Method for optimizing in-situ bioconversion of carbon-bearing formations
First Claim
1. A process for bioconverting a subterranean carbon-bearing deposit selected from coal seams, coal deposits and shale deposits comprising the steps of:
- injecting a fluid into the carbon bearing deposit with at least one injection well and removing injected fluid and product from the deposit through at least one production well;
controlling fluid pressure within at least a portion of the deposit by use of said injected fluid, said pressure being controlled such that a net effective stress for said portion of the deposit is decreased and a permeability of said deposit is increased, and such that the fluid pressure within at least a portion of the deposit exceeds the fluid pressure that normally exists in that portion;
bioconverting at least a portion of carbonaceous materials in the carbon bearing deposit to methane by a microbial consortium including at least one methanogen; and
withdrawing the injected fluid and methane from said carbon bearing deposit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A process for bioconverting a subterranean carbon-bearing subterranean formation deposit include the steps of injecting a fluid into the carbon bearing deposit with at least one injection well and removing injected fluid and product from the deposit through at least one production well, controlling fluid pressure within at least a portion of the deposit by use of the injected fluid such that the pressure causes a net effective stress decrease for the portion of the deposit and an increase in permeability of the deposit, bioconverting at least a portion of carbonaceous materials in the carbon bearing deposit to methane by a microbial consortium, and withdrawing the injected fluid and methane from the carbon bearing deposit. Cetane or butane may also be produced by the microbial consortium.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A process for bioconverting a subterranean carbon-bearing deposit selected from coal seams, coal deposits and shale deposits comprising the steps of:
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injecting a fluid into the carbon bearing deposit with at least one injection well and removing injected fluid and product from the deposit through at least one production well; controlling fluid pressure within at least a portion of the deposit by use of said injected fluid, said pressure being controlled such that a net effective stress for said portion of the deposit is decreased and a permeability of said deposit is increased, and such that the fluid pressure within at least a portion of the deposit exceeds the fluid pressure that normally exists in that portion; bioconverting at least a portion of carbonaceous materials in the carbon bearing deposit to methane by a microbial consortium including at least one methanogen; and withdrawing the injected fluid and methane from said carbon bearing deposit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification