Apparatus for recovering gaseous hydrocarbons from hydrocarbon-containing solid hydrates
Patent 4424858 Issued on January 10, 1984. Estimated Expiration Date: 
September 27, 2002. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.
September 27, 2002. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.Patent ReferencesInventorsAssigneeApplicationNo. 06/424691 filed on 09/27/1982US Classes:166/52, PLURAL WELLS166/116, Surrounding conduit carries packer or plug166/265, Separating material entering well166/302, Heating, cooling or insulating166/57WITH HEATING, REFRIGERATING OR HEAT INSULATING MEANSExaminersPrimary: Suchfield, George A.Attorney, Agent or FirmInternational ClassesE21B 43/00 (20060101)E21B 43/12 (20060101) E21B 43/24 (20060101) E21B 43/285 (20060101) E21B 43/36 (20060101) E21B 43/40 (20060101) E21B 43/38 (20060101) E21B 43/16 (20060101) E21B 43/34 (20060101) AbstractA method and apparatus are provided for producing gaseous hydrocarbons from formations comprising solid hydrocarbon hydrates located under either a body of land or a body of water. The vast natural resources of such hydrocarbon hydrates can thus now be economically mined. Relatively warm brine or water is brought down from an elevation above that of the hydrates through a portion of the apparatus and passes in contact with the hydrates, thus melting them. The liquid then continues up another portion of the apparatus, carrying entrained hydrocarbon vapors in the form of bubbles, which can easily be separated from the liquid. After a short startup procedure, the process and apparatus are substantially self-powered.Field of SearchPLURAL WELLSWITH HEATING, REFRIGERATING OR HEAT INSULATING MEANS Electrical heater in well WITH MEANS FOR SEPARATELY PUMPING FROM PLURAL SOURCES IN WELL LATERAL PROBE OR PORT SEALED AGAINST WELL WALL CENTRAL CHAMBER SEALED WITH RESPECT TO PREPOSITIONED MODIFIED SURROUNDING CONDUIT Surrounding conduit carries packer or plug With central conduit and fluid port to space outside Flow stopping type; e.g., plug Injecting while producing by in situ combustion from same well Plural distinct superimposed formations Separating material entering well Distinct, separate injection and producing wells Heating, cooling or insulating Fluid enters and leaves well at spaced zones Parallel string or multiple completion well | |
