Michael P Lin

US Patent:

20130292114, Nov 7, 2013

Filed:

Apr 19, 2013

Appl. No.:

13/866840

Inventors:

Michael W. Lin - Houston TX, US
Lara E. Heister - Spring TX, US
Nazish Hoda - Houston TX, US
William P. Meurer - Pearland TX, US

International Classification:

E21B 43/24

US Classification:

1662722

Abstract:

A method for containing and capturing liquids and gases generated during in situ pyrolysis that migrate through pyrolysis generated or natural fractures includes placing a row of horizontal hydraulic fractures above and below the heated zone and completing production wells within the horizontal hydraulic fractures. The method serves at least two purposes: 1) provides a local zone of weak mechanical strength to blunt the propagation of vertical pyrolysis generated fractures and 2) provides a drainage point for fluids to relieve pressure in the formation and improve recovery. Preferably, the organic-rich rock formation is an oil shale formation.

US Patent:

20130292177, Nov 7, 2013

Filed:

Apr 19, 2013

Appl. No.:

13/866833

Inventors:

William P. Meurer - Pearland TX, US
Chen Fang - Houston TX, US
Federico G. Gallo - Houston TX, US
Nazish Hoda - Houston TX, US
Michael W. Lin - Houston TX, US

International Classification:

E21B 47/00

US Classification:

175 40, 16625012, 166248

Abstract:

Systems and methods of detecting an intersection between a wellbore and a subterranean structure that includes a marker material. The systems and methods include drilling the wellbore and determining that the wellbore has intersected a portion of the subterranean structure that includes the marker material by detecting the marker material. The systems and methods also may include distributing the marker material within the subterranean structure, aligning the marker material within the subterranean structure, determining one or more characteristics of the marker material, ceasing the drilling, repeating the method, and/or producing a hydrocarbon from the subterranean structure. The systems and methods further may include forming an electrical connection between an electric current source and a granular resistive heater that forms a portion of the subterranean structure, forming the granular resistive heater, and/or forming the subterranean structure.

US Patent:

20170283688, Oct 5, 2017

Filed:

Mar 9, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/454696

Inventors:

Jaime A. VALENCIA - Houston TX, US
David W. Maher - Spring TX, US
Robert D. Denton - Bellaire TX, US
Gary F. Teletzke - Spring TX, US
Michael W. Lin - Bellaire TX, US

International Classification:

C09K 8/594
E21B 43/16
E21B 43/40
C09K 8/58
C10G 7/00

Abstract:

Disclosed techniques include a method of obtaining an enhanced oil recovery fluid from a hydrocarbon reservoir, comprising producing a hydrocarbon stream from the hydrocarbon reservoir, separating an associated gas stream from the hydrocarbon stream, and condensing at least a portion of the associated gas stream to obtain an enriched hydrocarbon fluid suitable for injecting into a liquid layer of the hydrocarbon reservoir to enhance recovery of hydrocarbons from the hydrocarbon reservoir.

US Patent:

20170204711, Jul 20, 2017

Filed:

Apr 29, 2015

Appl. No.:

15/310568

Inventors:

Shaquiiria S. HOWELL - Houston TX, US
Michael W. LIN - Bellaire TX, US
Xianghui HUANG - Katy TX, US

International Classification:

E21B 43/24
E21B 47/00
E21B 47/06

Abstract:

The present disclosure provides a system and method for recovering hydrocarbons that minimize surface disturbance. The system includes an electrical heater, electrical cables substantially within the subsurface formation that connect to the electrical heater, electrical pathways substantially within the subsurface formation that are configured to transmit power to the electrical heater, and a first local electrical room that is configured to (i) detect a pathway error within the electrical pathways based on pathway characteristics of pathway sensors and (ii) correct the pathway error by switching power transmitted from a first one of the electrical pathways to a second one of the electrical pathways that is separate from the first one of the electrical pathways.

US Patent:

20150175875, Jun 25, 2015

Filed:

Oct 20, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/518966

Inventors:

Federico G. Gallo - Houston TX, US
Chen Fang - Houston TX, US
Nazish Hoda - Houston TX, US
Michael W. Lin - Bellaire TX, US
William P. Meurer - Magnolia TX, US

International Classification:

C09K 8/592
E21B 43/24

Abstract:

Systems and methods for improved subterranean granular resistive heaters. The methods may include forming a composite granular resistive heating material. These methods may include determining an expected operating range for an environmental parameter for the composite granular resistive heating material within a subterranean formation, selecting a first material, selecting a second material, and/or generating the composite granular resistive heating material from the first material and the second material. The methods may include forming a granular resistive heater. The methods may include determining the expected operating range and/or locating the composite granular resistive heating material within the subterranean formation. The systems may include a composite granular resistive heating material that includes a first material and a second material and that defines a composite functional relationship between an electrical property of the composite granular resistive heating material and the environmental parameter. The composite functional relationship includes a mathematical extremum.

US Patent:

20150122492, May 7, 2015

Filed:

Oct 7, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/508921

Inventors:

Michael W. Lin - Bellaire TX, US
Chen Fang - Houston TX, US
Nazish Hoda - Houston TX, US
William P. Meurer - Magnolia TX, US
Shaquiiria S. Howell - Houston TX, US

International Classification:

E21B 43/24
E21B 47/06
E21B 43/16
E21B 36/04
E21B 43/14

US Classification:

16625002, 166302

Abstract:

Systems and methods for controlling in situ resistive heating elements may be utilized to enhance hydrocarbon production within a subterranean formation. An in situ resistive heating element may be controlled by heating a controlled region associated with the in situ resistive heating element, injecting a control gas into the controlled region, and adjusting the electrical conductivity of the controlled region with the control gas. The controlled region may be located such that the heating and injecting may change the shape of the in situ resistive heating element and/or guide the in situ resistive heating element towards subterranean regions of potentially higher productivity and/or of higher organic matter.

US Patent:

20150000898, Jan 1, 2015

Filed:

Apr 22, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/258816

Inventors:

Nazish Hoda - Houston TX, US
Michael W. Lin - Houston TX, US
William P. Meurer - Pearland TX, US
Robert D. Kaminsky - Houston TX, US

International Classification:

E21B 43/14

US Classification:

166245

Abstract:

Systems and methods for decreasing compaction within a pyrolyzed zone are disclosed herein. The methods include injecting a sealing fluid into the pyrolyzed zone and flowing the sealing fluid to a peripheral region of the pyrolyzed zone. The methods further include fluidly sealing the peripheral region of the pyrolyzed zone with a sealing fluid where fluidly sealing limits a fluid leakage from the pyrolyzed zone. Subsequent to the fluidly sealing, the methods further include pressurizing the pyrolyzed zone to a zone pressure. The systems include hydrocarbon production systems and/or components thereof that are formed using the methods.