John G Langdon

US Patent:

7712528, May 11, 2010

Filed:

Jan 18, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/016829

Inventors:

John E. Langdon - Fort Worth TX, US
Charles H. Ware - Palm Harbor FL, US

Assignee:

World Energy Systems, Inc. - Fort Worth TX

International Classification:

E21B 43/24

US Classification:

1662724, 166263, 166300, 166302, 166371

Abstract:

Embodiments include methods for recovering petroleum products from a formation containing heavy crude oil. In one embodiment, a method includes flowing a catalytic material containing the nanocatalyst into the formation containing the heavy crude oil and exposing the heavy crude oil and the catalytic material to a reducing agent (e. g. , H). The method further includes positioning a steam generator within the formation, generating and releasing steam from the steam generator to heat the heavy crude oil containing the catalytic material, forming lighter oil products within the formation, and extracting the lighter oil products from the formation. In another embodiment, a method includes exposing the heavy crude oil and the catalytic material to an oxidizing agent (e. g. , O). The nanocatalyst may contain cobalt, iron, nickel, molybdenum, chromium, tungsten, titanium, oxides thereof, alloys thereof, or combinations thereof.

US Patent:

7770646, Aug 10, 2010

Filed:

Oct 8, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/868707

Inventors:

Michael Klassen - Columbia MD, US
Ponnuthurai Gokulakrishnan - Columbia MD, US
Casey Fuller - Columbia MD, US
Andrew Hamer - Columbia MD, US
Charles H. Ware - Palm Harbor FL, US
John E. Langdon - Fort Worth TX, US

Assignee:

World Energy Systems, Inc. - Fort Worth TX

International Classification:

E21B 36/00
E21B 43/24

US Classification:

166303, 166 59

Abstract:

A downhole burner for a steam generator includes an injector and a cooling liner. Steam enters the burner through holes in the cooling liner. Combustion occurring within the cooling liner heats the steam and increases its quality and may superheat it. The heated, high-quality steam and combustion products exit the burner and enter an oil-bearing formation to upgrade and improve the mobility of heavy crude oils held in the formation. The injector includes a face plate, a cover plate, an oxidizer distribution manifold plate, and a fuel distribution manifold plate. The cooling liner has an effusion cooling section and effusion cooling and jet mixing section. The effusion cooling section includes effusion holes for injecting steam along the cooling liner surface to protect the liner. The effusion cooling and jet mixing section has both effusion holes and mixing holes for injecting steam further toward central portions of the burner.

US Patent:

8336623, Dec 25, 2012

Filed:

Apr 26, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/767466

Inventors:

John E. Langdon - Fort Worth TX, US
Charles H. Ware - Palm Harbor FL, US

Assignee:

World Energy Systems, Inc. - Fort Worth TX

International Classification:

E21B 43/24
E21B 43/22

US Classification:

1662724, 166300, 166302, 166371

Abstract:

Embodiments include methods for recovering petroleum products from a formation containing heavy crude oil. In one embodiment, a method includes positioning a steam generator within the petroleum-bearing formation, flowing a fuel source and an oxidizing agent into the steam generator, generating and releasing steam from the steam generator to heat the heavy crude oil, flowing a catalytic material containing a nanocatalyst into the petroleum-bearing formation, and exposing the catalytic material to the heavy crude oil. The method further provides forming lighter oil products from the heavy crude oil within the petroleum-bearing formation and extracting the lighter oil products from the petroleum-bearing formation. In some examples, the fuel source contains methane, syngas, or hydrogen gas, and the oxidizing agent contains oxygen gas, air, or oxygen enriched air. The nanocatalyst may contain cobalt, iron, nickel, molybdenum, chromium, tungsten, titanium, alloys thereof, or combinations thereof.

US Patent:

20130075092, Mar 28, 2013

Filed:

Nov 15, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/678293

Inventors:

John E. Langdon - Fort Worth TX, US

Assignee:

WORLD ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC. - Fort Worth TX

International Classification:

E21B 43/16

US Classification:

166256, 166279, 977902

Abstract:

Embodiments include methods for recovering petroleum products from a formation containing heavy crude oil. In one embodiment, a method includes positioning a steam generator within the petroleum-bearing formation, flowing a fuel source and an oxidizing agent into the steam generator, generating and releasing steam from the steam generator to heat the heavy crude oil, flowing a catalytic material containing a nanocatalyst into the petroleum-bearing formation, and exposing the catalytic material to the heavy crude oil. The method further provides forming lighter oil products from the heavy crude oil within the petroleum-bearing formation and extracting the lighter oil products from the petroleum-bearing formation. In some examples, the fuel source contains methane, syngas, or hydrogen gas, and the oxidizing agent contains oxygen gas, air, or oxygen enriched air. The nanocatalyst may contain cobalt, iron, nickel, molybdenum, chromium, tungsten, titanium, alloys thereof, or combinations thereof.