Method for recovering methane from a solid carbonaceous subterranean formation
AssigneeAmoco Corporation
InventorsJoseph J. Chaback, Dan Yee, Richard F. Volz, Jr., John P. Seidle, Rajen Puri
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Abstract
A method for treating a mixture of gaseous fluids within a solid carbonaceous subterranean formation. In some embodiments, the invention provides for the disposal of a strongly adsorbing gaseous fluid within the formation. In other embodiments, the invention provides a means for fractionating a mixture of gaseous fluids within the formation. In still other embodiments, the invention provides for the recovery of a raffinate from the formation which is enriched in relatively weaker adsorbing gaseous fluids. In still other embodiments, the invention provides for the recovery of methane from the formation.
Claims20
A method for recovering methane from a solid carbonaceous subterranean formation penetrated by an injection well and a production well, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) injecting a desorbing gaseous fluid comprising a weaker adsorbing fluid component and a stronger adsorbing fluid component into the formation through the injection well;
- b) recovering an effluent comprising methane through the production well;
- and
- c) subsequent to step a), injecting a liquid into the formation through the injection well.
A method for recovering methane from a coal seam penetrated by an injection well and a production well, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) injecting a desorbing gaseous fluid comprising a weaker adsorbing fluid component and a stronger adsorbing fluid component into the coal seam through the injection well;
- b) recovering an effluent comprising methane from the coal seam through the production well;
- and
- c) subsequent to step a), injecting a liquid into the coal seam through the injection well to direct the injected desorbing gaseous fluid into regions having lower permeability.
A method for recovering methane from a coal seam penetrated by an injection well and a production well, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) injecting a desorbing gaseous fluid into the coal seam through the injection well;
- b) recovering an effluent comprising methane from the coal seam through the production well;
- and
- c) intermittently injecting a liquid into the coal seam through the injection well to reduce the streaking of injected desorbing gaseous fluid from the injection well to the production well.
A method for recovering methane from a solid carbonaceous subterranean formation penetrated by an injection well and a production well, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) injecting a desorbing gaseous fluid into the formation through the injection well;
- b) recovering an effluent comprising methane through the production well;
- and
- c) injecting a liquid comprising water into the formation through the injection well.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.