Robert C Downey

US Patent:

8151876, Apr 10, 2012

Filed:

Aug 7, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/462682

Inventors:

Robert A. Downey - Centennial CO, US

Assignee:

Ciris Energy, Inc. - Centennial CO

International Classification:

E21B 43/22
E21B 43/24
E21B 43/25
E21B 43/26

US Classification:

166249, 166263, 1662726, 1662727, 1662801, 166300, 166303, 1663051, 1663081, 1663082, 507238, 507254, 507258

Abstract:

Disclosed are processes for improving recovery of product from a subterranean carbonaceous deposit wherein there has been a reduction in product recovery from a production well, the processes comprising treating the deposit with a liquid that contains at least one of an oxoacid ester of phosphorous or an oxoacid acid ester of sulfur.

US Patent:

8176978, May 15, 2012

Filed:

Jul 1, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/459416

Inventors:

Robert A. Downey - Centennial CO, US

Assignee:

Ciris Energy, Inc. - Centennial CO

International Classification:

E21B 43/22

US Classification:

166246, 166275, 166279, 166370

Abstract:

Processes relating to the production of methane, carbon dioxide, gaseous and liquid hydrocarbons, and other valuable products from subterranean carbon bearing formations, in-situ, are disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, such production utilizes indigenous and/or non-indigenous microbial consortia that are capable of converting a carbon bearing material such as shale or coal to desired products. In a particularly preferred embodiment there is provided a process for bioconverting a carbon-bearing subterranean formation, wherein the process comprises injecting fluid into a carbon bearing deposit with at least one injection well and removing injected fluid and product from the deposit through at least one production well, and controlling fluid pressure within at least a portion of the deposit by use of the injected fluid, the pressure being controlled such that the fluid pressure within at least a portion of the deposit exceeds the fluid pressure that normally exists in that portion.

US Patent:

8459349, Jun 11, 2013

Filed:

Jun 2, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/455431

Inventors:

Robert Downey - Centennial CO, US

Assignee:

Ciris Energy, Inc. - Centennial CO

International Classification:

E21B 43/22
E21B 43/16

US Classification:

166246, 1663051, 166300

Abstract:

The invention relates to treating of subterranean formations to increase the susceptibility (by way of chemical break down or solubilization, but not necessarily limited by these or any other theories) of large carbonaceous molecules therein, such as comprise coal, to bioconversion into methane and other useful hydrocarbon products by indigenous and/or non-indigenous microbial consortia, by introducing into the subterranean formations: (a) a solution containing at least one of an oxoacid ester of phosphorus or a thioacid ester of phosphorus; and (b) one or more other chemical compounds/chemical entities selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, carboxylic acids, esters of carboxylic acids, salts of carboxylic acids, oxoacids of phosphorus, salts of oxoacids of phosphorus, vitamins, minerals, mineral salts, metals, and yeast extracts. In an additional embodiment the treating of the subterranean formation further comprises introducing into the subterranean formation a microbial consortia (preferably comprised of methanogens).

US Patent:

8459350, Jun 11, 2013

Filed:

May 8, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/466187

Inventors:

Robert A. Downey - Centennial CO, US

Assignee:

Ciris Energy, Inc. - Centennial CO

International Classification:

E21B 43/22

US Classification:

166246, 166275, 166279

Abstract:

A process for producing methane, carbon dioxide, gaseous and liquid hydrocarbons, and other valuable products from subterranean carbon bearing formations, in-situ. The process utilizes indigenous and/or non-indigenous microbial consortia that are capable of converting a carbon-bearing material such as shale or coal to desired products. The process comprises injecting fluid into a carbon bearing deposit with at least one injection well and removing injected fluid and product from the deposit through at least one production well, and controlling fluid pressure within at least a portion of the deposit by use of the injected fluid, the pressure being controlled such that the fluid pressure within at least a portion of the deposit exceeds the fluid pressure that normally exists in that portion.

US Patent:

20090193712, Aug 6, 2009

Filed:

Oct 16, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/252919

Inventors:

John G. VERKADE - Ames IA, US
Reed E. OSHEL - Des Moines IA, US
Robert A. DOWNEY - Centennial CO, US

Assignee:

IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC. - Ames IA
CIRIS ENERGY, INC. - Centennial CO

International Classification:

C10L 1/26

US Classification:

44620

Abstract:

The present invention is directed toward a method of solubilizing coal. The method includes providing coal and providing an oxoacid ester of phosphorus or a mixture of an oxoacid of phosphorus and an alcohol. A blend of the coal, the oxoacid ester of phosphorus or the mixture of the oxoacid of phosphorus and alcohol is formed. The blend is then treated under conditions effective to solubilize the coal.

US Patent:

20100068772, Mar 18, 2010

Filed:

Sep 3, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/584300

Inventors:

Robert Downey - Centennial CO, US

International Classification:

C12P 5/02
C10L 1/00
C12P 1/04
C12P 7/64

US Classification:

435134, 44307, 435170, 435166

Abstract:

Methods for solubilizing algae or algal material are provided to facilitate the recovery of oil or lipids, as well as hydrocarbons and carbohydrates, from algae or algal material. The methods involve contacting algae or algal material with an oxoacid ester or thioacid ester of phosphorus or a mixture of an oxoacid of phosphorus and/or an alcohol to form a mixture thereof under conditions effective to solubilize the algae or algal material. These methods optionally further comprise bioconversion of the solubilized algae or algal material to form a composition suitable for recovery of oils and non-oil chemicals.

US Patent:

20100081184, Apr 1, 2010

Filed:

Sep 24, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/565839

Inventors:

Robert A. Downey - Centennial CO, US
Marc Ware - Golden CO, US

International Classification:

C12P 5/02
G06F 17/50

US Classification:

435167, 703 2

Abstract:

A method for the evaluation, design and optimization of in-situ bioconversion processes for the conversion of carbon to methane and other useful gases and liquids. The method utilizes a comprehensive computer simulation model for accurately simulating the physical and dynamic conditions in a subterranean carbon-bearing formation and the effects of stimulating the growth of indigenous or non-indigenous microbes therein for the bioconverstion of carbon to methane and other useful gases and liquids. The method enables the prediction of bioconversion rates and efficiencies under a range of variables, and thus provides for the optimization of in-situ bioconversion process design and operation.

US Patent:

20110151533, Jun 23, 2011

Filed:

Dec 10, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/965285

Inventors:

Robert A. Downey - Centennial CO, US
Song Jin - Fort Collins CO, US
Paul H. Fallgren - Highlands Ranch CO, US

International Classification:

C12P 5/02

US Classification:

435167

Abstract:

Method of bioconversion of coal to methane, carbon dioxide, and other valuable gaseous and liquid products in a multi-step process that may include particle size reduction, separation of non-coal materials, addition of chemicals, and multi-stage anaerobic fermentation are disclosed.