Patent ID: 9181467
Filing Date: 2015-11-10
Classification: C09K,C10G,E21B

Abstract:
1. A process for extracting a kerogen-based product from a subsurface shale formation comprising kerogen in an inorganic matrix, the process comprising the steps of: a) providing a fluid comprising an ionic metal, a complexed ionic metal, or an encapsulated ionic metal to the subsurface shale formation comprising kerogen in an inorganic matrix; b) providing a reducing agent to the subsurface shale formation, wherein the reducing agent reacts with the ionic metal, complexed ionic metal, or encapsulated ionic metal to form a metal particulate catalyst in situ in the formation; c) converting the kerogen by contacting the kerogen with the metal particulate catalyst formed from the metal; d) forming a mobile kerogen-based product; and e) recovering at least a portion of the mobile kerogen-based product; wherein the contacting of the kerogen with the metal particulate catalyst in step c) is performed without supplying added heat to the formation; and the metal in the fluid is an ionic metal, a complexed ionic metal, or an encapsulated ionic metal.