System and Method for Facilitating Subterranean Hydrocarbon Extraction with Electrochemical Processes

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016040519-A1
Application number	US-201414776252-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Mar 12, 2014
Priority date	Mar 14, 2013
Publication date	Feb 11, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

This disclosure includes systems and methods for extracting hydrocarbons from a geologic structure. Some systems use or include a well-bore that extends at least partially through the geologic structure, a first electrode disposed within the wellbore, an ionically conductive medium in fluid communication with the first electrode, a second electrode in electrical communication with the first electrode, and a power source configured to establish an electrical current between the first and second electrodes to cause an electrochemical reaction. Some systems are configured to facilitate extraction of hydrocarbons from a geologic structure.

First claim

1 . A system to facilitate extraction of subterranean hydrocarbons from a geologic structure through a wellbore extending at least partially through the geologic structure, the system comprising:
i. a first electrode disposed within the wellbore, the first electrode comprising an interface for an ionically conductive medium in fluid communication with the first electrode, ii. a second electrode coupled to the first electrode, and iii. a power source configured to establish an electrical current between the first and second electrodes to cause an electrochemical reaction.

2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the geologic structure comprises one or more of: a shale formation, a siltstone formation, a sandstone formation, and/or a conglomerate formation.

3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the subterranean hydrocarbons comprise one or more of: natural gas, natural gas liquids, kerogen, coal seam gas, tight gas, shale gas, tight oil, shale oil, coal bed methane, and/or gas hydrates.

4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the second electrode is positioned within the wellbore.

5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the second electrode is configured as an earth grounding conductor.

6 . A method to facilitate extraction of subterranean hydrocarbons from a geologic structure, the method comprising:
i. positioning a first electrode within a wellbore that extends into the geologic structure, ii. providing a second electrode coupled to the first electrode, iii. utilizing an ionically conductive medium in fluid communication with at least the first electrode, and iv. passing an electrical current between the first and second electrodes and through an ionically conductive medium the first electrode to cause an electrochemical reaction.

7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the geologic structure comprises one or more of: a shale formation, a siltstone formation, a sandstone formation, and/or a conglomerate formation.

8 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the subterranean hydrocarbons comprise one or more of natural gas, natural gas liquids, kerogen, coal seam gas, tight gas, shale gas, tight oil, shale oil, coal bed methane, and/or gas hydrates.

9 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the electrochemical reaction induces fractures within the geologic structure.

10 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the electrochemical reaction increases subterranean pressures.

11 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the electrical current is regulated in at least one of a plurality of operation modes.

12 . A system to induce fractures in a geologic structure to facilitate extraction of subterranean hydrocarbons therein through a wellbore extending at least partially through the geologic structure, the system comprising:
i. a first electrode disposed within the wellbore, the first electrode comprising an interface for an ionically conductive medium in fluid communication with the first electrode, ii. a second electrode coupled to the first electrode, and iii. a power source configured to establish an electrical current between the first and second electrodes to cause an electrochemical reaction.

13 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the geologic structure comprises one or more of: a shale formation, a siltstone formation, a sandstone formation, and/or a conglomerate formation.

14 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the subterranean hydrocarbons comprise one or more of: natural gas, natural gas liquids, kerogen, coal seam gas, tight gas, shale gas, tight oil, shale oil, coal bed methane, and/or gas hydrates.

15 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the second electrode is positioned within the wellbore.

16 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the second electrode is configured as an earth grounding conductor.

17 . The system of claim 12 , further comprising at least one supplementary wellbore comprising at least one auxiliary electrode disposed therein.

18 . The system of claim 12 , wherein a component of the ionically conductive medium naturally exists within the geologic structure.

19 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the ionically conductive medium comprises water.

20 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the wellbore comprises a well casing.

21 . The system of claim 20 , wherein the well casing is perforated.

22 . The system of claim 20 , wherein the well casing is configured as a current collector associated with the first or second electrode.

23 . The system of claim 20 , wherein the well casing is configured to function as an electrode.

24 . The system of claim 20 , wherein a second well casing is positioned within the first well casing and a separation material is interposed between the first and second well casings.

25 . The system of claim 20 , wherein the separation material comprises one or more of: an ionically conductive medium and/or an electrically insulating medium.

26 . The system of claim 12 , wherein at least one of the first and second electrodes comprises one or more of: electrically conductive granular materials, electrically conductive proppant materials, and/or electrocatalytic materials.

27 . The system of claim 12 , further comprising a catalytic material configured to facilitate a combustion reaction involving at least one product of an electrochemical reaction.

28 . The system of claim 12 , further comprising one or more well plugs configured to separate segments of the wellbore and facilitate segmented extraction of the subterranean hydrocarbons.

29 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the power source is configured to provide electrical current between the first electrode and the second electrode.

30 . The system according to claim 12 , wherein the power source is configured to provide alternating current between the first electrode and the second electrode.

31 . The system according to claim 30 , wherein the alternating current is configured to produce alternating subterranean pockets of at least two electrochemical reaction products.

32 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the power source is configured to operate in any of a plurality of operation modes.

33 . The system of claim 32 , wherein the operation modes are configured to be controlled by or responsive to at least one of: user command, programming, sensed data, and/or elapsed time.

34 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the system is configured to operate over an initial extraction period.

35 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the system is configured to operate over a lifetime of the wellbore.

36 . A method to induce fractures in a geologic structure to facilitate extraction of subterranean hydrocarbons, the method comprising:
i. positioning and a first electrode within a well casing of wellbore the extends into a geologic structure, ii. providing a second electrode coupled to the first electrode, iii. passing, with a power source, an electrical current between the first and second electrodes and through an ionically conductive medium to cause an electrochemical reaction.

37 . The method of claim 36 , wherein the geologic structure comprises one or more of: a shale formation, a siltstone formation, a sandstone formation, and/or a conglomerate formation.

38 .

Assignees

• Friesen Cody
• Rugolo Jason
• Univ Arizona State

Inventors

• Friesen Cody
• Rugolo Jason

Classifications

• E21B43/26 Primary

  by forming crevices or fractures · CPC title

• E21B43/2401 Primary

  by means of electricity · CPC title

• E21B43/2405

  in association with fracturing or crevice forming processes (E21B43/247 takes precedence) · CPC title

• E21B43/247

  in association with fracturing processes {or crevice forming processes} · CPC title