US20190338624A1

US20190338624A1 - Method and system of recovering helium from underground resources

Info

Publication number: US20190338624A1
Application number: US16/403,004
Authority: US
Inventors: Paul E. Mendell
Original assignee: Highlands Natural Resources PLC
Current assignee: Highlands Natural Resources PLC
Priority date: 2018-05-03
Filing date: 2019-05-03
Publication date: 2019-11-07

Abstract

The present disclosure describes a method of recovering oil and gas from a helium-containing reservoir generally having some degree of water saturation within the reservoir pore network by injecting a gas into the reservoir. The method is applicable to reservoirs having high water saturation of about 50 percent or greater. High water saturation in a reservoir can cause excessive amounts of water to be produced to produce the helium. Coproduction and management of this water is costly and burdensome to operations leaving many reservoirs of helium stranded, rendering the production uneconomic. The method described herein addresses these needs and other needs.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 62/666,563, filed 3 May 2018, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application 62/673,608, filed 18 May 2018. The entireties of both of the above-referenced applications are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The following disclosure relates generally to production of helium from a subterranean formation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Underground reservoirs may contain helium, which is often found in association with other gases including nitrogen and natural gas. However, the sources for natural gas and helium are different. Natural gas is sourced from organic matter either through heat, temperature and pressure conditions in a process called thermogenesis or through bacterial decay of organic matter. Gas formed from bacterial decay of organic matter is known as biogenic methane. Helium is generated from radioactive decay of uranium, thorium and their daughter products. Natural gas and helium are produced from independent sources although they are generally found together.
The oil and gas industry employ various methods for identifying natural gas accumulations in the subsurface. These methods include seismic evaluation, well logging and physical tests that determine the presence of natural gas. For economic reasons, the industry typically avoids subsurface formations that hold minor saturation of gases due to the excessive volumes of saltwater that would accompany such an effort.
Underground reservoirs generally have some degree of water saturation within the pore network. Many reservoirs containing helium throughout the world have high water saturation (50 percent or greater). Even reservoirs which produce water-free, or produce only modest volumes of water, may have up to 60% or more, water saturation. High water saturation in a reservoir causes excessive amounts of water to be produced to produce the helium. Coproduction and management of this water is costly and burdensome to operations. For example, expensive deep injection well facilities may be required. However, some of these operations are believed to be responsible for recent earthquake activity and the cause of production curtailments mandated by regulators, imposed on the industry. In some cases, millions of barrels of water are produced to recover helium and associated gases that otherwise would remain in the ground. The reverse of these conditions can also be true, where reservoirs with relatively high gas or oil saturation, produce excessive volumes of water. The present invention is a method of recovering helium from reservoirs that have undesirable volumes of water.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The oil and gas industry employ various methods for identifying natural gas accumulations in the subsurface. These methods include seismic evaluation, well logging and physical tests that determine the presence of natural gas. For economic reasons, the industry typically avoids subsurface formations that hold minor saturation of gases due to the excessive volumes of saltwater that would accompany such an effort.
In addition, subsurface formations (including aquifers) can contain low British thermal unit (BTU) or no BTU gas (e.g., nitrogen) together with helium. For example, such formations may include a mixture of gases that includes helium but is mostly nitrogen; however, it may not be economically feasible to extract gases such as helium from such formations using conventional methods. These and other needs are addressed by the present disclosure. Aspects of the present disclosure can have advantages over current practices.
The present disclosure provides methods and systems for recovery for helium and associated other gases mixed in composition by injecting a provided gas (e.g., nitrogen) into subsurface formations. Native gas trapped as a discontinuous phase coalesces with the injected provided gas (e.g., nitrogen) becoming enriched in native gas compositions including helium. For example, nitrogen gas and helium gas trapped as a discontinuous phase coalesce with the injected nitrogen becoming a coalesced gas of nitrogen and helium. Native gas may include underground or subterranean areas of gas, including natural gas within a producing reservoir when the reservoir is converted into a gas-storage reservoir. Native gas may include coalbed methane (CBM), coalbed gas, coal seam gas (CSG), or coal-mine methane (CMM). Thus, native gas compositions can include not only helium but also components of natural gas, hydrocarbons, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide. In addition, native gas compositions can include only nitrogen and helium. The gas is then allowed to produce back into a well for collection and processing. The process may be repeated until the gas composition meets an economic limit of recovery as determined by the rate of gas, volume of gas and composition of the commingled gases.
The working mechanisms of these methods can include formation of a continuous gas phase by adding gas volume, diffusion of varying composition of gases and partitioning of native gas into the injected provided gas (e.g., nitrogen) assisted by partial pressure drive.
Injected nitrogen may be either manufactured onsite or developed through wells tapping naturally occurring nitrogen deposits. The nitrogen (e.g., naturally occurring nitrogen) may flood into partially saturated helium aquifers. The flooding can occur naturally and/or by injection of a provided gas that includes nitrogen.
The specific injection and production cycles may be in the same wellbore using a ‘huff and puff’ method, or through separate injection and production wells such as is typical of a waterflood configuration.
For wells with multiple, stacked, subsurface formations containing native gas, the process may be repeated so that with each injection, the produced gas is enriched each time prior to recovery of helium.
The present disclosure provides a method that can include providing a provided gas, injecting the provided gas into a helium-containing reservoir, ceasing the injection of the provided gas, and gathering from the helium-containing reservoir a mixture of the provided gas and some of the gaseous helium from the helium-containing reservoir. The helium-containing reservoir may contain water and may be a partially saturated aquifer. For example, the helium-containing reservoir may be a partially saturated aquifer containing a majority of nitrogen gas with a minority of helium gas.
The present disclosure provides a method that can include: providing a gas; injecting the provided gas into a selected well bore in fluid communication with a helium-containing reservoir having a first water-to-gas production ratio, where the helium-containing reservoir comprises a gaseous helium, where the provided gas is injected at rate of from about 10 thousand cubic feet per day (mcfd) or more to about no more than about 8,000 mcfd, and where at least most of the helium produced through (or via) the well bore is a gaseous helium; ceasing the injection of the provided gas into the selected well bore; gathering together from the helium-containing reservoir by the selected well bore some of the provided gas and some of the gaseous helium to form a gathered-gas mixture comprising the provided gas and some of the gaseous helium from the helium-containing reservoir, and producing through the selected well bore the gathered-gas mixture, where the helium-containing reservoir producing the gathered-gas mixture has a second water-to-gas production ratio and where the second water-to-gas ratio is no more than the first water-to-gas ratio.
The present disclosure provides a method that can include: providing a well having first water to gas production ratio; providing a gas; injecting the provided gas into a well bore, where the well bore traverses and/or is in fluid communication with a helium-containing reservoir, where the helium-containing reservoir comprises a gaseous helium; ceasing the injection of the provided gas; and producing from the well bore a mixture of the provided gas and some of the gaseous helium having a second water to gas production ratio, where the first water-to-gas ratio is greater than the second water-to-gas ratio.
If the gaseous helium is in a discontinuous phase (e.g., helium is in liquid entrapment), then helium produced from the well bore in the producing step may be at least most gaseous helium. Further, if the native gas is in a discontinuous phase, then helium produced from the well bore in the producing step may be at least most gaseous helium.
If the gaseous nitrogen and the gaseous helium is in a discontinuous phase (e.g., nitrogen in liquid entrapment and helium in liquid entrapment), then gases produced from the well bore in the producing step may be at least most gaseous nitrogen and helium. Further, if the native gas is in a discontinuous phase, then gases produced from the well bore in the producing step may be at least most gaseous nitrogen and helium. In various embodiments of the present disclosure, the helium-containing reservoir may contain only nitrogen gas and helium gas (e.g., the helium-containing reservoir may not contain any other components of natural gas).
The present disclosure provides a method that can include: providing a target well having a first water to gas production ratio from about 1 bbl water/1000 thousand cubic feet (MCF) to about 2000 bbl water/1000 MCF; providing a gas; injecting the provided gas into a well bore, where the well bore traverses and/or is in fluid communication with the helium-containing reservoir, where the provided gas is injected at a rate of from about 10 mcfd or more to about no more than about 8,000 mcfd; and producing, after the ceasing of the injection of the provided gas, from the target well at a second water to gaseous helium ratio, where the second water to gaseous helium ratio is from about 98% to about 2% of first water to gas production ratio and where at least most of the helium produced from the well bore in the producing step is a gaseous helium.
The helium-containing reservoir commonly has a moveable water saturation value from about 15% to about 90%.
The provided gas can be injected at a rate of from about 10 mcfd or more to about no more than about 8,000 mcfd. Commonly, the provided gas is typically injected for a period from about five days to about three months.
The gathered gas can comprise a mixture of the provided gas and the helium gas having from about 2 to about 98 volume % of the provided gas and from about 98 to about 2 volume % of the helium gas. The gathered gas can comprise a mixture of the provided gas and the helium gas having from about 1 to about 99 volume % of the provided gas and from about 99 to about 1 volume % of the helium gas.
The gathered gas can comprise a mixture of the provided gas and the helium gas having from about 1 to about 99 volume % of nitrogen and from about 99 to about 1 volume % of helium. The gathered gas can comprise a mixture of about 99% nitrogen gas and less than about 1% helium gas. For example, the gathered gas can comprise a mixture of about 99% nitrogen gas and about 0.7% helium gas. The gathered gas can comprise a mixture of about 99% nitrogen gas and about 0.5% helium gas. The gathered gas can comprise a mixture of only helium gas and nitrogen gas. The gathered gas can comprise about 1% or less of helium gas, with the remaining gas being nitrogen gas. The provided gas injected into the helium-containing reservoir can be selected from the group consisting of methane, ethane, propane, nitrogen, butane, air, oxygen, argon, carbon dioxide, and mixtures thereof.
The helium-containing reservoir can comprise, prior to the injecting of the provided gas, a plurality of discrete helium phases. Further, the helium-containing reservoir can comprise, in addition to amounts of helium, discrete nitrogen phases. The plurality of discrete helium phases and the plurality of discrete nitrogen phases can be in the form of one or more pockets and bubbles of helium and one or more pockets and bubbles of nitrogen. During the injecting of the provided gas, the provided gas (e.g., nitrogen) and one or more of the plurality of discrete helium phases may coalesce to form one or more continuous phases of provided gas and helium (e.g., one or more continuous phases of nitrogen and helium). The one or more continuous phases of nitrogen and helium may be a coalesced amount of nitrogen and helium.
The helium-containing reservoir can comprise, prior to the injecting of the provided gas, a plurality of discrete helium phases, although most of the helium may reside mostly in a gas phase due to the low solubility of helium in water. The plurality of discrete helium phases can be in the form of one or more pockets and bubbles of helium. The injecting of the provided gas can coalesce the one or more of the plurality of discrete helium phases into one or more continuous helium phases. The injection of the provided gas can reduce the level of water saturation from about 5 to about 95%.
The gathering step can be continued until one or more of the following is true: (i) the production of the mixture of the provided gas and the gaseous helium from the hydrocarbon-containing reservoir ceases; and (ii) the helium-containing reservoir becomes water saturated and produces primarily water. The provided gas can be one of air, nitrogen, methane, or a mixture thereof. The gaseous helium can comprise one or more of natural gases, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide.
In accordance with the present disclosure, a method can include: providing a provided gas, injecting the provided gas into a well bore, ceasing the injection of the provided gas, and producing from the well bore a mixture of the provided gas and some of the gaseous helium from the helium-containing reservoir. The well bore can traverse a helium-containing reservoir having a moveable water saturation value from about 5% to about 95%.
The gathered gas can comprise a mixture of the provided gas and the gaseous helium having from about 2 to about 98 volume % the provided gas and from about 98 to about 2 volume % the gaseous helium. The gathered gas can comprise a mixture of the provided gas and the helium gas having from about 1 to about 99 volume % of the provided gas and from about 99 to about 1 volume % of the helium gas. The gathered gas can comprise a mixture of the provided gas and the helium gas having from about 1 to about 99 volume % of nitrogen and from about 99 to about 1 volume % of helium.
Typically, the helium-containing reservoir can have pore volumes having a porosity and permeability. The helium-containing reservoir can have, prior to the injecting of the provided gas, a plurality of discrete helium phases contained within the pore volumes. The injecting of the provided gas can coalesce the one or more of the plurality of discrete helium phases into one or more continuous helium phases. The one or more continuous helium phases can span three or more pore volumes.
The injection of the provided gas can reduce the level of water saturation from about 2 to about 98%. The provided gas injected into the helium-containing reservoir can be one of methane, ethane, propane, nitrogen, butane, air, oxygen, argon, carbon dioxide or mixture thereof. The injecting of the gas into the well bore is generally at a pressure below the fracture pressure of the helium-containing reservoir.
Commonly, the producing step can be continued until one or more of the following is true: (i) the production of the mixture of the provided gas and some of the gaseous helium from the helium-containing reservoir ceases; and (ii) the helium-containing reservoir becomes water saturated and produces primarily water. The provided gas is typically injected into the helium-containing reservoir at rate of from about 10 mcfd or more to about no more than about 1,000 mcfd. The injecting of the provided gas can be for a period from about five days to about three months.
The present disclosure provides a method that can include: providing a provided gas, injecting the provided gas into a well bore, producing, after the ceasing of the injection of the provided gas, from the well bore a mixture of the provided gas and some of the gaseous helium from the helium-containing reservoir. The well bore typically traverses a helium-containing reservoir comprising a gaseous helium. The provided gas is generally injected at rate of from about 10 mcfd or more to about no more than about 8,000 mcfd. The injecting of the provided gas can be for a period from about five days to about three months. Moreover, the gathered gas can usually comprise a mixture of the provided gas and the gaseous helium having from about 2 to about 98 volume % the provided gas and from about 98 to about 2 volume % the gaseous helium. The helium-containing reservoir can have a moveable water saturation value from about 5% to about 95%. The provided gas injected into the helium-containing reservoir can be one of methane, ethane, propane, nitrogen, butane, air, oxygen, carbon dioxide or mixture thereof. The injecting of the provided gas into the well bore can be at a pressure below the fracture pressure of the helium-containing reservoir.
The present disclosure provides a method that includes: providing a provided gas, injecting the provided gas into a helium-containing reservoir having a first water to gas production ratio, ceasing the injection of the provided gas, and gathering from the helium-containing reservoir a gathered-gas mixture comprising the provided gas and some of the gaseous helium from the helium-containing reservoir. The helium-containing reservoir can comprise a gaseous helium. Moreover, the provided gas can typically be injected at rate of from about 10 mcfd or more to about no more than about 8,000 mcfd. The helium-containing reservoir producing the gathered-gas mixture can commonly have a second water to gas production ratio and where the second water-to-gas ratio is no more than the first water-to-gas ratio. The provided gas injected into the helium-containing reservoir can be selected from the group consisting of methane, ethane, propane, nitrogen, butane, air, oxygen, argon, carbon dioxide, and mixtures thereof. The helium-containing reservoir can commonly have, prior to the injecting of the provided gas, a plurality of discrete helium phases. The plurality of discrete helium phases can usually be in the form of one or more pockets and bubbles of helium. The injecting of the provided gas can coalesce the one or more of the plurality of discrete helium phases into one or more continuous helium phases. The gathered gas mixture can comprise the provided gas and the gaseous helium having from about 2 to about 98 volume % the provided gas and from about 98 to about 2 volume % the gaseous helium. The gaseous helium can be mixed with one of methane, ethane, propane, n-butane, isobutane, ethylene, propylene, 1-butene, and mixtures thereof. The first water to gaseous helium is commonly from about 1 bbl water/1000 MCF to about 2000 bbl water/1000 MCF. The second water to gaseous helium ratio is generally from about 98% to about 2% of first water to gaseous helium ratio. The injecting of the provided gas is typically for a period from about five days to about three months.
The present disclosure provides a method that can include: providing a well having first water to gas production ratio. providing a provided gas, injecting the provided gas into a well bore, ceasing the injection of the provided gas, and producing from the well bore a mixture of the provided gas and some of the gaseous helium having a second water to gas production ratio. The well bore typically traverses a helium-containing reservoir. The helium-containing reservoir can comprise a gaseous helium. The first water-to-gas ratio is usually greater than the second water-to-gas ratio. The helium-containing reservoir can have pore volumes having a porosity and permeability. The helium-containing reservoir can have, prior to the injecting of the provided gas, a plurality of discrete helium phases contained within the pore volumes. The injecting of the provided gas can coalesce one or more of the plurality of discrete helium phases into one or more continuous helium phases. Generally, the one or more continuous helium phases can span three or more pore volumes. Commonly, the first water to gaseous helium can be from about 1 bbl water/1000 MCF to about 2000 bbl water/1000 MCF. Generally, the provided gas injected into the helium-containing reservoir can be one of methane, ethane, propane, nitrogen, butane, air, oxygen, argon, carbon dioxide or mixture thereof. Typically, the injecting of the gas into the well bore can be at a pressure below the fracture pressure (“press”) of the helium-containing reservoir. The second water to gaseous helium ratio can be from about 98% to about 2% of first water to gaseous helium ratio. The mixture of the provided gas and some of the gaseous helium can have from about 2 to about 98 volume % the provided gas and from about 98 to about 2 volume % the gaseous helium. Commonly, the injecting of the provided gas can be for a period from about five days to about three months.
The present disclosure can provide a method that can include: providing a target well having a first water to gas production ratio from about 1 bbl water/1000 MCF to about 2000 bbl water/1000 MCF, providing a provided gas, injecting the provided gas into a well bore, and producing, after the ceasing of the injection of the provided gas, from the target well at a second water to gaseous helium ratio. The well bore usually traverses the helium-containing reservoir. The provided gas is typically injected at a rate of from about 10 mcfd or more to about no more than about 8,000 mcfd. The second water to gaseous helium ratio is commonly from about 98% to about 2% of first water to gas production ratio. The provided gas injected into the helium-containing reservoir can be one of methane, ethane, propane, nitrogen, butane, air, oxygen, argon, carbon dioxide or mixture thereof. The injecting of the provided gas into the well bore can be at a pressure below the fracture press of the helium-containing reservoir.
It is one aspect of the present invention to provide a method, comprising injecting a provided gas into a well bore in fluid communication with a helium-containing reservoir; ceasing the injection of the provided gas into the selected well bore; and gathering together from the helium-containing reservoir by the selected well bore some of the provided gas and some of the helium to form a gathered-gas mixture comprising the provided gas and some of the helium from the helium-containing reservoir; and producing through the selected well bore the gathered-gas mixture.
In embodiments, the helium-containing reservoir may have a moveable water saturation value of between about 15% and about 90%.
In embodiments, the provided gas may be injected into the well bore at a rate of between about 10 mcfd and about 8,000 mcfd.
In embodiments, the gathered-gas mixture may comprise between about 0.5 vol % and about 99.5 vol % of the provided gas and between about 0.5 vol % and about 99.5 vol % of helium.
In embodiments, the provided gas injected into the helium-containing reservoir may be selected from the group consisting of methane, ethane, propane, nitrogen, butane, air, oxygen, argon, carbon dioxide, and mixtures thereof.
In embodiments, the helium-containing reservoir may comprise at least one of a plurality of discrete helium phases and a plurality of discrete nitrogen phases prior to the injecting of the provided gas. Where the helium-containing reservoir comprises a plurality of discrete helium phases prior to the injecting of the provided gas, the provided gas and one or more of the plurality of discrete helium phases may, but need not, coalesce to form one or more continuous phases of the provided gas and helium during the injecting of the provided gas.
It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a method, comprising providing a gas; injecting the provided gas into a selected well bore in fluid communication with a helium-containing reservoir having a first water-to-gas production ratio, wherein the provided gas is injected at rate of from about 10 mcfd or more to about no more than about 8,000 mcfd; ceasing the injection of the provided gas into the selected well bore; gathering together from the helium-containing reservoir by the selected well bore some of the provided gas and some of the gaseous helium to form a gathered-gas mixture comprising the provided gas and some of the gaseous helium from the helium-containing reservoir; and producing through the selected well bore the gathered-gas mixture, wherein the helium-containing reservoir producing the gathered-gas mixture has a second water-to-gas production ratio and wherein the second water-to-gas ratio is no more than the first water-to-gas ratio.
In embodiments, the helium-containing reservoir may have a moveable water saturation value of between about 15% and about 90%.
In embodiments, the provided gas injected into the helium-containing reservoir may be selected from the group consisting of methane, ethane, propane, nitrogen, butane, air, oxygen, argon, carbon dioxide, and mixtures thereof.
In embodiments, the gathered-gas mixture may comprise between about 0.5 vol % and about 99.5 vol % of the provided gas and between about 0.5 vol % and about 99.5 volume % of helium.
In embodiments, the helium-containing reservoir may comprise at least one of a plurality of discrete helium phases and a plurality of discrete nitrogen phases prior to the injecting of the provided gas. Where the helium-containing reservoir comprises a plurality of discrete helium phases prior to the injecting of the provided gas, the provided gas and one or more of the plurality of discrete helium phases may, but need not, coalesce to form one or more continuous phases of the provided gas and helium during the injecting of the provided gas, and/or a majority of the helium in the plurality of discrete helium phases may, but need not, be in a gas phase.
It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a method, comprising providing a target well having a first water to gas production ratio from about 1 bbl water/1000 MCF to about 2000 bbl water/1000 MCF; providing a gas; injecting the provided gas into a well bore, wherein the well bore traverses and is in fluid communication with a helium-containing reservoir, wherein the provided gas is injected at a rate of from about 10 mcfd or more to about no more than about 8,000 mcfd; and producing, after the ceasing of the injection of the provided gas, from the target well at a second water to gaseous helium ratio, wherein the second water to gaseous helium ratio is from about 98% to about 2% of first water to gas production ratio.
In embodiments, the helium-containing reservoir may have a moveable water saturation value of between about 15% and about 90%.
In embodiments, the gathered-gas mixture may comprise between about 0.5 vol % and about 99.5 vol % of the provided gas and between about 0.5 vol % and about 99.5 vol % of helium. In embodiments, the provided gas injected into the helium-containing reservoir may be selected from the group consisting of methane, ethane, propane, nitrogen, butane, air, oxygen, argon, carbon dioxide, and mixtures thereof. The injecting of the provided gas into the well bore may, but need not, be at a pressure below the fracture pressure of the helium-containing reservoir, and at least about 75 mole % of the production from the well bore immediately before and after provided gas injection may, but need not, be helium.
In embodiments, the helium-containing reservoir may comprise at least one of a plurality of discrete helium phases and a plurality of discrete nitrogen phases prior to the injecting of the provided gas.
Several variations and modifications of the disclosure can be used. It would be possible to provide for some features of the disclosure without providing others.
These and other advantages will be apparent from the disclosure of the aspects, embodiments, and configurations contained herein.
As used herein, “at least one”, “one or more”, and “and/or” are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. For example, each of the expressions “at least one of A, B and C”, “at least one of A, B, or C”, “one or more of A, B, and C”, “one or more of A, B, or C” and “A, B, and/or C” means A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B and C together. When each one of A, B, and C in the above expressions refers to an element, such as X, Y, and Z, or class of elements, such as X₁-X_n, Y₁-Y_m, and Z₁-Z₀, the phrase is intended to refer to a single element selected from X, Y, and Z, a combination of elements selected from the same class (e.g., X₁and X₂) as well as a combination of elements selected from two or more classes (e.g., Y₁and Z_o).
It is to be noted that the term “a” or “an” entity refers to one or more of that entity. As such, the terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more” and “at least one” can be used interchangeably herein. It is also to be noted that the terms “comprising”, “including”, and “having” can be used interchangeably.
As used herein, the phrase “gaseous helium” or “gas-phase helium” generally refers to helium.
As used herein, the phrase “gaseous hydrocarbon” or “gas-phase hydrocarbon” generally refers to an organic compound having a vapor pressure of about 10 mm Hg at a temperature from about −250 to about −80 degrees Celsius. Non-limiting examples of gaseous compounds are organic compounds from about 1 to about 4 carbon atoms. Non-limiting examples of such organic compounds are methane, ethane, propane, n-butane, isobutane, ethylene, propylene, and 1-butene. Natural gas is an example of a gaseous hydrocarbon.
The term “means” as used herein shall be given its broadest possible interpretation in accordance with 35 U.S.C., Section 112, Paragraph 6. Accordingly, a claim incorporating the term “means” shall cover all structures, materials, or acts set forth herein, and all the equivalents thereof. Further, the structures, materials or acts and the equivalents thereof shall include all those described in the summary of the invention, brief description of the drawings, detailed description, abstract, and claims themselves.
As used herein, “natural gas” is a naturally occurring mixture, or natural mixture, consisting mainly of methane, a compound with one carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms, but also usually including small amounts of other hydrocarbon gas liquids and non-hydrocarbon gases. The other hydrocarbon gas liquids commonly include varying amounts of hydrocarbons having two or more carbon atoms varying number of hydrogen atoms. The nonhydrocarbon gas generally include small percentages (by weight, volume, and/or moles) of carbon dioxide, nitrogen, hydrogen sulfide, and/or helium.
As used herein, “shale” refers to a fine-grained sedimentary rock that forms from the compaction of silt and clay-size mineral particles that is commonly called “mud.” This composition places shale in a category of sedimentary rocks known as “mudstones.” Shale is distinguished from other mudstones because it is fissile and laminated. “Laminated” means that the rock is made up of many thin layers. “Fissile” means that the rock readily splits into thin pieces along the laminations.
Unless otherwise noted, all component or composition levels are about the active portion of that component or composition and are exclusive of impurities, for example, residual solvents or by-products, which may be present in commercially available sources of such components or compositions.
Every maximum numerical limitation given throughout this disclosure is deemed to include each lower numerical limitation as an alternative, as if such lower numerical limitations were expressly written herein. Every minimum numerical limitation given throughout this disclosure is deemed to include each higher numerical limitation as an alternative, as if such higher numerical limitations were expressly written herein. Every numerical range given throughout this disclosure is deemed to include each narrower numerical range that falls within such broader numerical range, as if such narrower numerical ranges were all expressly written herein. By way of example, the phrase from about 2 to about 4 includes the whole number and/or integer ranges from about 2 to about 3, from about 3 to about 4 and each possible range based on real (e.g., irrational and/or rational) numbers, such as from about 2.1 to about 4.9, from about 2.1 to about 3.4, and so on.
The preceding is a simplified summary of the disclosure to provide an understanding of some aspects of the disclosure. This summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the disclosure and its various aspects, embodiments, and configurations. It is intended neither to identify key or critical elements of the disclosure nor to delineate the scope of the disclosure but to present selected concepts of the disclosure in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description presented below. As will be appreciated, other aspects, embodiments, and configurations of the disclosure are possible utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below. Also, while the disclosure is presented in terms of exemplary embodiments, it should be appreciated that individual aspects of the disclosure can be separately claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are incorporated into and form a part of the specification to illustrate several examples of the present invention(s). These drawings, together with the description, explain the principles of the invention(s). The drawings simply illustrate preferred and alternative examples of how the invention(s) can be made and used and are not to be construed as limiting the invention(s) to only the illustrated and described examples. Further features and advantages will become apparent from the following, more detailed, description of the various embodiments of the invention(s), as illustrated by the drawings referenced below.

FIG. 1 depicts a cross-section of a helium-containing reservoir with the fluids omitted according to some embodiments of present disclosure;

FIG. 2 depicts a cross-section of a helium-containing reservoir containing fluids according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 depicts a cross-section of a helium-containing reservoir containing fluids according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 depicts a process according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 depicts a cross-section of a helium-containing reservoir containing fluids according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 depicts a method of recovering helium from a helium-containing reservoir according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 7 depicts coalescence of two gases according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

These and other needs are addressed by the present disclosure.
FIG. 1 depicts a cross-section of a helium-containing reservoir 100 with the fluids omitted. The reservoir comprises a plurality of pore volumes 120 defined by reservoir mineral material 110.
The helium-containing reservoir can compose one or more of helium, petroleum, and gas. The helium-containing reservoir comprises helium to be recovered. By way of example, the helium content of the helium-containing reservoir can be more than about mole 50% gas-phase helium, more typically at least about 55 mole % gas-phase helium, more typically at least about mole 60% gas-phase helium, more typically at least about 65 mole % gas-phase helium, more typically at least about 70 mole % gas-phase helium, more typically at least about mole 75% gas-phase helium, more typically at least about 85 mole % gas-phase helium, more typically at least about mole 90% gas-phase helium, more typically at least about 95 mole % gas-phase helium, and even more typically at least about 99 mole % gas-phase helium.
In some embodiments, the helium-containing reservoir comprises natural gas in addition to the helium. By way of example, the hydrocarbon content of the helium-containing reservoir can be less than about mole 50% gas-phase hydrocarbons, more typically less than about 45 mole % gas-phase hydrocarbons, more typically less than about mole 40% gas-phase hydrocarbons, more typically less than about 35 mole % gas-phase hydrocarbons, more typically less than about 30 mole % gas-phase hydrocarbons, more typically less than about mole 25% gas-phase hydrocarbons, more typically less than about 15 mole % gas-phase hydrocarbons, more typically less than about mole 10% gas-phase hydrocarbons, more typically less than about 5 mole % gas-phase hydrocarbons, and even more typically less than about 1 mole % gas-phase hydrocarbons. By way of another example, the helium-containing reservoir can commonly have a carbon content of less than about 50 mole % of the carbon comprising methane and other hydrocarbon gas liquids, more commonly less than about 45 mole % of the carbon comprising methane and other hydrocarbon gas liquids, even more commonly less than about 40 mole % of the carbon comprising methane and other hydrocarbon gas liquids, yet even more commonly less than about 35 mole % of the carbon comprising methane and other hydrocarbon gas liquids, still yet even more commonly less than about 30 mole % of the carbon comprising methane and other hydrocarbon gas liquids, still yet even more commonly less than about 25 mole % of the carbon comprising methane and other hydrocarbon gas liquids, still yet even more commonly less than about 20 mole % of the carbon comprising methane and other hydrocarbon gas liquids, still yet even more commonly less than about 15 mole % of the carbon comprising methane and other hydrocarbon gas liquids, still yet even more commonly less than about 10 mole % of the carbon comprising methane and other hydrocarbon gas liquids, still yet even more commonly less than about 5 mole % of the carbon comprising methane and other hydrocarbon gas liquids, and yet still even more commonly less than about 1 mole % of the carbon comprising methane and other hydrocarbon gas liquids. It can be appreciated that carbon dioxide is not a hydrocarbon gas liquid.
An example of a helium-containing reservoir is a gas shale reservoir. Shale gas refers to natural gas that is trapped substantially within a shale formation. Conventional gas reservoirs are created when natural gas migrates toward the Earth's surface from an organic-rich source formation into highly permeable reservoir rock, where it is trapped by an overlying layer of impermeable rock. In contrast, shale gas resources form within the organic-rich shale source rock. The low permeability of the shale greatly inhibits the gas from migrating to more permeable reservoir rocks. Helium may be present in such reservoirs and may be mixed with other gases within the reservoir. Economically significant volumes of helium may exist in helium-containing reservoirs even if the overall gas saturation level in the helium-containing reservoir is considered low by oil and gas industry standards. Typically, oil and gas industry standards for sub commercial natural gas saturation are about less than 50% of gas saturation, 50% water saturation. Methods and systems disclosed herein may advantageously allow helium to be produced from helium-containing reservoirs where shale gas production (or helium production) would not otherwise be economically feasible.
A helium-containing reservoir is generally considered to be one of water wet or hydrocarbon wet. More generally, a helium-containing reservoir is water wet. In a water wet reservoir, water typically coats at least most, if not substantially all the surfaces comprising the pores. More typically, water coats at least about 50%, if not substantially about 100% of the pores surfaces comprising the water wet reservoir. The water is generally held in place by surface tension. As such, water coating the surface of the pores typically does not move while the helium is being produced. It can be appreciated, that the production of the helium can change the water saturation of the helium-containing reservoir. The degree of change of the water saturation generally varies with the method of production of the helium.
A helium-containing reservoir generally comprises pores and one or more of a mean, mode and average pore volume, commonly referred to herein as reservoir pore volume. Moreover, the helium-containing reservoir commonly has a porosity and permeability. Each pore generally contains a fluid. More generally, each pore contains one of water, helium, or mixture thereof. Saturation of any fluid in a pore space is the ratio of the volume of the fluid to pore space volume. That is, the degree of water saturation of the helium-containing reservoir generally expressed as the ratio of water volume to pore volume. For example, a water saturation of 25% corresponds to one-quarter of pore space being filled with water and the remaining 75% of the pore being with another fluid, such as a liquid, helium gas, or with a fluid other than water, such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen, or such. In some embodiments, the other fluid can be a provided hydrogen, that is a hydrocarbon gas introduced into the helium-containing reservoir by injection through the wellhead. Hydrocarbon saturation is commonly expressed as ratio of hydrocarbon volume to pore volume, or more commonly as one minus the water saturation. Helium saturation is commonly expressed as ratio of helium volume to pore volume, or more commonly as one minus the water saturation. The degree of water saturation can be calculated from the effective porosity and the resistivity logs.
Typically, water contained within a pore can be one of moveable water and substantially immoveable water. The substantially immoveable water comprises the water the wetting the surfaces of the pore volume. The wetted water is generally a film of water covering each pore surface. The substantially immoveable water contained in a helium-containing reservoir is generally not withdrawn during production of the reservoir. Moveable water is the contained with the pore that is not wetting the surfaces of the pore volume. Moreover, the moveable water generally moves from one pore to another during production of the reservoir. As such, the moveable water can be in some instances produced during helium production of the reservoir.
Moreover, the helium-containing reservoir can have some degree of water saturation within reservoir pore network. While not wanting to be limited by example, the injection gas can comprise natural gas, nitrogen or in some cases air. When the helium-containing reservoir is composed of high volumes of water, the helium is generally disconnected and/or discontinuously distributed through the reservoir. The helium commonly exists in the reservoir as one or more of helium pockets or bubbles. The helium is usually stranded in one or more pores and cracks within the reservoir. Moreover, water generally surrounds the one or more helium pockets and bubbles.
Currently, the helium and water are produced together. The mechanism of the coproduction of the helium and water is believed to work due to one or both water production carrying the helium along with the water and production of water lowering the reservoir pressure causing helium to expand to have one or more of pocket and/or bubbles coalesce to form a first continuous phase. In some cases, industry sees increasing gas to water volume to volume ratios under production of high volumes of water. This is due to the expansion behavior of gas compared to gas, hence the increase in the gas volume to water volume ratio over time as reservoir pressures drop.
FIG. 2 depicts a cross-section of a helium-containing reservoir 100 having a continuous helium phase 135 and a plurality of discrete helium phases 137. The continuous helium phase 135 can be one or more of in contact with and span about four or more pore volumes 120. The discrete helium phases 137 are generally dispersed in a continuous, moveable water phase 140. The continuous, moveable water phase 140 can be one or more of in contact with and span about four or more pore volumes 120. It can be appreciated that the continuous helium phase 135 and the continuous, moveable helium phases 137 are one or more in contact with and span different four or more pore volumes 120. Production of such a reservoir typically produces substantially water and substantially little, if any, helium.
FIG. 3 depicts a cross-section of a helium-containing reservoir 100 having a substantially depleted helium continuous phase 138 and substantially comprising a plurality of discrete helium phases 137. The plurality of discrete helium phases 137 are typically dispersed in water saturated helium reservoir. More typically, production from a water saturated helium reservoir containing a plurality of discrete helium phases 137 comprises substantially moveable saturated water 140. Even more typically, production from reservoirs with high moveable water saturation values can comprise substantially more water than helium. In some embodiments, the helium-containing reservoir 100 can commonly have a moveable water saturate level of from one of about 2% or more, more commonly of about 5% or more, even more commonly of about 10% or more, yet even more commonly of about 20% or more, still yet even more commonly about 30% or more, still yet even more commonly about 40% or more, still yet even more commonly about 50% or more, still yet even more commonly about 50% or more, or yet even more commonly about 60% or more to generally one of no more than about 10%, more generally of no more than about 20%, even more generally of no more than about 30%, yet even more generally of no more than about 40%, still yet even more generally of no more than about 50%, still yet even more generally of no more than about 60%, still yet even more generally of no more than about 70%, still yet even more generally of no more than about 80%, still yet even more generally of no more than about 90%, still yet even more generally of no more than about 92%, still yet even more generally of no more than about 95%, or yet still even more generally of no more than about 98%. Commonly, reservoirs having a high moveable water saturation value of one of between about 2%, more commonly about 5%, even more commonly about 10%, yet even more commonly about 15%, still yet even more commonly about 20%, still yet even more commonly about 25%, still yet even more commonly about 30%, still yet even more commonly about 35%, still yet even more commonly about 40%, still yet even more commonly about 45%, still yet even more commonly about 50%, still yet even more commonly about 55%, still yet or yet still even more commonly about 60% and one of typically about 15%, more typically about 20%, even more typically about 25%, yet even more typically about 30%, still yet even more typically about 35%, still yet even more commonly about 40%, still yet even more commonly about 45%, still yet even more commonly about 50%, still yet even more commonly about 55%, still yet even more commonly about 60%, still yet even more commonly about 65%, still yet even more commonly about 70%, still yet even more commonly about 75%, still yet even more commonly about 80%, still yet even more commonly about 85%, still yet even more commonly about 90%, still yet even more commonly about 95%, or still yet even more commonly about 98%.
In some embodiments, the helium-containing reservoir 100 can usually have a helium saturate level of from one of about 2% or more, more usually of about 5% or more, even more usually of about 10% or more, yet even more usually of about 20% or more, still yet even more usually about 30% or more, still yet even more usually about 40% or more, still yet even more usually about 50% or more, still yet even more usually about 50% or more, or yet even more usually about 60% or more to commonly one of no more than about 10%, more commonly of no more than about 20%, even more commonly of no more than about 30%, yet even more commonly of no more than about 40%, still yet even more commonly of no more than about 50%, still yet even more commonly of no more than about 60%, still yet even more commonly of no more than about 70%, still yet even more commonly of no more than about 80%, still yet even more commonly of no more than about 90%, still yet even more commonly of no more than about 92%, still yet even more commonly of no more than about 95%, or yet still even more commonly of no more than about 98%. Typically, the helium-containing reservoirs having a helium saturation value of one of between about 2%, more typically about 5%, even more typically about 10%, yet even more typically about 15%, still yet even more typically about 20%, still yet even more typically about 25%, still yet even more typically about 30%, still yet even more typically about 35%, still yet even more typically about 40%, still yet even more typically about 45%, still yet even more typically about 50%, still yet even more typically about 55%, still yet or yet still even more typically about 60% and one of generally about 15%, more generally about 20%, even more generally about 25%, yet even more generally about 30%, still yet even more generally about 35%, still yet even more typically about 40%, still yet even more generally about 45%, still yet even more generally about 50%, still yet even more generally about 55%, still yet even more generally about 60%, still yet even more generally about 65%, still yet even more generally about 70%, still yet even more generally about 75%, still yet even more generally about 80%, still yet even more generally about 85%, still yet even more generally about 90%, still yet even more generally about 95%, or still yet even more generally about 98%.
Commonly, such production on a mass-to-mass basis processes for each part of the discrete helium phases 137 one part water, more commonly two parts water, even more commonly three parts water, yet even more commonly four parts water, still yet even more commonly five parts water, still yet even more commonly six parts water, still yet even more commonly seven parts water, still yet even more commonly eight parts water, still yet even more commonly nine parts water, still yet even more commonly ten parts water, still yet even more commonly eleven parts water, still yet even more commonly twelve parts water, still yet even more commonly thirteen parts water, still yet even more commonly fourteen parts water, still yet even more commonly fifteen parts water, still yet even more commonly sixteen parts water, still yet even more commonly seventeen parts water, still yet even more commonly eighteen parts water, still yet even more commonly nineteen parts water, still yet even more commonly twenty parts water, still yet even more commonly twenty-one parts water, still yet even more commonly twenty-two parts water, still yet even more commonly twenty-three parts water, still yet even more commonly twenty-four parts water, still yet even more commonly twenty-five parts water, still yet even more commonly twenty-six parts water, still yet even more commonly twenty-seven parts water, still yet even more commonly twenty-eight parts water, still yet even more commonly twenty-nine parts water, or yet still even more commonly thirty parts water.
FIG. 4 depicts process 150 for treating a helium-containing reservoir having a high moveable water saturation and a plurality of discrete helium phases 137.
The target well generally traverses a helium-containing reservoir having a high moveable water saturation and a plurality of discrete helium phases 137. The target well can have a water to a gaseous helium ratio. The target well typically can have a first water to gaseous helium ratio.
In some embodiments, the first water to gaseous helium ratio is generally one of its historical water to gaseous helium production ratio or its original water to gaseous hydro-carbon ratio when it was originally put into production. Commonly, the first water to gaseous helium ratio of the target well is one of about from about 10⁻³to about 10³, more commonly from about 10⁻²to about 10³, even more commonly about 10⁻³to about 10², yet even more commonly about 10⁻²to about 10², still yet even more commonly about 10⁻¹to about 10², still yet even more commonly about 10⁻²to about 10¹, or yet still even more commonly about 10⁻¹to about 10¹.
In some embodiments, the first water to gaseous helium ratio is generally one of its historical water to gaseous helium production ratio or its original water to gaseous helium ratio when it was originally put into production. Commonly, the first water to gaseous helium ratio of the target well is from one of about 1 bbl water per 1000 MCF gaseous helium, more commonly of about 10 bbl water per 1000 MCF, even more commonly of about 20 bbl of water per 1000 MCF, yet even more commonly of about 50 bbl water per 1000 MCF, still yet even more commonly of about 100 bbl of water per 1000 MCF, still yet even more commonly of about 200 bbl of water per 1000 MCF, still yet even more commonly of about 500 bbl of water per 1000 MCF, or yet still even more commonly of about 1000 bbl of water per 1000 MCF of gaseous helium to one of typically about 2000 bbl water per 1000 MCF gaseous helium, more typically of about 1750 bbl water per 1000 MCF, yet even more typically of about 1500 bbl of water per 1000 MCF, still yet even more typically about 1250 bbl of water per 1000 MCF, still yet even more typically about 1000 bbl of water per 1000 MCF, still yet even more typically about 500 bbl of water per 1000 MCF, still yet even more typically about 200 bbl of water per 1000 MCF, or yet still even more typically about 100 bbl of water per 1000 MCF of gaseous helium.
It can be appreciated that the target well can be identified by one or more of its production and well log characteristics. For example, as described above, the target well produces substantially more water than helium and has a well log indicating high levels of moveable water compared to helium saturate levels as detailed above.
In step 152, the process 150 can include a step of providing a gas. The provided gas can be any gas. The provided gas can be substantially a single chemical composition or a mixture of chemical compositions. Moreover, the provided gas can be an inorganic composition, an organic composition, a mixture of inorganic compositions, a mixture of organic compositions, or combinate of inorganic and organic compositions. In accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure, the provided gas can be an inert gas. In accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure, the provided gas can be nitrogen (N₂). In accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure, the provided gas can be hydrogen (H₂). In accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure, the provided gas can be methane (CH₄). In accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure, the provided gas can be ethane (CH₃—CH₃). In accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure, the provided gas can be propane (C₃H₈). In accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure, the provided gas can be butane (C₄H₁₀). In accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure, the provided gas can be carbon dioxide (CO₂). In accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure, the provided gas can be one or more of nitrogen (N₂), hydrogen (H₂), methane (CH₄), ethane (CH₃—CH₃), propane (C₃H₈), butane (C₄H₁₀), carbon dioxide (CO₂), and inert gas. Moreover, while not wanting to be limited by example, the provided gas can be in some embodiments air, oxygen, nitrogen, an inert gas, carbon dioxide, methane, ethane, propane, iso-propane, butane, isobutane, t-butane, pentane, iso-pentane, t-pentane, or a mixture thereof. The provided gas can be provided by a commercial source, a subterranean source, an atmospheric source, or a combination thereof. In accordance with some embodiments, an injection gas (such as, but not limited to methane or methane and an associated hydrocarbon) can be injected into a helium-containing reservoir.
In step 153, the provided gas can be injected into the target well. The target well can traverse a subterranean helium-containing reservoir 100. Moreover, the provided gas can be injected into the subterranean helium-containing reservoir 100. In accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure, the injection step 153 can include the provided gas being in the gas phase during the injection of the gas into the well bore. A person of ordinary skill in the art would generally consider the process 100 described herein of injecting a provided gas into a water saturated helium-containing reservoir counter-intuitive. More specifically, a person of ordinary skill in the art would consider injecting a provided gas into a water saturated helium-containing reservoir to one or both of dewater the reservoir and improve helium recovery from the reservoir.
In accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure, the injection step 153 can include the provided gas being in the liquid phase when being injected into the well bore. In accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure, the injection step 153 can include the provided gas being in the form of a foam when being injected into the well bore. Moreover, in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure, the injection step 153 can include the provided gas being in the form of one or more of gas phase, liquid phase, foam, or combination thereof when being injected into the well bore. In some embodiments, the foam can be more gas by volume than liquid by volume. Moreover, in some embodiments the foam can have no more than about 50 volume % liquid. Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments, the foam can have less gas by volume than liquid by volume.
The subterranean helium-containing reservoir 100 generally comprises a reservoir having a high moveable water saturation and a plurality of discreet helium phases 137 for a period. Typically, the provided gas can be injected into the subterranean helium-containing reservoir 100 at a rate of from one of about 10 mcfd or more, more typically at a rate of about 20 mcfd or more, even more typically at a rate of about 30 mcfd or more, yet even more typically at a rate of about 40 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 50 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 60 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 70 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 80 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 90 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 100 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate about 110 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate least about 120 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 130 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 140 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 150 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 160 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 170 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 180 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 190 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 200 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 210 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 220 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 230 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 240 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 250 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 260 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 270 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 280 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 290 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 300 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 310 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 320 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 330 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 340 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 350 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 360 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 370 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 380 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 390 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 400 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 410 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 420 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 430 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 440 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 450 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 460 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 470 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 480 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 490 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 500 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 510 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 520 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 530 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 540 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 550 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 560 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 570 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 580 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 590 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate least about 600 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 610 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 620 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 630 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 640 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 650 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 660 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 670 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 680 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 690 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 700 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 710 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 720 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 730 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 740 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 750 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 760 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 770 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 780 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 790 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 800 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 810 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 820 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 830 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 840 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 850 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 860 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 870 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 880 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 890 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 900 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 910 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 920 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 930 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 940 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 950 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 960 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 970 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically still yet even more typically at a rate of about 980 mcfd or more, still yet even more typically at a rate of about 990 mcfd or more, yet still even more typically at a rate of about 1,000 mcfd or more, to one of commonly no more than about more commonly at a rate of no more than about 20 mcfd, even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 30 mcfd, yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 40 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 50 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 60 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 70 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 80 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 90 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 100 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate about 110 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate least about 120 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 130 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 140 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 150 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 160 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 170 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 180 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 190 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 200 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 210 mcfd, at a rate of no more than about 220 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 230 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 240 mcfd, at a rate of no more than about 250 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 260 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 270 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 280 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 290 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 300 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 310 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 320 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 330 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 340 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 350 mcfd, at a rate of no more than about 360 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 370 mcfd, at a rate of no more than about 380 mcfd, at a rate of no more than about 390 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 400 mcfd, at a rate of no more than about 410 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 420 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of about 430 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 440 mcfd, at a rate of no more than about 450 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 460 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 470 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 480 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 490 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 500 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 510 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 520 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 530 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 540 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 550 mcfd, at a rate of no more than about 560 mcfd, at a rate of no more than about 570 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 580 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 590 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate least about 600 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 610 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 620 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 630 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 640 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 650 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 660 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 670 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 680 mcfd, at a rate of no more than about 690 mcfd, at a rate of no more than about 700 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 710 mcfd, at a rate of no more than about 720 mcfd, at a rate of no more than about 730 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 740 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 750 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 760 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 770 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 780 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 790 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 800 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 810 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 820 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 830 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 840 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 850 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 860 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 870 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 880 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 890 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 900 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 910 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 920 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 930 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 940 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 950 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 960 mcfd, at a rate of no more than about 970 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 980 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 990 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 1,000 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 1,100 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 1,250 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 1,500 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 2,000 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 2,500 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 3,000 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 3,500 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 4,000 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 4,500 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 5,000 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 5,500 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 6,000 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 6,500 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 7,000 mcfd, still yet even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 7,500 mcfd, or yet still even more commonly at a rate of no more than about 8,000 mcfd.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the provided gas is usually injected at a pressure below the reservoir fracture gradient pressure. Injection period will be for about three months, more typically between three months and three years. In some embodiments, the injection period is more than about 5 days but less than about three months. In some embodiments, the injection period is selected from the group of about 5 days, about 10 days, about 15 days, about 30 days, about 45 days, about 60 days, about 75 days, about 90, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the provided gas can be injected for a period of about one day. More commonly, the provided gas can be injected one of for a period of time of more than about one day but less than about one week, even more commonly for a period of time of more than about one week but less than about one month, yet even more commonly for a period of time of more than about one month but less than about three months, still yet even more commonly for a period of time of more than two months but less than about 6 months, still yet even more commonly for a period of time of more than three months but less than about one year, still yet even more commonly for a period of more than about 6 months but less than about 18 months, still yet even more commonly for a period of time more than about 18 months but less than about 24 months, still yet even more commonly for a period of more than about 18 months but less than 36 months, still yet even more commonly for a period of time of more than about two years but less than about four years, or yet still even more commonly for a period of more than about three years but less than about 10 years.
While not wanting to be bound by any theory, it is believed that the injection of the provided gas into the helium-containing reservoir can coalesce one or more of the plurality of discrete helium phases 137 in the reservoir to form one or more continuous helium phases 161, see FIG. 5. It can be appreciated that as the injection of the provided gas in step 153 is maintained, the one or more the plurality of discrete helium phases 137 can continue to coalesce. In accordance with some embodiments, the plurality of discrete helium phases 137 can be in the form one or more of pockets and bubbles of helium. Moreover, these one or more pockets and bubbles of helium can continue coalesce to form the continuous helium phases 161 of helium. While not wanting to be limited by theory, it is believed that once a more continuous helium phase 161 is formed within the reservoir, the helium along with the provided gas can flow toward the well bore.
Injection of the provided gas into the reservoir, in step 153, can imbibe the injected gas into the pore volumes 120. It can be appreciated that the pore volumes comprise a network of pores within the reservoir. Moreover, the network of pores within the reservoir have a porosity and permeability. As used herein, porosity generally relates to void spaces in the subterranean helium-containing reservoir 100 that can hold fluids. As used herein, permeability generally relates to a characteristic of the subterranean helium-containing reservoir 100 that fluid to through the rock. As can be appreciated, permeability is generally a measure of the interconnectivity of the void spaces (porosity) and their size.
The provided gas can imbibe the helium-containing reservoir. Moreover, the provided gas can coalesce with the helium contained in the helium-containing reservoir to form a one or more continuous helium phases 161 within the reservoir.
While not wanting to be limited by theory, it is believed that the one or more continuous helium phases 161 commonly span two or more pore volumes 120 defined by the reservoir materials 110, more commonly three or more pore volumes 120, or even more commonly four or more pore volumes 120. This is generally in contrast to the each of the plurality of discrete helium phases 137 which typically occupy a single pore volume 120. The injection of the provided gas can increase the degree of helium saturation of the helium-containing reservoir. Moreover, the injection of the provided gas into the reservoir generally decreases the degree of water saturation of helium-containing reservoir.
After a period of injecting the provided gas (in step 153), the target well can be logged in step 154. In some embodiments, the target well is not logged but put into production, step 155, after a targeted volume of the provided gas has been injected. Typically, production step 155 comprises reversing flow of the target well. That is, the injection step 153 is ceased and the flow of gas is reversed from injecting to producing. The production step 155 generally includes gathering from the subterranean helium-containing reservoir 100 the injected provided gas and the helium contained within the helium-containing reservoir. Management of the production step 155 generally depends on reservoir rock properties and conditions. It can be appreciated that the flow of the helium towards the well bore resumes producing operations of the target well.
In some embodiments, if the well log indicates that the level moveable water saturation has decreased commonly by an amount of one of about 10%, more commonly by about 20%, even more commonly by about 30%, yet even more commonly by about 40%, still yet more commonly by about 50%, still yet more commonly by about 60%, still yet more commonly by about 70%, still yet more commonly by about 80%, still yet more commonly by about 90% or yet still more commonly by about 95% or more, the well can be put into production, step 155. In some embodiments, the well log can indicate the level of moveable water saturation has decreased by generally by amount from about one of about 5% or more, more generally of about 10% or more, even more generally of about 15% or more, yet even more generally of about 20% or more, still yet even more generally about 25% or more, still yet even more generally about 30% or more, still yet even more generally about 40% or more, still yet even more generally about 50% or more, or yet even more generally about 60% or more to typically one of no more than about 10%, more typically of no more than about 20%, even more typically of no more than about 30%, yet even more typically of no more than about 40%, still yet even more typically of no more than about 50%, still yet even more typically of no more than about 60%, still yet even more typically of no more than about 70%, still yet even more typically of no more than about 80%, still yet even more typically of no more than about 90%, still yet even more typically of no more than about 92%, still yet even more typically of no more than about 95%, or yet still even more typically of no more than about 98%. Generally, it is believed that the decrease in moveable water saturation can increase the production of helium. More generally, it is believed that the decrease in moveable water saturation can increase the production of gaseous helium.
In some embodiments, the well long indicates that the level helium saturation has increased generally by an amount, compared to its initial helium saturation level prior to the injection of the provided gas, of one of about 10%, more generally by about 20%, even more generally by about 30%, yet even more general by about 40%, still yet even more generally by about 50%, still yet even more generally by about 60%, still yet even more generally by about 70%, still yet even more generally by about 80%, still yet even more generally by about 90%, still yet even more generally by about 100%, still yet even more generally by about 110%, still yet even more generally by about 125%, or yet still even more generally by about 130% or more. In some embodiments, the well long indicates that the level helium saturation has increased typically by an amount, compared to its initial helium saturation level prior to the injection of the provided gas, from one of about 5%, more typically 10%, even more typically about 15%, yet even more typically about 20%, still yet even more typically about 25%, still yet even more typically about 30%, still yet even more typically about 35%, still yet even more typically about 40%, still yet even more typically about 45%, still yet even more typically about 50%, still yet even more typically about 55%, still yet even more typically about 55%, still yet even more typically about 65%, still yet even more typically about 65%, still yet even more typically about 70%, still yet even more typically about 75%, still yet even more typically about 80%, still yet even more typically about 85%, still yet even more typically about 90%, still yet even more typically about 100%, still yet even more typically about 125%, still yet even more typically about 150%, still yet even more typically about 175%, or yet still even more typically about 200% to one of generally about 10%, even more generally about 20%, yet even more generally about 30%, still yet even more generally about 40%, still yet even more generally about 50%, still yet even more generally about 60%, still yet even more generally about 70%, still yet even more generally about 80%, still yet even more generally about 90%, still yet even more generally about 100%, still yet even more generally about 125%, still yet even more generally about 150%, still yet even more generally about 175%, still yet even more generally about 200%, still yet even more generally about 250%, still yet even more generally about 300%, still yet even more generally about 350%, still yet even more generally about 400%, still yet even more generally about 450%, still yet even more generally about 500%, still yet even more generally about 550%, still yet even more generally about 600%, or yet still even more generally about 700%.
The well can be put into production, step 155. The target well, after the injection of provided gas, generally can have a second water to gaseous helium ratio. The second water to gaseous helium ratio is generally less than the first water to gaseous helium ratio. Commonly, the second water to gaseous helium ratio is typically from about one of no more than about 98% of the first water to gaseous helium ratio, more typically no more than about 95%, even more typically no more than about 90%, yet even more typically no more than about 85%, still yet even more typically no more than about 80%, still yet even more typically no more than about 75%, still yet even more typically no more than about 60%, still yet even more typically no more than about 55%, still yet even more typically no more than about 50%, still yet even more typically no more than about 45%, or yet still even more typically no more than about 40% of the first water to gaseous helium ratio to one of commonly about 2% or more of the first water to gaseous helium ratio, more commonly about 5% or more, even more commonly about 10% or more, yet even more commonly about 15% or more, still yet even more commonly about 20% or more, still yet even more commonly about 25% or more, still yet even more commonly about 30% or more, still yet even more commonly about 35% or more, still yet even more commonly about 40% or more, still yet even more commonly about 45% or more, still yet even more commonly about 50% or more, still yet even more commonly about 55% or more, still yet even more commonly about 60% or more, still yet even more commonly about 65% or more, still yet even more commonly about 70% or more, still yet even more commonly about 75% or more, still yet even more commonly about 80% or more, still yet even more commonly about 85% or more, or yet still even more commonly about 90% or more of the first water to gaseous helium ratio.
It is commonly believed that the increase in helium saturation can increase the production of helium
If the well log does not indication that one or more of that the level of moveable water saturation has substantially decreased, the level of helium saturation has substantially increased sufficiently or a combination thereof, the injection of the provided gas in step 153 can be continued or the process 150 can be ceased.
Helium production, step 155, can be continued until one or more of the following is true: (a) the well ceases to produce any more helium; (b) the level of water production becomes unsatisfactory; and (c) the helium-containing reservoir becomes water saturated again. In some embodiments, if one or more of (a), (b) or (c) are true, process 150 can be ceased, step 156. In some embodiments, if one or more of (a), (b) or (c) are true, the provided gas injection step 153 can be reinitiated. In some embodiments, if one or more of (a), (b) or (c) are true the well can be logged again to determine one or more of the moveable water and helium saturation levels. If the helium saturation level indicates enough helium is available for recovery, the provided gas injection step can be reinitiated.
It is believed that the injection of the provided gas into the helium-containing reservoir to coalesce one or more of the plurality of discrete helium phases 137 in the reservoir to form one or more continuous helium phases 161 differs from the injection of carbon dioxide or other similar gas to lower the viscosity of entrained helium. The injection of the provided gas and coalesce of the one or more of the plurality of discrete helium phases 137 is not believed to be due to change in viscosity of the discrete helium phases 157. What, if any change, in the viscosity of the injected provided gas, the discreet helium phases 157 and the one or more continuous helium phases 161 are believe negligible.
FIG. 6 depicts a method of recovering helium from a helium-containing reservoir, where illustrative steps for the method are shown along an axis of time. In FIG. 6, a producing gas (e.g., nitrogen) is injected to the helium-containing formation for a period at 610, from time T1 to time T2. Following time T2, the well may be shut-in for a dwell time from T2 to T3. Then, the gas may be reproduced out of the well from time T3 to time T4 to obtain the helium gas.
FIG. 7 depicts coalescence of two gases. In FIG. 7, a bubble of nitrogen gas 710 coexists with (e.g., is adjacent to) a bubble of helium gas 715. At 720, the nitrogen gas coalesces with the helium gas. At 730, there is a coalesced bubble of nitrogen gas and helium gas.
In various embodiments, even in helium containing reservoirs (e.g., underground formations and/or aquifers), containing small amounts of helium (e.g., less than about 1% by volume), coalescing of the helium gas with a provided gas can provide an economically feasible method of producing helium. For example, in a 100-foot mining zone having an about 17% porosity, a helium concentration of about 0.5% by volume, and an about 50% recovery by volume, an economically advantageous amount of helium may be recovered using the methods and systems disclosed herein. For about 15% to about 25% gas saturation, there may be about 5,500 mcf of helium per section, which may result in about 6 to about 10 billion cubic feet (bcf) of recoverable helium. Such recovery may provide an undiscounted gross resource value of about one billion US dollars in helium and an undiscounted gross resource value of about one billion US dollars in natural gas, which would result in a total undiscounted resource value of about two billion US dollars. These illustrative estimates assume a one dollar per mcf for natural gas after processing the low BTU (e.g., nitrogen) comingled gas.
Various embodiments of the present disclosure are discussed in the following attachment, which is incorporated herein fully by this reference: Exhibit “A” (2 pages).
The present disclosure, in various aspects, embodiments, and configurations, includes components, methods, processes, systems and/or apparatus substantially as depicted and described herein, including various aspects, embodiments, configurations, sub-combinations, and subsets thereof. Those of skill in the art will understand how to make and use the various aspects, aspects, embodiments, and configurations, after understanding the present disclosure. The present disclosure, in various aspects, embodiments, and configurations, includes providing devices and processes in the absence of items not depicted and/or described herein or in various aspects, embodiments, and configurations hereof, including in the absence of such items as may have been used in previous devices or processes, e.g., for improving performance, achieving ease and/or reducing cost of implementation.
The foregoing discussion of the disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. The foregoing is not intended to limit the disclosure to the form or forms disclosed herein. In the foregoing Detailed Description for example, various features of the disclosure are grouped together in one or more, aspects, embodiments, and configurations for streamlining the disclosure. The features of the aspects, embodiments, and configurations of the disclosure may be combined in alternate aspects, embodiments, and configurations other than those discussed above. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed disclosure requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed aspects, embodiments, and configurations. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate preferred embodiment of the disclosure.
Moreover, though the description of the disclosure has included description of one or more aspects, embodiments, or configurations and certain variations and modifications, other variations, combinations, and modifications are within the scope of the disclosure, e.g., as may be within the skill and knowledge of those in the art, after understanding the present disclosure. It is intended to obtain rights which include alternative aspects, embodiments, and configurations to the extent permitted, including alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps to those claimed, whether such alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps are disclosed herein, and without intending to publicly dedicate any patentable subject matter.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

injecting a provided gas into a well bore in fluid communication with a helium-containing reservoir;

ceasing the injection of the provided gas into the selected well bore;

gathering together from the helium-containing reservoir by the selected well bore some of the provided gas and some of the helium to form a gathered-gas mixture comprising the provided gas and some of the helium from the helium-containing reservoir; and

producing through the selected well bore the gathered-gas mixture.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the helium-containing reservoir has a moveable water saturation value of between about 15% and about 90%.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the provided gas is injected into the well bore at a rate of between about 10 mcfd and about 8,000 mcfd.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the gathered-gas mixture comprises between about 0.5 vol % and about 99.5 vol % of the provided gas and between about 0.5 vol % and about 99.5 vol % of helium.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the provided gas injected into the helium-containing reservoir is selected from the group consisting of methane, ethane, propane, nitrogen, butane, air, oxygen, argon, carbon dioxide, and mixtures thereof.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the helium-containing reservoir comprises at least one of a plurality of discrete helium phases and a plurality of discrete nitrogen phases prior to the injecting of the provided gas.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the helium-containing reservoir comprises a plurality of discrete helium phases prior to the injecting of the provided gas, wherein the provided gas and one or more of the plurality of discrete helium phases coalesce to form one or more continuous phases of the provided gas and helium during the injecting of the provided gas.

8. A method, comprising:

providing a gas;

injecting the provided gas into a selected well bore in fluid communication with a helium-containing reservoir having a first water-to-gas production ratio, wherein the provided gas is injected at rate of from about 10 mcfd or more to about no more than about 8,000 mcfd;

ceasing the injection of the provided gas into the selected well bore;

gathering together from the helium-containing reservoir by the selected well bore some of the provided gas and some of the gaseous helium to form a gathered-gas mixture comprising the provided gas and some of the gaseous helium from the helium-containing reservoir; and

producing through the selected well bore the gathered-gas mixture, wherein the helium-containing reservoir producing the gathered-gas mixture has a second water-to-gas production ratio and wherein the second water-to-gas ratio is no more than the first water-to-gas ratio.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the helium-containing reservoir has a moveable water saturation value of between about 15% and about 90%.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the provided gas injected into the helium-containing reservoir is selected from the group consisting of methane, ethane, propane, nitrogen, butane, air, oxygen, argon, carbon dioxide, and mixtures thereof.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the gathered-gas mixture comprises between about 0.5 vol % and about 99.5 vol % of the provided gas and between about 0.5 vol % and about 99.5 volume % of helium.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the helium-containing reservoir comprises at least one of a plurality of discrete helium phases and a plurality of discrete nitrogen phases prior to the injecting of the provided gas.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the helium-containing reservoir comprises a plurality of discrete helium phases prior to the injecting of the provided gas, wherein the provided gas and one or more of the plurality of discrete helium phases coalesce to form one or more continuous phases of the provided gas and helium during the injecting of the provided gas.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the helium-containing reservoir comprises a plurality of discrete helium phases prior to the injecting of the provided gas, wherein a majority of the helium in the plurality of discrete helium phases is in a gas phase.

15. A method, comprising:

providing a target well having a first water to gas production ratio from about 1 bbl water/1000 MCF to about 2000 bbl water/1000 MCF;

providing a gas;

injecting the provided gas into a well bore, wherein the well bore traverses and is in fluid communication with a helium-containing reservoir, wherein the provided gas is injected at a rate of from about 10 mcfd or more to about no more than about 8,000 mcfd; and

producing, after the ceasing of the injection of the provided gas, from the target well at a second water to gaseous helium ratio, wherein the second water to gaseous helium ratio is from about 98% to about 2% of first water to gas production ratio.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the helium-containing reservoir has a moveable water saturation value of between about 15% and about 90%.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the gathered-gas mixture comprises between about 0.5 vol % and about 99.5 vol % of the provided gas and between about 0.5 vol % and about 99.5 vol % of helium.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the provided gas injected into the helium-containing reservoir is selected from the group consisting of methane, ethane, propane, nitrogen, butane, air, oxygen, argon, carbon dioxide, and mixtures thereof.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the injecting of the provided gas into the well bore is at a pressure below the fracture pressure of the helium-containing reservoir and wherein, immediately before and after provided gas injection, at least about 75 mole % of the production from the well bore is helium.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the helium-containing reservoir comprises at least one of a plurality of discrete helium phases and a plurality of discrete nitrogen phases prior to the injecting of the provided gas.