System and method for hydrate recovery

Patent 5950732 Issued on September 14, 1999. Estimated Expiration Date:

March 25, 2018. 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.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

1746464

1798288

2247087

2468494

2472427

2486243

2500533

2518337

2552308

2552737

More ...

Inventors

Assignee

Syntroleum Corporation

Application

No. 048175 filed on 03/25/1998

US Classes:

166/354, Having means to hold vessel at given location (e.g., anchor, etc.)37/323, With fluid jet digger adjacent suction inlet37/343, Rotary digging element166/75.12, Treatment of produced fluids166/248, Electric current or electrical wave energy through earth for treating166/267, Separating outside of well166/302, Heating, cooling or insulating166/352, Surface vessel166/357, Separator166/370, Including varying downhole pressure166/372, By fluid lift210/170, Geographic (e.g., drainage ditch, septic, pond)299/8, Separation below surface of earth or water518/702, WITH PRELIMINARY REACTION TO FORM HYDROGEN OR A CARBON OXIDE518/703, Gaseous oxygen utilized in the preliminary reaction585/15HYDRATE OR PRODUCTION THEREOF

Examiners

Primary: Suchfield, George A.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Baker & Botts, L.L.P.

Foreign Patent References

B-83575/82 AU. 10/12/1985
A-17172/92 AU. 12/12/1992
A-29777/92 AU. 06/12/1993
414019 BE. 02/12/2012
0 212 755 A2 EP. 08/12/1986
0 261 771 A2 EP. 07/12/1987
0 103 914 B1 EP. 07/12/1988
0 497 425 A1 EP. 01/12/1992
0 501 331 B1 EP. 02/12/1992
0 516 441 A1 EP. 05/12/1992
0 503 482 B1 EP. 07/12/1992
0 601 886 A1 EP. 12/12/1993
871230 FR. 01/12/2012
922493 FR. 04/12/2012
1537457 FR. 07/12/1968
60-007929 JP. 02/12/1985
4364142 JP. 12/12/1992
2 103 647 GB. 08/12/1984
2 139 644 GB. 11/12/1984
WO 86/05775 WO. 02/12/1986
WO 93/06041 WO. 02/12/1992
WO 95/24961 WO. 02/12/1995
WO 97/33847 WO. 02/12/1997

International Classes

C10G 002/00
E21B 043/01
E21B 043/34
E21B 043/36

Abstract

A system for recovering liquid hydrocarbons from hydrates on an ocean floor includes a vessel, a positioning subsystem coupled to the vessel for holding the vessel in a desired location over a hydrate formation, a hydrate recovery subsystem coupled to the vessel for delivering hydrates from an ocean floor to the vessel and separating gas from hydrates removed from an ocean floor, a gas conversion subsystem coupled to the hydrate recovery subsystem for converting gas to liquids, and a storage and removal subsystem. Excess energy from the gas conversion subsystem is used elsewhere in the system. A method of recovering hydrates from an ocean floor is also provided.

Other References

"Kinetics of the Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis Using a Nitrogen-Rich Gas," T. Knutze, et al.; Oil Gas--European magazine, Jan. 1995, pp. 19-24
"A New Concept for the Production of Liquid Hydrocarbons from Natural Gas," K. Hedden, et al.; Oil Gas--European Magazine, Mar. 1994, pp. 42-44
"Production of Synthesis Gas by Catalytic Partial Oxidation of Methane with Air," A. Jess, et al.; Oil Gas--European Magazine, Apr. 1994, pp. 23-27
"Improve Syngas Production Using Autothermal Reforming," T.S. Christensen, Hydrocarbon Processing, Mar. 1994, pp. 39-46
"The Syntroleum Process" promotional flier, Aug. 1994
"Gasoline from Natural Gas," P.C. Keith (undated)
"Hydrogen Process Broadens Feedstock Range," Industry & Economic News (undated)
"Autothermal Reforming," Hydrocarbon Processing, Apr. 1984, p. 2
"Economical Utilization of Natural Gas to Produce Synthetic Petroleum Liquids," K. Agee, et al.; Seventy-fifth Annual GPA Convention, Mar. 11-13, 1996; Denver, Colorado
"The Mother Lode of Natural Gas," R. Monasterskky, 150 Science News 298, 1996
"The Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis," R.B. Anderson, Academic Press, Inc.; NY, 1984, pp. 186-191
"Chemicals Produced in a Commercial Fischer-Tropsch Process," Industrial Chemicals ViaC, Processes, Cpt. 2, M.E. Dry, American Chemical Society Journal, vol. 328, 1987
"Produce Diesel from Gas," A.H. Singleton, Hydrocarbon Processing, May 1983, pp. 71-74
"Syn Gas from Heavy Fuels," C.J. Kuhre and C.J. Shearer, (undated)
"Make Syn Gas by Partial Oxidation," C.L. Reed, C.J. Kuhre, Hydrocarbon Processing, Sep. 1979, pp. 191-194
Malaysia, Shell Mull Gas to Products Project, Oil & Gas Journal, Sep. 16, 1985, p. 62
"Process Makes Mid-distillates from Natural Gas," Oil & Gas Journal, Feb. 17, 1986, pp. 74-75
"The Magic of Designer Catalysts," Gene Bylinsky, Fortune, May 27, 1985, p. 82-8
"Conversion of Natural Gas to Liquid Fuels," R.C. Alden, The Oil and Gas Journal, Nov. 9, 1946, pp. 79-98
"Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis in Slurry Phase," M.D. Schlesinger, Industrial and Engineering Chemistry, Jun. 1951, pp. 1474-1479
"Advances in Low Temperature Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis," B. Jager, R. Espinoza, Catalysis Today, vol. 23, 1995, pp. 17-28
"Fischer-Tropsch Process Investigated at the Pittsburgh Energy Technology Center Since 1944," M.J. Baird, et al., Ind. Eng. Chem. Prod. Res. Dev. 1980, pp. 175-191
Intl. Search Report Jun. 11, 1997 re PCT/US 97/03729
Intl. Search Report Oct. 17, 1997 re PCT/US 97/10733
Intl. Search Report Oct. 24, 1997 re PCT/US 97/10732
Intl. Search Report Feb. 25, 1998 re PCT/US 97/19722
Intl. Search Report Jul. 23, 1998 re PCT/US 98/0651