives. In oil shale and limestone formations, the maximization of fracturing is advantageous to hydrocarbon accumulation and recovery. Generally, massive shales and limestone formations in their natural state have very limited permeability and porosity.
- In addition, limiting water use is also beneficial. The use of large quantities of water has downstream implications in terms of water availability and pollution. The method and system may significantly reduce water use.
- Further, the use of natural gas/coal/oil for an input energy source creates greenhouse gases and other emissions and effluents, such as carbon dioxide and other gases. An increasingly large number of earth scientists believe that greenhouse gases contribute to a phenomenon popularly described as “global warming”. The method and system of the present disclosure can significantly reduce the emission of greenhouse gases.
- The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
-
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a method and system for fracturing oil shale and/or limestone formations using a nuclear energy source in accordance with the principles of the present invention; -
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of directionally drilled shafts used at an extraction site, in accordance with the principles of the present invention; -
FIG. 3 is a process energy flow diagram of the method and system shown inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a method and system for retorting oil shale and/or limestone using a nuclear energy source in accordance with the principles of the present invention; -
FIG. 5 is a process energy flow diagram of the method and system shown inFIG. 4 ; -
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an alternate embodiment of the method and system shown inFIG. 4 ; -
FIG. 7 is a process energy flow diagram of the method and system shown inFIG. 6 ; -
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of an alternate embodiment of the method and system shown inFIG. 4 ; -
FIG. 9 is a process energy flow diagram of the method and system shown inFIG. 8 ; -
FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of an alternate embodiment of the method and system shown inFIG. 4 ; and -
FIG. 11 is a process energy flow diagram of the method and system shown inFIG. 10 . - The exemplary embodiments of the method and system for extracting hydrocarbon products using alternative energy sources to fracture oil shale formations and/or limestone formations and heat the oil shale and/or limestone to produce liquid and gaseous hydrocarbon products are discussed in terms of recovering hydrocarbon products from rock formations and more particularly, in terms of recovering such hydrocarbon products from the oil shale and limestone formations via thermal energy produced by a nuclear reactor. The method and system of recovering hydrocarbons may accelerate the maturation process of the precursors of crude oil and natural gas. It is contemplated that such a method and system as disclosed herein can be employed to minimize energy input costs, limit water use and reduce the emission of greenhouse gases and other emissions and effluents, such as carbon dioxide and other gases and liquids. The use of a nuclear reactor to produce thermal energy reduces energy input costs and avoids reliance on finished hydrocarbon products to produce thermal energy and the related drawbacks associated therewith and discussed herein. It is envisioned that the present disclosure may be employed with a range of recovery applications for oil shale and/or limestone extraction including other in situ techniques, such as combustion and alternative heating processes, and surface production methods. It is further envisioned that the present disclosure may be used for the recovery of materials other than hydrocarbons or their precursors disposed in subterranean locations.
- The following discussion includes a description of the method and system for recovering hydrocarbons in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. Alternate embodiments are also disclosed. Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, which are illustrated in the accompanying figures. Turning now to
FIG. 1 , there is illustrated a method and system for recovering hydrocarbon products, such as, for example, asystem 20 for fracturing and retorting oil shale and/or limestone using a nuclear reactor and an associated thermal transfer system, in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. - The nuclear reactor and thermal components of
system 20 are suitable for recovery applications. Examples of such nuclear reactor and thermal components are provided herein, although alternative equipment may be selected and/or preferred, as determined by one skilled in the art. - Detailed embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed herein, however, it is to be understood that the described embodiments are merely exemplary of the disclosure, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present disclosure in virtually any appropriately detailed embodiment.
- In one aspect of
system 20 and its associated method of operation, alimestone extraction site 22 is selected for recovery of hydrocarbon products and treatment of the precursors of oil and gas. It is envisioned thatsystem 20 and its associated method, and the alternate embodiments discussed below, may be employed with an extraction site, which includes oil shale and limestone formations for recovery of hydrocarbon products and precursors. It is further envisioned that such an extraction site may only include oil shale formations. - Site selection will be based on subsurface mapping using existing borehole data such as well logs and core samples and ultimately data from new holes drilled in a regular grid. Areas with higher concentrations of relatively mature kerogen, and limestone formations and lithology favorable to fracturing will be selected. Geophysical well log data where available, including resistivity, conductivity, sonic logs and so on will be employed. Seismic data is desirable; however, core analysis is a reliable method of determining actual porosity and permeability which is related to both efficient heating and extraction of the end product, usable hydrocarbons. Grain size and distribution is also desirable. Areas where there is high drilling density and reliable data with positive indications in the data would be ideal. Geochemical analysis is also desirable to the process as limestone formations tend to have very complicated geochemical characteristics. Surface geochemistry is desirable in a localized sense. Structural features and depositional environments are desirable in a more area or regional sense. Reconstruction of depositional environments and post-depositional dynamics are desirable. Three dimensional computer modeling provided there is enough accurate data would be desirable. As experience is gained in the optimal parameters for exploitation, the entire process and system can be modulated in its application to different sub-surface environments.
- At selected
site 22, asurface level 24 is drilled for extraction of core samples (not shown) using suitable drilling equipment for a rock formation application, as is known to one skilled in the art. The core samples are extracted fromsite 22 and geological information is taken from the core samples. These core samples are analyzed to determine ifsite 22 selected is suitable for recovery of hydrocarbons and treatment of the precursors of oil and gas. - If the core samples have the desired characteristics,
site 22 will be deemed suitable for attempting to extract hydrocarbons from limestone formations. Alternatively,site 22 may be deemed suitable for extraction of limestone and oil shale, or oil shale only. Accordingly, a strategy and design is formulated for constructing fracturing wells and retort injection wells, as will be discussed below. Joints, fractures and depositional weaknesses will be exploited in order to maximize the effect of this method of fracturing. Ideally areas can be identified which have experienced a relatively higher degree of naturally occurring fracturing due to folding and faulting as observed in the coastal areas of central California. Piping arrays will be oriented in concert with these existing weaknesses in order to create the maximum disruption of the rock matrix. The nuclear reactor placement will also be formulated and planned for implementation, as well any other infrastructure placements necessary for implementation of the system and method. It is contemplated that if the core samples taken from the selected site are not found to have the desired characteristics, an alternate site may be selected.Site 22 is also prepared for installation and related construction of asupercritical material generator 28 and other components including high pressure pumps 30 and drilling equipment (not shown). - In another aspect of
system 20, installation and related construction ofnuclear reactor 26 and the components of the thermal transfer system atsite 22 is performed. Plumbing equipment (not shown) is constructed and installed. Amaterial supply 34 is connected to the plumbing equipment and the components of the thermal transfer system. Electrical equipment (not shown) is wired and installed. Off-site electric connections (if available) are made to the electrical equipment. If off-site electric connections are not available, then a small stream of energy from the nuclear reactor may be generated using a conventional electric generator (not shown). It is contemplated that plumbing equipment and electrical equipment are employed that are suitable for an oil shale and/or limestone formation extraction application and more particularly, for recovery of hydrocarbons and treatment of their precursors, as is known to one skilled in the art. - It is envisioned that
nuclear reactor 26 may be a small or large scale nuclear reactor employed withsystem 20 in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.Nuclear reactor 26 is a thermal source used to providethermal energy 32 to fracture an oil shale formation and/or limestone formations (not shown).Nuclear reactor 26 is sized to be located at or near the oil shale formation and/or limestone formations ofsite 22. It is envisioned that the thermal rating ofnuclear reactor 26 is between 20 MWth to 3000 MWth. For example, a nuclear reactor, such as the Toshiba 4S reactor, may be used. These reactors can include all generation III, III+ and IV reactors, including but not limited to Pressurized Water Reactors, Boiling Water Reactors, CANDU reactors, Advanced Gas Reactors, ESBWR, Very High Temperature Reactors, helium or other gas cooled reactors, liquid sodium cooled reactors, liquid lead cooled rectors or other liquid metal cooled reactors, molten salt reactors, Super Critical Water Reactors, and all next generation nuclear plant designs. -
Supercritical material generator 28 is constructed and installed atsite 22.Nuclear reactor 26 is coupled tosupercritical material generator 28, as is known to one skilled in the art, for the transfer ofthermal energy 32.Material supply source 34 deliversmaterial 35 tosupercritical material generator 28.System 20 employssupercritical material generator 28, in cooperation withnuclear reactor 26 as the thermal source, to producesupercritical material 36 for fracturing oil shale formations and/or limestone formations. It is contemplated that a number of materials may be generated bysupercritical material generator 28 for fracturing, such as water, carbon dioxide and nitrogen, among others. - The use of
supercritical material 36 is employed to enhance permeability and porosity of an oil shale formation and/or limestone formations through fracturing. Studies have shown that supercritical material can be effectively used to permeate and fracture rock formations. (See, e.g., 14th International Conference on the Properties of Water and Steam in Kyoto, Sergei Fomin*, Shin-ichi Takizawa and Toshiyuki Hashida, Mathematical Model of the Laboratory Experiment that Simulates the Hydraulic Fracturing of Rocks under Supercritical Water Conditions, Fracture and Reliability Research Institute, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8579, Japan), which is incorporated herein in its entirety. Other supercritical material has been used in other applications. - Systems to manage the extremely high pressures must be installed in order to safely operate the entire apparatus. Placement of blowout preventers and pressure relief valves will be integrated into the system and carefully monitored particularly at the outset of testing the process.
- High pressure pumps 30 are installed at
site 22 and coupled tosupercritical material generator 28 for injectingsupercritical material 36 into the limestone formations. High pressure pumps 30 deliversupercritical material 36 to the limestoneformations fracturing wells 38 at high pressure.Supercritical material 36 is delivered at high pressures to the limestone formations to achieve maximum permeability therein. It is envisioned that high pressure pumps 30 deliver pressures in the range between 50 and 500 MPa or higher. These pumps may be centrifugal or other types of pumps. The high pressure pumps and required remote pumping stations (not shown) may be designed for remote operation using the pipeline SCADA (Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition) systems and may be equipped with protection equipment such as intake and discharge pressure controllers and automatic shutoff devices in case of departure from design operating conditions. Alternatively, pumps 30 may be installed atsite 22 having limestone and oil shale formations, or only oil shale. - It is further envisioned that an optimal injection parameters can be determined based on the formation characteristics and other factors. Geologic environments can vary locally and regionally. As well as discussed above,
system 20 may include various high pressure pump configurations such as a series of multiple pumps to achieve optimal results. The described supercritical material distribution system is constructed and installed atsite 22, as is known to one skilled in the art. All systems are tested and a shakedown integration is performed. - An
infrastructure 39 for fracturing wells 38 (FIG. 1 ) is constructed atsite 22, as shown inFIG. 2 . Adrilling rig 40 with equipment designed for accurate directional drilling is brought on site. It will be very important to accurately determine the location of the bit while drilling. Many recent innovations in rig and equipment design make this possible. Rigs may be leased on a day or foot rate and are brought in piece by piece for large rigs and can be truck mounted for small rigs. Truck mounted rigs can drill to depths of 2200 feet or more 24 ofsite 22, as is known to one skilled in the art.Drilling rig 40 is disposed adjacent avertical drill hole 42 from which horizontal drill holes 44, which may be disposed at orthogonal, angular or non-orthogonal orientations relative tovertical drill hole 42, are formed. Limestoneformation fracturing wells 38 are installed withinfrastructure 39 ofsite 22. Limestoneformation fracturing wells 38 injectsupercritical material 36 into drill holes 42, 44 of the limestone formation andsite 22. Alternatively,wells 38 may be configured for limestone and oil shale formations, or only oil shale. - Directional drilling is employed to maximize the increase in permeability and porosity of the oil shale formation and/or limestone formations and maximize the oil shale formation and/or limestone formation's exposure to induced heat. The configuration of horizontal drill holes 44 can be formulated based on geological characteristics of the oil shale formation and limestone formations as determined by core drilling and geophysical investigation. These characteristics include depositional unconformities, orientation of the bedding planes, schistosity, as well as structural disruptions within the formations as a consequence of tectonics. Existing weaknesses in the oil shale formations and/or limestone formations may be exploited including depositional unconformities, stress fractures and faulting.
- An illustration of the energy flow of
system 20 for the limestone formations fracturing operations (FIG. 1 ), as shown inFIG. 3 , includesnuclear energy 46 generated fromnuclear reactor 26.Nuclear energy 46 createsthermal energy 32 that is transferred tosupercritical material generator 28 for producingsupercritical material 36.Supercritical material 36 is delivered to high pressure pumps 30.Pump energy 48 putssupercritical material 36 under high pressure. - High pressure pumps 30 deliver
supercritical material 36 to fracturingwells 38 withsufficient energy 50 to cause fracturing in the limestone formations. Such fracturing force increases porosity and permeability of the limestone formations through hydraulic stimulation under supercritical conditions. Residual supercritical materials from the fracturing operations are recovered via amaterial recovery system 45 and re-introduced tosupercritical material generator 28 viamaterial supply 34 using suitable conduits, as known to one skilled in the art. It is envisioned that a material recovery system is employed to minimize the consumption of material used to fracture the limestone formations. A recycling system may be deployed in order to also minimize any groundwater pollution and recycle material where possible. - In another aspect of
system 20, the fracturing operations employing the supercritical material distribution system described and limestoneformations fracturing wells 38 are initiated.Nuclear reactor 26 and the material distribution system are run. Fracturing of the limestone formations viawells 38 is conducted to increase permeability and porosity of the limestone formations for heat inducement. The fracturing process in the limestone formation atsite 22 is tracked via readings taken. Based on these reading values, formulations are conducted to determine when the fracturing is advanced to a desired level. One method of determining the level of fracturing would be take some type of basically inert material, circulate it downhole, and read the amount and rate of material loss. In other words, measure the “leakage” into the formation. Gases may also be employed with the amount of pressure loss being used to measure the degree of fracturing. These measurements would be compared to “pre-fracturing” level. This method would be particularly helpful in the case of microfracturing. Core samples are extracted from the fractured limestone formations. These samples are analyzed. The analysis results are used to formulate and plan for implementation of a drilling scheme for the injection wells for retort and perforation wells for product recovery. Alternatively, the discussed fracturing operations may be employed with limestone and oil shale formations, or only oil shale. - In another aspect of
system 20,limestone fracturing wells 38 are dismantled frominfrastructure 39. Initially, operation ofnuclear reactor 26 is temporarily discontinued in cold or hot shutdown depending on the particular reactor's characteristics. Limestoneformations fracturing wells 38 are dismantled and removed frominfrastructure 39 ofsite 22. Retort wells and perforation recovery wells (not shown) are constructed withinfrastructure 39, in place of the limestoneformations fracturing wells 38, and installed atsite 22 for connection with drill holes 42, 44. Exemplary embodiments of retort systems for use withsystem 20, in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure, will be described in detail with regard toFIGS. 4-11 discussed below. - The retort wells transfer heated materials to the fractured limestone formations for heat inducement. The exposure of the limestone to heat in connection with high pressure accelerates the maturation of the hydrocarbon precursors, such as kerogen, which forms liquefied and gaseous hydrocarbon products. In limestone formations, oil can be extracted using conventional techniques. During the retort operations, hydrocarbons accumulate. A suitable recovery system is constructed for hydrocarbon recovery, as will be discussed.
Nuclear reactor 26 is restarted for retort operations, as described. All systems are tested and a shakedown integration is performed. - In another aspect of
system 20, the retort operations employing the retort wells and perforation recovery wells are initiated for product recovery. The retort wells and the perforation wells are run and operational. In one particular embodiment, as shown inFIG. 4 ,system 20 includes a retort system 120 for retort operations relating to the fractured limestone formations atsite 22, similar to that described with regard toFIGS. 1-3 .Site 22 is prepared for installation and related construction of retort system 120, which includes gas handling equipment and thermal transfer system components, which will be described. - Retort system 120 employs hot gases that are injected into the fractured limestone formations to induce heating and accelerate the maturation process of hydrocarbon precursors as discussed.
Nuclear reactor 26 discussed above, is a thermal source that providesthermal energy 132 to retort the limestone formation in-situ.Nuclear reactor 26 is sized to be located at or nearsite 22 of the fractured limestone formation. It is envisioned that the thermal rating ofnuclear reactor 26 is between 20 MWth to 3000 MWth. It is further contemplated that hydrogen generated bynuclear reactor 26 can be used to enhance the value of carbon bearing material, which may resemble char and be recoverable. A hydrogen generator (not shown), either electrolysis, thermal or other may be attached to thenuclear reactor 26 to generate hydrogen for this use. Alternatively, the retort wells and recovery wells may be employed with limestone and oil shale formation applications, or only oil shale. - A
gas injection system 134 is installed atsite 22.Gas injection system 134 delivers gas to ahot gas generator 128.Hot gas generator 128 is constructed and installed atsite 22. There are many types of hot gas generators available for this type of application including, but not limited to boilers and the like.Nuclear reactor 26 is coupled tohot gas generator 128, as is known to one skilled in the art, for the transfer ofthermal energy 132.System 20 employshot gas generator 128, in cooperation withnuclear reactor 26 as the thermal source, to producehot gas 136 for retort of the fractured limestone formations. - It is envisioned that the thermal output of
nuclear reactor 26 can be used to heat various types of gases for injection to retort the oil shale and/or limestone formations such as air, carbon dioxide, oxygen, nitrogen, methane, acetic acid, steam or other appropriate gases other appropriate combinations. Other gases can also be injected secondarily to maximize the retort process if appropriate. - High pressure pumps 130 are installed at
site 22 and coupled tohot gas generator 128 for injectinghot gas 136 into the fractured limestone formations. High pressure pumps 130 puthot gas 136 into a high pressure state to promote the retort of the limestone formations. It is envisioned thatsystem 20 may include various high pressure pump configurations including multiple pumps and multiple gases to maximize the effectiveness of the retort operation. - Limestone asset heating
retort injection wells 138 are installed with the infrastructure ofsystem 20, as discussed.Hot gas 136 is transferred toinjection wells 138 and injected into the fractured limestone formation. The use of horizontal drilling described with regard toFIG. 3 , can be employed to maximize the limestone and/or oil shale formation's exposure to heat necessary to form both gaseous and liquefied hydrocarbons. It may take between 2-4 years for the formation of sufficient kerogen to be commercially recoverable. After that recovery may occur on a commercial level for between 3-30 years or more. - A
product recovery system 160 is constructed atsite 22.Product recovery system 160 may be a conventional hydrocarbon recovery system or other suitable system that addresses the recovery requirements and is coupled with perforation recovery wells 120 (not shown) for collection of gaseous and liquefied hydrocarbons that are released during the retort process. An illustration of the energy flow ofsystem 20 with retort system 120 for limestone retorting operations (FIG. 4 ), as shown inFIG. 5 , includesnuclear energy 146 generated fromnuclear reactor 26. Gas is delivered fromgas injection system 134 tohot gas generator 128.Nuclear energy 146 createsthermal energy 132 that is transferred tohot gas generator 128 for producinghot gas 136.Hot gas 136 is delivered to high pressure pumps 130.Pump energy 148 putshot gas 136 under high pressure. - High pressure pumps 130 deliver
hot gas 136 toretort injection wells 138 withsufficient energy 150 to transferhot gas 136 to the fractured limestone formations for heat inducement for retort operations. The exposure of the limestone to heat in connection with high pressure accelerates the maturation of the hydrocarbon precursors, such as kerogen, which forms liquefied and gaseous hydrocarbons. During the retort operations,hydrocarbon products 162 accumulate.Hydrocarbon products 162 are extracted and collected byproduct recovery system 160. Residual gas from the retorting operations is recovered via agas recycle system 145 and reinjected tohot gas generator 128 viagas injection system 134. It is envisioned that a gas recovery system is employed to minimize the consumption of gas used to retort the fractured limestone formation. - In an alternate embodiment, as shown in
FIG. 6 ,system 20 includes aretort system 220 for retort operations relating to the fractured limestone formations atsite 22, similar to those described.Site 22 is prepared for installation and related construction ofretort system 220, which includes a steam generator and thermal transfer system components, as will be described. -
Retort system 220 employs heat generated by electric heaters inserted into holes drilled into the fractured limestone formations ofsite 22. The heat generated induces heating of the fractured limestone formations to accelerate the maturation process of hydrogen precursors, as discussed.Nuclear reactor 26 discussed above, is a thermal source that cooperates with asteam generator 228 to power asteam turbine 230 for generating steam that may be used to drive anelectric generator 234 to produce the electric energy to retort the fractured limestone formation in-situ. If a conventional pressurized water reactor or similar non-boiling water reactor is used, a heat exchanger (not shown) may be required.Nuclear reactor 26 is sized to be located at or nearsite 22 of the fractured limestone formation. It is envisioned that the electric capacity rating ofnuclear reactor 26 is between 50 MWe to 2000 MWe. It is contemplated that the hydrogen generated bynuclear reactor 26 can be used to enhance the value of carbon bearing material, which may resemble char, so it will be recoverable. A hydrogen generator (not shown), either electrolysis, thermal or other may be attached to thenuclear reactor 26 to generate hydrogen for this use. -
Water supply 34 delivers water to steamgenerator 228, which is constructed and installed atsite 22.Nuclear reactor 26 is coupled tosteam generator 228, as is known to one skilled in the art, for the transfer ofthermal energy 232.System 20 employssteam generator 228, in cooperation withnuclear reactor 26 as the thermal source, to producesteam 236 to activatesteam turbine 230 for operating an electric generator to provide electric energy for the retort of the fractured limestone formations. If a conventional pressurized water reactor or similar non-boiling water reactor is used a heat exchanger (not shown) may be required. -
Steam generator 228 is coupled tosteam turbine 230, in a manner as is known to one skilled in the art.Steam 236 fromsteam generator 228 flows intosteam turbine 230 to providemechanical energy 237 to anelectric generator 234.Steam turbine 230 is coupled toelectric generator 234, in a manner as is known to one skilled in the art, andmechanical energy 237 generates current 239 fromelectric generator 234. It is contemplated that current 239 may include alternating current or direct current. - Current 239 from
electric generator 234 is delivered to limestone asset electric heatingretort injection wells 238.Injection wells 238 employ electric resistance heaters (not shown), which are mounted with holes drilled into the fractured limestone formations ofsite 22, to promote the retort of the limestone. The electric resistance heaters heat the subsurface of fractured limestone formations to approximately 343 degrees C. (650 degrees F.) over a 3 to 4 year period. Upon duration of this time period, production of both gaseous and liquefied hydrocarbons are recovered in aproduct recovery system 260. -
Product recovery system 260 is constructed atsite 22.Product recovery system 260 is coupled withinjection wells 238 or perforation recovery wells for collection of gaseous and liquefied hydrocarbons that are released during the retort process. An illustration of the energy flow ofsystem 20 with retort system 220 (FIG. 6 ) for limestone retorting operations, as shown inFIG. 7 , includesnuclear energy 246 generated fromnuclear reactor 26.Nuclear energy 246 createsthermal energy 232 that is transferred tosteam generator 228 for producingsteam 236. If a conventional pressurized water reactor or similar non-boiling water reactor is used a heat exchanger (not shown) may be required.Steam 236 is delivered tosteam turbine 230, which producesmechanical energy 237.Mechanical energy 237 generates current 239 fromelectric generator 234. - Current 239 delivers
electric energy 241 to the electric heating elements to heat the fractured limestone formations for heat inducement. The exposure of the limestone to heat accelerates the maturation of the hydrocarbon precursors, such as kerogen, which forms liquefied and gaseous hydrocarbons. During the retort operations, hydrocarbon products accumulate. The hydrocarbon products are extracted and collected byproduct recovery system 260. Alternatively,retort system 220,product recovery system 260, and related components may be employed with limestone and oil shale formation applications, or only oil shale. - In another alternate embodiment, as shown in
FIG. 8 ,system 20 includes aretort system 320 for retort operations relating to the fractured limestone formations atsite 22, similar to that described.Site 22 is prepared for installation and related construction ofretort system 320, which includes a molten salt or liquid metal generator, bayonet heaters and thermal transfer system components, which will be described. -
Retort system 320 employs molten salts or liquid metal, which are injected into the fractured limestone formations to accelerate the maturation process of hydrocarbon precursors as discussed.Nuclear reactor 26 is a thermal source that providesthermal energy 332 to retort the fractured limestone formation in-situ.Nuclear reactor 26 is sized to be located at or nearsite 22 of the fractured limestone formation. It is envisioned that the thermal rating ofnuclear reactor 26 is between 20 MWth to 3000 MWth. It is further contemplated that hydrogen generated bynuclear reactor 26 can be used to enhance the value of carbon bearing material, which may resemble char and be recoverable. A hydrogen generator (not shown), either electrolysis, thermal or other may be attached to thenuclear reactor 26 to generate hydrogen for this use. - A
salt injection system 334 is installed atsite 22.Salt injection system 334 delivers salts to amolten salt generator 328.Molten salt generator 328 is constructed and installed atsite 22.Nuclear reactor 26 is coupled tomolten salt generator 328, as is known to one skilled in the art, for the transfer ofthermal energy 332.System 20 employsmolten salt generator 328, in cooperation withnuclear reactor 26 as the thermal source, to producemolten salt 336 for retort of the fractured limestone formations. - It is envisioned that the thermal output of
nuclear reactor 26 can be used to heat various types of salts for injection to retort the limestone, such as halide salts, nitrate salts, fluoride salts, and chloride salts. It is further envisioned that liquid metals may be used withretort system 320 as an alternative to salts, which includes the use of a metal injection system and a liquid metal generator. The thermal output ofnuclear reactor 26 can be used to heat various types of metals for injection to retort the limestone, including alkali metals such as sodium. -
Pumps 330 are installed atsite 22 and coupled tomolten salt generator 328 for injectingmolten salt 336 into the fractured limestone formations.Pumps 330 are coupled to limestone asset heatingretort injection wells 338 to delivermolten salt 336 for the retort of the fractured limestone formations. It is envisioned thatsystem 20 may include various pump configurations including multiple pumps to maximize the effectiveness of the retort operation. It is further envisioned thatpumps 331 may be employed to recover residual molten salt, after retort operations, for return tomolten salt generator 328, as part of the recovery and recycling system ofretort system 320 discussed below. - Limestone asset heating
retort injection wells 338 are installed with the infrastructure ofsystem 20, as discussed.Molten salt 336 is transferred toinjection wells 338 and injected into the fractured limestone formation. The use of horizontal drilling described with regard toFIG. 3 , can be employed to maximize the limestone formation exposure to heat necessary to form both gaseous and liquefied hydrocarbons. It may take between 2-4 years for the formation of sufficient kerogen to be commercially recoverable. After that recovery may occur on a commercial level for between 3-30 years or more. - A
product recovery system 360 is constructed atsite 22.Product recovery system 360 may be coupled withinjection wells 338 for collection of gaseous and liquefied hydrocarbons that are released during the retort process or may be perforation recovery wells. An illustration of the energy flow ofsystem 20 with retort system 320 (FIG. 8 ) for limestone retorting operations, as shown inFIG. 9 , includesnuclear energy 346 generated fromnuclear reactor 26. Salt is delivered fromsalt injection system 334 tomolten salt generator 328. -
Nuclear energy 346 createsthermal energy 332 that is transferred tomolten salt generator 328 for producingmolten salt 336.Molten salt 336 is delivered topumps 330 and pumpenergy 348 deliversmolten salt 336 toretort injection wells 338 withsufficient energy 350 to transfermolten salt 336 to the fractured limestone formations for heat inducement. The exposure of the limestone to heat accelerates the maturation of the hydrocarbon precursors, such as kerogen, which forms liquefied and gaseous hydrocarbons. During the retort operations,hydrocarbon products 362 accumulate.Hydrocarbon products 362 are extracted and collected byproduct recovery system 360. Residualmolten salt 364 from the retorting operations are recovered via asalt recovery system 345 and reinjected tomolten salt generator 328 viapumps 331 andsalt injection system 334. It is envisioned thatsalt recovery system 345 is employed to minimize the consumption of salt used to retort the fractured limestone formation. Alternatively,retort system 320,product recovery system 360 and related components may be employed with limestone and oil shale formation applications, or only oil shale. - In another alternate embodiment, as shown in
FIG. 10 ,system 20 includes aretort system 420 for retort operations relating to the fractured limestone formations atsite 22, similar to those described.Site 22 is prepared for installation and related construction ofretort system 420, which includes a steam generator, oscillators and thermal transfer system components, as will be described. -
Retort system 420 employs heat generated by oscillators, which are mounted with the fractured limestone formations ofsite 22. The heat generated induces heating of the fractured limestone formations to accelerate the maturation process of hydrogen precursors, as discussed.Nuclear reactor 26 discussed above, is a thermal source that cooperates with asteam generator 228 to power asteam turbine 230 for generating the electric energy to retort the fractured limestone formation in-situ.Nuclear reactor 26 is sized to be located at or nearsite 22 of the fractured limestone formation. It is envisioned that the electric capacity rating ofnuclear reactor 26 is between 50 MWe to 3000 MWe. It is contemplated that the hydrogen generated bynuclear reactor 26 can be used to enhance the value of carbon bearing material, which may resemble char, so it will be recoverable. A hydrogen generator (not shown), either electrolysis, thermal or other may be attached to thenuclear reactor 26 to generate hydrogen for this use. -
Water supply 34 delivers water to steamgenerator 228, which is constructed and installed atsite 22.Nuclear reactor 26 is coupled tosteam generator 228, in a manner as is known to one skilled in the art, for the transfer ofthermal energy 232.System 20 employssteam generator 228, in cooperation withnuclear reactor 26 as the thermal source, to producesteam 236 to activatesteam turbine 230 for retort of the fractured limestone formations. -
Steam generator 228 is coupled tosteam turbine 230, in a manner as is known to one skilled in the art.Steam 236 fromsteam generator 228 flows intosteam turbine 230 to providemechanical energy 237 to anelectric generator 234.Steam turbine 230 is coupled toelectric generator 234, andmechanical energy 237 generates current 239 fromelectric generator 234. It is contemplated that current 239 may include alternating current or direct current. - Current 239 from
electric generator 234 is delivered tooscillators 438. The electric power delivered tooscillators 438 via current 239 creates a radio frequency having a wavelength where the attenuation is compatible with the well spacing to provide substantially uniform heat. - A
product recovery system 460 is constructed atsite 22.Product recovery system 460 is connected with the recovery wells for collection of gaseous and liquefied hydrocarbons that are released during the retort process. An illustration of the energy flow ofsystem 20 with retort system 420 (FIG. 10 ) for limestone retorting operations, as shown inFIG. 11 , includesnuclear energy 446 generated fromnuclear reactor 26.Nuclear energy 446 createsthermal energy 232 that is transferred tosteam generator 228 for producing steam.Steam 236 is delivered tosteam turbine 230, which producesmechanical energy 237.Mechanical energy 237 generates current 239 fromelectric generator 234. - Current 239 delivers electric energy to
oscillators 438 to createradio frequencies 241 to heat the fractured limestone formations for heat inducement. The exposure of the limestone to heat accelerates the maturation of the hydrocarbon precursors, such as kerogen, which forms liquefied and gaseous hydrocarbons. During the retort operations, hydrocarbon products accumulate. The hydrocarbon products are extracted and collected byproduct recovery system 460. Alternatively,retort system 420,product recovery system 460 and related components may be employed with limestone and oil shale formation applications, or only oil shale. - It will be understood that various modifications may be made to the embodiments disclosed herein. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplification of the various embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto.
Claims (22)
1. A method for recovering hydrocarbon products, the method comprising the steps of:
producing thermal energy using a nuclear reactor;
providing said thermal energy to a supercritical material generator;
providing a material to said supercritical material generator;
producing a supercritical material flow from said supercritical material generator using a high pressure pump;
injecting said supercritical material flow into fracturing wells wherein said fracturing wells are disposed in an limestone formation; and
fracturing said limestone formation using heat of said supercritical material flow from said fracturing wells.
2. A method as recited in claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
providing said thermal energy to a hot gas generator;
providing a gas to said hot gas generator;
producing a high pressure hot gas flow from said hot gas generator using a high pressure pump; and
injecting said high pressure hot gas flow into injection wells wherein said injection wells are disposed in said limestone formation.
3. A method as recited in claim 2 , further comprising the steps of:
retorting limestone in said limestone formation using heat from said hot gas flow to produce hydrocarbon products; and
extracting said hydrocarbon products from said injection wells.
4. A method as recited in claim 3 , wherein the step of extracting includes a product recovery system coupled to said injection wells in a configuration for collection of gaseous and liquefied hydrocarbons released during the step of retorting.
5. A method as recited in claim 3 , further comprising the step of recovering residual gas from the step of retorting via a recycle system, said residual gas being injected with said hot gas generator.
6. A method as recited in claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
providing said thermal energy to a steam generator;
providing water to said steam generator;
producing steam from said steam generator;
injecting said steam into a steam turbine to generate mechanical energy;
providing said mechanical energy to an electric generator;
generating current from said electric generator from said mechanical energy; and
powering electric resistance heaters with said current, said heaters being disposed with injection wells wherein said injection wells are disposed in said limestone formation.
7. A method as recited in claim 6 , further comprising the steps of:
retorting limestone in said limestone formation using heat from said heaters to produce hydrocarbon products; and
extracting said hydrocarbon products from said injection wells.
8. A method as recited in claim 7 , wherein the step of extracting includes a product recovery system coupled to said injection wells in a configuration for collection of gaseous and liquefied hydrocarbons released during the step of retorting.
9. A method as recited in claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
providing said thermal energy to a molten salt or liquid metal generator;
providing a salt or metal to said molten salt or liquid metal generator;
producing a molten salt or liquid metal flow from said molten salt or liquid metal generator using a pump; and
injecting said molten salt or liquid metal flow into bayonet injection wells wherein said injection wells are disposed in said limestone formation.
10. A method as recited in claim 9 , further comprising the steps of:
retorting limestone in said limestone formation using heat from said molten salt or liquid metal flow to produce hydrocarbon products; and
extracting said hydrocarbon products from said injection well.
11. A method as recited in claim 10 , wherein the step of extracting includes a product recovery system coupled to said injection wells in a configuration for collection of gaseous and liquefied hydrocarbons released during the step of retorting.
12. A method as recited in claim 10 , further comprising the step of recovering residual salt or metal from the step of retorting via a recycle system, said residual salt or metal being injected with said molten salt or liquid metal generator.
13. A method as recited in claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
providing said thermal energy to a steam generator;
providing water to said steam generator;
producing steam from said steam generator;
injecting said steam into a steam turbine to generate mechanical energy;
providing said mechanical energy to an electric generator;
generating current from said electric generator from said mechanical energy; and
powering oscillators with said current to create radio frequencies to produce heat, said oscillators being disposed with injection wells wherein said injection wells are disposed in said limestone formation.
14. A method as recited in claim 13 , further comprising the steps of:
retorting limestone in said limestone formation using heat from said oscillators to produce hydrocarbon products; and
extracting said hydrocarbon products from said injection wells.
15. A method as recited in claim 13 , wherein the step of extracting includes a product recovery system coupled to said injection wells in a configuration for collection of gaseous and liquefied hydrocarbons released during the step of retorting.
16. A method as recited in claim 1 , further comprising the step of constructing an infrastructure in said limestone formation, said infrastructure being formed by horizontal and vertical direction drilling in a configuration to increase permeability and porosity of said limestone formation.
17. A method for recovering hydrocarbon products, the method comprising the steps of:
producing thermal energy using a nuclear reactor;
providing said thermal energy to a hot gas generator;
providing a gas to said hot gas generator;
producing a high pressure hot gas flow from said hot gas generator using a high pressure pump;
injecting said high pressure hot gas flow into injection wells wherein said injection wells are disposed in an limestone formation;
retorting limestone in said limestone formation using heat from said hot gas flow to produce hydrocarbon products; and
extracting said hydrocarbon products from said injection wells.
18. A method for recovering hydrocarbon products, the method comprising the steps of:
producing thermal energy using a nuclear reactor;
providing said thermal energy to a steam generator;
providing water to said steam generator;
producing steam from said steam generator;
injecting said steam into a steam turbine to generate mechanical energy;
providing said mechanical energy to an electric generator;
generating current from said electric generator from said mechanical energy;
powering electric resistance heaters with said current, said heaters being disposed with injection wells wherein said injection wells are disposed in an limestone formation;
retorting limestone in said limestone formation using heat from said heaters to produce hydrocarbon products; and
extracting said hydrocarbon products from said injection wells.
19. A method for recovering hydrocarbon products, the method comprising the steps of:
producing thermal energy using a nuclear reactor;
providing said thermal energy to a molten salt or liquid metal generator;
providing a salt or metal to said molten salt or liquid metal generator;
producing a molten salt or liquid -metal flow from said molten salt or liquid metal generator using a pump;
injecting said molten salt or liquid metal flow into bayonet injection wells wherein said injection wells are disposed in an limestone formation;
retorting limestone in said limestone formation using heat from said molten salt or liquid metal flow to produce hydrocarbon products; and
extracting said hydrocarbon products from said injection well.
20. A method for recovering hydrocarbon products, the method comprising the steps of:
producing thermal energy using a nuclear reactor;
providing said thermal energy to a steam generator;
providing water to said steam generator;
producing steam from said steam generator;
injecting said steam into a steam turbine to generate mechanical energy;
providing said mechanical energy to an electric generator;
generating current from said electric generator from said mechanical energy;
powering oscillators with said current to create radio frequencies to produce heat, said oscillators being disposed with injection wells wherein said injection wells are disposed in a limestone formation;
retorting limestone in said limestone formation using heat from said oscillators to produce hydrocarbon products; and
extracting said hydrocarbon products from said injection wells.
21. A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the step of injecting includes said fracturing wells being disposed in a formation including limestone and oil shale.
22. A method as recited in claim 3 , wherein the step of retorting includes retorting oil shale and limestone.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/278,509 US20090173491A1 (en) | 2006-02-24 | 2007-06-08 | Method and system for extraction of hydrocarbons from oil shale and limestone formations |
Applications Claiming Priority (6)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US77643506P | 2006-02-24 | 2006-02-24 | |
US11/600,992 US7445041B2 (en) | 2006-02-06 | 2006-11-17 | Method and system for extraction of hydrocarbons from oil shale |
PCT/US2007/004852 WO2007100733A2 (en) | 2006-02-24 | 2007-02-23 | Method and system for extraction of hydrocarbons from oil sands |
USPCT/US2007/004852 | 2007-02-23 | ||
PCT/US2007/013643 WO2008063239A1 (en) | 2006-11-17 | 2007-06-08 | Method for extraction of hydrocarbons from limestone formations |
US12/278,509 US20090173491A1 (en) | 2006-02-24 | 2007-06-08 | Method and system for extraction of hydrocarbons from oil shale and limestone formations |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/600,992 Continuation-In-Part US7445041B2 (en) | 2006-02-06 | 2006-11-17 | Method and system for extraction of hydrocarbons from oil shale |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20090173491A1 true US20090173491A1 (en) | 2009-07-09 |
Family
ID=40843656
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/278,509 Abandoned US20090173491A1 (en) | 2006-02-24 | 2007-06-08 | Method and system for extraction of hydrocarbons from oil shale and limestone formations |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20090173491A1 (en) |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN101807444A (en) * | 2010-03-18 | 2010-08-18 | 华北电力大学 | Fine particle removing device of nuclear power plant |
WO2013070805A1 (en) * | 2011-11-07 | 2013-05-16 | Oklahoma Safety Equipment Company, Inc. (Oseco) | Pressure relief device, system, and method |
US10228069B2 (en) | 2015-11-06 | 2019-03-12 | Oklahoma Safety Equipment Company, Inc. | Rupture disc device and method of assembly thereof |
Citations (21)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2685930A (en) * | 1948-08-12 | 1954-08-10 | Union Oil Co | Oil well production process |
US2725939A (en) * | 1953-06-19 | 1955-12-06 | Belser Carl | Apparatus for producing oil from oil shale in situ |
US3139928A (en) * | 1960-05-24 | 1964-07-07 | Shell Oil Co | Thermal process for in situ decomposition of oil shale |
US3233670A (en) * | 1960-07-18 | 1966-02-08 | Exxon Production Research Co | Additional recovery of hydrocarbons from a petroliferous formation |
US3237689A (en) * | 1963-04-29 | 1966-03-01 | Clarence I Justheim | Distillation of underground deposits of solid carbonaceous materials in situ |
US3246695A (en) * | 1961-08-21 | 1966-04-19 | Charles L Robinson | Method for heating minerals in situ with radioactive materials |
US3283814A (en) * | 1961-08-08 | 1966-11-08 | Deutsche Erdoel Ag | Process for deriving values from coal deposits |
US3598182A (en) * | 1967-04-25 | 1971-08-10 | Justheim Petroleum Co | Method and apparatus for in situ distillation and hydrogenation of carbonaceous materials |
US3766982A (en) * | 1971-12-27 | 1973-10-23 | Justheim Petrol Co | Method for the in-situ treatment of hydrocarbonaceous materials |
US4000038A (en) * | 1974-04-11 | 1976-12-28 | Brown Boveri-Sulzer Turbomaschinen Aktiengesellschaft | Nuclear power station |
US4124074A (en) * | 1976-12-09 | 1978-11-07 | Texaco Inc. | Method for forming a gravel pack in tar sands |
US4144935A (en) * | 1977-08-29 | 1979-03-20 | Iit Research Institute | Apparatus and method for in situ heat processing of hydrocarbonaceous formations |
US4266609A (en) * | 1978-11-30 | 1981-05-12 | Technion Research & Development Foundation Ltd. | Method of extracting liquid and gaseous fuel from oil shale and tar sand |
US4384614A (en) * | 1981-05-11 | 1983-05-24 | Justheim Pertroleum Company | Method of retorting oil shale by velocity flow of super-heated air |
US4678039A (en) * | 1986-01-30 | 1987-07-07 | Worldtech Atlantis Inc. | Method and apparatus for secondary and tertiary recovery of hydrocarbons |
US5124008A (en) * | 1990-06-22 | 1992-06-23 | Solv-Ex Corporation | Method of extraction of valuable minerals and precious metals from oil sands ore bodies and other related ore bodies |
US20030146002A1 (en) * | 2001-04-24 | 2003-08-07 | Vinegar Harold J. | Removable heat sources for in situ thermal processing of an oil shale formation |
US20070095536A1 (en) * | 2005-10-24 | 2007-05-03 | Vinegar Harold J | Cogeneration systems and processes for treating hydrocarbon containing formations |
US20070263404A1 (en) * | 2003-10-24 | 2007-11-15 | Yasushi Yatsuda | Vehicle Lamp |
US20070293404A1 (en) * | 2006-06-15 | 2007-12-20 | Hutchins Richard D | Subterranean Treatment Methods using Methanol Containing Foams |
US7445041B2 (en) * | 2006-02-06 | 2008-11-04 | Shale And Sands Oil Recovery Llc | Method and system for extraction of hydrocarbons from oil shale |
-
2007
- 2007-06-08 US US12/278,509 patent/US20090173491A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (21)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2685930A (en) * | 1948-08-12 | 1954-08-10 | Union Oil Co | Oil well production process |
US2725939A (en) * | 1953-06-19 | 1955-12-06 | Belser Carl | Apparatus for producing oil from oil shale in situ |
US3139928A (en) * | 1960-05-24 | 1964-07-07 | Shell Oil Co | Thermal process for in situ decomposition of oil shale |
US3233670A (en) * | 1960-07-18 | 1966-02-08 | Exxon Production Research Co | Additional recovery of hydrocarbons from a petroliferous formation |
US3283814A (en) * | 1961-08-08 | 1966-11-08 | Deutsche Erdoel Ag | Process for deriving values from coal deposits |
US3246695A (en) * | 1961-08-21 | 1966-04-19 | Charles L Robinson | Method for heating minerals in situ with radioactive materials |
US3237689A (en) * | 1963-04-29 | 1966-03-01 | Clarence I Justheim | Distillation of underground deposits of solid carbonaceous materials in situ |
US3598182A (en) * | 1967-04-25 | 1971-08-10 | Justheim Petroleum Co | Method and apparatus for in situ distillation and hydrogenation of carbonaceous materials |
US3766982A (en) * | 1971-12-27 | 1973-10-23 | Justheim Petrol Co | Method for the in-situ treatment of hydrocarbonaceous materials |
US4000038A (en) * | 1974-04-11 | 1976-12-28 | Brown Boveri-Sulzer Turbomaschinen Aktiengesellschaft | Nuclear power station |
US4124074A (en) * | 1976-12-09 | 1978-11-07 | Texaco Inc. | Method for forming a gravel pack in tar sands |
US4144935A (en) * | 1977-08-29 | 1979-03-20 | Iit Research Institute | Apparatus and method for in situ heat processing of hydrocarbonaceous formations |
US4266609A (en) * | 1978-11-30 | 1981-05-12 | Technion Research & Development Foundation Ltd. | Method of extracting liquid and gaseous fuel from oil shale and tar sand |
US4384614A (en) * | 1981-05-11 | 1983-05-24 | Justheim Pertroleum Company | Method of retorting oil shale by velocity flow of super-heated air |
US4678039A (en) * | 1986-01-30 | 1987-07-07 | Worldtech Atlantis Inc. | Method and apparatus for secondary and tertiary recovery of hydrocarbons |
US5124008A (en) * | 1990-06-22 | 1992-06-23 | Solv-Ex Corporation | Method of extraction of valuable minerals and precious metals from oil sands ore bodies and other related ore bodies |
US20030146002A1 (en) * | 2001-04-24 | 2003-08-07 | Vinegar Harold J. | Removable heat sources for in situ thermal processing of an oil shale formation |
US20070263404A1 (en) * | 2003-10-24 | 2007-11-15 | Yasushi Yatsuda | Vehicle Lamp |
US20070095536A1 (en) * | 2005-10-24 | 2007-05-03 | Vinegar Harold J | Cogeneration systems and processes for treating hydrocarbon containing formations |
US7445041B2 (en) * | 2006-02-06 | 2008-11-04 | Shale And Sands Oil Recovery Llc | Method and system for extraction of hydrocarbons from oil shale |
US20070293404A1 (en) * | 2006-06-15 | 2007-12-20 | Hutchins Richard D | Subterranean Treatment Methods using Methanol Containing Foams |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN101807444A (en) * | 2010-03-18 | 2010-08-18 | 华北电力大学 | Fine particle removing device of nuclear power plant |
WO2013070805A1 (en) * | 2011-11-07 | 2013-05-16 | Oklahoma Safety Equipment Company, Inc. (Oseco) | Pressure relief device, system, and method |
US9677391B2 (en) | 2011-11-07 | 2017-06-13 | Oklahoma Safety Equipment Company, Inc. | Pressure relief device, system, and method |
US10228069B2 (en) | 2015-11-06 | 2019-03-12 | Oklahoma Safety Equipment Company, Inc. | Rupture disc device and method of assembly thereof |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US7445041B2 (en) | Method and system for extraction of hydrocarbons from oil shale | |
Li et al. | A review: Enhanced recovery of natural gas hydrate reservoirs | |
Zhang et al. | A full chain CCS demonstration project in northeast Ordos Basin, China: operational experience and challenges | |
US7931080B2 (en) | Method and system for extraction of hydrocarbons from oil sands | |
Tester et al. | Impact of enhanced geothermal systems on US energy supply in the twenty-first century | |
Guo et al. | The promise and challenges of utility-scale compressed air energy storage in aquifers | |
Liu et al. | Numerical simulation of simultaneous exploitation of geothermal energy and natural gas hydrates by water injection into a geothermal heat exchange well | |
Xu et al. | Carbon sequestration potential of the Habanero reservoir when carbon dioxide is used as the heat exchange fluid | |
Dusseault et al. | Sequestration of CO2 in salt caverns | |
Yang et al. | A study on the CO 2-Enhanced water recovery efficiency and reservoir pressure control strategies | |
Mohanty | An overview of the geological controls in underground coal gasification | |
US20090173491A1 (en) | Method and system for extraction of hydrocarbons from oil shale and limestone formations | |
Ledésert et al. | The Soultz-sous-Forêts' enhanced geothermal system: A granitic basement used as a heat exchanger to produce electricity | |
Palmgren et al. | Reservoir design of a shallow LP-SAGD project for in situ extraction of Athabasca Bitumen | |
US20220034258A1 (en) | System and process for producing clean energy from hydrocarbon reservoirs | |
WO2008063239A1 (en) | Method for extraction of hydrocarbons from limestone formations | |
MX2008010923A (en) | Method for extraction of hydrocarbons from limestone formations. | |
Chalaturnyk | Geomechanical characterization of the Weyburn field for geological storage of CO2 | |
US20230323756A1 (en) | Hydrogen production and sulfur-carbon sequestration | |
Kupsch et al. | Canadian Thermal In Situ–A Sustainable Source of Global Energy | |
Johnston et al. | Sedimentary Geothermal Resources in Nevada, Utah, Colorado, and Texas | |
Vilarrasa et al. | Sinking CO2 in supercritical reservoirs Key points | |
Shi et al. | Combined geothermal and CO2 sequestration in the Basal Cambrian Sandstone Unit (BCSU) in Alberta, Canada | |
Xu et al. | Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering | |
Wilkinson et al. | Subsurface design considerations for carbon dioxide storage |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: ULTRA SAFE NUCLEAR CORPORATION, WASHINGTON Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:SHALE AND SANDS OIL RECOVERY LLC;REEL/FRAME:056005/0688 Effective date: 20210319 |