Inventors:
Scott Wilson - Littleton CO, US
International Classification:
E21B043/16
Abstract:
The present invention is a method for re-gassifying Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) in a subterranean formation/cavity, storing the resulting gaseous hydrocarbon in the same or connected strata, then subsequent conventional production and delivery of the gas to end users. LNG is injected into a permeable subterranean reservoir through surface and wellbore equipment suitable for operations at cryogenic temperatures. The liquid hydrocarbon vaporizes in the permeable rock/cavity near the injection wellbore as it gains thermal energy from the surrounding strata. The resulting gas is held within the reservoir for subsequent production and/or immediately produced by producing wells in the same or contiguous formations. The invention eliminates the need for onshore LNG receiving/storage terminals.