Method for producing methane-containing gaseous mixtures

Details Method for producing methane-containing gaseous mixtures Method for producing methane-containing gaseous mixtures

1993-11-03

1995-02-14

Suchfield, George A.

Wells

Processes

Cyclic injection then production of a single well

166268, E21B 4318

Patent

active

053886402

ABSTRACT:
A method is disclosed for increasing the production of methane from a solid carbonaceous subterranean formation having a standard initial production rate of a methane-containing gas of X standard cubic feet per unit time. The method comprises the steps of injecting an inert methane-desorbing gas into the formation; terminating injection of the methane-desorbing gas; and thereafter recovering greater than X standard cubic feet per unit time of a methane-containing gas from the formation. In some embodiments, a number of well systems exceeding the number of available inert gas production and injection units can be operated in accordance with the present invention to yield greater methane-containing gas production than would be obtained if the available injection systems were dedicated continuously to particular well systems.

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