IP Library Granted Patent US 9,091,156
Granted Patent B2
US 9,091,156 · App. 13/410,696 · Granted Jul 28, 2015

Downhole fluid injection systems, CO

Inventors: Herbert T. Schaef (Richland, WA); B. Peter McGrail (Richland, WA)
Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
E21B43/164E21B41/0064E21B21/00E21B43/114E21B2043/0115Y02C10/14
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,091,156
App. No.
13/410,696
Granted
Jul 28, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

Downhole fluid injection systems are provided that can include a first well extending into a geological formation, and a fluid injector assembly located within the well. The fluid injector assembly can be configured to inject a liquid CO 2 /H 2 O-emulsion into the surrounding geological formation. CO 2 sequestration methods are provided that can include exposing a geological formation to a liquid CO 2 /H 2 O-emulsion to sequester at least a portion of the CO 2 from the emulsion within the formation. Hydrocarbon material recovery methods are provided that can include exposing a liquid CO 2 /H 2 O-emulsion to a geological formation having the hydrocarbon material therein. The methods can include recovering at least a portion of the hydrocarbon material from the formation.

Claims (14)

1. A downhole fluid injection system comprising:

an injection well extending into a geological formation;

a fluid injector assembly located at the terminus of the well, the injector assembly configured as a tube within a tube, the fluid injector assembly configured to inject a liquid CO 2 /H 2 O-emulsion into the surrounding geological formation;

a CO 2 reservoir in fluid communication with the injection well;

a H 2 O reservoir in fluid communication with the injection well; and

wherein the fluid injector assembly defines one conduit in fluid communication with the CO 2 reservoir and another conduit in fluid communication with the H 2 O reservoir.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the fluid injector assembly is configured to mix liquid CO 2 and liquid H 2 O to form the liquid CO 2 /H 2 O-emulsion.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the fluid injector assembly comprises:

a first conduit and a second conduit intersecting the first conduit, the injector configured to convey liquid H 2 O through the first conduit and liquid CO 2 through the second conduit; and

an outlet conduit extending in substantially the same longitudinal direction as the first conduit.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the fluid injector assembly comprises a first conduit and a second conduit intersecting and normal to the first conduit, the injector configured to convey liquid H 2 O through the first conduit and liquid CO 2 through the second conduit.

5. The system of claim 1 further comprising a recovery well extending into the geological formation.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the geological formation comprises hydrocarbon materials.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the recovery well is configured to receive hydrocarbon materials from the geological formation and provide them to a location away from the geological formation.

Assignments (2)
CONFIRMATORY LICENSE Recorded Jun 18, 2012
From: BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE, PACIFIC NORTHWEST DIVISION
To: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Reel/Frame 028391/0292 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 18, 2012
From: SCHAEF, HERBERT T.; MCGRAIL, B. PETER
To: BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE
Reel/Frame 028236/0290 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 61448879 · Mar 3, 2011
Related Publication 20120222870A1 · Sep 6, 2012