U.S. patents available from 1976 to present.
U.S. patent applications available from 2005 to present.

Production of natural gas from hydrates

Patent 6978837 Issued on December 27, 2005. Estimated Expiration Date: Icon_subject July 13, 2024. 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 References

2985238

3916993

3920072

Method and apparatus for in situ gasification of coal and the commercial products derived therefrom
Patent #: 3952802
Issued on: 04/27/1976
Inventor: Terry

Gas recovery from hydrate reservoirs
Patent #: 4007787
Issued on: 02/15/1977
Inventor: Cottle

Storage of fuel gas
Patent #: 4147456
Issued on: 04/03/1979
Inventor: Klass

Method and apparatus for recovering unstable cores
Patent #: 4371045
Issued on: 02/01/1983
Inventor: McGuire ,   et al.

Substantially self-powered method and apparatus for recovering hydrocarbons from hydrocarbon-containing solid hydrates
Patent #: 4376462
Issued on: 03/15/1983
Inventor: Elliott ,   et al.

Apparatus for recovering gaseous hydrocarbons from hydrocarbon-containing solid hydrates
Patent #: 4424858
Issued on: 01/10/1984
Inventor: Elliott ,   et al.

Method for production of hydrocarbons from hydrates
Patent #: 4424866
Issued on: 01/10/1984
Inventor: McGuire

More ...

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

Examiners

Primary: Bagnell, David
Assistant: Bomar, Shane

Attorney, Agent or Firm

International Classes

E21B036/00
E21B043/24
E21B043/04

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.

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