Patent ID: 8104536
Filing Date: 2012-01-31
Classification: C09K,E21B,Y02P

Abstract:
1. A method for extracting a kerogen-based product from a subsurface shale formation comprising subsurface shale, wherein the subsurface shale comprises an inorganic component in addition to the kerogen, the method comprising the steps of: a) increasing accessibility of kerogen in subsurface shale to a fluid by (i) drilling a cased injection well into the subsurface shale formation comprising the subsurface shale; (ii) pressurizing the injection well with a dense phase fluid to provide a pressurized well; and (iii) rapidly de-pressurizing the pressurized well to reach a steady state reduced pressure, wherein the kerogen absorbs a portion of the dense phase fluid; b) contacting the kerogen in the subsurface shale with a reactive fluid to create a mobile kerogen-based product; and c) transporting the mobile kerogen-based product out of the subsurface shale formation to yield an extracted kerogen-based product.