Method and system for surface production of gas from a subterranean zone

• US 8,376,052 B2
• Filed: 11/01/2001
• Issued: 02/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Effective Exploration LLC
• Original Assignee: Vitruvian Exploration, LLC (Vitruvian Exploration II Holdings LLC)
• Inventors: Zupanick, Joseph A., Rial, Monty H.
• Primary Examiner(s): KRECK, JOHN J
• Application Number:
  US10/003,917
• Publication Number:
  US 20020096336A1
• Time in Patent Office: 4,128 Days
• Field of Search: 166/245, 166/369, 166/370, 166/50, 166/52
• US Class Current: 166/369
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/006 Production of coal-bed methane E21B43/243 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/305 comprising at least one inclined or horizontal well
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/38 in the well
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/09 Locating or determining the position of objects in boreholes or wells , e.g. the position of an extending arm; Identifying the free or blocked portions of pipes
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 7/046 horizontal drilling drilling with mechanical conveying means E21B7/003
• CPC Class Codes: E21F 7/00 Methods or devices for drawing- off gases with or without subsequent use of the gas for any purpose

Abstract

A method and system for surface production of gas from a subterranean zone includes forming a drainage pattern in a subsurface zone. The drainage pattern includes a plurality of cooperating bores and has a coverage area extending between the cooperating bores. Water pressure is lowered throughout the coverage area of the subsurface zone without significant subsurface drainage by producing water through the cooperating bores of the drainage pattern to the surface. Gas is produced from the coverage area of the subsurface zone with at least some of the water.

Claims

1. A method for producing coal seam gas from a coal seam comprising:

forming a drainage pattern in a coal seam, the drainage pattern comprising a plurality of auxiliary drainage bores extending from, and arranged in substantially equal and parallel spacing on opposite sides of, a main drainage bore such that the drainage pattern provides substantially uniform coverage of a selected area of the coal seam in which the drainage pattern is located; and

simultaneously removing water and coal seam gas substantially uniformly from the selected area of the coal seam through the drainage pattern.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the a main bore is substantially horizontal.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the auxiliary drainage bores are generally symmetrically arranged on each side of the central bore.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the selected area of the coal seam has relatively equal length to width ratios.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the drainage pattern comprises a substantially horizontal pattern.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising forming an enlarged diameter cavity, the drainage pattern extending from the enlarged diameter cavity;

and

simultaneously producing water and coal seam gas from the coal seam through the enlarged diameter cavity.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the enlarged diameter cavity comprises a diameter of approximately eight feet.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the auxiliary drainage bores are progressively shorter as they progress away from a surface well bore.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising simultaneously producing water and coal seam gas from the coal seam through a cavity.

10. A method for producing formation gas from a gas bearing formation, comprising:

forming a drainage pattern in a gas bearing formation, the drainage pattern comprising a plurality of auxiliary drainage bores extending from, and arranged in substantially equal and parallel spacing on opposite sides, a main drainage bore such that the drainage pattern provides substantially uniform coverage of a selected area of the gas bearing formation in which the drainage pattern is located; and

simultaneously moving water and formation gas substantially uniformly from the selected area of the gas bearing formation.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the a main bore is substantially horizontal.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the auxiliary drainage bores are generally symmetrically arranged on each side of the central bore.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the selected area of the gas bearing formation has equal length to width ratios.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the drainage pattern comprises a substantially horizontal pattern.

15. The method of claim 10, further comprising forming an enlarged diameter cavity, the drainage pattern extending from the enlarged diameter cavity;

and

simultaneously producing water and formation gas from the gas bearing formation through the enlarged diameter cavity.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the enlarged diameter cavity comprises a diameter of approximately eight feet.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein the auxiliary drainage bores are progressively shorter as they progress away from a surface well bore.

18. The method of claim 10, wherein water and formation gas are produced from a substantially quadrilateral area of the gas bearing formation.

19. The method of claim 10, wherein the drainage pattern provides substantially uniform coverage of an area of the gas bearing formation.

20. The method of claim 10, further comprising simultaneously producing water and formation gas from the gas-bearing formation through a cavity.