Method for producing methane-containing gaseous mixtures
US5388640A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 3, 1993 |
| Grant date | Feb 14, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 3, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B43/168
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A method is disclosed for increasing the production of methane from a solid carbonaceous subterranean formation having a standard initial production rate of a methane-containing gas of X standard cubic feet per unit time. The method comprises the steps of injecting an inert methane-desorbing gas into the formation; terminating injection of the methane-desorbing gas; and thereafter recovering greater than X standard cubic feet per unit time of a methane-containing gas from the formation. In some embodiments, a number of well systems exceeding the number of available inert gas production and injection units can be operated in accordance with the present invention to yield greater methane-containing gas production than would be obtained if the available injection systems were dedicated continuously to particular well systems.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.