Chevron U.s.a. Inc.

Los Alamos National Security, LLC

Uchicago Argonne, LLC

Marcus Oliver Wigand

Mark Dean Looney

Robert Martin Carlson

Craig V Taylor

Scott A Kinkead

Robert Lestz

Kirk Hollis

Varadarajan Dwarakanath

Lin Li

Guo-Qing Tang

Jon E Burger

Dyung Tien Vo

Douglas K McCarty

Saleh Ali Elomari

Boqin Q Sun

Robert J Klingler

David Glynn Thomas

Randall E Winans

Darren R Locke

A workflow to optimize a fracturing fluid for injection into a subterranean formation is provided. The workflow comprises measurement of fundamental properties and characteristics of reservoir rock and fluid, their interaction with fracturing fluid, computer-based models and laboratory performance testing to select preferred fracturing base fluid and additives package for use in fracturing/re-fracturing stimulation of specific shale formations to enhance hydrocarbon recovery.

Processes and systems for characterizing and optimizing fracturing fluids

Molecular structures of organic molecules in a geological formation are determined. The organic molecules may include kerogen, coal, and/or other organic molecules. In particular, the technique implemented may operate to convert nuclear magnetic resonance data into a multi-dimensional space that permits identification of molecular structures through comparisons of intensity information across the multi-dimensional space with a cutoff map of the space. This may not only simplify the identification of molecular structures of the organic molecules, but also use exact mathematical model for mixture samples to derive both structural and dynamic parameters plus their variation.

System and method for determining molecular structures in geological formations

Disclosed herein are methods for extracting a kerogen-based product from subsurface shale formations. The methods utilize in-situ reaction of kerogen involving liquid phase chemistry at ambient temperatures at pressures for the subsurface shale formation. These methods rely on chemically modifying the shale-bound kerogen to render it mobile using metal particulate catalysts. In the methods disclosed herein a fluid comprising metal is provided to the subsurface shale formation comprising kerogen in an inorganic matrix. A reducing agent is provided to the subsurface shale formation. The kerogen is converted by contacting the kerogen with a metal particulate catalyst formed from the metal; and a mobile kerogen-based product is formed. At least a portion of the mobile kerogen-based product is recovered. The kerogen-derived product can be upgraded to provide commercial products.

Preparation and use of nano-catalysts for in-situ reaction with kerogen

Methods for extracting a kerogen-based product from subsurface (oil) shale formations rely on chemically modifying the shale-bound kerogen using a chemical oxidant so as to render it mobile. The oxidant is provided to a formation fluid in contact with the kerogen in the subsurface shale. An alkaline material is also provided to the formation fluid to mobilize organic acids which are produced during oxidation of the kerogen. A mobile kerogen-based product which includes the organic acids is withdrawn from the subsurface shale formation and further processed to isolate the organic acids contained therein. These organic acids are valuable as hydrocarbon products for creating commercial products and a portion of these organic acids can also be used in the process for extracting the kerogen-based product from the subsurface shale formation.

In-situ kerogen conversion and recycling

Disclosed herein are methods for extracting a kerogen-based product from subsurface (oil) shale formations. These methods rely on chemically modifying the shale-bound kerogen using a chemical oxidant so as to render it mobile. The oxidant is provided to a formation fluid in contact with the kerogen in the subsurface shale utilizing electrokinetic-induced migration. An electric field is generated through at least a portion of the kerogen rich zone to induce electrokinetic migration of the oxidant. A mobile kerogen-based product, that includes reaction products of kerogen conversion, is urged toward a production well utilizing electrokinetic-induced migration, and withdrawn from the subsurface shale formation. An electric field generated through at least a portion of the kerogen rich zone can also be utilized to induce migration of catalysts or catalyst precursors.

Electrokinetic enhanced hydrocarbon recovery from oil shale

Disclosed herein are methods for extracting a kerogen-based product from subsurface (oil) shale formations. These methods rely on chemically modifying the shale-bound kerogen using a chemical oxidant so as to render it mobile. The oxidant is provided to a formation fluid in contact with the kerogen in the subsurface shale. A mobile kerogen-based product which includes the organic acids is withdrawn from the subsurface shale formation and processed to isolate the organic acids contained therein. The isolated organic acids are upgraded by a reaction process that make the products suitable as refinery feedstocks, fuel or lubricant blendstocks, reaction intermediates, chemical feedstocks, or chemical intermediate blendstocks.

In-situ kerogen conversion and product upgrading

Disclosed herein are methods for isolating heavy saturated hydrocarbons from a subsurface shale formation comprising kerogen and an extractible organics component. These methods can be used to provide a bright stock product. The process comprises extracting an extractible organics component from subsurface shale formations comprising kerogen and the extractible organics component in an inorganic matrix and isolating a heavy hydrocarbon fraction comprising saturated beta-carotene. The methods utilize a hydrocarbon solvent to at least partially solubilize the extractible organics component. Among other factors, these processes are based on the discovery that the extractible organics is composed of a heavy hydrocarbon component containing saturated beta-carotene. The saturated beta-carotene product is a valuable commercial product. The presently disclosed processes are more environmentally benign, more economical, and more efficient in producing commercial products and in providing access to kerogen.

Isolating lubricating oils from subsurface shale formations

Methods for extracting a kerogen-based product from subsurface (oil) shale formations. These methods rely on chemically modifying the shale-bound kerogen using a chemical oxidant so as to render it mobile. The oxidant is provided to a formation fluid in contact with the kerogen in the subsurface shale. An alkaline material is also provided to the formation fluid to mobilize organic acids which are produced during oxidation of the kerogen. A mobile kerogen-based product which includes the organic acids is withdrawn from the subsurface shale formation and further processed to isolate the organic acids contained therein.

In-situ kerogen conversion and recovery

The invention relates to methods for extracting a kerogen-based product from subsurface shale formations. The methods utilize in-situ reactions of kerogen involving liquid phase chemistry at formation temperatures and pressures. These methods rely on chemically modifying the shale-bound kerogen to render it mobile, using chemical oxidants. In one embodiment, an oxidant is provided to the subsurface shale formation comprising kerogen in an inorganic matrix, the oxidant converting the kerogen to form organic acids, and forming a mobile kerogen-based product. The spent oxidant is regenerated in-situ to restore at least some of the original oxidation activity. At least a portion of the mobile kerogen-based product is recovered. The kerogen-derived product can be upgraded to provide commercial products.

In-situ kerogen conversion and oxidant regeneration

The invention relates to methods for extracting a kerogen-based product from subsurface (oil) shale formations. These methods rely on chemically modifying the shale-bound kerogen using a chemical oxidant so as to render it mobile. The oxidant is provided to a formation fluid in contact with the kerogen in the subsurface shale. A mobile kerogen-based product which includes the organic acids is withdrawn from the subsurface shale formation and processed to isolate the organic acids contained therein. In one embodiment, the mobile kerogen-based product is treated such that at least a portion of the organic acids form a separate phase from the mobile kerogen-based product to isolate the acids. The organic acids may further be extracted from the mobile kerogen-based product using an organic extraction fluid.

In-situ Kerogen conversion and product isolation

The invention relates to methods for extracting an organics component from subsurface shale formations comprising kerogen and an extractible organics component in an inorganic matrix. Among other factors, these processes are based on the discovery that to more easily access the kerogen in oil shale, it is helpful to first remove the extractible organics component from the subsurface shale formation. The methods utilize a hydrocarbon solvent to at least partially solubilize the extractible organics component. The extractible organics component can be isolated and upgraded to produce useful products. The processes are more environmentally benign, more economical, and more efficient in producing commercial products and in providing access to kerogen.

Preconditioning a subsurface shale formation by removing extractible organics

The present invention is directed to methods for extracting a kerogen-based product from subsurface (oil) shale formations, wherein such methods rely on fracturing and/or rubblizing portions of said formations so as to enhance their fluid permeability, and wherein such methods further rely on chemically modifying the shale-bound kerogen so as to render it mobile. The present invention is also directed at systems for implementing at least some of the foregoing methods. Additionally, the present invention is also directed to methods of fracturing and/or rubblizing subsurface shale formations and to methods of chemically modifying kerogen in situ so as to render it mobile.

Growing community of inventors

San Ramon, CA, United States of America

Marcus Oliver Wigand