Method for natural gas production
First Claim
1. A method of dissociating methane hydrate deposits in-situ comprising:
- a. providing a supply of an oxidizer fluid at a pressure higher than that of the methane hydrate deposit;
b. providing a supply of fuel at a pressure higher than that of the methane hydrate deposit;
c. combusting the fuel downhole by reacting it with the oxidizer fluid to provide combustion products;
d. contacting the combustion products with a diluent fluid to produce a heated product fluid; and
e. bringing the heated product fluid into contact with the methane hydrate deposit.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention is a method and system for dissociating methane hydrate deposits in-situ. An oxidizer fluid and a supply of fuel, both at a pressure higher than that of the methane hydrate deposit, are supplied and delivered to the methane hydrate deposit. The fuel is combusted downhole by reacting it with the oxidizer fluid to provide combustion products. The combustion products are placed in contact with a diluent fluid to produce a heated product fluid. The heated product fluid is injected into the methane hydrate deposit whereby methane is dissociated from the methane hydrate and made available for extraction. In addition, carbon dioxide may be made available to promote the formation of carbon dioxide hydrates from the liberated methane hydrate water.
-
Citations
13 Claims
-
1. A method of dissociating methane hydrate deposits in-situ comprising:
-
a. providing a supply of an oxidizer fluid at a pressure higher than that of the methane hydrate deposit;
b. providing a supply of fuel at a pressure higher than that of the methane hydrate deposit;
c. combusting the fuel downhole by reacting it with the oxidizer fluid to provide combustion products;
d. contacting the combustion products with a diluent fluid to produce a heated product fluid; and
e. bringing the heated product fluid into contact with the methane hydrate deposit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12)
-
-
7. A method of dissociating methane hydrate deposits in-situ, comprising:
-
a. providing a supply of oxygen at a pressure higher than that of the methane hydrate deposit;
b. providing a supply of carbon dioxide at a pressure higher than that of the methane hydrate deposit;
c. mixing oxygen with at least a potion of the carbon dioxide to form an oxidizer admixture;
d. providing a fuel;
e. reacting the fuel with the oxidizer admixture downhole to form a heat of reaction and hot combustion products containing carbon dioxide; and
f. contacting the combustion products with the methane hydrate deposits, whereby methane hydrate is dissociated liberating methane. - View Dependent Claims (9, 11, 13)
-
Specification