A SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FACILITATING SUBTERRANEAN HYDROCARBON EXTRACTION UTILIZING ELECTROCHEMICAL REACTIONS WITH METALS
First Claim
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1. A method to facilitate extraction of subterranean hydrocarbons from a geologic structure, the method comprising:
- injecting a first fluid composition comprising a base metal into a first wellbore that extends into the geologic structure;
wherein corrosion of the base metal in the wellbore results in electrochemical oxidation of the base metal and electrochemical reduction of a reducible species that generates a gaseous product, thereby increasing the subterranean pressure in at least a portion of the wellbore.
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Abstract
Methods and systems for facilitating extraction of subterranean hydrocarbons from a geologic structure. The present methods include causing corrosion of a base metal within a geologic structure to produce a gaseous product to increase pressure and form fractures in the geologic structure. Some embodiments of the present methods include injecting a fluid composition comprising the base metal into a wellbore (e.g., into a geologic structure via the wellbore).
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Citations
34 Claims
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1. A method to facilitate extraction of subterranean hydrocarbons from a geologic structure, the method comprising:
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injecting a first fluid composition comprising a base metal into a first wellbore that extends into the geologic structure; wherein corrosion of the base metal in the wellbore results in electrochemical oxidation of the base metal and electrochemical reduction of a reducible species that generates a gaseous product, thereby increasing the subterranean pressure in at least a portion of the wellbore. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A method comprising:
extracting a hydrocarbon from a wellbore in fluid communication with a plurality of fractures formed by a gaseous product of electrochemical reduction of a reducible species due to electrochemical oxidation of a base metal. - View Dependent Claims (34)
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