US4382469A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of in situ gasification
Assignee: Electro Petroleum Inc
•
Filing: 1981-03-10
•
Granted: 1983-05-10
•
Expires: 2001-03-10
Abstract
Abstract Gas is produced in situ from an underground formation of carbonaceous material by passing a controlled direct electrical current through the formation.
Inventors
- 👤 Christy W. Bell
- 👤 Charles H. Titus
- 👤 John K. Wittle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 23:28
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/295; E21B36/00; E21B36/001; E21B43/16; E21B43/24; E21B43/2401; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S166/00; Y10S166/902
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
A process for producing gas from an underground formation of carbonaceous material said gas having a BTU content of 300 or higher, which method comprises providing an aqueous electrolyte in contact with said formation, providing at least two electrically conductive elements, constituting an anode and a cathode, in contact with said electrolyte, passing a controlled amount of electrical current from a direct current source through said formation between said electrically conductive elements at a voltage of at least 0.3 volts and controlling the current relative to the composition of said material and the ambient conditions adjacent to said electrode to heat the surface of the electrodes during application of said voltage to a temperature which is less than 500° F. thereby to produce gas by electro-chemical action within said formation and the accompanying gasification of said carbonaceous material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
138 words
A process for producing gas from an underground formation of carbonaceous material said gas having a BTU content of 300 or higher, which method comprises providing an aqueous electrolyte in contact with said formation, providing at least two electrically conductive elements, constituting an anode and a cathode, in contact with said electrolyte, passing a controlled amount of electrical current from a direct current source through said formation between said electrically conductive elements at a voltage of at least 0.3 volts and controlling the current relative to the composition of said material and the ambient conditions adjacent to said electrode to heat the surface of the electrodes during application of said voltage to a temperature which is less than 500° F. thereby to produce gas by electro-chemical action within said formation and the accompanying gasification of said carbonaceous material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 1 wherein one of said electrically conductive elements is provided adjacent said earth's surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 2 wherein the electrically conductive element provided adjacent earth's surface serves as the anode.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
63 words
The process of claim 1 wherein at least one of said electrically conductive elements is provided by drilling a well which penetrates said formation and inserting in the well bore an elongated liner having an upper portion and an electrically conductive lower portion, said upper portion being electrically insulated from said lower portion, which latter portion is connected to said direct current source.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 4 wherein said lower portion of said liner serves as the cathode.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The process of claim 4 wherein the formation has a given thickness and said lower portion of said liner is disposed within the boundary of said formation and is shorter than the thickness of said formation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process of claim 4 which includes cooling the formation around the electrically conductive lower portion of said liner by introducing a liquid coolant into the well-bore.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process of claim 7 wherein the electrically conductive lower portion of said liner is perforated and said liquid coolant is injected into said formation through said lower portion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claims 7 or 8 wherein said liquid coolant is water.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the formation is provided with passageways before said electrical current is passed therethrough said passageways permitting the gas produced to permeate through said formation.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 10 wherein said passageways are provided by fracturing said formation.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said carbonaceous material is selected from the group of heavy oil, oil shale, or coal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the gas produced is a combustible gas consisting essentially of hydrogen, hydrocarbons having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms, and carbon monoxide.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the formation of carbonaceous material is a sand formation and the gas produced has a Btu content of 1000 or higher.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
127 words
A process for yielding a gas from a subsurface formation of hydrocarbon material by treatment with direct electrical current, which process comprises providing an aqueous electrolyte in contact with said subsurface formation, providing at least two electrically conductive elements, constituting an anode and cathode, in contact with said electrolyte, passing a controlled amount of electrical current from a direct current source through said formation between said electrically conductive elements at a voltage of at least 0.3 volts and controlling the current relative to the composition of said material and the ambient conditions adjacent to said electrode to heat the the electrodes during application of said voltage to a temperature which is less than 500° F. and, and withdrawing from said formation the gas resulting from said treatment.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
127 words
A process for yielding a gas from a subsurface formation of hydrocarbon material by treatment with direct electrical current, which process comprises providing an aqueous electrolyte in contact with said subsurface formation, providing at least two electrically conductive elements, constituting an anode and cathode, in contact with said electrolyte, passing a controlled amount of electrical current from a direct current source through said formation between said electrically conductive elements at a voltage of at least 0.3 volts and controlling the current relative to the composition of said material and the ambient conditions adjacent to said electrode to heat the the electrodes during application of said voltage to a temperature which is less than 500° F. and, and withdrawing from said formation the gas resulting from said treatment.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-05-09 | 1986-11-08 | 1987-05-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-05-09 | 1990-11-08 | 1991-05-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-05-09 | 1994-11-08 | 1995-05-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |