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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 8176982 | Method of controlling a recovery and upgrading operation in a reservoir A method and system of generating a range of petroleum products from bitumen or heavy oil reservoir by installing wells from a combination of surface and underground well-head platforms while controlling carbon dioxide emissions during thermal recovery operations ar... | 05/15/2012 |
| 8002034 | 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 r... | 08/23/2011 |
| 7950453 | 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... | 05/31/2011 |
| 7849922 | In situ recovery from residually heated sections in a hydrocarbon containing formation Methods of treating a tar sands formation is described herein. The methods may include providing heat to a first section of a hydrocarbon layer in the formation from a plurality of heaters located in the first section of the formation. Heat is transferred from the h... | 12/14/2010 |
| 7793720 | Producer well lugging for in situ combustion processes Methods and apparatus relate to controlling location of inflow into a production well during in situ combustion. The production well includes intervals closable to the inflow at identified times. Once a combustion front from the in situ combustion passes one of the ... | 09/14/2010 |
| 7770643 | Hydrocarbon recovery using fluids The recovery of hydrocarbons from hydrocarbon bearing rock, sands or other geological materials (collectively “rock”) uses a recovery fluid. In certain embodiments, the recovery fluid includes miscible compounds or an azeotrope-forming mixture (including an azeo... | 08/10/2010 |
| 7730945 | Using geothermal energy to heat a portion of a formation for an in situ heat treatment process Methods of using geothermal energy to treat subsurface formations are described herein. Methods for using geothermal energy to treat a subsurface treatment area containing or proximate to hydrocarbons may include producing geothermally heated fluid from at least one... | 06/08/2010 |
| 7677310 | Creating and maintaining a gas cap in tar sands formations Methods for treating a tar sands formation are disclosed herein. Methods for treating a tar sands formation may include providing heat to at least part of a hydrocarbon layer in the formation from one or more heaters located in the formation. Pressure may be allowed... | 03/16/2010 |
| 7441597 | Method and apparatus for in-situ radiofrequency assisted gravity drainage of oil (RAGD) The present invention relates generally to the use of radiofrequency energy to heat heavy crude oil or both heavy crude oil and subsurface water in situ, thereby enhancing the recovery and handling of such oil. The present invention further relates to methods for ap... | 10/28/2008 |
| 7398823 | Selective electromagnetic production tool A method for resistively heating a subterranean region to lower the viscosity of heavy oil by using production tubing coupled to at least two electrodes modified for three-phase flow and an electrically insulating body. ... | 07/15/2008 |
| 7367398 | Device for heating and thermally insulating at least one undersea pipeline Apparatus for heating and lagging at least one main undersea pipe for conveying a flow of hot effluent. The apparatus includes a covering of thermally insulating material surrounding the main pipe(s), and covered by a leaktight outer protective casing and an interna... | 05/06/2008 |
| 7363973 | Method and apparatus for stimulating heavy oil production A process for the recovery of hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon bearing formation having an extraction chamber where the extraction chamber has an extraction surface. The process has the steps of heating a solvent, such as propane, and then placing the solvent into th... | 04/29/2008 |
| 7360588 | Thermal processes for subsurface formations A process may include providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of a subsurface formation. Heat may transfer from one or more heaters to a part of a formation. In some embodiments, heat from the one or more heat sources may pyrolyze at least some... | 04/22/2008 |
| 7360595 | Method and system for underground treatment of materials A method for underground treatment of subsurface materials comprises providing an injection pattern and a recovery pattern, the injection pattern and the recovery pattern located proximate to a subsurface treatment zone and at least one of the injection pattern and ... | 04/22/2008 |
| 7357180 | Inhibiting effects of sloughing in wellbores Certain embodiments provide a method for treating a subsurface formation. The method includes providing one or more explosives into portions of one or more wellbores selected for the explosion in the formation. The wellbores are formed in one or more zones in the fo... | 04/15/2008 |
| 7341102 | Flue gas injection for heavy oil recovery A variety of methods for thermal recovery of natural gas and bitumen from a formation containing the latter. In general, the methods incorporate a series of existing, but previously uncombined technologies. A modified flue gas from the steam generators conventionall... | 03/11/2008 |
| 7331385 | Methods of treating a subterranean 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 (12) in the formation, such that each fracture intersects at least one of the wells (16, 18), placing electrically conductive material in ... | 02/19/2008 |
| 7325604 | Method for enhancing oil production using electricity A method of enhancing oil production from an oil bearing formation includes the steps of providing a first borehole in a first region of the formation and a second borehole in a second region of the formation. A first electrode is positioned in the first borehole in... | 02/05/2008 |
| 7322409 | Method and system for producing methane gas from methane hydrate formations A system for producing gas from a gas hydrate formation includes a first electrode and a second electrode. The first electrode is disposed in proximity of a first region of the formation, and the second electrode is disposed within a second region of the formation. ... | 01/29/2008 |
| 7311151 | Substantially neutrally buoyant and positively buoyant electrically heated flowlines for production of subsea hydrocarbons A flowline is described for producing hydrocarbons from a subsea well that is comprised of a substantially neutrally buoyant tubular composite umbilical. The flowline may possess electrical heating apparatus within the tubular walls of the tubular composite umbilica... | 12/25/2007 |
| 7243721 | Methods and apparatus for heating oil production reservoirs Methods and apparatus employing inert gases injected into the lower level of sloping underground oil-bearing formations as a driving mechanism and water injected into the upper level of the formations as a gas blocking mechanism for increasing and extending the prod... | 07/17/2007 |
| 7225866 | In situ thermal processing of an oil shale formation using a pattern of heat sources A oil shale formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. A mixture of hydrocarbons, H2, and/or other formation fluids may be produced from the formation. Heat may be applied to the formation to raise a temperature of a portion of the formati... | 06/05/2007 |
| 7219734 | Inhibiting wellbore deformation during in situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation A method for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation is described. The method may include providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation. At least one heater may be located in at least one wellbore in the formation. At least one w... | 05/22/2007 |
| 7185702 | Methods and compositions for the in-situ thermal stimulation of hydrocarbons using peroxide-generating compounds One embodiment provides a method for stimulating hydrocarbon production in a subterranean formation, comprising: introducing a peroxide-generating compound into a desired location in a subterranean formation, wherein the peroxide-generating compound is substantially... | 03/06/2007 |
| 7121342 | Thermal processes for subsurface formations A process may include providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of a subsurface formation. Heat may transfer from one or more heaters to a part of a formation. In some embodiments, heat from the one or more heat sources may pyrolyze at least some... | 10/17/2006 |
| 7104319 | In situ thermal processing of a heavy oil diatomite formation An in situ process for treating a diatomite formation is provided. The process may include providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation. The heat may be allowed to transfer from the one or more heaters to a part of the formation suc... | 09/12/2006 |
| 7100994 | Producing hydrocarbons and non-hydrocarbon containing materials when treating a hydrocarbon containing formation A method for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation is provided. In one embodiment, heat from one or more heaters may be provided to at least a portion of the formation. Heat may be allowed to transfer from the one or more heaters to at least a part of the form... | 09/05/2006 |
| 7096941 | In situ thermal processing of a coal formation with heat sources located at an edge of a coal layer A coal containing formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. A mixture of hydrocarbons, H2, and/or other formation fluids may be produced from the formation. Heat may be applied to the formation to raise a temperature of a portion of the f... | 08/29/2006 |
| 7096942 | In situ thermal processing of a relatively permeable formation while controlling pressure A method for treating a relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons in situ may include providing heat from one or more heat sources to a portion of the formation. The heat may be allowed to transfer from the heat sources to a selected section of th... | 08/29/2006 |
| 7086465 | In situ production of a blending agent from a hydrocarbon containing formation An in situ process for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation is provided. The process may include providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation. The heat may be allowed to transfer from the reaction zone to a part of the format... | 08/08/2006 |
| 7077199 | In situ thermal processing of an oil reservoir formation An in situ process for treating an oil containing formation is provided. The process may include providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation. The heat may be allowed to transfer from the one or more heaters to a part of the formati... | 07/18/2006 |
| 7077198 | In situ recovery from a hydrocarbon containing formation using barriers A method is described for inhibiting migration of fluids into and/or out of a treatment area undergoing an in situ conversion process. Barriers in the formation proximate a treatment area may be used to inhibit migration of fluids. Inhibition of migration of fluids ... | 07/18/2006 |
| 7066257 | In situ recovery from lean and rich zones in a hydrocarbon containing formation A method for treating lean and rich zones of a hydrocarbon containing formation is provided. In one embodiment, heat from one or more heaters may be provided to at least a portion of the formation. Heat may be allowed to transfer from the one or more heaters to a fi... | 06/27/2006 |
| 7051807 | In situ thermal recovery from a relatively permeable formation with quality control A method for treating a relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons in situ may include providing heat from one or more heat sources to a portion of the formation. The heat may be allowed to transfer from the heat sources to a selected section of th... | 05/30/2006 |
| 7040400 | In situ thermal processing of a relatively impermeable formation using an open wellbore A method for treating a relatively low permeability formation containing heavy hydrocarbons in situ may include providing heat from one or more heat sources to a portion of the formation. The heat may be allowed to transfer from the heat sources to a selected sectio... | 05/09/2006 |
| 7040399 | In situ thermal processing of an oil shale formation using a controlled heating rate An oil shale formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. A mixture of hydrocarbons, H2, and/or other formation fluids may be produced from the formation. Heat may be applied to the formation to raise a temperature of a portion of the format... | 05/09/2006 |
| 7040397 | Thermal processing of an oil shale formation to increase permeability of the formation An oil shale formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. A mixture of hydrocarbons, H2, and/or other formation fluids may be produced from the formation. Heat may be applied to the formation to raise a temperature of a portion of the format... | 05/09/2006 |
| 7040398 | In situ thermal processing of a relatively permeable formation in a reducing environment A method for treating a relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons in situ may include providing heat from one or more heat sources to a portion of the formation. The heat may be allowed to transfer from the heat sources to a selected section of th... | 05/09/2006 |
| 7036583 | In situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation to increase a porosity of the formation A hydrocarbon containing formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. A mixture of hydrocarbons, H2, and/or other formation fluids may be produced from the formation. Heat may be applied to the formation to raise a temperature of a portion o... | 05/02/2006 |
| 7032660 | In situ thermal processing and inhibiting migration of fluids into or out of an in situ oil shale formation An oil shale formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. Fluid migration into and/or out of a treatment area in the formation may be inhibited. In some embodiments, a barrier may be used to inhibit migration of fluids into and/or out of the treatment ... | 04/25/2006 |
