Method of gas, oil and mineral production using a clean processing system and method

Abstract

The invention provides a system and process for providing a clean, non-contaminating process, for producing fracturing of shale, limestone, sands and other geological and mining formations to release natural gas, oil and minerals within a formation. A system used in the process produces on site the energy required to induce fracturing, removing natural gas and oil, and to recycle fluids used in fracturing for additional use. Removable storage provides the necessary materials to provide fracturing, removal and processing of the fracturing liquids for addition use at one or more sites, and to provide processing, storage and transportation of the resulting natural gas and oil.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A method of providing fracturing in a well bore, to produce at least one of natural gas and oil, having vertical and horizontal well bore regions,
 injecting carbonated water into the well bore; and   injecting pressurized steam into the carbonated water to cause fracturing of the walls of the well.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the well bore has vertical and horizontal portions and a pipe in the well extends into the vertical and horizontal portions of the well bore;
 Wherein, pressurized steam is injected into the horizontal region of the well bore though peripheral openings in the pipe in the horizontal region of the well bore; and
 Fracking sand is inserted as needed. 
   
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the carbonated water is refrigerated prior to injecting it into the well. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of natural gas and oil, the carbonated water, and any released CO 2  are removed from the well, the carbonated water and CO 2  being separated from at least one of natural gas and oil, and processed for further use. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein a seal is placed in the well bore to limit the pressurized region of the well bore to increase the pressure therein, thereby increasing the fracturing pressure; and
 at least one pressure sensor and pressure release valve is placed in the well to prevent the pressure produced by the carbonated water and pressured steam from exceeding a predetermined value.   
     
     
         6 . A method of providing fracturing in a well bore, to produce at least one of natural gas and oil;
 injecting at least one of refrigerated carbonated water and frozen CO 2  into the well;   injecting pressurized steam into a region of the well bore though peripheral openings in a pipe extending downward into the well bore and into the horizontal region of the well bore.   
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 6  wherein the CO 2  is cooled below its freezing temperature to produce a snow like material which is injected into the well bore through a tube and is released into the well bore through perforations in the tube; and
 injecting pressurized steam after a sufficient amount of cooled CO 2  is released into the well to create a catalytic reaction that heats and expands the cooled CO 2  causing the fracturing of shale and other geological formations in the well. 
 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8  including the triggering of a sensor valve when a sufficient amount of cooled CO 2  has been released into the well bore to close off the insertion of cooled CO 2  and opening a second valve to allow pressurized steam to be injected into the well to rapidly expand the cooled CO 2 . 
     
     
         10 . A system for producing fracturing in a well bore utilizing only carbonated water, sand as needed, and pressurized steam, comprising:
 a well bore having a vertical and horizontal region;   a pipe extending downward in the vertical region and horizontally in the horizontal region;   a storage unit for holding carbonated water for injection into the well;   a steam generator for injecting pressurized steam into the carbonated water for producing fracturing in the well; and   a pumping unit for removing at least one of gas and oil released during the fracturing process.   
     
     
         11 . The system according to  claim 10 , including a unit for refrigerating the carbonated water prior to being injecting into the well bore. 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . The system according to  claim 10 , wherein the perforated openings in the horizontal portion of the pipe are spaced apart at different intervals along the horizontal portion of the pipe to evenly distribute the pressurized steam equally along the length of the horizontal portion of the pipe. 
     
     
         14 . The system according to  claim 10 , including an isolation plug to prevent the pressurized steam, contaminates and carbonated water from moving up the vertical portion of the well, increasing the pressure in any portion of the well bore to produce greater fracturing in the well. 
     
     
         15 . The system according to  claim 10 , including a seal at the top of the well to prevent any gases and other materials from leaving the well and entering the atmosphere. 
     
     
         16 . The system according to  claim 10  including:
 a separator for separating any remaining carbonated water from gas and oil in the well; and 
 a processing system for cleaning the carbonated water removed from the well. 
 
     
     
         17 . The system according to  claim 10 , where any materials removed from the well bore pass through a particulate filter to remove particulate material from fluids removed from the well. 
     
     
         18 . the system according to  claim 17 , wherein the system includes at least two particulate filters, only one filter being used at a time so that the one that is not being used can be cleaned for future use. 
     
     
         19 . The system according to  claim 10 , including a system for freezing CO 2  for injecting into the well bore. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein CO 2  is injected into the well bore instead of carbonated water, and the CO 2  is expanded by the pressurized steam to cause fracturing.