U.S. patent application number 11/580194 was filed with the patent office on 2007-05-03 for method of extracting hydrocarbons.
Invention is credited to Ian K. Rosen.
Application Number | 20070095531 11/580194 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37965232 |
Filed Date | 2007-05-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070095531 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rosen; Ian K. |
May 3, 2007 |
Method of extracting hydrocarbons
Abstract
A method of extracting hydrocarbons entrapped in a land
formation includes forming at least one passage into an exposed
surface portion of the land formation, such that the passage is
formed as a substantially horizontal or as an upwardly inclined
passage into the land formation. The exposed surface portion is
positioned vertically lower than at least a portion of the
entrapped hydrocarbons. The method of extraction includes accessing
the entrapped hydrocarbons with the passage, removing the entrapped
hydrocarbons from the land formation via the passage, and capturing
the removed hydrocarbons. Optionally, the entrapped hydrocarbons
may be detected via a directionally-variable seismic exploration
system or method, which may include projecting seismic signals into
the land formation from different locations and receiving return
signals in response thereto. The return signals may provide
information indicative of entrapped hydrocarbons within the land
formation.
Inventors: |
Rosen; Ian K.; (North
Muskegon, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
VAN DYKE, GARDNER, LINN AND BURKHART, LLP
2851 CHARLEVOIX DRIVE, S.E.
P.O. BOX 888695
GRAND RAPIDS
MI
49588-8695
US
|
Family ID: |
37965232 |
Appl. No.: |
11/580194 |
Filed: |
October 12, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60730805 |
Oct 27, 2005 |
|
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|
60753880 |
Dec 23, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
166/268 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01V 1/003 20130101;
E21B 43/305 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
166/268 |
International
Class: |
E21B 43/16 20060101
E21B043/16 |
Claims
1. A method of extracting hydrocarbons entrapped in a land
formation, the land formation having an exposed surface portion
that is positioned vertically lower than at least a portion of the
entrapped hydrocarbons, said method comprising: forming at least
one passage into the land formation at the exposed surface portion,
said at least one passage being formed as at least one of (a) a
substantially horizontal passage and (b) an upwardly inclined
passage; accessing the entrapped hydrocarbons with said at least
one passage; removing the entrapped hydrocarbons via said at least
one passage; and capturing the removed hydrocarbons.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein forming at least one passage
comprises forming at least one passage by drilling into the land
formation to access the entrapped hydrocarbons.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein forming at least one passage by
drilling into the land formation comprises forming at least one
passage by drilling into the land formation with a rotary drill bit
having a diameter between approximately two inches and
approximately forty inches.
4. The method of claim 2, wherein forming at least one passage by
drilling into the land formation comprises forming at least one
passage by drilling generally horizontally into the land formation
to access the entrapped hydrocarbons.
5. The method of claim 2, wherein forming at least one passage by
drilling into the land formation comprises forming at least one
passage by drilling generally upwardly into the land formation to
access the entrapped hydrocarbons.
6. The method of claim 2, wherein forming at least one passage by
drilling into the land formation comprises forming at least one
passage by drilling generally horizontally into the land formation
to form a generally horizontal passage and then drilling generally
upward into the land formation to form a generally vertical passage
to access the entrapped hydrocarbons.
7. The method of claim 2, wherein forming at least one passage
comprises forming at least one generally L-shaped passage by
drilling into the land formation to access the entrapped
hydrocarbons.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the entrapped hydrocarbons are at
least one selected from the group consisting of a gasified state of
matter and a liquefied state of matter.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein removing the entrapped
hydrocarbons is substantially accomplished by force of gravity.
10. The method of claim 1 further comprising pumping the entrapped
hydrocarbons out of the land formation.
11. The method of claim 1, wherein accessing the entrapped
hydrocarbons comprises accessing the entrapped hydrocarbons at a
lower portion of the entrapped hydrocarbons.
12. The method of claim 1 further comprising inserting a conduit
into the at least one passage.
13. The method of claim 1, wherein the land formation is at least
one selected from the group consisting of a mountain, a ridge, a
hill, and a cliff.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the entrapped hydrocarbons are
covered by a cap.
15. The method of claim 1, wherein the entrapped hydrocarbons are
located within a trap and are covered by a cap.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein forming at least one passage
comprises forming at least one passage to access the trap at a
location vertically lower than the cap.
17. The method of claim 15, wherein forming at least one passage
comprises forming at least one passage to access at least two traps
at a location vertically lower than the cap.
18. The method of claim 1 further comprising detecting entrapped
hydrocarbons in the land formation and determining a target
location for forming said passage.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein detecting entrapped
hydrocarbons comprises: projecting at least one seismic signal into
the land formation from a first location; receiving at least one
first location return signal in response to the at least one
seismic signal projected from the first location; projecting at
least one seismic signal into the land formation from a second
location; and receiving at least one second location return signal
in response to the at least one seismic signal projected from the
second location; and wherein the second location is remote from the
first location and said at least one seismic signal projected from
the first and second locations generally intersect within the land
formation, and wherein said first and second location return
signals are adapted to provide information indicative of entrapped
hydrocarbons within the land formation.
20. A hydrocarbon extraction system for extracting entrapped
hydrocarbons from a land formation, said system comprising: a
drilling mechanism, said drilling mechanism operable to form at
least one passage into the land formation, said drilling mechanism
forming said at least one passage at an exposed surface portion
that is positioned vertically lower than at least a portion of the
entrapped hydrocarbons and forming said at least one passage into
or at least partially through the land formation, whereby said
drilling mechanism is operable to form said at least one passage as
at least one of (a) a substantially horizontal passage and (b) an
upwardly inclined passage.
21. The extraction system of claim 20 further comprising a pumping
mechanism, said pumping mechanism operable to draw the hydrocarbons
out of the land formation through said at least one passage.
22. The extraction system of claim 20 further comprising a conduit,
said conduit being located within said at least one passage.
23. The extraction system of claim 20 further comprising a piping
system, said piping system being adapted to transport the released
hydrocarbons to a location remote from the land formation.
24. The extraction system of claim 20, wherein said drilling
mechanism forms said at least one passage via a rotary drill
bit.
25. A method of directionally-variable seismic exploration for
hydrocarbons entrapped in a land formation, said method comprising:
projecting a first seismic signal into the land formation from a
first location; receiving a first return signal in response to said
first seismic signal; projecting a second seismic signal into the
land formation from a second location; and receiving a second
return signal in response to said second seismic signal; and
wherein the second location is remote from the first location and
said first seismic signal and said second seismic signal generally
intersect within the land formation, and wherein said first and
second return signals provide information indicative of entrapped
hydrocarbons within the land formation.
26. The method of claim 25, wherein said first and second seismic
signals and said first and second return signals comprise shock
waves.
27. The method of claim 25 further comprising detonating an
explosive for projecting at least one of said first and second
seismic signals from at least one of the first and second
locations.
28. The method of claim 25, wherein the second location is
positioned vertically lower than the first location.
29. The method of claim 25 further comprising projecting a
plurality of seismic signals into the land formation from at least
one of the first and second locations.
30. The method of claim 25 further comprising projecting at least
one seismic signal into the land formation from at least one
additional location, the at least one additional location being
remote from the first and second locations, and wherein said at
least one seismic signal projected from the at least one additional
location generally intersects with said first and second seismic
signals projected from the first and second locations.
31. The method of claim 25, wherein at least one of the first and
second locations is positioned within a tunnel.
32. The method of claim 25, wherein the land formation is at least
one selected from the group consisting of a mountain, a ridge, a
hill, and a cliff.
33. The method of claim 25, wherein projecting a first seismic
signal comprises projecting a generally horizontally directed first
seismic signal and wherein projecting a second seismic signal
comprises projecting a generally vertically downwardly directed
second seismic signal.
34. The method of claim 25 further comprising processing said first
and second return signals to determine the presence and quantity of
entrapped hydrocarbons within the land formation.
35. The method of claim 25 further comprising accessing and
removing the detected entrapped hydrocarbons from the land
formation.
36. The method of claim 35, wherein accessing and removing the
detected hydrocarbons comprises: forming at least one passage into
the land formation at an exposed surface portion, said at least one
passage being formed as at least one of a substantially horizontal
passage and an upwardly inclined passage; accessing the entrapped
hydrocarbons with said at least one passage; removing the entrapped
hydrocarbons via said at least one passage; and capturing the
removed hydrocarbons.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims the benefit of U.S.
provisional applications, Ser. No. 60/730,805, filed Oct. 27, 2005,
by Ian K. Rosen for METHOD OF EXTRACTING HYDROCARBONS; and Ser. No.
60/753,880, filed Dec. 23, 2005, which are hereby incorporated
herein by reference in their entireties.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention is directed to a method of identifying
and extracting hydrocarbons from a land formation.
[0003] Oil and gas hydrocarbons are found commercially below the
surface of the land or water. Typically, such hydrocarbons are
found in commercial quantities in "traps" of various types. These
traps may include tops or caps formed of hard, dense geological
material that are impermeable to seepage and restrain the
hydrocarbons in underground pockets, and may include similarly
formed side enclosures and/or walls forming multiple sections or
compartments within the trap.
[0004] Typical indicators of hydrocarbon traps are source rock
outflows, which may be found in valleys and flatlands, where most
hydrocarbon exploration presently takes place. Also, land
formations having such traps often include interior structural
changes, features and/or anomalies, such as anticlines, synclines,
fracturing, fragmenting, faulting, over-thrusts, horsts and
grabens, which may result from movement of the geological formation
and create a trap within the land formation.
[0005] Known methods of exploration for these traps or pockets of
hydrocarbons include drilling down from above to penetrate or tap
the traps of hydrocarbons and to pump the hydrocarbons out of the
trap or let them pressure flow to the surface. Sometimes "slant"
drilling from the top location to the perceived trap is used for
environmental or technical reasons to reach a pocket that cannot be
reached by drilling straight down from the top surface. A
relatively new technique involves drilling down and then shifting
to horizontal drilling (i.e. an "L" shaped configuration, where the
horizontal component is underground) to cover a broader area in the
"pay zone" and to break down honeycomb structure or configuration
or other compartments in the trap or traps to increase the
recovery. However, such L-style drilling is more costly than the
standard vertical known method of drilling and often involves the
use of narrower diameter drilling bores, which may reduce the rate
of recovery of the hydrocarbons.
[0006] It is also known to erect drilling rigs on hills or
mountains to tap possible hydrocarbon pockets in such land
formations using the drilling techniques mentioned above. Land
formations such as mountains may include, for example, anti-cline
fold traps, stratigraphic traps and fault traps containing
significant quantities of entrapped hydrocarbons. However, the
construction and operation of oil rigs on mountainous and/or hilly
land formations is costly and difficult due to logistical factors
such as the lack of roads to and general inaccessibility of the
drilling location, the depth of drilling required, and the like.
Therefore, level or generally level terrain and valleys rather than
mountains are more consistently and economically explored and
drilled.
[0007] Another known method of exploration in a mountain or other
rock formation includes creating passageways by chipping and
blasting away at the rock or other geological matter. This method
is generally used for the exploration of solid formations, such as
coal, gold, silver, copper and the like, and may be used to create
a large access tunnel for transportation of vehicles, trains,
miners or other workers, equipment and the like.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention provides a method of identifying and
extracting hydrocarbons from uneven land formations such as
mountains, hills and ridges. The method may include drilling
generally horizontally or at an upwardly inclined angle from a
surface, such as a side of a mountain or hill, or drilling
vertically upward from the bottom of a surface, such as a cliff or
ridge, and into a pocket or trap of hydrocarbons.
[0009] According to an aspect of the present invention, a method of
extracting hydrocarbons entrapped in a land formation includes
forming at least one passage into the land formation at an exposed
surface portion of the land formation such that the passage is
formed as a substantially horizontal or as an upwardly inclined
passage into the land formation. The exposed surface portion is
positioned vertically lower than at least a portion of the
entrapped hydrocarbons. The method of extraction includes accessing
the entrapped hydrocarbons with the passage, removing the entrapped
hydrocarbons from the land formation via the passage, and capturing
the removed hydrocarbons.
[0010] According to another aspect of the present invention, a
hydrocarbon extraction system for extracting entrapped hydrocarbons
from a land formation comprises a drilling mechanism operable to
form at least one substantially horizontal or upwardly inclined
passage into the land formation.
[0011] According to another aspect of the present invention, a
method of directionally-variable seismic exploration for
hydrocarbons entrapped in a land formation comprises projecting a
first seismic signal into the land formation from a first location
and receiving a first return signal in response to the first
seismic signal. The method further comprises projecting a second
seismic signal into the land formation from a second location and
receiving a second return signal in response to the second seismic
signal. The second location is remote from the first location, and
the first and second seismic signals generally intersect within the
land formation. The first and second return signals are adapted to
provide information indicative of entrapped hydrocarbons within the
land formation.
[0012] Therefore, the present invention provides a means and method
of identifying and drilling into or accessing hydrocarbons within a
mountain or hill from the side of the mountain or hill. The
generally horizontal passage and/or an upwardly inclined passage
formed in the land formation from the exposed surface portion
enables the hydrocarbons to be readily removed or drained from the
land formation with the assistance of gravity. The substantially
horizontal passage and/or upwardly inclined passage (which allows
the hydrocarbons to flow generally downwardly and out of the land
formation) thus significantly reduces any pumping force that may be
required to remove the hydrocarbons as compared to a vertically
drilled passage that requires the hydrocarbons to be pumped
upwards. Also, because the trap may be accessed at a lower portion
of the trap, the present invention may, in some geographical
situations, avoid drilling through a hard cap formation covering
the entrapped hydrocarbons. Furthermore, a greater portion of the
hydrocarbons may be removed when the passage penetrates the
entrapped pool of hydrocarbons at a bottom or lower portion of the
pool as compared to drilling a passage vertically into a top
portion of the entrapped hydrocarbon pool.
[0013] These and other objects, advantages, purposes, and features
of the present invention will become apparent upon review of the
following specification in conjunction with the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a side elevation and partial sectional view of
entrapped hydrocarbons being extracted from a mountain in
accordance with the method and system of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 1A is a side elevation and partial sectional view of
the hydrocarbon extraction system of the present invention, showing
an upwardly angled generally L-shaped passage formed in the land
formation;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a side elevation and partial sectional view of the
hydrocarbon extraction system of the present invention, showing the
drilling device for drilling a passage through the land
formation.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a side elevation and partial sectional view of a
directionally-variable seismic exploration system for exploration
of entrapped hydrocarbons within a land formation in accordance
with the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a plan view of a seismic testing apparatus
interface for projecting and receiving seismic signals in
accordance with the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 5 is a plan view of another seismic testing apparatus
interface for projecting and receiving seismic signals in
accordance with the present invention; and
[0020] FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a three dimensional
image of a rock formation entrapping hydrocarbons that may be
detected by the directionally-variable seismic exploration system
of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0021] The present invention will now be described with reference
to the accompanying figures, wherein the numbered elements in the
following written description correspond to like-numbered elements
in the figures. A method of extracting hydrocarbons or a
hydrocarbon extraction system 18 functions to identify and extract
hydrocarbons from a land formation where the entrapped gasified or
liquefied hydrocarbons 10 are generally contained as a pool 12
within a pocket or cavity or trap 14 located within a land
formation 16, such as a mountain or hill or ridge or cliff or the
like. The land formation 16 includes an exterior or exposed surface
portion or side 20 with the trap 14 located interior of the side
20, such that at least a portion of the side 20 is positioned lower
than or below at least a portion of the entrapped hydrocarbons 10.
A passage 22 is drilled or otherwise formed in the land formation
16 by hydrocarbon extraction system 18. The passage 22 originates
at the exposed surface portion and extends into the sides 20 of
land formation 16 and penetrates the entrapped hydrocarbons 10,
whereby the hydrocarbons 10 may be released or removed through the
passage 22.
[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, passage 22 may be drilled substantially
horizontally into the land formation. Further, another passage 24
may also or otherwise be drilled or otherwise formed by the
hydrocarbon extraction system at an upwardly inclined angle into
land formation 16 without affecting the scope of the present
invention. Optionally, and as shown in FIG. 1A, a passage 22'
formed by a hydrocarbon extraction system 18' may have a generally
horizontal or inclined passage or component 22a' and may turn or
angle upward inside the land formation to have a generally vertical
or more inclined passage or component 22b'. Optionally, the passage
may turn or angle directly upward, or vertically, such that the
passage forms a generally L-shaped passage. The substantially
horizontal or L-shaped passage 22 or 22' (or upwardly inclined
passage 24) extending into the land formation 16 from the exposed
surface portion or side 20 enables the hydrocarbons 10 to be more
readily removed via gravitational draining of the hydrocarbons 10
from the trap 14 within the land formation 16 and, in some
geographical situations, may avoid the necessity of drilling
through a hard cap 26 formation covering the entrapped hydrocarbons
10 and/or may provide the shortest drilling distance to the
entrapped hydrocarbons 10. The substantially horizontal or L-shaped
passage 22, 22' and/or upwardly inclined passage 24 also
significantly reduce any pumping force that may be required to
remove the hydrocarbons as compared to a conventional, vertically
or substantially vertically formed passage. Furthermore, a
substantial amount or a greater portion of the hydrocarbons 10 may
be removed when the passage 22, 24 penetrates the entrapped pool of
hydrocarbons at a bottom or lower portion 28 of the pool 12 as
compared to drilling a passage vertically into a top portion 30 of
the entrapped hydrocarbon pool 12.
[0023] As noted above, the land formation 16 may include a cap 26
covering the entrapped hydrocarbons 10 contained within trap 14.
Cap 26 may cover more than one trap 14 containing hydrocarbons 10
(such as shown in FIG. 1A). Although shown as having exposed
surface portion 20 positioned vertically below a portion of the
entrapped hydrocarbons 10 (and at which passages 22, 24 originate),
it should be appreciated, however, that, due to the multiple
sloping faces or sides of the land formation or hill or mountain,
other exposed surface portions or sides may exist at which passages
could be formed that would still penetrate the entrapped
hydrocarbons 10, with the number of suitable exposed surface
portions being dependent upon the geographical structure of the
land formation 16. Furthermore, although passages 22, 24
originating from a single exposed surface portion 20 are
illustrated, it should be appreciated that other passages at
multiple exposed surface portions about the land formation 16 could
be formed in accordance with the present invention to reach the
entrapped hydrocarbons 10. Still further, although two passages 22,
24 are illustrated in FIG. 1, it should also be appreciated that
only one passage need be formed in land formation 16 (such as
shown, for example, in FIG. 1A) to extract hydrocarbons 10 in
accordance with the present invention, with such a passage formed
as either a substantially horizontal passage or as an upwardly
inclined passage or as a generally L-shaped passage, depending on
the particular land formation and/or location of the trap within
the land formation and/or accessibility to the exposed surface or
side of the land formation and/or the like.
[0024] Although land formation 16 is illustrated as a mountain, it
should be appreciated that other land formations may contain
entrapped hydrocarbons that may be removed by the method of
extraction of the present invention. Many above-ground land
formations, including but not limited to ridges, hills, cliffs, and
the like, have many of the characteristics and phenomena that are
indicative of what is presently sought underground. Such land
formations may include entrapped hydrocarbons within the land
formation and may have at least one exposed surface portion or side
or wall or face that has a portion located at or lower than or
below a portion of the entrapped hydrocarbons, such that the
hydrocarbons may be desirably removed using the presently described
extraction method. Such land formations generally include sides or
walls or other exposed surface portions formed by natural causes,
such as erosion or tectonic events. It should also be appreciated,
however, that land formations containing entrapped hydrocarbons may
be provided with exposed surface portions positioned vertically
lower than a portion of the entrapped hydrocarbons as a result of
human made efforts or causes. For example, a valley or depression
or other exposed exterior surface may be formed or enlarged at an
adjacent mountain side or other land formation by blasting and/or
removal of the rocks, soil, and/or minerals located at the land
formation. Thus, the present invention teaches a novel way to
identify and exploit such above-ground indicators of potential
hydrocarbon opportunities.
[0025] As previously noted, passage 22 and/or 24 is/are formed by
hydrocarbon extraction system 18 drilling into land formation 16 to
remove the entrapped hydrocarbons 10, where the passage or passages
may be formed as a generally horizontal passage 22 extending into
the trap or as a passage 24 extending at an upwardly inclined angle
into the trap. The spud-in, or initial penetration into mountain or
land formation 16 to form passages 22, 24 may be accomplished using
known oil and gas exploration systems, such as by drilling
equipment or the like. For example, a rotary drill bit that is
between about two and 40 inches in diameter may be used to form a
circular or tubular passage through the land formation. Such a
rotary drill bit is commonly used in essentially downward or
vertically-drilled oil and gas exploration, in which oil and gas
and/or other flowable substances are lifted or pumped up and out of
the land formation. The passage may also be formed, in total or in
part, by blasting, high pressure eroding, or some combination
thereof. By way of example, and as shown in FIG. 2, hydrocarbon
extractor system 18 may include a drilling mechanism 31, which is
operable to form passages, such as a horizontal passage 33 into
land formation 16. The passage 33 is shown as a partial passage
and, upon completion of the drilling process, the passage formed by
drilling mechanism 31 may be substantially similar to passage 22
and/or 24 illustrated in FIG. 1 or to passage 22' of FIG. 1A.
[0026] As noted, passages 22, 22', 24 penetrate the entrapped
hydrocarbons 10 beneath cap 26, where cap 26 may be a solid rock
formation, or the like, that entraps the hydrocarbons 10 within
land formation 16. Due to the hard, dense geological structure of
cap 26, cap 26 provides greater resistance to the formation of a
passage to the trap from above the trap. Thus, it should be
appreciated that the formation of passages 22, 22', 24 into trap 14
beneath cap 26 is more readily accomplished as compared to drilling
a passage downward from above and through cap 26, and thus may be
accomplished with less wear and tear to the drilling equipment
and/or by using lower cost equipment. Although not illustrated, the
caps at traps within land formations may also include geological
structures forming side enclosures extending about the sides or
around the entrapped hydrocarbons, thereby necessitating that the
passage be formed through such side enclosures, in order to fully
or substantially access the hydrocarbons within the trap. The
geological formation of the land formation may be such that the
side enclosures are either of thinner formation as compared to the
top cap portion and/or are located closer to the outer surface of
the land formation. In such situations, the drilling method of the
present invention may access a lower portion of the trap to drain
the hydrocarbons from the trap and without having to form one or
more passages through the cap structure. Thus, access and
substantial draining of the hydrocarbons from such a trap may be
more readily accomplished using the hydrocarbon extraction method
of the present invention.
[0027] As illustrated in FIG. 1, land formation 16 may also include
additional geological wall formations 32 within trap 14 that
subdivide the trap 14 and the entrapped hydrocarbons 10 therein
into separate sections 34, 36. Although only one such geological
wall formation 32 is shown extending in a generally vertical
manner, it should be appreciated that land formations containing
entrapped hydrocarbons may include additional such geological walls
extending at various angles within the trap, whereby the
hydrocarbons become entrapped within a honeycomb like structure. As
shown in FIG. 1, passage 22 may extend through sections 34, 36 of
trap 14 and thus may be adapted to be used to remove the
hydrocarbons 10 from both sections 34, 36 of trap 14. Also, or
otherwise, the passage may be formed at a lower or bottom portion
of the trap (such as shown with passage 24) to substantially access
and drain both sections or compartments of the trap. It should be
appreciated that a conventional, generally vertical passage
penetrating a trap from above may only be useful in removing the
entrapped hydrocarbons from a single section of such a trap, thus
leaving a significant portion of the hydrocarbons within the land
formation or necessitating the construction of additional generally
vertical passages to penetrate the other sections.
[0028] As shown in FIG. 1A, the land formation 16 may include more
than one trap of entrapped hydrocarbons 10. Although only two traps
14' are illustrated, it should be appreciated that a land formation
may include a number of these traps. As shown in FIG. 1A, a cap 26
covers the two traps 14', including a lower trap 35 and an upper
trap 37. To access the entrapped hydrocarbons 12 in both traps 35,
37, passage 22a' of passage 22' is formed or drilled to extend in a
generally horizontal direction into land formation 16 and then is
formed or drilled to turn or angle generally upward (to form
passage 22b') to extend through a bottom or lower portion 35a of
lower trap 35. Passage 22b' may be further formed or drilled to
exit an upper portion 35b of lower trap 35 and then continue
through a bottom or lower portion 37a of upper trap 37. Thus, the
hydrocarbons entrapped in both traps 35, 37 may be accessible and
drained or extracted via the generally L-shaped passage 22'.
[0029] The entrapped hydrocarbons 10 positioned within the trap or
traps and above or at least partially above the passage 22, 22', 24
often include potential or stored energy due to their vertical
elevation relative to the passage 22, 22', 24. This feature,
together with the generally horizontal orientation of the passage
or the downward slope of the passage from the trap to the exposed
surface portion 20, significantly aids in the removal of the
hydrocarbons 10 from the trap or traps by natural gravitational
draining. Thus, the method of the present invention includes
controlled, gravitational extraction and/or downward flow of
hydrocarbons from a land formation, which is different from prior
methods of extraction for both solids and flowable substances.
[0030] Furthermore, the pocket of entrapped hydrocarbons 10, which
may be in a gasified ("gas") or liquefied ("oil") state, may be
pressurized relative to atmospheric pressure at the exposed surface
portion 20. In such an application, the pressurized hydrocarbons 10
may further aid in the discharge of the hydrocarbons 10 through
passages 22, 22', 24.
[0031] Optionally, and as shown in FIGS. 1 and 1A, hydrocarbon
extraction system 18, 18' may include a pumping system or mechanism
38 to further assist the removal of hydrocarbons 10 from the land
formation 16. Pumping system 38 may comprise any known type of
pumping unit, such as the types typically used in vertical
hydrocarbon extraction, such as a downhole sucker rod pump system
or the like, that is modified for operating in connection with the
generally horizontal or L-shaped or upwardly inclined passages 22,
22', 24. As noted, the pumping forces required to remove the
entrapped hydrocarbons 10 through passages 22, 22', 24 would be
significantly lower as compared to pumping the hydrocarbons out of
a vertical passage. As such, lower cost pumping equipment or other
extracting equipment may be utilized to remove the
hydrocarbons.
[0032] Optionally, hydrocarbon extraction system 18, 18' may
include a conduit or casing 40, 40', 42 within and along passage or
passages 22, 22', 24, respectively, to assist in extracting the
hydrocarbons through the passage or passages. Such casings are
typically implemented in conventional downward or vertical drilling
techniques and are known in the field of oil and gas hydrocarbon
extraction. Casings 40, 40', 42 may be formed of a steel tubing and
may include perforated sections to allow the entry of the
hydrocarbons into the casings 40, 40', 42. Although not shown, a
casing may also utilize liners extending out in a "T" fashion from
the casings at various intervals, where such liners are also known
in the field of oil and gas hydrocarbon extraction. Depending on
the geological strata through which such a casing extends, cement
may also be distributed between the earthen wall of the passage and
the outer surface of the casing, with such a cementing process
being known in the art and intended to provide mechanical support
to the casing.
[0033] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 1A, hydrocarbon extraction system
18, 18' may also include a piping system 44 employed in connection
with the extraction of the hydrocarbons 10. The piping system 44
may be formed utilizing known construction and functions to
transport the released hydrocarbons, as through pipeline 46, to a
location remote from the land formation 16, such as to a ship or
containment vessel or processing facility. Alternatively, the
released hydrocarbons may be captured and temporarily stored in a
container located in the general area of land formation 16.
[0034] In the illustrated embodiments, passages 22, 22', 24 are
formed to penetrate the entrapped hydrocarbons 10 at the lower or
bottom portion of the trap or traps such that a significant portion
of the hydrocarbons 10 are located vertically higher than the
entrance location of the passages 22, 22', 24 at the trap. It
should be understood, however, that a passage may be alternatively
formed to penetrate a trap at a middle or upper portion of the trap
such that a smaller portion of the entrapped hydrocarbons are
located vertically above the passage, with the present extraction
method still functioning as intended within the scope of the
present invention. In such applications, a pump or other extraction
device may be desirable to assist in drawing the hydrocarbon from
the trap.
[0035] It should be appreciated that generally vertical or slanted
passages formed to penetrate entrapped hydrocarbons from above a
trap are not as well suited to removing hydrocarbons as compared to
the method and system of the present invention. Such a vertical
passage, in the case of pressurized hydrocarbons, may enable a
portion of the hydrocarbons to discharge from the land formation.
However, when the pressure within the trap becomes substantially
equalized with the atmospheric pressure, the entrapped hydrocarbons
will no longer flow out of the passage without employing additional
removal techniques. For example, it may be necessary to pump out
the hydrocarbons or to input a pressure catalyst or volume filler,
such as another gas or liquid, into the trap to force or float the
hydrocarbons out of the trap. Furthermore, the removal of entrapped
hydrocarbons using passages formed to penetrate traps from above
are not as proficient at substantially fully evacuating the
hydrocarbons as compared to the method of hydrocarbon removal of
the present invention due to the hydrocarbons settling at the
bottom portion of the trap and thus being distally or remotely
located from the vertical passages entering the trap at the upper
portion of the trap.
[0036] Therefore, the method and system of hydrocarbon extraction
of the present invention readily enables a greater portion of
entrapped hydrocarbons to be removed from a land formation with
less effort as compared to conventional vertical drilling. A
substantially horizontal or L-shaped passage or upwardly inclined
passage extending into a land formation and originating from an
exposed surface portion that is located vertically lower than at
least a portion of the entrapped hydrocarbons enables the
hydrocarbons to be readily removed due to the assistance of
gravitational draining of the hydrocarbons from the land formation,
and in some geographical situations may avoid the necessity of
drilling through a hard cap formation covering the entrapped
hydrocarbons. If pumping is required or desired to remove the
hydrocarbons, the substantially horizontal or L-shaped passage
and/or upwardly inclined passage may significantly reduce the
pumping force or power needed to remove the hydrocarbons as
compared to the force/power required to extract the hydrocarbons
through a vertically drilled passage. Furthermore, by forming a
passage that penetrates the entrapped hydrocarbons at a location
beneath the upper portion of the trap, a greater percentage of the
entrapped hydrocarbons may be removed as compared to passages that
are formed from vertically above the entrapped hydrocarbon
pool.
[0037] Referring now to FIG. 3, a directionally-variable seismic
exploration system 150 is illustrated in connection with
exploration and identification of entrapped hydrocarbons 110 within
a land formation 116, such as a mountain or hill or the like.
Seismic exploration is known to be used for non-invasively
detecting the presence of entrapped hydrocarbons within the
interior of a land formation and involves projecting seismic
signals, such as shock waves, into the ground and recording or
detecting reflected signals (described below) that may indicate key
markers for the presence of entrapped hydrocarbons. For example,
and with reference to FIG. 3, the projected shock waves may reflect
from hard, dense geological material within the mountain that forms
a trap 114 about the hydrocarbons 110.
[0038] Conventional seismic exploration techniques are typically
conducted over a single, limited geographical location and involve
projecting seismic signals, such as shock waves generated by
explosions, in a generally vertically downward direction from a
generally horizontal surface and recording the reflected signals
that are returned in a generally vertically upward direction.
Conventional seismic exploration techniques, thus, provide a
limited topographical understanding of the position, size, and
quantity of entrapped hydrocarbons within a land formation. The
topographical information provided is related to the overall
footprint of the potentially entrapped hydrocarbons and the depth
from the surface to various portions of the trap.
[0039] In contrast, the seismic exploration system of the present
invention involves projecting and receiving seismic signals
generally horizontally at a side of a mountain or hill or other
similar land formation. In a preferred embodiment, a
directionally-variable exploration system projects and receives
seismic signals from at least two separate geographic locations,
with the projected signals (such as one oriented generally
vertically and one oriented generally horizontally) being oriented
to generally intersect within the interior of the land formation.
The directionally-variable seismic exploration system is able to
generate a more detailed, three-dimensional-type understanding
regarding the position, size, and quantity of hydrocarbons
potentially entrapped within the land formation.
[0040] The directionally-variable seismic exploration system 150
includes a first or generally vertical seismic testing apparatus or
system 152a, shown as being located at the top or upper portion 154
of land formation 116, and a second or generally horizontal seismic
testing apparatus or system 152b, shown as being located on a side
or exposed surface portion 155 of land formation 116, with the
second seismic testing apparatus 152b being positioned at a
vertical height orientation that is below the first seismic testing
apparatus 152a. The first and second seismic testing apparatuses
152a, 152b are used to generate and project seismic signals 156a,
156b, respectively, into the interior of the land formation 116. In
the illustrated embodiment, the first seismic testing apparatus
152a generates signals 156a that project in a generally vertically
downward orientation and the second seismic testing apparatus 152b
generates signals 156b that project in a generally horizontal
orientation. As illustrated, the projected seismic signals 156a,
156b are oriented to generally intersect within the interior of the
land formation 116 and may be targeted at particular depths and/or
locations for finding and analyzing traps 114 that may indicate or
entrap hydrocarbons within the land formation 116.
[0041] The first and second seismic testing apparatuses 152a, 152b
are also adapted to receive or detect or record return signals
158a, 158b, respectively, that correspond to the projected seismic
signals 156a, 156b. The return signals 158a, 158b reflect or bounce
off various formations or elements within the land formation, such
as, for example, a trap 114. The return signals 158a, 158b, through
known techniques, may be processed, as by the use of a processor or
computer 160, to provide information regarding the geological
makeup and/or formation and/or size of the interior of land
formation 116. Notably, the return signals 158a, 158b may be used
to generate three-dimensional data or an image 162 (FIG. 6)
regarding the potential position and size of a trap 114 to indicate
the quantity of entrapped hydrocarbons 110 within land formation
116.
[0042] As previously noted, the first and second seismic testing
apparatuses 152a, 152b are positioned at remote locations from each
other, such as at the top or upper portion 154 and side 155 of land
formation 116. It should be appreciated that first and second
seismic testing apparatuses 152a, 152b are schematically
illustrated and may incorporate various individual components
and/or equipment, as described below, and may cover variously sized
surface areas on land formation 116.
[0043] FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate alternative interfaces 163a, 163b
for certain of the components and/or equipment of one or both of
seismic testing apparatuses 152a, 152b with locations on a land
formation for projecting and receiving seismic signals. As shown in
FIG. 4, the interface 163a may include various shock points 164a
for generating seismic shock wave signals, such as by detonation of
explosive charges. The interface 163a of the seismic testing
apparatus 152a, 152b includes shock points 164a extending in both a
first axis 166 and a second axis 168 to form a "two-dimensional"
testing interface grid. The seismic testing apparatus 152a, 152b
includes a detecting or receiving or recording device 170a for
receiving the reflected or returned seismic signals that bounce off
or are reflected from geological formations within the land
formation. Optionally, and as shown in FIG. 5, the interface 163b,
may include additional shock points 164b that extend over
substantially the entire interface 163b to form a
"three-dimensional" testing grid. The seismic testing apparatus
includes a detecting or receiving or recording device 170b for
receiving the reflected or returned seismic signals.
[0044] It should be appreciated that the first and second seismic
testing apparatuses 152a, 152b may be constructed to have an
interface having either a "two-dimensional" or a
"three-dimensional" grid, as described above. It should also be
appreciated that testing may be done using a single shock point to
generate a single seismic wave, and that the seismic signals may be
formed by different means, such as by sound or other wave signal.
Furthermore, although illustrated as including only first and
second seismic testing apparatuses in FIG. 3,
directionally-variable seismic exploration system 150 may
alternatively be constructed to include additional seismic testing
apparatuses that project seismic signals into a land formation and
record returned seismic signals. Directionally-variable seismic
exploration may also involve, and such as illustrated in FIG. 3,
forming a tunnel 172 into the land formation 116 and placing a
seismic testing apparatus (not shown) into the tunnel 172 for
projecting seismic signals and detecting or recording returned
signals.
[0045] As noted above, first seismic testing apparatus 152a may be
positioned to project seismic signals 156a and receive return
signals 158a in a generally vertical orientation and second seismic
testing apparatus 152b may be positioned to project seismic signals
156b and receive return signals 158b in a generally horizontal
orientation. Two or more seismic testing apparatuses may, however,
be alternatively positioned with respect to each other and with
respect to a land formation to perform directionally-variable
seismic exploration within the scope of the present invention. For
example, one or more seismic testing apparatuses may be oriented to
project and receive seismic signals at an angle with respect to
both a vertical plane and a horizontal plane.
[0046] Seismic exploration is generally significantly less costly
than exploratory drilling for entrapped hydrocarbons. The improved
data, information, and understanding regarding the potential
presence and size of entrapped hydrocarbons in a given land
formation obtained through directionally-variable seismic
exploration in accordance with the present invention, therefore,
will be highly beneficial to the field of hydrocarbon extraction.
Specifically, the investments of time and money in actually
drilling and extracting hydrocarbons will be more predictable in
terms of the hydrocarbon yield and the associated costs to
obtain.
[0047] Accordingly, once a trap is detected in a mountain or other
land formation via the directionally-variable seismic exploration
system of the present invention, the extraction method or system of
the present invention may be used to extract the hydrocarbons from
the detected trap or traps. The extraction system may provide a
generally horizontal or upwardly inclined passage that starts at a
location at the side of the mountain that is at or near the bottom
of or below the detected trap, whereby the passage may intersect
the trap to extract the hydrocarbons. Optionally, an upward passage
may be formed or established at an end of the generally horizontal
or inclined passage and at a location generally beneath the
detected trap, whereby the upwardly inclined or generally vertical
passage intersects the trap to drain the hydrocarbons from the trap
via the generally L-shaped passage. The L-shaped passage may be
formed via any suitable or known drilling means, such as described
above.
[0048] Therefore, the present invention provides a
directionally-variable seismic exploration system that provides
enhanced detection of hydrocarbon traps within mountains or hills
or the like. The present invention also provides a method of
extracting the hydrocarbons from the detected trap or trap that
provides enhanced access to the trap and enhanced removal of the
hydrocarbons from the trap. The present invention thus provides a
method of detecting and extracting hydrocarbons from land
formations for which conventional detection and extraction systems
are not highly suited. The extraction method provides enhanced and
controlled extraction via gravity and/or downward flow of the
hydrocarbons from the trap to a piping system.
[0049] Changes and modifications in the specifically described
embodiments can be carried out without departing from the
principles of the present invention, which is intended to be
limited only by the scope of the appended claims, as interpreted
according to the principles of patent law including the doctrine of
equivalents.
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