Michele Thomas

US Patent:

6918444, Jul 19, 2005

Filed:

Mar 19, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/812184

Inventors:

Quinn R. Passey - Kingwood TX, US
Michele M. Thomas - Houston TX, US
Kevin M. Bohacs - Houston TX, US

Assignee:

ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company - Houston TX

International Classification:

E21B043/00

US Classification:

166258

Abstract:

A method for accelerating the conversion of kerogen to hydrocarbons in a subterranean formation containing organic-rich rock that is located in the vicinity of reservoir-quality strata. Sufficient heat is generated in the reservoir-quality strata such that it heats the organic-rich rock in the subterranean formation and accelerates the conversion of kerogen to hydrocarbons in the formation.

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:

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:

8151884, Apr 10, 2012

Filed:

Oct 10, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/973750

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
Steve R. Krohn - Spring TX, US

Assignee:

ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company - Houston TX

International Classification:

E21B 36/00
E21B 43/24

US Classification:

166302, 166369, 166 60, 1662721, 166245

Abstract:

A method for producing hydrocarbons from subsurface formations at different depths is first provided. In one aspect, the method includes the step of heating organic-rich rock, in situ, within a subsurface formation at a first depth. The result of the heating step is that at least a portion of the organic-rich rock is pyrolyzed into hydrocarbon fluids. Preferably, the organic-rich rock of the subsurface formation of the first depth is oil shale. The method also includes providing at least one substantially unheated zone within the formation of the first depth. In this way, the organic-rich rock in that zone is left substantially unpyrolyzed. The method further includes drilling at least one production well through the unheated zone, and completing the at least one production well in a subsurface formation at a second depth that is deeper than the first depth. Thereafter, hydrocarbon fluids are produced through the at least one production well.

US Patent:

8641150, Feb 4, 2014

Filed:

Dec 11, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/636345

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, 299 3

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:

20080290719, Nov 27, 2008

Filed:

May 21, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/154238

Inventors:

Robert D. Kaminsky - Houston TX, US
Michele M. Thomas - Houston TX, US
Lauren Blanton - Houston TX, US
Eric D. Nelson - Houston TX, US
William A. Symington - Houston TX, US

International Classification:

E21B 43/295

US Classification:

299 3

Abstract:

An in situ method of producing hydrocarbon fluids from an organic-rich rock formation is provided. The method may include heating an organic-rich rock formation, for example an oil shale formation, in situ to pyrolyze formation hydrocarbons, for example kerogen, to form a production fluid containing hydrocarbon fluids. The method may include separating the production fluid into at least a gas stream and a liquid stream, where the gas stream is a low BTU gas stream. The low BTU gas stream is then fed to a gas turbine where it is combusted and is used to generate electricity.

US Patent:

20100078169, Apr 1, 2010

Filed:

Dec 3, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/630636

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

International Classification:

E21B 43/24

US Classification:

1662721

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.