In situ method for yielding a gas from a subsurface formation of hydrocarbon material
First Claim
1. A process for the in situ reduction of the hydrogen sulfide concentration of a gas derived from a subsurface formation, which method comprises providing an aqueous electrolyte in contact with said formation, providing at least two electrically conductive elements, constituting an anode and a cathode, in contact with said electrolyte, passing a controlled amount of electrical current from a direct current source through said formation between said electrically conductive elements at a voltage of at least 0.3 volts and controlling the current relative to the composition of said material and the ambient conditions adjacent to said electrode to heat the surface of the electrodes during application of said voltage to a temperature which is less than 500°
- F. thereby to yield a gas which has a hydrogen sulfide content substantially less than the gas naturally occurring in the formation.
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Abstract
Gas is yielded and may be subsequently withdrawn from a subsurface formation of hydrocarbon material by passing a controlled amount of current from a direct source through the formation. The gas produced by this process has a high quality Btu content and is produced, in situ, under relatively moderate operating conditions. Furthermore, the gas yielded by this method has a reduced amount of hydrogen sulfide present therein.
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12 Claims
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1. A process for the in situ reduction of the hydrogen sulfide concentration of a gas derived from a subsurface formation, which method comprises providing an aqueous electrolyte in contact with said formation, providing at least two electrically conductive elements, constituting an anode and a cathode, in contact with said electrolyte, passing a controlled amount of electrical current from a direct current source through said formation between said electrically conductive elements at a voltage of at least 0.3 volts and controlling the current relative to the composition of said material and the ambient conditions adjacent to said electrode to heat the surface of the electrodes during application of said voltage to a temperature which is less than 500°
- F. thereby to yield a gas which has a hydrogen sulfide content substantially less than the gas naturally occurring in the formation.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
Specification