Method of treating subterranean gas hydrate formations
First Claim
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1. A method of treating a subterranean gas hydrate formation penetrated by a wellbore, which comprises(a) fracturing the subterranean gas hydrate formation to form a substantially horizontal fracture therein;
- (b) placing electrically conductive proppant particles in the fracture;
(c) permitting the fracture to close on the proppant particles;
(d) passing an electric current from the surface through the wellbore and through the proppant particles to heat the formation in the immediate vicinity of the proppant particles to cause at least some gas to be released from the hydrate; and
(e) producing the released gas through the fracture and up the wellbore.
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Abstract
A gas hydrate formation is treated by horizontally fracturing the formation, placing electrically conductive proppant particles in the fracture, and passing an electric current through the proppant particles in the fracture to generate sufficient heat to release gas from the hydrate. The method has particular application in shallow gas-bearing formations underlying or within the permafrost.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method of treating a subterranean gas hydrate formation penetrated by a wellbore, which comprises
(a) fracturing the subterranean gas hydrate formation to form a substantially horizontal fracture therein; -
(b) placing electrically conductive proppant particles in the fracture; (c) permitting the fracture to close on the proppant particles; (d) passing an electric current from the surface through the wellbore and through the proppant particles to heat the formation in the immediate vicinity of the proppant particles to cause at least some gas to be released from the hydrate; and (e) producing the released gas through the fracture and up the wellbore. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification