Robert I Kaminsky

US Patent:

7331385, Feb 19, 2008

Filed:

Apr 14, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/558068

Inventors:

William A. Symington - Houston TX, US
Michele M. Thomas - Houston TX, US
Quinn R. Passey - Kingwood TX, US
Abdel Wadood M. El-Rabaa - Houston TX, US
Jeff H. Moss - The Woodlands TX, US
Robert D. Kaminsky - Houston TX, US

Assignee:

ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company - Houston TX

International Classification:

E21B 43/00

US Classification:

166248, 1663081

Abstract:

Methods are provided that include the steps of providing wells in a formation, establishing one or more fractures () in the formation, such that each fracture intersects at least one of the wells (), placing electrically conductive material in the fractures, and generating electric current through the fractures and through the material such that sufficient heat () is generated by electrical resistivity within the material to pyrolyze organic matter in the formation into producible hydrocarbons.

US Patent:

7441603, Oct 28, 2008

Filed:

Jul 30, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/577332

Inventors:

Robert D. Kaminsky - Houston TX, US
William A. Symington - Houston TX, US

Assignee:

ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company - Houston TX

International Classification:

E21B 43/267
E21B 43/40
E21B 43/17
E21B 43/24

US Classification:

1663081, 166266, 166267, 1662722, 166303, 166371

Abstract:

An economic method for in situ maturing and production of oil shale or other deep-lying, impermeable resources containing immobile hydrocarbons. Vertical fractures are created using horizontal or vertical wells. The same or other wells are used to inject pressurized fluids heated to less than approximately 370 C. , and to return the cooled fluid for reheating and recycling. The heat transferred to the oil shale gradually matures the kerogen to oil and gas as the temperature in the shale is brought up, and also promotes permeability within the shale in the form of small fractures sufficient to allow the shale to flow into the well fractures where the product is collected commingled with the heating fluid and separated out before the heating fluid is recycled.

US Patent:

7516785, Apr 14, 2009

Filed:

Oct 10, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/973764

Inventors:

Robert D. Kaminsky - Houston TX, US

Assignee:

ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company - Houston TX

International Classification:

E21B 36/00
E21B 43/30
E21B 49/08

US Classification:

166245, 166 52, 166 57, 1662421, 16625014, 166264, 166302, 405130

Abstract:

A method for lowering the temperature of a portion of a subsurface formation is provided. Preferably, the formation is an oil shale formation. The method includes the step of injecting a cooling fluid under pressure into a wellbore, with the wellbore having been completed at or below a depth of the subsurface formation. In one embodiment the wellbore has an elongated tubular member for receiving the cooling fluid and for conveying it downhole to the subsurface formation. The wellbore also has an expansion valve in fluid communication with the tubular member through which the cooling fluid flows. The method then includes the steps of injecting a cooling fluid under pressure into the wellbore, and expanding the cooling fluid across the first expansion valve. In this way, the temperature of the cooling fluid is reduced. The temperature of the surrounding formation is likewise reduced through thermal conduction and convection.

US Patent:

7516787, Apr 14, 2009

Filed:

Oct 10, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/973745

Inventors:

Robert D. Kaminsky - Houston TX, US

Assignee:

ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company - Houston TX

International Classification:

E21B 36/00
E21B 43/26
E21B 43/267
E21B 49/00

US Classification:

1662501, 166 57, 166270, 166271, 166281, 166302, 1663081, 405130

Abstract:

A method for lowering the temperature of a portion of a subsurface formation is provided. Preferably, the formation is an oil shale formation. The method includes the step of injecting a cooling fluid under pressure into a wellbore, with the wellbore having been completed at or below a depth of the subsurface formation. The wellbore has an elongated tubular member for receiving the cooling fluid and for conveying it downhole to the subsurface formation. The wellbore also has an expansion valve in fluid communication with the tubular member through which the cooling fluid flows. The method then includes the steps of injecting a cooling fluid under pressure into the wellbore, and expanding the cooling fluid across the first expansion valve. In this way, the temperature of the cooling fluid is reduced. The temperature of the surrounding formation is likewise reduced through thermal conduction and convection.

US Patent:

7631691, Dec 15, 2009

Filed:

Jan 25, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/011456

Inventors:

William A. Symington - Houston TX, US
Abdel Wadood M El-Rabaa - Houston TX, US
Robert D. Kaminsky - Houston TX, US
William P. Meurer - Pearland TX, US
Quinn Passey - Kingwood TX, US
Michele M. Thomas - Houston TX, US

Assignee:

ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company - Houston TX

International Classification:

E21B 43/237

US Classification:

166248, 1663081

Abstract:

Methods are provided that include the steps of providing wells in a formation, establishing one or more fractures in the formation, such that each fracture intersects at least one of the wells, placing electrically conductive material in the fracture, and applying an electric voltage across the fracture and through the material such that sufficient heat is generated by electrical resistivity within the material to heat and/or pyrolyze organic matter in the formation to form producible hydrocarbons.

US Patent:

7644993, Jan 12, 2010

Filed:

Mar 22, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/726651

Inventors:

Robert D. Kaminsky - Houston TX, US
William A. Symington - Houston TX, US
Jesse D. Yeakel - Missouri City TX, US
Michele M. Thomas - Houston TX, US

Assignee:

ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company - Houston TX

International Classification:

E21B 43/241

US Classification:

299 5, 166302

Abstract:

A method of producing hydrocarbon fluids from a subsurface organic-rich rock formation, for example an oil shale formation, in which the oil shale formation contains water-soluble minerals, for example nahcolite, is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes the step of heating the organic-rich rock formation in situ. Optionally, this heating step may be performed prior to any substantial removal of water-soluble minerals from the organic-rich rock formation. In accordance with the method, the heating of the organic-rich rock formation both pyrolyzes at least a portion of the formation hydrocarbons, for example kerogen, to create hydrocarbon fluids, and converts at least a portion of the water-soluble minerals, for example, converts nahcolite to soda ash. Thereafter, the hydrocarbon fluids are produced from the formation.

US Patent:

7647971, Jan 19, 2010

Filed:

Dec 23, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/343109

Inventors:

Robert D. Kaminsky - Houston TX, US

Assignee:

ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company - Houston TX

International Classification:

E21B 36/00

US Classification:

166302, 166 57, 1662421, 62260, 165 45, 405130

Abstract:

A method of lowering the temperature of a subsurface formation, e. g. , comprising oil shale, includes injecting a cooling fluid under pressure into a wellbore. The wellbore is completed at or below a depth of the subsurface formation, and the wellbore includes a bore formed through the subsurface formation defining a diameter. The cooling fluid comprises a slurry having particles of frozen material. The cooling fluid is circulated across the formation in order to lower the temperature of at least a portion of the formation to a point that is at or below the freezing point of water.

US Patent:

7647972, Jan 19, 2010

Filed:

Dec 23, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/343127

Inventors:

Robert D. Kaminsky - Houston TX, US

Assignee:

ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company - Houston TX

International Classification:

E21B 36/00
E21B 43/26

US Classification:

166302, 166306, 1663081, 405130

Abstract:

A method of lowering the temperature of a subsurface formation, e. g. , a subsurface formation including oil shale, includes completing a well having fluid communication with the subsurface formation at a first depth and a second lower depth. A fracturing fluid is injected into the well so as to form a fracture at a depth of the subsurface formation, and thereby provides fluid communication between the first and second depths in the well. A cooling fluid is circulated under pressure through the well and into the fracture so as to cause the cooling fluid to flow from the well, into subsurface formation at the first depth, to the subsurface formation at the second depth, and back into the well, thereby lowering the temperature of the subsurface formation.