Method for recovering methane from a solid carbonaceous subterranean formation
US6119778A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 21, 1996 |
| Grant date | Sep 19, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 21, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25J3/04569
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A method is disclosed for recovering methane from a solid carbonaceous subterranean formation having a production well in fluid communication with the formation and an injection well in fluid communication with the formation. In the method an oxygen-depleted effluent, produced by a cryogenic separator is injected into the formation through the injection well. A first methane-containing gaseous mixture is recovered from the formation through the production well-during at least a portion of the time the oxygen-depleted effluent is being injected into the formation. The first methane-containing gaseous mixture has a first methane-desorbing gas volume percent. The injection of oxygen-depleted effluent is ceased and thereafter a second methane-containing gaseous mixture is recovered from the formation which has a second methane-desorbing gas volume percent which is less than the first methane-desorbing gas volume percent.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.