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US Patent 6978837 - Production of natural gas from hydrates

US Patent Issued on December 27, 2005
Estimated Patent Expiration Date: Icon_subject July 13, 2024Estimated 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.
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Abstract

Methods and apparatus for producing methane gas from a hydrate formation. A column of modified material substantially filling a wellbore extending into the hydrate formation. The column of modified material is permeable to gases. A heat source extends into the column of modified material and is operable to provide heat to the hydrate formation so as to release methane gas from the hydrate formation. Methane gas flow through the column of modified material to a gas collector, which regulates the flow of gas to a production system.

Inventor

Application

No. 10890040 filed on 07/13/2004

US Classes:

166/303, Placing preheated fluid into formation166/302, Heating, cooling or insulating166/278, Graveling or filter forming166/57, WITH HEATING, REFRIGERATING OR HEAT INSULATING MEANS166/58, Fuel supply or hot billet in well166/59, Burner in well166/267, Separating outside of well299/14, Directly applying heat or vibration166/262, Solid fuel or particles in well95/46, Degasification of liquid166/248Electric current or electrical wave energy through earth for treating

Field of Search

166/300, Chemical inter-reaction of two or more introduced materials (e.g., selective plugging or surfactant)166/302, Heating, cooling or insulating166/303, Placing preheated fluid into formation166/262, Solid fuel or particles in well166/265, Separating material entering well166/267, Separating outside of well166/278, Graveling or filter forming166/272.1, Involving the step of heating166/63, WITH EXPLOSIVE OR GAS GENERATING MEANS IN WELL175/11, BORING BY DIRECTLY APPLYING HEAT TO FLUIDIZE OR COMMINUTE175/16, Electrically produced heat299/8, Separation below surface of earth or water299/9, Material mined or excavated underwater299/14, Directly applying heat or vibration585/15HYDRATE OR PRODUCTION THEREOF

Examiners

Primary: Bagnell, David
Assistant: Bomar, Shane

Attorney, Agent or Firm

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International Classes

E21B036/00
E21B043/24
E21B043/04

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