In situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation and upgrading of produced fluids prior to further treatment
First Claim
Patent Images
55. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
- providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from at least the portion to a selected section of the formation substantially by conduction of heat;
pyrolyzing at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section of the formation; and
producing a mixture from the formation.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An in situ treatment process may include providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation. The heat may be allowed to transfer from the one or more heaters to a part of the formation. A fluid may be produced from at least part of the formation. Heat and/or other products in or from fluids produced from the formation may be used for hydrotreating.
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Citations
8958 Claims
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55. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
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providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from at least the portion to a selected section of the formation substantially by conduction of heat;
pyrolyzing at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section of the formation; and
producing a mixture from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92)
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93. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
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providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation; and
heating the selected section such that a thermal conductivity of at least a portion of the selected section is greater than about 0.5 W/(m °
C.). - View Dependent Claims (94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131)
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132. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
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providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation;
controlling the heat from the one or more heaters such that an average temperature within at least a majority of the selected section of the formation is less than about 370°
C. such that production of a substantial amount of hydrocarbons having carbon numbers greater than 25 is inhibited;
controlling a pressure within at least a majority of the selected section of the formation, wherein the controlled pressure is at least 2.0 bars; and
producing a mixture from the formation, wherein about 0.1% by weight of the produced mixture to about 15% by weight of the produced mixture are olefins, and wherein an average carbon number of the produced mixture ranges from 1-25. - View Dependent Claims (133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 150, 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159, 160, 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 167, 168, 169, 170, 171, 172, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179)
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180. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
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providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation;
controlling a pressure within at least a majority of the selected section of the formation, wherein the controlled pressure is at least about 2.0 bars absolute; and
producing a mixture from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (181, 182, 183, 184, 185, 186, 187, 188, 189, 190, 191, 192, 193, 194, 195, 196, 197, 198, 199, 200, 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, 210, 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, 218)
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219. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
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providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation; and
controlling a pressure within at least a majority of the selected section of the formation, wherein the controlled pressure is at least about 2.0 bars absolute;
controlling the heat from the one or more heaters such that an average temperature within at least a majority of the selected section of the formation is less than about 375°
C.; and
producing a mixture from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (220, 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 226, 227, 228, 229, 230, 231, 232, 233, 234, 235, 236, 237, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 243, 244, 245, 246, 247, 248, 249, 250, 251, 252, 253, 254, 255, 256, 257, 258)
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259. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
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providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation;
producing a mixture from the formation, wherein at least a portion of the mixture is produced during the pyrolysis and the mixture moves through the formation in a vapor phase; and
maintaining a pressure within at least a majority of the selected section above about 2.0 bars absolute. - View Dependent Claims (260, 261, 262, 263, 264, 265, 266, 267, 268, 269, 270, 271, 272, 273, 274, 275, 276, 277, 278, 279, 280, 281, 282, 283, 284, 285, 286, 287, 288, 289, 290, 291, 292, 293, 294, 295, 296, 297, 298, 299, 300)
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301. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
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providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation;
maintaining a pressure within at least a majority of the selected section of the formation above 2.0 bars absolute; and
producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons having an API gravity higher than an API gravity of condensable hydrocarbons in a mixture producible from the formation at the same temperature and at atmospheric pressure. - View Dependent Claims (302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307, 308, 309, 310, 311, 312, 313, 314, 339, 340)
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338. The method of claim 337, wherein at least about 20 heaters are disposed in the formation for each production well.
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341. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
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providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation;
maintaining a pressure within at least a majority of the selected section of the formation to above 2.0 bars absolute; and
producing a fluid from the formation, wherein condensable hydrocarbons within the fluid comprise an atomic hydrogen to atomic carbon ratio of greater than about 1.75. - View Dependent Claims (342, 343, 344, 345, 346, 347, 348, 349, 350, 351, 352, 353, 354, 355, 356, 357, 358, 359, 360, 361, 362, 363, 364, 365, 366, 367, 368, 369, 370, 371, 372, 373, 374, 375, 376, 377, 378, 379)
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380. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
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providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation;
maintaining a pressure within at least a majority of the selected section of the formation to above 2.0 bars absolute; and
producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises a higher amount of non-condensable components as compared to non-condensable components producible from the formation under the same temperature conditions and at atmospheric pressure. - View Dependent Claims (381, 382, 383, 384, 385, 386, 387, 388, 389, 390, 391, 392, 393, 394, 395, 396, 397, 398, 399, 400, 401, 402, 403, 404, 405, 406, 407, 408, 409, 410, 411, 412, 413, 414, 415, 416, 417)
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418. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
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providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation such that superimposed heat from the one or more heaters pyrolyzes at least about 20% by weight of hydrocarbons within the selected section of the formation; and
producing a mixture from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (419, 420, 421, 422, 423, 424, 425, 426, 427, 428, 429, 430, 431, 432, 433, 434, 435, 436, 437, 438, 439, 440, 441, 442, 443, 444, 445, 446, 447, 448, 449, 450, 451, 452, 453, 454, 455, 456, 457, 458)
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459. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
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providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation such that superimposed heat from the one or more heaters pyrolyzes at least about 20% of hydrocarbons within the selected section of the formation; and
producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the mixture comprises a condensable component having an API gravity of at least about 25°
. - View Dependent Claims (460, 461, 462, 463, 464, 465, 466, 467, 468, 469, 470, 471, 472, 473, 474, 475, 476, 477, 478, 479, 480, 481, 482, 483, 484, 485, 486, 487, 488, 489, 490, 491, 492, 493, 494, 495, 496, 497, 498)
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499. A method of treating a layer of a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
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providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the layer, wherein the one or more heaters are positioned proximate an edge of the layer;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the layer such that superimposed heat from the one or more heaters pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section of the formation; and
producing a mixture from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (500, 501, 502, 503, 504, 505, 506, 507, 508, 509, 510, 511, 512, 513, 514, 515, 516, 517, 518, 519, 520, 521, 522, 523, 524, 525, 526, 527, 528, 529, 530, 531, 532, 533, 534, 535, 536, 537, 538, 539)
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540. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
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providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation; and
controlling a pressure and a temperature within at least a majority of the selected section of the formation, wherein the pressure is controlled as a function of temperature, or the temperature is controlled as a function of pressure; and
producing a mixture from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (541, 542, 543, 544, 545, 546, 547, 548, 549, 550, 551, 552, 553, 554, 555, 556, 557, 558, 559, 560, 561, 562, 563, 564, 565, 566, 567, 568, 569, 570, 571, 572, 573, 574, 575, 576, 577, 578, 579)
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580. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
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providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation to raise an average temperature within the selected section to, or above, a temperature that will pyrolyze hydrocarbons within the selected section;
producing a mixture from the formation; and
controlling API gravity of the produced mixture to be greater than about 25 degrees API by controlling average pressure and average temperature in the selected section such that the average pressure in the selected section is greater than the pressure (p) set forth in the following equation for an assessed average temperature (T) in the selected section; p=e[−
44000/T+67]where p is measured in psia and T is measured in °
Kelvin. - View Dependent Claims (581, 582, 583, 584, 585, 586, 587, 588, 589, 590, 591, 592, 593, 594, 595, 596, 597, 598, 599, 600, 601, 602, 603, 604, 605, 606, 607, 608, 609, 610, 611, 612, 613, 614, 615, 616, 617, 618, 619, 620)
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621. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
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providing heat to at least a portion of a hydrocarbon containing formation such that a temperature (T) in a substantial part of the heated portion exceeds 270°
C. and hydrocarbons are pyrolyzed within the heated portion of the formation;
controlling a pressure (p) within at least a substantial part of the heated portion of the formation;
wherein pbar>
e[(−
A/T)+B−
2.6744];
wherein p is the pressure in bars absolute and T is the temperature in degrees K, and A and B are parameters that are larger than 10 and are selected in relation to the characteristics and composition of the hydrocarbon containing formation and on the required olefin content and carbon number of the pyrolyzed hydrocarbon fluids; and
producing pyrolyzed hydrocarbon fluids from the heated portion of the formation. - View Dependent Claims (622, 623, 624, 625, 626, 627, 628, 629, 630, 631)
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632. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
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providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation to raise an average temperature within the selected section to, or above, a temperature that will pyrolyze hydrocarbons within the selected section;
producing a mixture from the formation; and
controlling a weight percentage of olefins of the produced mixture to be less than about 20% by weight by controlling average pressure and average temperature in the selected section such that the average pressure in the selected section is greater than the pressure (p) set forth in the following equation for an assessed average temperature (T) in the selected section; p=e[−
57000/T+83]where p is measured in psia and T is measured in °
Kelvin. - View Dependent Claims (633, 634, 635, 636, 637, 638, 639, 640, 641, 642, 643, 644, 645, 646, 647, 648, 649, 650, 651, 652, 653, 654, 655, 656, 657, 658, 659, 660, 661, 662, 663, 664, 665, 666, 667, 668, 669, 670, 671, 672, 673)
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674. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
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providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation to raise an average temperature within the selected section to, or above, a temperature that will pyrolyze hydrocarbons within the selected section;
producing a mixture from the formation; and
controlling hydrocarbons having carbon numbers greater than 25 of the produced mixture to be less than about 25% by weight by controlling average pressure and average temperature in the selected section such that the average pressure in the selected section is greater than the pressure (p) set forth in the following equation for an assessed average temperature (T) in the selected section; p=e[−
14000/T+25]where p is measured in psia and T is measured in °
Kelvin. - View Dependent Claims (675, 676, 677, 678, 679, 680, 681, 682, 683, 684, 685, 686, 687, 688, 689, 690, 691, 692, 693, 694, 695, 696, 697, 698, 699, 700, 701, 702, 703, 704, 705, 706, 707, 708, 709, 710, 711, 712, 713)
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714. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
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providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation to raise an average temperature within the selected section to, or above, a temperature that will pyrolyze hydrocarbons within the selected section;
producing a mixture from the formation; and
controlling an atomic hydrogen to carbon ratio of the produced mixture to be greater than about 1.7 by controlling average pressure and average temperature in the selected section such that the average pressure in the selected section is greater than the pressure (p) set forth in the following equation for an assessed average temperature (T) in the selected section; p=e[−
38000/T+61]where p is measured in psia and T is measured in °
Kelvin. - View Dependent Claims (715, 716, 717, 718, 719, 720, 721, 722, 723, 724, 725, 726, 727, 728, 729, 730, 731, 732, 733, 734, 735, 736, 737, 738, 739, 740, 741, 742, 743, 744, 745, 746, 747, 748, 749, 750, 751, 752, 753, 754)
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755. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
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providing heat from one or more heaters to at least one portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation;
controlling a pressure-temperature relationship within at least the selected section of the formation by selected energy input into the one or more heaters and by pressure release from the selected section through wellbores of the one or more heaters; and
producing a mixture from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (756, 757, 758, 759, 760, 761, 762, 763, 764, 765, 766, 767, 768, 769, 770, 771, 772, 773, 774, 775, 776, 777, 778, 779, 780, 781, 782, 783, 784, 785, 786, 787, 788, 789, 790, 791, 792, 793, 794, 795)
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796. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
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heating a selected volume (V) of the hydrocarbon containing formation, wherein formation has an average heat capacity (Cv), and wherein the heating pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected volume of the formation; and
wherein heating energy/day (Pwr) provided to the selected volume is equal to or less than h*V*Cv*ρ
B, wherein ρ
B is formation bulk density, and wherein an average heating rate (h) of the selected volume is about 10°
C./day. - View Dependent Claims (797, 798, 799, 800, 801, 802, 803, 804, 805, 806, 807, 808, 809, 810, 811, 812, 813, 814, 815, 816, 817, 818, 819, 820, 821, 822, 823, 824, 825, 826, 827, 828, 829, 830, 831, 832, 833, 834)
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835. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
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providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation to raise an average temperature within the selected section to, or above, a temperature that will pyrolyze hydrocarbons within the selected section;
controlling heat output from the one or more heaters such that an average heating rate of the selected section rises by less than about 3°
C. per day when the average temperature of the selected section is at, or above, the temperature that will pyrolyze hydrocarbons within the selected section; and
producing a mixture from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (836, 837, 838, 839, 840, 841, 842, 843, 844, 845, 846, 847, 848, 849, 850, 851, 852, 853, 854, 855, 856, 857, 858, 859, 860, 861, 862, 863, 864, 865, 866, 867, 868, 869, 870, 871, 872, 873, 874, 875, 876, 877, 878, 879)
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880. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
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providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
to heat a selected section of the formation to an average temperature above about 270°
C.;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to the selected section of the formation;
controlling the heat from the one or more heaters such that an average heating rate of the selected section is less than about 3°
C. per day during pyrolysis; and
producing a mixture from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (881, 882, 883, 884, 885, 886, 887, 888, 889, 890, 891, 892, 893, 894, 895, 896, 897, 898, 899, 900, 901, 902, 903, 904, 905, 906, 907, 908, 909, 910, 911, 912, 913, 914, 915, 916, 917, 918, 919, 920, 921, 922)
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923. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
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providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation;
producing a mixture from the formation through at least one production well;
monitoring a temperature at or in the production well; and
controlling heat input to raise the monitored temperature at a rate of less than about 3°
C. per day. - View Dependent Claims (924, 925, 926, 927, 928, 929, 930, 931, 932, 933, 934, 935, 936, 937, 938, 939, 940, 941, 942, 943, 944, 945, 946, 947, 948, 949, 950, 951, 952, 953, 954, 955, 956, 957, 958, 959, 960, 961)
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962. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
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heating a portion of the formation to a temperature sufficient to support oxidation of hydrocarbons within the portion, wherein the portion is located substantially adjacent to a wellbore;
flowing an oxidant through a conduit positioned within the wellbore to a heater zone within the portion, wherein the heater zone supports an oxidation reaction between hydrocarbons and the oxidant;
reacting a portion of the oxidant with hydrocarbons to generate heat; and
transferring generated heat substantially by conduction to a pyrolysis zone of the formation to pyrolyze at least a portion of the hydrocarbons within the pyrolysis zone. - View Dependent Claims (963, 964, 965, 966, 967, 968, 969, 970, 971, 972, 973, 974, 975, 976, 977, 978, 979, 980, 981, 982, 983, 984, 985, 986)
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987. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
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heating a portion of the formation to a temperature sufficient to support reaction of hydrocarbons within the portion of the formation with an oxidant;
flowing the oxidant into a conduit, and wherein the conduit is connected such that the oxidant can flow from the conduit to the hydrocarbons;
allowing the oxidant and the hydrocarbons to react to produce heat in a heater zone;
allowing heat to transfer from the heater zone to a pyrolysis zone in the formation to pyrolyze at least a portion of the hydrocarbons within the pyrolysis zone; and
removing reaction products such that the reaction products are inhibited from flowing from the heater zone to the pyrolysis zone. - View Dependent Claims (988, 989, 990, 991, 992, 993, 994, 995, 996, 997, 998, 999, 1000, 1001, 1002, 1003, 1004, 1005, 1006, 1007, 1008, 1009, 1010)
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1011. An in situ method for heating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
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heating a portion of the formation to a temperature sufficient to support reaction of hydrocarbons within the portion of the formation with an oxidizing fluid, wherein the portion is located substantially adjacent to an opening in the formation;
providing the oxidizing fluid to a heater zone in the formation;
allowing the oxidizing gas to react with at least a portion of the hydrocarbons at the heater zone to generate heat in the heater zone; and
transferring the generated heat substantially by conduction from the heater zone to a pyrolysis zone in the formation. - View Dependent Claims (1012, 1013, 1014, 1015, 1016, 1017, 1018, 1019, 1020, 1021, 1022, 1023, 1024, 1025, 1026, 1027, 1028, 1029, 1030, 1031)
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1032. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
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providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation;
producing a mixture from the formation; and
maintaining an average temperature within the selected section above a minimum pyrolysis temperature and below a vaporization temperature of hydrocarbons having carbon numbers greater than 25 to inhibit production of a substantial amount of hydrocarbons having carbon numbers greater than 25 in the mixture. - View Dependent Claims (1033, 1034, 1035, 1036, 1037, 1038, 1039, 1040, 1041, 1042, 1043, 1044, 1045, 1046, 1047, 1048, 1049, 1050, 1051, 1052, 1053, 1054, 1055, 1056, 1057, 1058, 1059, 1060, 1061, 1062, 1063, 1064, 1065, 1066, 1067, 1068, 1069, 1070, 1071, 1072, 1073)
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1074. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
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providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation;
controlling a pressure within the formation to inhibit production of hydrocarbons from the formation having carbon numbers greater than 25; and
producing a mixture from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (1075, 1076, 1077, 1078, 1079, 1080, 1081, 1082, 1083, 1084, 1085, 1086, 1087, 1088, 1089, 1090, 1091, 1092, 1093, 1094, 1095, 1096, 1097, 1098, 1099, 1100, 1101, 1102, 1103, 1104, 1105, 1106, 1107, 1108, 1109, 1110, 1111, 1112, 1113)
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1114. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
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providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation; and
producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 0.1% by weight to about 15% by weight of the condensable hydrocarbons are olefins. - View Dependent Claims (1115, 1116, 1117, 1118, 1119, 1120, 1121, 1122, 1123, 1124, 1125, 1126, 1127, 1128, 1129, 1130, 1131, 1132, 1133, 1134, 1135, 1136, 1137, 1138, 1139, 1140, 1141, 1142, 1143, 1144, 1145, 1146, 1147, 1148, 1149, 1150, 1151, 1152, 1153, 1154)
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1155. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
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heating a section of the formation to a pyrolysis temperature from at least a first heater, a second heater and a third heater, and wherein the first heater, the second heater and the third heater are located along a perimeter of the section;
controlling heat input to the first heater, the second heater and the third heater to limit a heating rate of the section to a rate configured to produce a mixture from the formation with an olefin content of less than about 15% by weight of condensable fluids (on a dry basis) within the produced mixture; and
producing the mixture from the formation through a production well. - View Dependent Claims (1156, 1157, 1158, 1159, 1160, 1161, 1162, 1163, 1164, 1165, 1166, 1167, 1168, 1169, 1170, 1171, 1172, 1173, 1174, 1175, 1176, 1177, 1178, 1179, 1180, 1181, 1182, 1183, 1184, 1185, 1186, 1187, 1188, 1189, 1190, 1191, 1192, 1193, 1194, 1195, 1196, 1197, 1198, 1199, 1200, 1201)
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1202. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
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providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation; and
producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1% by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, of the condensable hydrocarbons is nitrogen. - View Dependent Claims (1203, 1204, 1205, 1206, 1207, 1208, 1209, 1210, 1211, 1212, 1213, 1214, 1215, 1216, 1217, 1218, 1219, 1220, 1221, 1222, 1223, 1224, 1225, 1226, 1227, 1228, 1229, 1230, 1231, 1232, 1233, 1234, 1235, 1236, 1237, 1238, 1239, 1240, 1241)
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1242. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
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providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation; and
producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1% by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, of the condensable hydrocarbons is oxygen. - View Dependent Claims (1243, 1244, 1245, 1246, 1247, 1248, 1249, 1250, 1251, 1252, 1253, 1254, 1255, 1256, 1257, 1258, 1259, 1260, 1261, 1262, 1263, 1264, 1265, 1266, 1267, 1268, 1269, 1270, 1271, 1272, 1273, 1274, 1275, 1276, 1277, 1278, 1279, 1280, 1281, 1282)
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1283. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
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providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation; and
producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1% by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, of the condensable hydrocarbons is sulfur. - View Dependent Claims (1284, 1285, 1286, 1287, 1288, 1289, 1290, 1291, 1292, 1293, 1294, 1295, 1296, 1297, 1298, 1299, 1300, 1301, 1302, 1303, 1304, 1305, 1306, 1307, 1308, 1309, 1310, 1311, 1312, 1313, 1314, 1315, 1316, 1317, 1318, 1319, 1320, 1321, 1322)
-
-
1323. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
-
raising a temperature of a first section of the formation with one or more heaters to a first pyrolysis temperature;
heating the first section to an upper pyrolysis temperature, wherein heat is supplied to the first section at a rate configured to inhibit olefin production;
producing a first mixture from the formation, wherein the first mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons and H2;
creating a second mixture from the first mixture, wherein the second mixture comprises a higher concentration of H2 than the first mixture;
raising a temperature of a second section of the formation with one or more heaters to a second pyrolysis temperature;
providing a portion of the second mixture to the second section;
heating the second section to an upper pyrolysis temperature, wherein heat is supplied to the second section at a rate configured to inhibit olefin production; and
producing a third mixture from the second section. - View Dependent Claims (1324, 1325, 1326, 1327, 1328, 1329, 1330, 1331, 1332, 1333, 1334, 1335, 1336, 1337, 1338, 1339, 1340, 1341, 1342, 1343, 1344, 1345, 1346, 1347, 1348, 1349, 1350, 1351, 1352, 1353, 1354, 1355, 1356, 1357, 1358, 1359, 1360, 1361, 1362, 1363, 1364, 1365, 1366)
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-
1367. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation;
producing a mixture from the formation; and
hydrogenating a portion of the produced mixture with H2 produced from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (1368, 1369, 1370, 1371, 1372, 1373, 1374, 1375, 1376, 1377, 1378, 1379, 1380, 1381, 1382, 1383, 1384, 1385, 1386, 1387, 1388, 1389, 1390, 1391, 1392, 1393, 1394, 1395, 1396, 1397, 1398, 1399, 1400, 1401, 1402, 1403, 1404)
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-
1405. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
-
heating a first section of the formation;
producing H2 from the first section of formation;
heating a second section of the formation; and
recirculating a portion of the H2 from the first section into the second section of the formation to provide a reducing environment within the second section of the formation. - View Dependent Claims (1406, 1407, 1408, 1409, 1410, 1411, 1412, 1413, 1414, 1415, 1416, 1417, 1418, 1419, 1420, 1421, 1422, 1423, 1424, 1425, 1426, 1427, 1428, 1429, 1430, 1431, 1432, 1433, 1434, 1435, 1436, 1437, 1438, 1439, 1440, 1441)
-
-
1442. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation;
producing a mixture from the formation; and
controlling formation conditions such that the mixture produced from the formation comprises condensable hydrocarbons including H2, wherein the partial pressure of H2 within the mixture is greater than about 0.5 bars. - View Dependent Claims (1443, 1444, 1445, 1446, 1447, 1448, 1449, 1450, 1451, 1452, 1453, 1454, 1455, 1456, 1457, 1458, 1459, 1460, 1461, 1462, 1463, 1464, 1465, 1466, 1467, 1468, 1469, 1470, 1471, 1472, 1473, 1474, 1475, 1476, 1477, 1478, 1479)
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-
1480. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation;
maintaining a pressure of the selected section above atmospheric pressure to increase a partial pressure of H2, as compared to the partial pressure of H2 at atmospheric pressure, in at least a majority of the selected section; and
producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons having an API gravity of at least about 25°
. - View Dependent Claims (1481, 1482, 1483, 1484, 1485, 1486, 1487, 1488, 1489, 1490, 1491, 1492, 1493, 1494, 1495, 1496, 1497, 1498, 1499, 1500, 1501, 1502, 1503, 1504, 1505, 1506, 1507, 1508, 1509, 1510, 1511, 1512, 1513, 1514, 1515, 1516, 1517, 1518, 1519)
-
-
1520. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation;
providing H2 to the formation to produce a reducing environment in at least some of the formation;
producing a mixture from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (1521, 1522, 1523, 1524, 1525, 1526, 1527, 1528, 1529, 1530, 1531, 1532, 1533, 1534, 1535, 1536, 1537, 1538, 1539, 1540, 1541, 1542, 1543, 1544, 1545, 1546, 1547, 1548, 1549, 1550, 1551, 1552, 1553, 1554, 1555, 1556, 1557, 1558, 1559)
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-
1560. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation;
providing H2 to the selected section to hydrogenate hydrocarbons within the selected section and to heat a portion of the section with heat from the hydrogenation; and
controlling heating of the selected section by controlling amounts of H2 provided to the selected section. - View Dependent Claims (1561, 1562, 1563, 1564, 1565, 1566, 1567, 1568, 1569, 1570, 1571, 1572, 1573, 1574, 1575, 1576, 1577, 1578, 1579, 1580, 1581, 1582, 1583, 1584, 1585, 1586, 1587, 1588, 1589, 1590, 1591, 1592, 1593, 1594, 1595, 1596, 1597)
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-
1598. An in situ method for producing H2 from a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation; and
producing a mixture from the formation, wherein a H2 partial pressure within the mixture is greater than about 0.5 bars. - View Dependent Claims (1599, 1600, 1601, 1602, 1603, 1604, 1605, 1606, 1607, 1608, 1609, 1610, 1611, 1612, 1613, 1614, 1615, 1616, 1617, 1618, 1619, 1620, 1621, 1622, 1623, 1624, 1625, 1626, 1627, 1628, 1629, 1630, 1631, 1632, 1633, 1634, 1635, 1636)
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1637. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation;
wherein the selected section has been selected for heating using an atomic hydrogen weight percentage of at least a portion of hydrocarbons in the selected section, and wherein at least the portion of the hydrocarbons in the selected section comprises an atomic hydrogen weight percentage, when measured on a dry, ash-free basis, of greater than about 4.0%; and
producing a mixture from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (1638, 1639, 1640, 1641, 1642, 1643, 1644, 1645, 1646, 1647, 1648, 1649, 1650, 1651, 1652, 1653, 1654, 1655, 1656, 1657, 1658, 1659, 1660, 1661, 1662, 1663, 1664, 1665, 1666, 1667, 1668, 1669, 1670, 1671, 1672, 1673, 1674, 1675, 1676)
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-
1677. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation;
wherein at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section have an initial atomic hydrogen weight percentage of greater than about 4.0%; and
producing a mixture from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (1678, 1679, 1680, 1681, 1682, 1683, 1684, 1685, 1686, 1687, 1688, 1689, 1690, 1691, 1692, 1693, 1694, 1695, 1696, 1697, 1698, 1699, 1700, 1701, 1702, 1703, 1704, 1705, 1706, 1707, 1708, 1709, 1710, 1711, 1712, 1713, 1714, 1715, 1716)
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-
1717. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation;
wherein the selected section has been selected for heating using vitrinite reflectance of at least some hydrocarbons in the selected section, and wherein at least a portion of the hydrocarbons in the selected section comprises a vitrinite reflectance of greater than about 0.3%;
wherein at least a portion of the hydrocarbons in the selected section comprises a vitrinite reflectance of less than about 4.5%; and
producing a mixture from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (1718, 1719, 1720, 1721, 1722, 1723, 1724, 1725, 1726, 1727, 1728, 1729, 1730, 1731, 1732, 1733, 1734, 1735, 1736, 1737, 1738, 1739, 1740, 1741, 1742, 1743, 1744, 1745, 1746, 1747, 1748, 1749, 1750, 1751, 1752, 1753, 1754, 1755, 1756, 1757, 1758)
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-
1759. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation;
wherein the selected section has been selected for heating using a total organic matter weight percentage of at least a portion of the selected section, and wherein at least the portion of the selected section comprises a total organic matter weight percentage, of at least about 5.0%; and
producing a mixture from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (1760, 1761, 1762, 1763, 1764, 1765, 1766, 1767, 1768, 1769, 1770, 1771, 1772, 1773, 1774, 1775, 1776, 1777, 1778, 1779, 1780, 1781, 1782, 1783, 1784, 1785, 1786, 1787, 1788, 1789, 1790, 1791, 1792, 1793, 1794, 1795, 1796, 1797, 1798)
-
-
1799. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation;
wherein at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section have an initial total organic matter weight percentage of at least about 5.0%; and
producing a mixture from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (1800, 1801, 1802, 1803, 1804, 1805, 1806, 1807, 1808, 1809, 1810, 1811, 1812, 1813, 1814, 1815, 1816, 1817, 1818, 1819, 1820, 1821, 1822, 1823, 1824, 1825, 1826, 1827, 1828, 1829, 1830, 1831, 1832, 1833, 1834, 1835, 1836, 1837, 1838)
-
-
1839. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation;
wherein the selected section has been selected for heating using an atomic oxygen weight percentage of at least a portion of hydrocarbons in the selected section, and wherein at least a portion of the hydrocarbons in the selected section comprises an atomic oxygen weight percentage of less than about 15% when measured on a dry, ash free basis; and
producing a mixture from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (1840, 1841, 1842, 1843, 1844, 1845, 1846, 1847, 1848, 1849, 1850, 1851, 1852, 1853, 1854, 1855, 1856, 1857, 1858, 1859, 1860, 1861, 1862, 1863, 1864, 1865, 1866, 1867, 1868, 1869, 1870, 1871, 1872, 1873, 1874, 1875, 1876, 1877, 1878)
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-
1879. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to the selected section of the formation to pyrolyze hydrocarbon within the selected section;
wherein at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section have an initial atomic oxygen weight percentage of less than about 15%; and
producing a mixture from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (1880, 1881, 1882, 1883, 1884, 1885, 1886, 1887, 1888, 1889, 1890, 1891, 1892, 1893, 1894, 1895, 1896, 1897, 1898, 1899, 1900, 1901, 1902, 1903, 1904, 1905, 1906, 1907, 1908, 1909, 1910, 1911, 1912, 1913, 1914, 1915, 1916, 1917, 1918)
-
-
1919. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation;
wherein the selected section has been selected for heating using an atomic hydrogen to carbon ratio of at least a portion of hydrocarbons in the selected section, wherein at least a portion of the hydrocarbons in the selected section comprises an atomic hydrogen to carbon ratio greater than about 0.70, and wherein the atomic hydrogen to carbon ratio is less than about 1.65; and
producing a mixture from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (1920, 1921, 1922, 1923, 1924, 1925, 1926, 1927, 1928, 1929, 1930, 1931, 1932, 1933, 1934, 1935, 1936, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1940, 1941, 1942, 1943, 1944, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958)
-
-
1959. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to the selected section of the formation to pyrolyze hydrocarbons within the selected section;
wherein at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section have an initial atomic hydrogen to carbon ratio greater than about 0.70;
wherein the initial atomic hydrogen to carbon ration is less than about 1.65; and
producing a mixture from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998)
-
-
1999. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation;
wherein the selected section has been selected for heating using an atomic oxygen to carbon ratio of at least a portion of hydrocarbons in the selected section, wherein at least a portion of the hydrocarbons in the selected section comprises an atomic oxygen to carbon ratio greater than about 0.025, and wherein the atomic oxygen to carbon ratio of at least a portion of the hydrocarbons in the selected section is less than about 0.15; and
producing a mixture from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029, 2030, 2031, 2032, 2033, 2034, 2035, 2036, 2037, 2038)
-
-
2039. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising
providing heat from one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation; -
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to the selected section of the formation to pyrolyze hydrocarbons within the selected section;
wherein at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section have an initial atomic oxygen to carbon ratio greater than about 0.025;
wherein the initial atomic oxygen to carbon ratio is less than about 0.15; and
producing a mixture from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (2040, 2041, 2042, 2043, 2044, 2045, 2046, 2047, 2048, 2049, 2050, 2051, 2052, 2053, 2054, 2055, 2056, 2057, 2058, 2059, 2060, 2061, 2062, 2063, 2064, 2065, 2066, 2067, 2068, 2069, 2070, 2071, 2072, 2073, 2074, 2075, 2076, 2077, 2078)
-
-
2079. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation;
wherein the selected section has been selected for heating using a moisture content in the selected section, and wherein at least a portion of the selected section comprises a moisture content of less than about 15% by weight; and
producing a mixture from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (2080, 2081, 2082, 2083, 2084, 2085, 2086, 2087, 2088, 2089, 2090, 2091, 2092, 2093, 2094, 2095, 2096, 2097, 2098, 2099, 2100, 2101, 2102, 2103, 2104, 2105, 2106, 2107, 2108, 2109, 2110, 2111, 2112, 2113, 2114, 2115, 2116, 2117, 2118)
-
-
2119. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to the selected section of the formation;
wherein at least a portion of the selected section has an initial moisture content of less than about 15% by weight; and
producing a mixture from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (2120, 2121, 2122, 2123, 2124, 2125, 2126, 2127, 2128, 2129, 2130, 2131, 2132, 2133, 2134, 2135, 2136, 2137, 2138, 2139, 2140, 2141, 2142, 2143, 2144, 2145, 2146, 2147, 2148, 2149, 2150, 2151, 2152, 2153, 2154, 2155, 2156, 2157, 2158)
-
-
2159. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation;
wherein the selected section is heated in a reducing environment during at least a portion of the time that the selected section is being heated; and
producing a mixture from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (2160, 2161, 2162, 2163, 2164, 2165, 2166, 2167, 2168, 2169, 2170, 2171, 2172, 2173, 2174, 2175, 2176, 2177, 2178, 2179, 2180, 2181, 2182, 2183, 2184, 2185, 2186, 2187, 2188, 2189, 2190, 2191, 2192, 2193, 2194, 2195, 2196, 2197, 2198)
-
-
2199. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
-
heating a first section of the formation to produce a mixture from the formation;
heating a second section of the formation; and
recirculating a portion of the produced mixture from the first section into the second section of the formation to provide a reducing environment within the second section of the formation. - View Dependent Claims (2200, 2201, 2202, 2203, 2204, 2205, 2206, 2207, 2208, 2209, 2210, 2211, 2212, 2213, 2214, 2215, 2216, 2217, 2218, 2219, 2220, 2221, 2222, 2223, 2224, 2225, 2226, 2227, 2228, 2229, 2230, 2231, 2232, 2233, 2234, 2235, 2236)
-
-
2237. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation; and
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation such that a permeability of at least a portion of the selected section increases to greater than about 100 millidarcy. - View Dependent Claims (2238, 2239, 2240, 2241, 2242, 2243, 2244, 2245, 2246, 2247, 2248, 2249, 2250, 2251, 2252, 2253, 2254, 2255, 2256, 2257, 2258, 2259, 2260, 2261, 2262, 2263, 2264, 2265, 2266, 2267, 2268, 2269, 2270, 2271, 2272, 2273, 2274, 2275, 2276)
-
-
2277. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation; and
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation such that a permeability of a majority of at least a portion of the selected section increases substantially uniformly. - View Dependent Claims (2278, 2279, 2280, 2281, 2282, 2283, 2284, 2285, 2286, 2287, 2288, 2289, 2290, 2291, 2292, 2293, 2294, 2295, 2296, 2297, 2298, 2299, 2300, 2301, 2302, 2303, 2304, 2305, 2306, 2307, 2308, 2309, 2310, 2311, 2312, 2313, 2314, 2315)
-
-
2316. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation; and
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation such that a porosity of a majority of at least a portion of the selected section increases substantially uniformly. - View Dependent Claims (2317, 2318, 2319, 2320, 2321, 2322, 2323, 2324, 2325, 2326, 2327, 2328, 2329, 2330, 2331, 2332, 2333, 2334, 2335, 2336, 2337, 2338, 2339, 2340, 2341, 2342, 2343, 2344, 2345, 2346, 2347, 2348, 2349, 2350, 2351, 2352, 2353, 2354, 2355)
-
-
2356. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation; and
controlling the heat to yield at least about 15% by weight of a total organic carbon content of at least some of the hydrocarbon containing formation into condensable hydrocarbons. - View Dependent Claims (2357, 2358, 2359, 2360, 2361, 2362, 2363, 2364, 2365, 2366, 2367, 2368, 2369, 2370, 2371, 2372, 2373, 2374, 2375, 2376, 2377, 2378, 2379, 2380, 2381, 2382, 2383, 2384, 2385, 2386, 2387, 2388, 2389, 2390, 2391, 2392, 2393, 2394, 2395)
-
-
2396. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation; and
controlling the heat to yield greater than about 60% by weight of condensable hydrocarbons, as measured by the Fischer Assay. - View Dependent Claims (2397, 2398, 2399, 2400, 2401, 2402, 2403, 2404, 2405, 2406, 2407, 2408, 2409, 2410, 2411, 2412, 2413, 2414, 2415, 2416, 2417, 2418, 2419, 2420, 2421, 2422, 2423, 2424, 2425, 2426, 2427, 2428, 2429, 2430, 2431, 2432, 2433, 2434)
-
-
2435. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
-
heating a first section of the formation to pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbons in the first section and produce a first mixture from the formation;
heating a second section of the formation to pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbons in the second section and produce a second mixture from the formation; and
leaving an unpyrolyzed section between the first section and the second section to inhibit subsidence of the formation. - View Dependent Claims (2436, 2437, 2438, 2439, 2440, 2441, 2442, 2443, 2444, 2445, 2446, 2447, 2448, 2449, 2450, 2451, 2452, 2453, 2454, 2455, 2456, 2457, 2458, 2459, 2460, 2461, 2462, 2463, 2464, 2465, 2466, 2467, 2468, 2469, 2470, 2471, 2472, 2473)
-
-
2474. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation; and
producing a mixture from the formation through one or more production wells, wherein the heating is controlled such that the mixture can be produced from the formation as a vapor, and wherein at least about 7 heaters are disposed in the formation for each production well. - View Dependent Claims (2475, 2476, 2477, 2478, 2479, 2480, 2481, 2482, 2483, 2484, 2485, 2486, 2487, 2488, 2489, 2490, 2491, 2492, 2493, 2494, 2495, 2496, 2497, 2498, 2499, 2500, 2501, 2502, 2503, 2504, 2505, 2506, 2507, 2508, 2509, 2510, 2511, 2512)
-
-
2513. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation, wherein the one or more heaters are disposed within one or more first wells;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation; and
producing a mixture from the formation through one or more second wells, wherein one or more of the first or second wells are initially used for a first purpose and are then used for one or more other purposes. - View Dependent Claims (2514, 2515, 2516, 2517, 2518, 2519, 2520, 2521, 2522, 2523, 2524, 2525, 2526, 2527, 2528, 2529, 2530, 2531, 2532, 2533, 2534, 2535, 2536, 2537, 2538, 2539, 2540, 2541, 2542, 2543, 2544, 2545, 2546, 2547, 2548, 2549, 2550, 2551, 2552, 2553)
-
-
2554. A method for forming heater wells in a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
forming a first wellbore in the formation;
forming a second wellbore in the formation using magnetic tracking such that the second wellbore is arranged substantially parallel to the first wellbore; and
providing at least one heater within the first wellbore and at least one heater within the second wellbore such that the heaters can provide heat to at least a portion of the formation. - View Dependent Claims (2555, 2556, 2557, 2558, 2559, 2560, 2561, 2562, 2563, 2564, 2565, 2566, 2567, 2568, 2569, 2570, 2571, 2572, 2573, 2574, 2575, 2576, 2577, 2578, 2579, 2580, 2581, 2582, 2583, 2584, 2585, 2586, 2587, 2588, 2589, 2590, 2591, 2592, 2593, 2594)
-
-
2595. A method for installing a heater well into a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
forming a bore in the ground using a steerable motor and an accelerometer; and
providing a heater within the bore such that the heater can transfer heat to at least a portion of the formation. - View Dependent Claims (2596, 2597, 2598, 2599, 2600, 2601, 2602, 2603, 2604, 2605, 2606, 2607, 2608, 2609, 2610, 2611, 2612, 2613, 2614, 2615, 2616, 2617, 2618, 2619, 2620, 2621, 2622, 2623, 2624, 2625, 2626, 2627, 2628, 2629, 2630, 2631, 2632, 2633, 2634)
-
-
2635. A method for installing of wells in a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
forming a wellbore in the formation by geosteered drilling; and
providing a heater within the wellbore such that the heater can transfer heat to at least a portion of the formation. - View Dependent Claims (2636, 2637, 2638, 2639, 2640, 2641, 2642, 2643, 2644, 2645, 2646, 2647, 2648, 2649, 2650, 2651, 2652, 2653, 2654, 2655, 2656, 2657, 2658, 2659, 2660, 2661, 2662, 2663, 2664, 2665, 2666, 2667, 2668, 2669, 2670, 2671, 2672, 2673)
-
-
2674. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
heating a selected section of the formation with a heating element placed within a wellbore, wherein at least one end of the heating element is free to move axially within the wellbore to allow for thermal expansion of the heating element. - View Dependent Claims (2675, 2676, 2677, 2678, 2679, 2680, 2681, 2682, 2683, 2684, 2685, 2686, 2687, 2688, 2689, 2690, 2691, 2692, 2693, 2694, 2695, 2696, 2697, 2698, 2699, 2700, 2701, 2702, 2703, 2704, 2705, 2706, 2707, 2708, 2709, 2710, 2711, 2712, 2713)
-
2714. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation; and
producing a mixture from the formation through a production well, wherein the production well is located such that a majority of the mixture produced from the formation comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons and a non-condensable component comprising hydrogen. - View Dependent Claims (2715, 2716, 2717, 2718, 2719, 2720, 2721, 2722, 2723, 2724, 2725, 2726, 2727, 2728, 2729, 2730, 2731, 2732, 2733, 2734, 2735, 2736, 2737, 2738, 2739, 2740, 2741, 2742, 2743, 2744, 2745, 2746, 2747, 2748, 2749, 2750, 2751, 2752, 2753, 2754, 2755, 2756, 2757)
-
-
2758. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
-
providing heat to at least a portion of the formation from one or more first heaters placed within a pattern in the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more first heaters to a first section of the formation;
heating a second section of the formation with at least one second heater, wherein the second section is located within the first section, and wherein at least the one second heater is configured to raise an average temperature of a portion of the second section to a higher temperature than an average temperature of the first section; and
producing a mixture from the formation through a production well positioned within the second section, wherein a majority of the produced mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons and a non-condensable component comprising H2 components. - View Dependent Claims (2759, 2760, 2761, 2762, 2763, 2764, 2765, 2766, 2767, 2768, 2769, 2770, 2771, 2772, 2773, 2774, 2775, 2776, 2777, 2778, 2779, 2780, 2781, 2782, 2783, 2784, 2785, 2786, 2787, 2788, 2789, 2790, 2791, 2792, 2793, 2794, 2795, 2796, 2797, 2798)
-
-
2799. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
-
providing heat into the formation from a plurality of heaters placed in a pattern within the formation, wherein a spacing between heaters is greater than about 6 m;
allowing the heat to transfer from the plurality of heaters to a selected section of the formation;
producing a mixture from the formation from a plurality of production wells, wherein the plurality of production wells are positioned within the pattern, and wherein a spacing between production wells is greater than about 12 m. - View Dependent Claims (2800, 2801, 2802, 2803, 2804, 2805, 2806, 2807, 2808, 2809, 2810, 2811, 2812, 2813, 2814, 2815, 2816, 2817, 2818, 2819, 2820, 2821, 2822, 2823, 2824, 2825, 2826, 2827, 2828, 2829, 2830, 2831, 2832, 2833, 2834, 2835, 2836, 2837, 2838)
-
-
2839. A system configured to heat a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
a heater disposed in an opening in the formation, wherein the heater is configured to provide heat to at least a portion of the formation during use;
an oxidizing fluid source;
a conduit disposed in the opening, wherein the conduit is configured to provide an oxidizing fluid from the oxidizing fluid source to a reaction zone in the formation during use, and wherein the oxidizing fluid is selected to oxidize at least some hydrocarbons at the reaction zone during use such that heat is generated at the reaction zone; and
wherein the system is configured to allow heat to transfer substantially by conduction from the reaction zone to a pyrolysis zone of the formation during use. - View Dependent Claims (2840, 2841, 2842, 2843, 2844, 2845, 2846, 2847, 2848, 2849, 2850, 2851, 2852, 2853, 2854, 2855, 2856, 2857, 2858, 2859, 2860, 2861, 2862)
-
-
2863. A system configurable to heat a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
a heater configurable to be disposed in an opening in the formation, wherein the heater is further configurable to provide heat to at least a portion of the formation during use;
a conduit configurable to be disposed in the opening, wherein the conduit is configurable to provide an oxidizing fluid from an oxidizing fluid source to a reaction zone in the formation during use, and wherein the system is configurable to allow the oxidizing fluid to oxidize at least some hydrocarbons at the reaction zone during use such that heat is generated at the reaction zone; and
wherein the system is further configurable to allow heat to transfer substantially by conduction from the reaction zone to a pyrolysis zone of the formation during use. - View Dependent Claims (2864, 2865, 2866, 2867, 2868, 2869, 2870, 2871, 2872, 2873, 2874, 2875, 2876, 2877, 2878, 2879, 2880, 2881, 2882, 2883, 2884, 2885, 2886, 2887)
-
-
2888. An in situ method for heating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
heating a portion of the formation to a temperature sufficient to support reaction of hydrocarbons within the portion of the formation with an oxidizing fluid;
providing the oxidizing fluid to a reaction zone in the formation;
allowing the oxidizing fluid to react with at least a portion of the hydrocarbons at the reaction zone to generate heat at the reaction zone; and
transferring the generated heat substantially by conduction from the reaction zone to a pyrolysis zone in the formation. - View Dependent Claims (2889, 2890, 2891, 2892, 2893, 2894, 2895, 2896, 2897, 2898, 2899, 2900, 2901, 2902, 2903, 2904, 2905, 2906, 2907, 2908, 2909, 2910, 2911, 2912)
-
-
2913. A system configured to heat a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
a heater disposed in an opening in the formation, wherein the heater is configured to provide heat to at least a portion of the formation during use;
an oxidizing fluid source;
a conduit disposed in the opening, wherein the conduit is configured to provide an oxidizing fluid from the oxidizing fluid source to a reaction zone in the formation during use, wherein the oxidizing fluid is selected to oxidize at least some hydrocarbons at the reaction zone during use such that heat is generated at the reaction zone, and wherein the conduit is further configured to remove an oxidation product from the formation during use; and
wherein the system is configured to allow heat to transfer substantially by conduction from the reaction zone to a pyrolysis zone of the formation during use. - View Dependent Claims (2914, 2915, 2916, 2917, 2918, 2919, 2920, 2921, 2922, 2923, 2924, 2925, 2926, 2927, 2928, 2929, 2930, 2931, 2932, 2933, 2934, 2935)
-
-
2936. A system configurable to heat a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
a heater configurable to be disposed in an opening in the formation, wherein the heater is further configurable to provide heat to at least a portion of the formation during use;
a conduit configurable to be disposed in the opening, wherein the conduit is further configurable to provide an oxidizing fluid from an oxidizing fluid source to a reaction zone in the formation during use, wherein the system is configurable to allow the oxidizing fluid to oxidize at least some hydrocarbons at the reaction zone during use such that heat is generated at the reaction zone, and wherein the conduit is further configurable to remove an oxidation product from the formation during use; and
wherein the system is further configurable to allow heat to transfer substantially by conduction from the reaction zone to a pyrolysis zone during use. - View Dependent Claims (2937, 2938, 2939, 2940, 2941, 2942, 2943, 2944, 2945, 2946, 2947, 2948, 2949, 2950, 2951, 2952, 2953, 2954, 2955, 2956, 2957, 2958, 2959)
-
-
2960. An in situ method for heating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
heating a portion of the formation to a temperature sufficient to support reaction of hydrocarbons within the portion of the formation with an oxidizing fluid, wherein the portion is located substantially adjacent to an opening in the formation;
providing the oxidizing fluid to a reaction zone in the formation;
allowing the oxidizing gas to react with at least a portion of the hydrocarbons at the reaction zone to generate heat in the reaction zone;
removing at least a portion of an oxidation product through the opening; and
transferring the generated heat substantially by conduction from the reaction zone to a pyrolysis zone in the formation. - View Dependent Claims (2961, 2962, 2963, 2964, 2965, 2966, 2967, 2968, 2969, 2970, 2971, 2972, 2973, 2974, 2975, 2976, 2977, 2978, 2979, 2980, 2981, 2982, 2983, 2984)
-
-
2985. A system configured to heat a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
an electric heater disposed in an opening in the formation, wherein the electric heater is configured to provide heat to at least a portion of the formation during use;
an oxidizing fluid source;
a conduit disposed in the opening, wherein the conduit is configured to provide an oxidizing fluid from the oxidizing fluid source to a reaction zone in the formation during use, and wherein the oxidizing fluid is selected to oxidize at least some hydrocarbons at the reaction zone during use such that heat is generated at the reaction zone; and
wherein the system is configured to allow heat to transfer substantially by conduction from the reaction zone to a pyrolysis zone of the formation during use. - View Dependent Claims (2986, 2987, 2988, 2989, 2990, 2991, 2992, 2993, 2994, 2995, 2996, 2997, 2998, 2999, 3000, 3001, 3002, 3003, 3004)
-
-
3005. A system configurable to heat a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
an electric heater configurable to be disposed in an opening in the formation, wherein the electric heater is further configurable to provide heat to at least a portion of the formation during use, and wherein at least the portion is located substantially adjacent to the opening;
a conduit configurable to be disposed in the opening, wherein the conduit is further configurable to provide an oxidizing fluid from an oxidizing fluid source to a reaction zone in the formation during use, and wherein the system is configurable to allow the oxidizing fluid to oxidize at least some hydrocarbons at the reaction zone during use such that heat is generated at the reaction zone; and
wherein the system is further configurable to allow heat to transfer substantially by conduction from the reaction zone to a pyrolysis zone of the formation during use. - View Dependent Claims (3006, 3007, 3008, 3009, 3010, 3011, 3012, 3013, 3014, 3015, 3016, 3017, 3018, 3019, 3020, 3021, 3022, 3023, 3024, 3025)
-
-
3026. A system configured to heat a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
a conductor disposed in a first conduit, wherein the first conduit is disposed in an opening in the formation, and wherein the conductor is configured to provide heat to at least a portion of the formation during use;
an oxidizing fluid source;
a second conduit disposed in the opening, wherein the second conduit is configured to provide an oxidizing fluid from the oxidizing fluid source to a reaction zone in the formation during use, and wherein the oxidizing fluid is selected to oxidize at least some hydrocarbons at the reaction zone during use such that heat is generated at the reaction zone; and
wherein the system is configured to allow heat to transfer substantially by conduction from the reaction zone to a pyrolysis zone of the formation during use. - View Dependent Claims (3027, 3028, 3029, 3030, 3031, 3032, 3033, 3034, 3035, 3036, 3037, 3038, 3039, 3040, 3041, 3042, 3043, 3044, 3045)
-
-
3046. A system configurable to heat a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
a conductor configurable to be disposed in a first conduit, wherein the first conduit is configurable to be disposed in an opening in the formation, and wherein the conductor is further configurable to provide heat to at least a portion of the formation during use;
a second conduit configurable to be disposed in the opening, wherein the second conduit is further configurable to provide an oxidizing fluid from an oxidizing fluid source to a reaction zone in the formation during use, and wherein the system is configurable to allow the oxidizing fluid to oxidize at least some hydrocarbons at the reaction zone during use such that heat is generated at the reaction zone; and
wherein the system is further configurable to allow heat to transfer substantially by conduction from the reaction zone to a pyrolysis zone of the formation during use. - View Dependent Claims (3047, 3048, 3049, 3050, 3051, 3052, 3053, 3054, 3055, 3056, 3057, 3058, 3059, 3060, 3061, 3062, 3063, 3064, 3065, 3066)
-
-
3067. An in situ method for heating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
heating a portion of the formation to a temperature sufficient to support reaction of hydrocarbons within the portion of the formation with an oxidizing fluid, wherein heating comprises applying an electrical current to a conductor disposed in a first conduit to provide heat to the portion, and wherein the first conduit is disposed within the opening;
providing the oxidizing fluid to a reaction zone in the formation;
allowing the oxidizing fluid to react with at least a portion of the hydrocarbons at the reaction zone to generate heat at the reaction zone; and
transferring the generated heat substantially by conduction from the reaction zone to a pyrolysis zone in the formation. - View Dependent Claims (3068, 3069, 3070, 3071, 3072, 3073, 3074, 3075, 3076, 3077, 3078, 3079, 3080, 3081, 3082, 3083, 3084, 3085, 3086)
-
-
3087. A system configured to heat a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
an insulated conductor disposed in an opening in the formation, wherein the insulated conductor is configured to provide heat to at least a portion of the formation during use;
an oxidizing fluid source;
a conduit disposed in the opening, wherein the conduit is configured to provide an oxidizing fluid from the oxidizing fluid source to a reaction zone in the formation during use, and wherein the oxidizing fluid is selected to oxidize at least some hydrocarbons at the reaction zone during use such that heat is generated at the reaction zone; and
wherein the system is configured to allow heat to transfer substantially by conduction from the reaction zone to a pyrolysis zone of the formation during use. - View Dependent Claims (3088, 3089, 3090, 3091, 3092, 3093, 3094, 3095, 3096, 3097, 3098, 3099, 3100, 3101, 3102, 3103, 3104, 3105, 3106)
-
-
3107. A system configurable to heat a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
an insulated conductor configurable to be disposed in an opening in the formation, wherein the insulated conductor is further configurable to provide heat to at least a portion of the formation during use;
a conduit configurable to be disposed in the opening, wherein the conduit is further configurable to provide an oxidizing fluid from an oxidizing fluid source to a reaction zone in the formation during use, and wherein the system is configurable to allow the oxidizing fluid to oxidize at least some hydrocarbons at the reaction zone during use such that heat is generated at the reaction zone; and
wherein the system is further configurable to allow heat to transfer substantially by conduction from the reaction zone to a pyrolysis zone of the formation during use. - View Dependent Claims (3108, 3109, 3110, 3111, 3112, 3113, 3114, 3115, 3116, 3117, 3118, 3119, 3120, 3121, 3122, 3123, 3124, 3125, 3126, 3127)
-
-
3128. An in situ method for heating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
heating a portion of the formation to a temperature sufficient to support reaction of hydrocarbons within the portion of the formation with an oxidizing fluid, wherein heating comprises applying an electrical current to an insulated conductor to provide heat to the portion, and wherein the insulated conductor is disposed within the opening;
providing the oxidizing fluid to a reaction zone in the formation;
allowing the oxidizing fluid to react with at least a portion of the hydrocarbons at the reaction zone to generate heat at the reaction zone; and
transferring the generated heat substantially by conduction from the reaction zone to a pyrolysis zone in the formation. - View Dependent Claims (3129, 3130, 3131, 3132, 3133, 3134, 3135, 3136, 3137, 3138, 3139, 3140, 3141, 3142, 3143, 3144, 3145, 3146, 3147, 3148)
-
-
3149. An in situ method for heating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
heating a portion of the formation to a temperature sufficient to support reaction of hydrocarbons within the portion of the formation with an oxidizing fluid, wherein the portion is located substantially adjacent to an opening in the formation, wherein heating comprises applying an electrical current to an insulated conductor to provide heat to the portion, wherein the insulated conductor is coupled to a conduit, wherein the conduit comprises critical flow orifices, and wherein the conduit is disposed within the opening;
providing the oxidizing fluid to a reaction zone in the formation;
allowing the oxidizing fluid to react with at least a portion of the hydrocarbons at the reaction zone to generate heat at the reaction zone; and
transferring the generated heat substantially by conduction from the reaction zone to a pyrolysis zone in the formation. - View Dependent Claims (3150, 3151, 3152, 3153, 3154, 3155, 3156, 3157, 3158, 3159, 3160, 3161, 3162, 3163, 3164, 3165, 3166, 3167, 3168)
-
-
3169. A system configured to heat a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
at least one elongated member disposed in an opening in the formation, wherein at least the one elongated member is configured to provide heat to at least a portion of the formation during use;
an oxidizing fluid source;
a conduit disposed in the opening, wherein the conduit is configured to provide an oxidizing fluid from the oxidizing fluid source to a reaction zone in the formation during use, and wherein the oxidizing fluid is selected to oxidize at least some hydrocarbons at the reaction zone during use such that heat is generated at the reaction zone; and
wherein the system is configured to allow heat to transfer substantially by conduction from the reaction zone to a pyrolysis zone of the formation during use. - View Dependent Claims (3170, 3171, 3172, 3173, 3174, 3175, 3176, 3177, 3178, 3179, 3180, 3181, 3182, 3183, 3184, 3185, 3186, 3187, 3188)
-
-
3189. A system configurable to heat a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
at least one elongated member configurable to be disposed in an opening in the formation, wherein at least the one elongated member is further configurable to provide heat to at least a portion of the formation during use;
a conduit configurable to be disposed in the opening, wherein the conduit is further configurable to provide an oxidizing fluid from the oxidizing fluid source to a reaction zone in the formation during use, and wherein the system is configurable to allow the oxidizing fluid to oxidize at least some hydrocarbons at the reaction zone during use such that heat is generated at the reaction zone; and
wherein the system is further configurable to allow heat to transfer substantially by conduction from the reaction zone to a pyrolysis zone of the formation during use. - View Dependent Claims (3190, 3191, 3192, 3193, 3194, 3195, 3196, 3197, 3198, 3199, 3200, 3201, 3202, 3203, 3204, 3205, 3206, 3207, 3208, 3209)
-
-
3210. An in situ method for heating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
heating a portion of the formation to a temperature sufficient to support reaction of hydrocarbons within the portion of the formation with an oxidizing fluid, wherein heating comprises applying an electrical current to at least one elongated member to provide heat to the portion, and wherein at least the one elongated member is disposed within the opening;
providing the oxidizing fluid to a reaction zone in the formation;
allowing the oxidizing fluid to react with at least a portion of the hydrocarbons at the reaction zone to generate heat at the reaction zone; and
transferring the generated heat substantially by conduction from the reaction zone to a pyrolysis zone in the formation. - View Dependent Claims (3211, 3212, 3213, 3214, 3215, 3216, 3217, 3218, 3219, 3220, 3221, 3222, 3223, 3224, 3225, 3226, 3227, 3228, 3229, 3230)
-
-
3231. A system configured to heat a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
a heat exchanger disposed external to the formation, wherein the heat exchanger is configured to heat an oxidizing fluid during use;
a conduit disposed in the opening, wherein the conduit is configured to provide the heated oxidizing fluid from the heat exchanger to at least a portion of the formation during use, wherein the system is configured to allow heat to transfer from the heated oxidizing fluid to at least the portion of the formation during use, and wherein the oxidizing fluid is selected to oxidize at least some hydrocarbons at a reaction zone in the formation during use such that heat is generated at the reaction zone; and
wherein the system is configured to allow heat to transfer substantially by conduction from the reaction zone to a pyrolysis zone of the formation during use. - View Dependent Claims (3232, 3233, 3234, 3235, 3236, 3237, 3238, 3239, 3240, 3241, 3242, 3243, 3244, 3245, 3246, 3247, 3248, 3249)
-
-
3250. A system configurable to heat a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
a heat exchanger configurable to be disposed external to the formation, wherein the heat exchanger is further configurable to heat an oxidizing fluid during use;
a conduit configurable to be disposed in the opening, wherein the conduit is further configurable to provide the heated oxidizing fluid from the heat exchanger to at least a portion of the formation during use, wherein the system is configurable to allow heat to transfer from the heated oxidizing fluid to at least the portion of the formation during use, and wherein the system is further configurable to allow the oxidizing fluid to oxidize at least some hydrocarbons at a reaction zone in the formation during use such that heat is generated at the reaction zone; and
wherein the system is further configurable to allow heat to transfer substantially by conduction from the reaction zone to a pyrolysis zone of the formation during use. - View Dependent Claims (3251, 3252, 3253, 3254, 3255, 3256, 3257, 3258, 3259, 3260, 3261, 3262, 3263, 3264, 3265, 3266, 3267, 3268, 3269)
-
-
3270. An in situ method for heating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
heating a portion of the formation to a temperature sufficient to support reaction of hydrocarbons within the portion of the formation with an oxidizing fluid, wherein heating comprises;
heating the oxidizing fluid with a heat exchanger, wherein the heat exchanger is disposed external to the formation;
providing the heated oxidizing fluid from the heat exchanger to the portion of the formation; and
allowing heat to transfer from the heated oxidizing fluid to the portion of the formation;
providing the oxidizing fluid to a reaction zone in the formation;
allowing the oxidizing fluid to react with at least a portion of the hydrocarbons at the reaction zone to generate heat at the reaction zone; and
transferring the generated heat substantially by conduction from the reaction zone to a pyrolysis zone in the formation. - View Dependent Claims (3271, 3272, 3273, 3274, 3275, 3276, 3277, 3278, 3279, 3280, 3281, 3282, 3283, 3284, 3285, 3286, 3287, 3288, 3289, 3290)
-
-
3291. An in situ method for heating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
heating a portion of the formation to a temperature sufficient to support reaction of hydrocarbons within the portion of the formation with an oxidizing fluid, wherein heating comprises;
oxidizing a fuel gas in a heater, wherein the heater is disposed external to the formation;
providing the oxidized fuel gas from the heater to the portion of the formation; and
allowing heat to transfer from the oxidized fuel gas to the portion of the formation;
providing the oxidizing fluid to a reaction zone in the formation;
allowing the oxidizing fluid to react with at least a portion of the hydrocarbons at the reaction zone to generate heat at the reaction zone; and
transferring the generated heat substantially by conduction from the reaction zone to a pyrolysis zone in the formation. - View Dependent Claims (3292, 3293, 3294, 3295, 3296, 3297, 3298, 3299, 3300, 3301, 3302, 3303, 3304, 3305, 3306, 3307, 3308, 3309, 3310, 3311)
-
-
3312. A system configured to heat a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
an insulated conductor disposed within an open wellbore in the formation, wherein the insulated conductor is configured to provide radiant heat to at least a portion of the formation during use; and
wherein the system is configured to allow heat to transfer from the insulated conductor to a selected section of the formation during use. - View Dependent Claims (3313, 3314, 3315, 3316, 3317, 3318, 3319, 3320, 3321, 3322, 3323, 3324, 3325, 3326, 3327, 3328, 3329, 3330, 3331, 3332, 3333, 3334, 3335, 3336, 3337, 3338, 3339, 3340, 3341, 3342, 3343, 3344, 3345, 3346, 3347, 3348)
-
-
3349. A system configurable to heat a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
an insulated conductor configurable to be disposed within an open wellbore in the formation, wherein the insulated conductor is further configurable to provide radiant heat to at least a portion of the formation during use; and
wherein the system is configurable to allow heat to transfer from the insulated conductor to a selected section of the formation during use. - View Dependent Claims (3350, 3351, 3352, 3353, 3354, 3355, 3356, 3357, 3358, 3359, 3360, 3361, 3362, 3363, 3364, 3365, 3366, 3367, 3368, 3369, 3370, 3371, 3372, 3373, 3374, 3375, 3376, 3377, 3378, 3379, 3380, 3381, 3382, 3383, 3384, 3385, 3386)
-
-
3387. An in situ method for heating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
applying an electrical current to an insulated conductor to provide radiant heat to at least a portion of the formation, wherein the insulated conductor is disposed within an open wellbore in the formation; and
allowing the radiant heat to transfer from the insulated conductor to a selected section of the formation. - View Dependent Claims (3388, 3389, 3390, 3391, 3392, 3393, 3394, 3395, 3396, 3397, 3398, 3399, 3400, 3401, 3402, 3403, 3404, 3405, 3406, 3407, 3408, 3409, 3410, 3411, 3412, 3413, 3414, 3415, 3416, 3417, 3418, 3419, 3420, 3421, 3422, 3423)
-
-
3424. An in situ method for heating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
applying an electrical current to an insulated conductor to provide heat to at least a portion of the formation, wherein the insulated conductor is disposed within an opening in the formation; and
allowing the heat to transfer from the insulated conductor to a section of the formation. - View Dependent Claims (3425, 3426, 3427, 3428, 3429, 3430, 3431, 3432, 3433, 3434, 3435, 3436, 3437, 3438, 3439, 3440, 3441, 3442, 3443, 3444, 3445, 3446, 3447, 3448, 3449, 3450, 3451, 3452, 3453, 3454, 3455, 3456, 3457, 3458, 3459, 3460)
-
-
3461. A system configured to heat a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
an insulated conductor disposed within an opening in the formation, wherein the insulated conductor is configured to provide heat to at least a portion of the formation during use, wherein the insulated conductor comprises a copper-nickel alloy, and wherein the copper-nickel alloy comprises approximately 7% nickel by weight to approximately 12% nickel by weight; and
wherein the system is configured to allow heat to transfer from the insulated conductor to a selected section of the formation during use. - View Dependent Claims (3462, 3463, 3464, 3465, 3466, 3467, 3468, 3469, 3470, 3471, 3472, 3473, 3474, 3475, 3476, 3477, 3478, 3479, 3480, 3481, 3482, 3483, 3484, 3485, 3486, 3487, 3488, 3489, 3490, 3491, 3492, 3493)
-
-
3494. A system configurable to heat a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
an insulated conductor configurable to be disposed within an opening in the formation, wherein the insulated conductor is further configurable to provide heat to at least a portion of the formation during use, wherein the insulated conductor comprises a copper-nickel alloy, and wherein the copper-nickel alloy comprises approximately 7% nickel by weight to approximately 12% nickel by weight; and
wherein the system is configurable to allow heat to transfer from the insulated conductor to a selected section of the formation during use. - View Dependent Claims (3495, 3496, 3497, 3498, 3499, 3500, 3501, 3502, 3503, 3504, 3505, 3506, 3507, 3508, 3509, 3510, 3511, 3512, 3513, 3514, 3515, 3516, 3517, 3518, 3519, 3520, 3521, 3522, 3523, 3524, 3525, 3526, 3527)
-
-
3528. An in situ method for heating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
applying an electrical current to an insulated conductor to provide heat to at least a portion of the formation, wherein the insulated conductor is disposed within an opening in the formation, and wherein the insulated conductor comprises a copper-nickel alloy of approximately 7% nickel by weight to approximately 12% nickel by weight; and
allowing the heat to transfer from the insulated conductor to a selected section of the formation. - View Dependent Claims (3529, 3530, 3531, 3532, 3533, 3534, 3535, 3536, 3537, 3538, 3539, 3540, 3541, 3542, 3543, 3544, 3545, 3546, 3547, 3548, 3549, 3550, 3551, 3552, 3553, 3554, 3555, 3556, 3557, 3558, 3559, 3560, 3561, 3562)
-
-
3563. A system configured to heat a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
at least three insulated conductors disposed within an opening in the formation, wherein at least the three insulated conductors are electrically coupled in a 3-phase Y configuration, and wherein at least the three insulated conductors are configured to provide heat to at least a portion of the formation during use; and
wherein the system is configured to allow heat to transfer from at least the three insulated conductors to a selected section of the formation during use. - View Dependent Claims (3564, 3565, 3566, 3567, 3568, 3569, 3570, 3571, 3572, 3573, 3574, 3575, 3576, 3577, 3578, 3579, 3580, 3581, 3582, 3583, 3584, 3585, 3586, 3587, 3588, 3589, 3590, 3591, 3592, 3593, 3594, 3595, 3596)
-
-
3597. A system configurable to heat a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
at least three insulated conductors configurable to be disposed within an opening in the formation, wherein at least the three insulated conductors are electrically coupled in a 3-phase Y configuration, and wherein at least the three insulated conductors are further configurable to provide heat to at least a portion of the formation during use; and
wherein the system is configurable to allow heat to transfer from at least the three insulated conductors to a selected section of the formation during use. - View Dependent Claims (3598, 3599, 3600, 3601, 3602, 3603, 3604, 3605, 3606, 3607, 3608, 3609, 3610, 3611, 3612, 3613, 3614, 3615, 3616, 3617, 3618, 3619, 3620, 3621, 3622, 3623, 3624, 3625, 3626, 3627, 3628, 3629, 3630, 3631)
-
-
3632. An in situ method for heating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
applying an electrical current to at least three insulated conductors to provide heat to at least a portion of the formation, wherein at least the three insulated conductors are disposed within an opening in the formation; and
allowing the heat to transfer from at least the three insulated conductors to a selected section of the formation. - View Dependent Claims (3633, 3634, 3635, 3636, 3637, 3638, 3639, 3640, 3641, 3642, 3643, 3644, 3645, 3646, 3647, 3648, 3649, 3650, 3651, 3652, 3653, 3654, 3655, 3656, 3657, 3658, 3659, 3660, 3661, 3662, 3663, 3664)
-
-
3665. A system configured to heat a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
a first conductor disposed in a first conduit, wherein the first conduit is disposed within an opening in the formation, and wherein the first conductor is configured to provide heat to at least a portion of the formation during use; and
wherein the system is configured to allow heat to transfer from the first conductor to a section of the formation during use. - View Dependent Claims (3666, 3667, 3668, 3669, 3670, 3671, 3672, 3673, 3674, 3675, 3676, 3677, 3678, 3679, 3680, 3681, 3682, 3683, 3684, 3685, 3686, 3687, 3688, 3689, 3690, 3691, 3692, 3693, 3694, 3695, 3696, 3697, 3698)
-
-
3699. A system configurable to heat a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
a first conductor configurable to be disposed in a first conduit, wherein the first conduit is configurable to be disposed within an opening in the formation, and wherein the first conductor is further configurable to provide heat to at least a portion of the formation during use; and
wherein the system is configurable to allow heat to transfer from the first conductor to a section of the formation during use. - View Dependent Claims (3700, 3701, 3702, 3703, 3704, 3705, 3706, 3707, 3708, 3709, 3710, 3711, 3712, 3713, 3714, 3715, 3716, 3717, 3718, 3719, 3720, 3721, 3722, 3723, 3724, 3725, 3726, 3727, 3728, 3729, 3730, 3731, 3732, 3733)
-
-
3734. An in situ method for heating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
applying an electrical current to a first conductor to provide heat to at least a portion of the formation, wherein the first conductor is disposed in a first conduit, and wherein the first conduit is disposed within an opening in the formation; and
allowing the heat to transfer from the first conductor to a section of the formation. - View Dependent Claims (3735, 3736, 3737, 3738, 3739, 3740, 3741, 3742, 3743, 3744, 3745, 3746, 3747, 3748, 3749, 3750, 3751, 3752, 3753, 3754, 3755, 3756, 3757, 3758, 3759, 3760, 3761, 3762, 3763, 3764, 3765, 3766, 3767, 3768, 3769, 3770, 3771, 3772)
-
-
3773. A system configured to heat a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
a first conductor disposed in a first conduit, wherein the first conduit is disposed within a first opening in the formation;
a second conductor disposed in a second conduit, wherein the second conduit is disposed within a second opening in the formation;
a third conductor disposed in a third conduit, wherein the third conduit is disposed within a third opening in the formation, wherein the first, second, and third conductors are electrically coupled in a 3-phase Y configuration, and wherein the first, second, and third conductors are configured to provide heat to at least a portion of the formation during use; and
wherein the system is configured to allow heat to transfer from the first, second, and third conductors to a selected section of the formation during use. - View Dependent Claims (3774, 3775, 3776, 3777, 3778, 3779, 3780, 3781, 3782, 3783, 3784, 3785, 3786, 3787, 3788, 3789, 3790, 3791, 3792, 3793, 3794)
-
-
3795. A system configurable to heat a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
a first conductor configurable to be disposed in a first conduit, wherein the first conduit is configurable to be disposed within a first opening in the formation;
a second conductor configurable to be disposed in a second conduit, wherein the second conduit is configurable to be disposed within a second opening in the formation;
a third conductor configurable to be disposed in a third conduit, wherein the third conduit is configurable to be disposed within a third opening in the formation, wherein the first, second, and third conductors are further configurable to be electrically coupled in a 3-phase Y configuration, and wherein the first, second, and third conductors are further configurable to provide heat to at least a portion of the formation during use; and
wherein the system is configurable to allow heat to transfer from the first, second, and third conductors to a selected section of the formation during use. - View Dependent Claims (3796, 3797, 3798, 3799, 3800, 3801, 3802, 3803, 3804, 3805, 3806, 3807, 3808, 3809, 3810, 3811, 3812, 3813, 3814, 3815, 3816, 3817)
-
-
3818. An in situ method for heating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
applying an electrical current to a first conductor to provide heat to at least a portion of the formation, wherein the first conductor is disposed in a first conduit, and wherein the first conduit is disposed within a first opening in the formation;
applying an electrical current to a second conductor to provide heat to at least a portion of the formation, wherein the second conductor is disposed in a second conduit, and wherein the second conduit is disposed within a second opening in the formation;
applying an electrical current to a third conductor to provide heat to at least a portion of the formation, wherein the third conductor is disposed in a third conduit, and wherein the third conduit is disposed within a third opening in the formation; and
allowing the heat to transfer from the first, second, and third conductors to a selected section of the formation. - View Dependent Claims (3819, 3820, 3821, 3822, 3823, 3824, 3825, 3826, 3827, 3828, 3829, 3830, 3831, 3832, 3833, 3834)
-
-
3835. A system configured to heat a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
a first conductor disposed in a conduit, wherein the conduit is disposed within an opening in the formation; and
a second conductor disposed in the conduit, wherein the second conductor is electrically coupled to the first conductor with a connector, and wherein the first and second conductors are configured to provide heat to at least a portion of the formation during use; and
wherein the system is configured to allow heat to transfer from the first and second conductors to a selected section of the formation during use. - View Dependent Claims (3836, 3837, 3838, 3839, 3840, 3841, 3842, 3843, 3844, 3845, 3846, 3847, 3848, 3849, 3850, 3851, 3852, 3853, 3854, 3855, 3856, 3857, 3858)
-
-
3859. A system configurable to heat a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
a first conductor configurable to be disposed in a conduit, wherein the conduit is configurable to be disposed within an opening in the formation;
a second conductor configurable to be disposed in the conduit, wherein the second conductor is configurable to be electrically coupled to the first conductor with a connector, and wherein the first and second conductors are further configurable to provide heat to at least a portion of the formation during use; and
wherein the system is configurable to allow heat to transfer from the first and second conductors to a selected section of the formation during use. - View Dependent Claims (3860, 3861, 3862, 3863, 3864, 3865, 3866, 3867, 3868, 3869, 3870, 3871, 3872, 3873, 3874, 3875, 3876, 3877, 3878, 3879, 3880, 3881, 3882, 3883)
-
-
3884. An in situ method for heating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
applying an electrical current to at least two conductors to provide heat to at least a portion of the formation, wherein at least the two conductors are disposed within a conduit, wherein the conduit is disposed within an opening in the formation, and wherein at least the two conductors are electrically coupled with a connector; and
allowing heat to transfer from at least the two conductors to a selected section of the formation. - View Dependent Claims (3885, 3886, 3887, 3888, 3889, 3890, 3891, 3892, 3893, 3894, 3895, 3896, 3897, 3898, 3899, 3900, 3901, 3902, 3903, 3904, 3905, 3906, 3907, 3908, 3909, 3910)
-
-
3911. A system configured to heat a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
at least one conductor disposed in a conduit, wherein the conduit is disposed within an opening in the formation, and wherein at least the one conductor is configured to provide heat to at least a first portion of the formation during use;
at least one sliding connector, wherein at least the one sliding connector is coupled to at least the one conductor, wherein at least the one sliding connector is configured to provide heat during use, and wherein heat provided by at least the one sliding connector is substantially less than the heat provided by at least the one conductor during use; and
wherein the system is configured to allow heat to transfer from at least the one conductor to a section of the formation during use. - View Dependent Claims (3912, 3913, 3914, 3915, 3916, 3917, 3918, 3919, 3920, 3921, 3922, 3923, 3924, 3925, 3926, 3927, 3928, 3929, 3930, 3931, 3932, 3933, 3934, 3935, 3936, 3937)
-
-
3938. A system configurable to heat a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
at least one conductor configurable to be disposed in a conduit, wherein the conduit is configurable to be disposed within an opening in the formation, and wherein at least the one conductor is further configurable to provide heat to at least a first portion of the formation during use;
at least one sliding connector, wherein at least the one sliding connector is configurable to be coupled to at least the one conductor, wherein at least the one sliding connector is further configurable to provide heat during use, and wherein heat provided by at least the one sliding connector is substantially less than the heat provided by at least the one conductor during use; and
wherein the system is configurable to allow heat to transfer from at least the one conductor to a section of the formation during use. - View Dependent Claims (3939, 3940, 3941, 3942, 3943, 3944, 3945, 3946, 3947, 3948, 3949, 3950, 3951, 3952, 3953, 3954, 3955, 3956, 3957, 3958, 3959, 3960, 3961, 3962, 3963, 3964, 3965)
-
-
3966. An in situ method for heating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
applying an electrical current to at least one conductor and at least one sliding connector to provide heat to at least a portion of the formation, wherein at least the one conductor and at least the one sliding connector are disposed within a conduit, and wherein heat provided by at least the one conductor is substantially greater than heat provided by at least the one sliding connector; and
allowing the heat to transfer from at least the one conductor and at least the one sliding connector to a section of the formation. - View Dependent Claims (3967, 3968, 3969, 3970, 3971, 3972, 3973, 3974, 3975, 3976, 3977, 3978, 3979, 3980, 3981, 3982, 3983, 3984, 3985, 3986, 3987, 3988, 3989, 3990, 3991, 3992, 3993, 3994, 3995, 3996)
-
-
3997. A system configured to heat a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
at least one elongated member disposed within an opening in the formation, wherein at least the one elongated member is configured to provide heat to at least a portion of the formation during use; and
wherein the system is configured to allow heat to transfer from at least the one elongated member to a section of the formation during use. - View Dependent Claims (3998, 3999, 4000, 4001, 4002, 4003, 4004, 4005, 4006, 4007, 4008, 4009, 4010, 4011, 4012, 4013, 4014, 4015, 4016, 4017, 4018, 4019, 4020, 4021, 4022)
-
-
4023. A system configurable to heat a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
at least one elongated member configurable to be disposed within an opening in the formation, wherein at least the one elongated member is further configurable to provide heat to at least a portion of the formation during use; and
wherein the system is configurable to allow heat to transfer from at least the one elongated member to a section of the formation during use. - View Dependent Claims (4024, 4025, 4026, 4027, 4028, 4029, 4030, 4031, 4032, 4033, 4034, 4035, 4036, 4037, 4038, 4039, 4040, 4041, 4042, 4043, 4044, 4045, 4046, 4047, 4048, 4049)
-
-
4050. An in situ method for heating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
applying an electrical current to at least one elongated member to provide heat to at least a portion of the formation, wherein at least the one elongated member is disposed within an opening of the formation; and
allowing heat to transfer from at least the one elongated member to a section of the formation. - View Dependent Claims (4051, 4052, 4053, 4054, 4055, 4056, 4057, 4058, 4059, 4060, 4061, 4062, 4063, 4064, 4065, 4066, 4067, 4068, 4069, 4070, 4071, 4072, 4073, 4074, 4075, 4076)
-
-
4077. A system configured to heat a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
at least one elongated member disposed within an opening in the formation, wherein at least the one elongated member is configured to provide heat to at least a portion of the formation during use;
an oxidizing fluid source;
a conduit disposed within the opening, wherein the conduit is configured to provide an oxidizing fluid from the oxidizing fluid source to the opening during use, and wherein the oxidizing fluid is selected to substantially inhibit carbon deposition on or proximate to at least the one elongated member during use; and
wherein the system is configured to allow heat to transfer from at least the one elongated member to a section of the formation during use. - View Dependent Claims (4078, 4079, 4080, 4081, 4082, 4083, 4084, 4085, 4086, 4087, 4088, 4089, 4090, 4091, 4092, 4093, 4094, 4095, 4096, 4097, 4098, 4099, 4100)
-
-
4101. A system configurable to heat a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
at least one elongated member configurable to be disposed within an opening in the formation, wherein at least the one elongated member is further configurable to provide heat to at least a portion of the formation during use;
a conduit configurable to be disposed within the opening, wherein the conduit is further configurable to provide an oxidizing fluid from the oxidizing fluid source to the opening during use, and wherein the system is configurable to allow the oxidizing fluid to substantially inhibit carbon deposition on or proximate to at least the one elongated member during use; and
wherein the system is further configurable to allow heat to transfer from at least the one elongated member to a section of the formation during use. - View Dependent Claims (4102, 4103, 4104, 4105, 4106, 4107, 4108, 4109, 4110, 4111, 4112, 4113, 4114, 4115, 4116, 4117, 4118, 4119, 4120, 4121, 4122, 4123, 4124, 4125)
-
-
4126. An in situ method for heating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
applying an electrical current to at least one elongated member to provide heat to at least a portion of the formation, wherein at least the one elongated member is disposed within an opening in the formation;
providing an oxidizing fluid to at least the one elongated member to substantially inhibit carbon deposition on or proximate to at least the one elongated member; and
allowing heat to transfer from at least the one elongated member to a section of the formation. - View Dependent Claims (4127, 4128, 4129, 4130, 4131, 4132, 4133, 4134, 4135, 4136, 4137, 4138, 4139, 4140, 4141, 4142, 4143, 4144, 4145, 4146, 4147, 4148, 4149, 4150, 4151)
-
-
4152. An in situ method for heating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
oxidizing a fuel fluid in a heater;
providing at least a portion of the oxidized fuel fluid into a conduit disposed in an opening of the formation;
allowing heat to transfer from the oxidized fuel fluid to a section of the formation; and
allowing additional heat to transfer from an electric heater disposed in the opening to the section of the formation, wherein heat is allowed to transfer substantially uniformly along a length of the opening. - View Dependent Claims (4153, 4154, 4155, 4156, 4157, 4158, 4159, 4160, 4161, 4162, 4163, 4164, 4165)
-
-
4166. A system configured to heat a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
one or more heaters disposed within one or more open wellbores in the formation, wherein the one or more heaters are configured to provide heat to at least a portion of the formation during use; and
wherein the system is configured to allow heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation during use. - View Dependent Claims (4167, 4168, 4169, 4170, 4171, 4172, 4173, 4174, 4175, 4176, 4177, 4178, 4179, 4180, 4181)
-
-
4182. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least one portion of the formation, wherein the one or more heaters are disposed within one or more open wellbores in the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation; and
producing a mixture from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (4183, 4184, 4185, 4186, 4187, 4188, 4189, 4190, 4191, 4192, 4193, 4194, 4195, 4196, 4197, 4198, 4199, 4200, 4201, 4202, 4203, 4204, 4205, 4206, 4207, 4208, 4209, 4210, 4211, 4212, 4213, 4214, 4215, 4216, 4217, 4218, 4219, 4220, 4221, 4222, 4223, 4224, 4225, 4226, 4227, 4228, 4229, 4230, 4231, 4232, 4233, 4234, 4235, 4236, 4237, 4238, 4239, 4240, 4241, 4242, 4243, 4244, 4245)
-
-
4246. A mixture produced from a portion of a hydrocarbon containing formation, the mixture comprising:
-
an olefin content of less than about 10% by weight; and
an average carbon number less than about 35. - View Dependent Claims (4247, 4248, 4249, 4250, 4251, 4252, 4253, 4254, 4255, 4256, 4257, 4258, 4259, 4260, 4261, 4262)
-
-
4263. A mixture produced from a portion of a hydrocarbon containing formation, the mixture, comprising:
-
non-condensable hydrocarbons comprising hydrocarbons having carbon numbers of less than 5; and
wherein a weight ratio of the hydrocarbons having carbon numbers from 2 through 4, to methane, in the mixture is greater than approximately 1. - View Dependent Claims (4264, 4265, 4266, 4267, 4268, 4269, 4270, 4271, 4272, 4273, 4274, 4275, 4276, 4277, 4278, 4279, 4280, 4281, 4282, 4283)
-
-
4284. A mixture produced from a portion of a hydrocarbon containing formation, the mixture comprising:
-
non-condensable hydrocarbons comprising hydrocarbons having carbon numbers of less than 5, wherein a weight ratio of hydrocarbons having carbon numbers from 2 through 4, to methane, is greater than approximately 1; and
condensable hydrocarbons comprising oxygenated hydrocarbons, wherein greater than about 5% by weight of the condensable component comprises oxygenated hydrocarbons. - View Dependent Claims (4285, 4286, 4287, 4288, 4289, 4290, 4291, 4292, 4293, 4294, 4295, 4296, 4297, 4298, 4299, 4300, 4301, 4302, 4303)
-
-
4304. A mixture produced from a portion of a hydrocarbon containing formation, the mixture comprising:
-
non-condensable hydrocarbons comprising hydrocarbons having carbon numbers of less than 5, wherein a weight ratio of hydrocarbons having carbon numbers from 2 through 4, to methane, is greater than approximately 1;
condensable hydrocarbons;
wherein less than about 1% by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, of the condensable hydrocarbons comprises nitrogen;
wherein less than about 1% by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, of the condensable hydrocarbons comprises oxygen; and
wherein less than about 1% by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, of the condensable hydrocarbons comprises sulfur. - View Dependent Claims (4305, 4306, 4307, 4308, 4309, 4310, 4311, 4312, 4313, 4314, 4315, 4316, 4317, 4318, 4319, 4320)
-
-
4321. A mixture produced from a portion of a hydrocarbon containing formation, the mixture comprising:
-
non-condensable hydrocarbons comprising hydrocarbons having carbon numbers of less than 5, wherein a weight ratio of hydrocarbons having carbon numbers from 2 through 4, to methane, is greater than approximately 1;
ammonia, wherein greater than about 0.5% by weight of the mixture comprises ammonia; and
condensable hydrocarbons comprising oxygenated hydrocarbons, wherein greater than about 5% by weight of the condensable hydrocarbons comprises oxygenated hydrocarbons. - View Dependent Claims (4322, 4323, 4324, 4325, 4326, 4327, 4328, 4329, 4330, 4331, 4332, 4333, 4334, 4335, 4336, 4337, 4338)
-
-
4339. A mixture produced from a portion of a hydrocarbon containing formation, the mixture comprising:
-
non-condensable hydrocarbons comprising hydrocarbons having carbon numbers of less than 5, wherein a weight ratio of hydrocarbons having carbon numbers from 2 through 4, to methane, is greater than approximately 1; and
condensable hydrocarbons comprising olefins, wherein less than about 10% by weight of the condensable hydrocarbons comprises olefins. - View Dependent Claims (4340, 4341, 4342, 4343, 4344, 4345, 4346, 4347, 4348, 4349, 4350, 4351, 4352, 4353, 4354, 4355, 4356, 4357, 4358, 4359)
-
-
4360. A mixture produced from a portion of a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
condensable hydrocarbons, wherein less than about 15 weight % of the condensable hydrocarbons have a carbon number greater than 25; and
wherein the condensable hydrocarbons comprise oxygenated hydrocarbons, and wherein greater than about 5% by weight of the condensable hydrocarbons comprises oxygenated hydrocarbons. - View Dependent Claims (4361, 4362, 4363, 4364, 4365, 4366, 4367, 4368, 4369, 4370, 4371, 4372, 4373, 4374, 4375, 4376, 4377, 4378, 4379, 4380, 4381)
-
-
4382. A mixture produced from a portion of a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
condensable hydrocarbons, wherein less than about 15% by weight of the condensable hydrocarbons have a carbon number greater than about 25;
wherein less than about 1% by weight of the condensable hydrocarbons, when calculated on an atomic basis, is nitrogen;
wherein less than about 1% by weight of the condensable hydrocarbons, when calculated on an atomic basis, is oxygen; and
wherein less than about 1% by weight of the condensable hydrocarbons, when calculated on an atomic basis, is sulfur. - View Dependent Claims (4383, 4384, 4385, 4386, 4387, 4388, 4389, 4390, 4391, 4392, 4393, 4394, 4395, 4396, 4397, 4398, 4399)
-
-
4400. A mixture produced from a portion of a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
condensable hydrocarbons, wherein less than about 15% by weight of the condensable hydrocarbons have a carbon number greater than 20; and
wherein the condensable hydrocarbons comprise olefins, wherein an olefin content of the condensable component is less than about 10% by weight of the condensable component. - View Dependent Claims (4401, 4402, 4403, 4404, 4405, 4406, 4407, 4408, 4409, 4410, 4411, 4412, 4413, 4414, 4415, 4416, 4417, 4418, 4419, 4420, 4421)
-
-
4422. A mixture produced from a portion of a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
condensable hydrocarbons, wherein less than about 5% by weight of the condensable hydrocarbons comprises hydrocarbons having a carbon number greater than about 25; and
wherein the condensable hydrocarbons further comprise aromatic compounds, wherein more than about 20% by weight of the condensable hydrocarbons comprises aromatic compounds. - View Dependent Claims (4423, 4424, 4425, 4426, 4427, 4428, 4429, 4430, 4431, 4432, 4433, 4434, 4435, 4436, 4437, 4438, 4439, 4440, 4441, 4442, 4443)
-
-
4444. A mixture produced from a portion of a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
non-condensable hydrocarbons comprising hydrocarbons having carbon numbers of less than about 5, wherein a weight ratio of the hydrocarbons having carbon number from 2 through 4, to methane, in the mixture is greater than approximately 1;
wherein the non-condensable hydrocarbons further comprise H2, wherein greater than about 15% by weight of the non-condensable hydrocarbons comprises H2; and
condensable hydrocarbons, comprising;
oxygenated hydrocarbons, wherein greater than about 1.5% by weight of the condensable hydrocarbons comprises oxygenated hydrocarbons;
olefins, wherein less than about 10% by weight of the condensable hydrocarbons comprises olefins; and
aromatic compounds, wherein greater than about 20% by weight of the condensable hydrocarbons comprises aromatic compounds. - View Dependent Claims (4445, 4446, 4447, 4448, 4449, 4450, 4451, 4452, 4453, 4454, 4455, 4456, 4457, 4458, 4459, 4460)
-
-
4461. A mixture produced from a portion of a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
condensable hydrocarbons, wherein less than about 5% by weight of the condensable hydrocarbons comprises hydrocarbons having a carbon number greater than about 25;
wherein the condensable hydrocarbons further comprise;
oxygenated hydrocarbons, wherein greater than about 5% by weight of the condensable hydrocarbons comprises oxygenated hydrocarbons;
olefins, wherein less than about 10% by weight of the condensable hydrocarbons comprises olefins; and
aromatic compounds, wherein greater than about 30% by weight of the condensable hydrocarbons comprises aromatic compounds; and
non-condensable hydrocarbons comprising H2, wherein greater than about 15% by weight of the non-condensable hydrocarbons comprises H2. - View Dependent Claims (4462, 4463, 4464, 4465, 4466, 4467, 4468, 4469, 4470, 4471, 4472, 4473, 4474, 4475, 4476, 4477)
-
-
4478. A mixture of condensable hydrocarbons produced from a portion of a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
olefins, wherein about 0.1% by weight to about 15% by weight of the condensable hydrocarbons comprises olefins;
oxygenated hydrocarbons, wherein less than about 15% by weight of the condensable hydrocarbons comprises oxygenated hydrocarbons; and
asphaltenes, wherein less than about 0.1% by weight of the condensable hydrocarbons comprises asphaltenes. - View Dependent Claims (4479, 4480, 4481, 4482, 4483, 4484, 4485, 4486, 4487, 4488, 4489, 4490, 4491, 4492)
-
-
4493. A mixture of condensable hydrocarbons produced from a portion of a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
olefins, wherein about 0.1% by weight to about 2% by weight of the condensable hydrocarbons comprises olefins;
multi-ring aromatics, wherein less than about 2% by weight of the condensable hydrocarbons comprises multi-ring aromatics with more than two rings; and
oxygenated hydrocarbons, wherein greater than about 25% by weight of the condensable hydrocarbons comprises oxygenated hydrocarbons. - View Dependent Claims (4494, 4495, 4496, 4497, 4498, 4499, 4500, 4501, 4502, 4503)
-
-
4504. A mixture produced from a portion of a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
non-condensable hydrocarbons and H2, wherein greater than about 10% by volume of the non-condensable hydrocarbons and H2 comprises H2;
ammonia and water, wherein greater than about 0.5% by weight of the mixture comprises ammonia; and
condensable hydrocarbons. - View Dependent Claims (4505, 4506, 4507, 4508, 4509, 4510, 4511, 4512, 4513, 4514, 4515, 4516, 4517, 4518, 4519, 4520, 4521, 4522, 4523)
-
- 4524. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ comprising providing heat from three or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation, wherein three or more of the heaters are located in the formation in a unit of heaters, and wherein the unit of heaters comprises a triangular pattern.
-
4580. A method for in situ production of synthesis gas from a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
heating a section of the formation to a temperature sufficient to allow synthesis gas generation, wherein a permeability of the section is substantially uniform and greater than a permeability of an unheated section of the formation when the temperature sufficient to allow synthesis gas generation within the formation is achieved;
providing a synthesis gas generating fluid to the section to generate synthesis gas; and
removing synthesis gas from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (4581, 4582, 4583, 4584, 4585, 4586, 4587, 4588, 4589, 4590, 4591, 4592, 4593, 4594, 4595, 4596, 4597, 4598, 4599, 4600, 4601, 4602, 4603, 4604, 4605, 4606, 4607, 4608, 4609, 4610, 4611, 4612, 4613)
-
-
4614. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to substantially uniformly increase a permeability of the portion and to increase a temperature of the portion to a temperature sufficient to allow synthesis gas generation;
providing a synthesis gas generating fluid to at least the portion of the selected section, wherein the synthesis gas generating fluid comprises carbon dioxide;
obtaining a portion of the carbon dioxide of the synthesis gas generating fluid from the formation; and
producing synthesis gas from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (4615, 4616, 4617, 4618, 4619, 4620, 4621, 4622, 4623, 4624, 4625, 4626, 4627, 4628, 4629, 4630, 4631, 4632, 4633, 4634, 4635, 4636, 4637)
-
-
4638. A method of in situ synthesis gas production, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more flameless distributed combustor heaters to at least a first portion of a hydrocarbon containing formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation such that the heat from the one or more heaters substantially uniformly increases a permeability of the selected section, and to raise a temperature of the selected section to a temperature sufficient to generate synthesis gas;
introducing a synthesis gas producing fluid into the selected section to generate synthesis gas; and
removing synthesis gas from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (4639, 4640, 4641, 4642, 4643, 4644, 4645, 4646, 4647, 4648, 4649, 4650, 4651, 4652, 4653)
-
-
4654. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
heating a portion of the formation with one or more electrical heaters to a temperature sufficient to pyrolyze hydrocarbons within the portion;
producing pyrolyzation fluid from the formation;
separating a fuel cell feed stream from the pyrolyzation fluid; and
directing the fuel cell feed stream to a fuel cell to produce electricity. - View Dependent Claims (4655, 4656, 4657, 4658, 4659, 4660, 4661, 4662, 4663, 4664, 4665, 4666, 4667, 4668, 4669, 4670, 4671, 4672, 4673, 4674, 4675, 4676, 4677, 4678, 4679, 4680, 4681, 4682, 4683)
-
-
4684. A method for in situ production of synthesis gas from a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation such that the heat from the one or more heaters pyrolyzes at least some of the hydrocarbons within the selected section of the formation;
producing pyrolysis products from the formation;
heating at least a portion of the selected section to a temperature sufficient to generate synthesis gas;
providing a synthesis gas generating fluid to at least the portion of the selected section to generate synthesis gas; and
producing a portion of the synthesis gas from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (4685, 4686, 4687, 4688, 4689, 4690, 4691, 4692, 4693, 4694, 4695, 4696, 4697, 4698, 4699, 4700, 4701, 4702, 4703, 4704, 4705, 4706, 4707, 4708, 4709, 4710, 4711, 4712, 4713, 4714, 4715)
-
-
4716. A method for in situ production of synthesis gas from a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
heating a first portion of the formation to pyrolyze some hydrocarbons within the first portion;
allowing the heat to transfer from one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation, pyrolyzing hydrocarbons within the selected section;
producing fluid from the first portion, wherein the fluid comprises an aqueous fluid and a hydrocarbon fluid;
heating a second portion of the formation to a temperature sufficient to allow synthesis gas generation;
introducing at least a portion of the aqueous fluid to the second section after the section reaches the temperature sufficient to allow synthesis gas generation; and
producing synthesis gas from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (4717, 4718, 4719, 4720, 4721, 4722, 4723, 4724, 4725, 4726, 4727, 4728, 4729, 4730, 4731, 4732, 4733, 4734, 4735, 4736, 4737, 4738, 4739, 4740, 4741, 4742, 4743)
-
-
4744. A method for in situ production of synthesis gas from a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
heating a portion of the formation with one or more heaters to create increased and substantially uniform permeability within a portion of the formation and to raise a temperature within the portion to a temperature sufficient to allow synthesis gas generation;
providing a synthesis gas generating fluid into the portion through at least one injection wellbore to generate synthesis gas from hydrocarbons and the synthesis gas generating fluid; and
producing synthesis gas from at least one wellbore in which is positioned a heater of the one or more heaters. - View Dependent Claims (4745, 4746, 4747, 4748, 4749, 4750, 4751, 4752, 4753, 4754, 4755, 4756, 4757, 4758, 4759, 4760, 4761, 4762, 4763, 4764, 4765, 4766, 4767, 4768, 4769, 4770, 4771, 4772, 4773, 4774, 4775, 4776, 4777, 4778)
-
-
4779. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation such that the heat from the one or more heaters pyrolyzes at least a portion of the hydrocarbon containing material within the selected section of the formation;
producing pyrolysis products from the formation;
heating a first portion of a formation with one or more heaters to a temperature sufficient to allow generation of synthesis gas;
providing a first synthesis gas generating fluid to the first portion to generate a first synthesis gas;
removing a portion of the first synthesis gas from the formation;
heating a second portion of a formation with one or more heaters to a temperature sufficient to allow generation of synthesis gas having a H2 to CO ratio greater than a H2 to CO ratio of the first synthesis gas;
providing a second synthesis gas generating component to the second portion to generate a second synthesis gas;
removing a portion of the second synthesis gas from the formation; and
blending a portion of the first synthesis gas with a portion of the second synthesis gas to produce a blended synthesis gas having a selected H2 to CO ratio. - View Dependent Claims (4780, 4781, 4782, 4783, 4784, 4785, 4786, 4787, 4788, 4789, 4790, 4791, 4792, 4793, 4794, 4795, 4796, 4797, 4798, 4799, 4800, 4801, 4802, 4803, 4804, 4805, 4806, 4807, 4808, 4809, 4810, 4811, 4812, 4813, 4814, 4815, 4816, 4817, 4818, 4819, 4820, 4821, 4822, 4823, 4824, 4825, 4826, 4827, 4828, 4829, 4830, 4831, 4832, 4833, 4834, 4835, 4836, 4837, 4838, 4839, 4840, 4841, 4842, 4843)
-
-
4844. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation such that the heat from the one or more heaters pyrolyzes at least some of the hydrocarbons within the selected section of the formation;
producing pyrolysis products from the formation;
heating at least a portion of the selected section to a temperature sufficient to generate synthesis gas;
controlling a temperature of at least a portion of the selected section to generate synthesis gas having a selected H2 to CO ratio;
providing a synthesis gas generating fluid to at least the portion of the selected section to generate synthesis gas; and
producing a portion of the synthesis gas from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (4845, 4846, 4847, 4848, 4849, 4850, 4851, 4852, 4853, 4854, 4855, 4856, 4857, 4858, 4859, 4860, 4861, 4862, 4863, 4864, 4865, 4866, 4867, 4868, 4869, 4870, 4871, 4872, 4873, 4874, 4875, 4876, 4877, 4878, 4879)
-
-
4880. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation such that the heat from the one or more heaters pyrolyzes at least some of the hydrocarbons within the selected section of the formation;
producing pyrolysis products from the formation;
heating at least a portion of the selected section to a temperature sufficient to generate synthesis gas;
controlling a temperature in or proximate to a synthesis gas production well to generate synthesis gas having a selected H2 to CO ratio;
providing a synthesis gas generating fluid to at least the portion of the selected section to generate synthesis gas; and
producing synthesis gas from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (4881, 4882, 4883, 4884, 4885, 4886, 4887, 4888, 4889, 4890, 4891, 4892, 4893, 4894, 4895, 4896, 4897, 4898, 4899, 4900, 4901, 4902, 4903, 4904, 4905, 4906, 4907, 4908, 4909, 4910, 4911, 4912, 4913, 4914, 4915)
-
-
4916. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation such that the heat from the one or more heaters pyrolyzes at least some of the hydrocarbons within the selected section of the formation;
producing pyrolysis products from the formation;
heating at least a portion of the selected section to a temperature sufficient to generate synthesis gas;
controlling a temperature of at least a portion of the selected section to generate synthesis gas having a H2 to CO ratio different than a selected H2 to CO ratio;
providing a synthesis gas generating fluid to at least the portion of the selected section to generate synthesis gas; and
producing synthesis gas from the formation;
providing at least a portion of the produced synthesis gas to a shift process wherein an amount of carbon monoxide is converted to carbon dioxide;
separating at least a portion of the carbon dioxide to obtain a gas having a selected H2 to CO ratio. - View Dependent Claims (4917, 4918, 4919, 4920, 4921, 4922, 4923, 4924, 4925, 4926, 4927, 4928, 4929, 4930, 4931, 4932, 4933, 4934, 4935, 4936, 4937, 4938, 4939, 4940, 4941, 4942, 4943, 4944, 4945, 4946, 4947, 4948, 4949, 4950, 4951)
-
-
4952. A method of forming a spent portion of formation within a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
heating a first portion of the formation to pyrolyze hydrocarbons within the first portion and to establish a substantially uniform permeability within the first portion; and
cooling the first portion. - View Dependent Claims (4953, 4954, 4955, 4956, 4957, 4958, 4959, 4960, 4961, 4962, 4963, 4964, 4965, 4966, 4967, 4968, 4969, 4970, 4971, 4972, 4973, 4974, 4975, 4976, 4977, 4978, 4979)
-
-
4980. A method of sequestering carbon dioxide within a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
heating a portion of the formation to increase permeability and form a substantially uniform permeability within the portion;
allowing the portion to cool; and
storing carbon dioxide within the portion. - View Dependent Claims (4981, 4982, 4983, 4984, 4985, 4986, 4987, 4988, 4989, 4990, 4991, 4992, 4993, 4994, 4995, 4996, 4997, 4998, 4999, 5000, 5001, 5002, 5003)
-
-
5004. A method of in situ sequestration of carbon dioxide within a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a first portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from one or more sources to a selected section of the formation such that the heat from the one or more heaters pyrolyzes at least some of the hydrocarbons within the selected section of the formation;
producing pyrolyzation fluids, wherein the pyrolyzation fluids comprise carbon dioxide; and
storing an amount of carbon dioxide in the formation, wherein the amount of stored carbon dioxide is equal to or greater than an amount of carbon dioxide within the pyrolyzation fluids. - View Dependent Claims (5005, 5006, 5007, 5008, 5009, 5010, 5011, 5012, 5013, 5014, 5015, 5016, 5017, 5018, 5019, 5020, 5021, 5022, 5023, 5024, 5025, 5026, 5027, 5028, 5029, 5030, 5031)
-
-
5032. A method for in situ production of energy from a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation such that the heat from the one or more heaters pyrolyzes at least a portion of the hydrocarbons within the selected section of the formation;
producing pyrolysis products from the formation;
providing at least a portion of the pyrolysis products to a reformer to generate synthesis gas;
producing the synthesis gas from the reformer;
providing at least a portion of the produced synthesis gas to a fuel cell to produce electricity, wherein the fuel cell produces a carbon dioxide containing exit stream; and
storing at least a portion of the carbon dioxide in the carbon dioxide containing exit stream in a subsurface formation. - View Dependent Claims (5033, 5034, 5035, 5036, 5037, 5038, 5039, 5040, 5041, 5042, 5043, 5044, 5045, 5046, 5047, 5048, 5049, 5050, 5051, 5052, 5053, 5054, 5055, 5056, 5057, 5058, 5059, 5060)
-
-
5061. A method for producing ammonia using a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
separating air to produce an O2 rich stream and a N2 rich stream;
heating a selected section of the formation to a temperature sufficient to support reaction of hydrocarbon containing material in the formation to form synthesis gas;
providing synthesis gas generating fluid and at least a portion of the O2 rich stream to the selected section;
allowing the synthesis gas generating fluid and O2 in the O2 rich stream to react with at least a portion of the hydrocarbon containing material in the formation to generate synthesis gas;
producing synthesis gas from the formation, wherein the synthesis gas comprises H2 and CO;
providing at least a portion of the H2 in the synthesis gas to an ammonia synthesis process;
providing N2 to the ammonia synthesis process; and
using the ammonia synthesis process to generate ammonia. - View Dependent Claims (5062, 5063, 5064, 5065, 5066, 5067, 5068, 5069, 5070, 5071, 5072, 5073, 5074, 5075, 5076, 5077, 5078, 5079, 5080, 5081, 5082, 5083, 5084, 5085, 5086, 5087, 5088, 5089, 5090, 5091, 5092, 5093, 5094, 5095, 5096)
-
-
5097. A method for producing ammonia using a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
generating a first ammonia feed stream from a first portion of the formation;
generating a second ammonia feed stream from a second portion of the formation, wherein the second ammonia feed stream has a H2 to N2 ratio greater than a H2 to N2 ratio of the first ammonia feed stream;
blending at least a portion of the first ammonia feed stream with at least a portion of the second ammonia feed stream to produce a blended ammonia feed stream having a selected H2 to N2 ratio;
providing the blended ammonia feed stream to an ammonia synthesis process; and
using the ammonia synthesis process to generate ammonia. - View Dependent Claims (5098, 5099, 5100, 5101, 5102, 5103, 5104, 5105, 5106, 5107, 5108, 5109, 5110, 5111, 5112, 5113)
-
-
5114. A method for producing ammonia using a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
heating a selected section of the formation to a temperature sufficient to support reaction of hydrocarbon containing material in the formation to form synthesis gas;
providing a synthesis gas generating fluid and an O2 rich stream to the selected section, wherein the amount of N2 in the O2 rich stream is sufficient to generate synthesis gas having a selected ratio of H2 to N2;
allowing the synthesis gas generating fluid and O2 in the O2 rich stream to react with at least a portion of the hydrocarbon containing material in the formation to generate synthesis gas having a selected ratio of H2 to N2;
producing the synthesis gas from the formation;
providing at least a portion of the H2 and N2 in the synthesis gas to an ammonia synthesis process;
using the ammonia synthesis process to generate ammonia. - View Dependent Claims (5115, 5116, 5117, 5118, 5119, 5120, 5121, 5122, 5123, 5124, 5125, 5126, 5127, 5128, 5129, 5130, 5131, 5132, 5133, 5134, 5135, 5136, 5137, 5138, 5139, 5140, 5141, 5142, 5143, 5144, 5145, 5146, 5147, 5148)
-
-
5149. A method for producing ammonia using a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
providing a first stream comprising N2 and carbon dioxide to the formation;
allowing at least a portion of the carbon dioxide in the first stream to adsorb in the formation;
producing a second stream from the formation, wherein the second stream comprises a lower percentage of carbon dioxide than the first stream;
providing at least a portion of the N2 in the second stream to an ammonia synthesis process. - View Dependent Claims (5150, 5151, 5152, 5153, 5154, 5155, 5156, 5157, 5158, 5159)
-
-
5160. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing permeable formation in situ, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least one portion of the permeable formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected mobilization section of the permeable formation such that the heat from the one or more heaters can mobilize at least some of the hydrocarbons within the selected mobilization section of the permeable formation;
controlling the heat from the one or more heaters such that an average temperature within at least a majority of the selected mobilization section of the permeable formation is less than about 150°
C.;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected pyrolyzation section of the permeable formation such that the heat from the one or more heaters can pyrolyze at least some of the hydrocarbons within the selected pyrolyzation section of the permeable formation;
controlling the heat from the one or more heaters such that an average temperature within at least a majority of the selected pyrolyzation section of the permeable formation is less than about 375°
C.; and
producing a mixture from the permeable formation. - View Dependent Claims (5161, 5162, 5163, 5164, 5165, 5166, 5167, 5168, 5169, 5170, 5171, 5172, 5173, 5174, 5175, 5176, 5177, 5178, 5179, 5180, 5181, 5182, 5183, 5184, 5185, 5186, 5187, 5188, 5189, 5190, 5191, 5192, 5193, 5194, 5195, 5196, 5197)
-
-
5198. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing permeable formation in situ, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least one portion of the permeable formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected mobilization section of the permeable formation such that the heat from the one or more heaters can mobilize at least some of the hydrocarbons within the selected mobilization section of the permeable formation;
controlling the heat from the one or more heaters such that an average temperature within at least a majority of the selected mobilization section of the permeable formation is less than about 150°
C.;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected pyrolyzation section of the permeable formation such that the heat from the one or more heaters can pyrolyze at least some of the hydrocarbons within the selected pyrolyzation section of the permeable formation;
controlling the heat from the one or more heaters such that an average temperature within at least a majority of the selected pyrolyzation section of the permeable formation is less than about 375°
C.;
allowing at least some of the mobilized hydrocarbons to flow from the selected mobilization section of the permeable formation to the selected pyrolyzation section of the permeable formation; and
producing a mixture from the permeable formation. - View Dependent Claims (5199, 5200, 5201, 5202, 5203, 5204, 5205, 5206, 5207, 5208, 5209, 5210, 5211, 5212, 5213, 5214, 5215, 5216, 5217, 5218, 5219, 5220, 5221, 5222, 5223, 5224, 5225, 5226, 5227, 5228, 5229, 5230, 5231, 5232, 5233, 5234, 5235)
-
-
5236. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing permeable formation in situ, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least one portion of the permeable formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected mobilization section of the permeable formation such that the heat from the one or more heaters can mobilize at least some of the hydrocarbons within the selected mobilization section of the permeable formation;
controlling the heat from the one or more heaters such that an average temperature within at least a majority of the selected mobilization section of the permeable formation is less than about 150°
C.;
allowing the heat to transfer front the one or more heaters to a selected pyrolyzation section of the permeable formation such that the heat from the one or more heaters can pyrolyze at least some of the hydrocarbons within the selected pyrolyzation section of the permeable formation;
controlling the heat from the one or more heaters such that an average temperature within at least a majority of the selected pyrolyzation section of the permeable formation is less than about 375°
C.;
allowing at least some of the mobilized hydrocarbons to flow from the selected mobilization section of the permeable formation to the selected pyrolyzation section of the permeable formation;
providing a gas to the permeable formation, wherein the gas is configured to increase a flow of the mobilized hydrocarbons from the selected mobilization section of the permeable formation to the selected pyrolyzation section of the permeable formation; and
producing a mixture from the permeable formation. - View Dependent Claims (5237, 5238, 5239, 5240, 5241, 5242, 5243, 5244, 5245, 5246, 5247, 5248, 5249, 5250, 5251, 5252, 5253, 5254, 5255, 5256, 5257, 5258, 5259, 5260, 5261, 5262, 5263, 5264, 5265, 5266, 5267, 5268, 5269, 5270, 5271, 5272)
-
-
5273. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing permeable formation in situ, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least one portion of the permeable formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected mobilization section of the permeable formation such that the heat from the one or more heaters can mobilize at least some of the hydrocarbons within the selected mobilization section of the permeable formation;
controlling the heat from the one or more heaters such that an average temperature within at least a majority of the selected mobilization section of the permeable formation is less than about 150°
C.;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected pyrolyzation section of the permeable formation such that the heat from the one or more heaters can pyrolyze at least some of the hydrocarbons within the selected pyrolyzation section of the permeable formation;
controlling the heat from the one or more heaters such that an average temperature within at least a majority of the selected pyrolyzation section of the permeable formation is less than about 375°
C.;
allowing at least some of the mobilized hydrocarbons to flow from the selected mobilization section of the permeable formation to the selected pyrolyzation section of the permeable formation;
providing a gas to the permeable formation, wherein the gas is configured to increase a flow of the mobilized hydrocarbons from the selected mobilization section of the permeable formation to the selected pyrolyzation section of the permeable formation;
controlling a pressure of the provided gas such that the flow of the mobilized hydrocarbons is controlled; and
producing a mixture from the permeable formation. - View Dependent Claims (5274, 5275, 5276, 5277, 5278, 5279, 5280, 5281, 5282, 5283, 5284, 5285, 5286, 5287, 5288, 5289, 5290, 5291, 5292, 5293, 5294, 5295, 5296, 5297, 5298, 5299, 5300, 5301, 5302, 5303, 5304, 5305, 5306, 5307, 5308)
-
-
5309. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing permeable formation in situ, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least one portion of the permeable formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected mobilization section of the permeable formation such that the heat from the one or more heaters can mobilize at least some of the hydrocarbons within the selected mobilization section of the permeable formation;
controlling the heat from the one or more heaters such that an average temperature within at least a majority of the selected mobilization section of the permeable formation is less than about 150°
C.;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected pyrolyzation section of the permeable formation such that the heat from the one or more heaters can pyrolyze at least some of the hydrocarbons within the selected pyrolyzation section of the permeable formation;
controlling the heat from the one or more heaters such that an average temperature within at least a majority of the selected pyrolyzation section of the permeable formation is less than about 375°
C.; and
producing a mixture from the permeable formation in a production well, wherein the production well is disposed substantially horizontally within the permeable formation. - View Dependent Claims (5310, 5311, 5312, 5313, 5314, 5315, 5316, 5317, 5318, 5319, 5320, 5321, 5322, 5323, 5324, 5325, 5326, 5327, 5328, 5329, 5330, 5331, 5332, 5333, 5334, 5335, 5336, 5337, 5338, 5339, 5340, 5341, 5342, 5343, 5344, 5345)
-
-
5346. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing permeable formation in situ, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least one portion of the permeable formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected mobilization section of the permeable formation such that the heat from the one or more heaters can mobilize at least some of the hydrocarbons within the selected mobilization section of the permeable formation;
controlling the heat from the one or more heaters such that an average temperature within at least a majority of the selected mobilization section of the permeable formation is less than about 150°
C.;
providing a gas to the permeable formation, wherein the gas is configured to increase a flow of the mobilized hydrocarbons within the permeable formation; and
producing a mixture from the permeable formation. - View Dependent Claims (5347, 5348, 5349, 5350, 5351, 5352, 5353, 5354, 5355, 5356, 5357, 5358, 5359, 5360, 5361, 5362, 5363, 5364, 5365, 5366, 5367, 5368, 5369)
-
-
5370. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing permeable formation in situ, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least one portion of the permeable formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected mobilization section of the permeable formation such that the heat from the one or more heaters can mobilize at least some of the hydrocarbons within the selected mobilization section of the permeable formation;
controlling the heat from the one or more heaters such that an average temperature within at least a majority of the selected mobilization section of the permeable formation is less than about 150°
C.;
providing a gas to the permeable formation, wherein the gas is configured to increase a flow of the mobilized hydrocarbons within the permeable formation;
controlling a pressure of the provided gas such that the flow of the mobilized hydrocarbons is controlled; and
producing a mixture from the permeable formation. - View Dependent Claims (5371, 5372, 5373, 5374, 5375, 5376, 5377, 5378, 5379, 5380, 5381, 5382, 5383, 5384, 5385, 5386, 5387, 5388, 5389, 5390, 5391, 5392)
-
-
5393. A method for treating hydrocarbons in at least a portion of a hydrocarbon containing formation, wherein the portion has an average permeability of less than about 10 millidarcy, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from one or more of the heaters to a selected section of the formation such that heat from the heaters pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section, and wherein heat from the heaters increases the permeability of at least a portion of the selected section; and
producing a mixture comprising hydrocarbons from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (5394, 5395, 5396, 5397, 5398, 5399, 5400, 5401, 5402, 5403)
-
-
5404. A method for treating hydrocarbons in at least a portion of a hydrocarbon containing formation, wherein the portion has an average permeability of less than about 10 millidarcy, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from one or more of the heaters to a selected section of the formation such that heat from the heaters pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section, and wherein heat from the heaters vaporizes at least a portion of the hydrocarbons in the selected section; and
producing a mixture comprising hydrocarbons from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (5405, 5406, 5407, 5408, 5409, 5410, 5411, 5412, 5413, 5414)
-
-
5415. A method for treating hydrocarbons in at least a portion of a hydrocarbon containing formation, wherein the portion has an average permeability of less than about 10 millidarcy, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to the formation, wherein at least one of the heaters is located in a heater well;
allowing the heat to transfer from one or more of the heaters to a selected section of the formation such that heat from the heaters pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section, and wherein heat from the heaters pressurizes at least a portion of the selected section; and
producing a mixture comprising hydrocarbons from the formation, wherein the mixture is produced from one or more heater wells. - View Dependent Claims (5416, 5417, 5418, 5419, 5420, 5421, 5422, 5423, 5424, 5425, 5426)
-
-
5427. A method for treating hydrocarbons in at least a portion of a hydrocarbon containing formation, wherein the portion has an average permeability of less than about 10 millidarcy, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from one or more of the heaters to a selected first section of the formation such that heat from the heaters creates a pyrolysis zone wherein at least some hydrocarbons are pyrolyzed within the first selected section, and allowing the heat to transfer from one or more of the heaters to a selected second section of the formation such that heat from the heaters heats at least some hydrocarbons within the selected second section to a temperature less than the average temperature within the pyrolysis zone; and
producing a mixture comprising hydrocarbons from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (5428, 5429, 5430, 5431, 5432, 5433, 5434, 5435, 5436, 5437, 5438, 5439, 5440, 5441, 5442, 5443, 5444, 5445, 5446, 5447, 5448, 5449, 5450, 5451, 5452, 5453, 5454, 5455, 5456, 5457, 5458, 5459)
-
-
5460. A method for treating hydrocarbons in at least a portion of a hydrocarbon containing formation, wherein the portion has an average permeability of less than about 10 millidarcy, comprising:
-
providing heat from three or more heaters to the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from three or more of the heaters to a selected section of the formation such that heat from the heaters pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section, and at least three of the heaters are arranged in a substantially triangular pattern; and
producing a mixture comprising hydrocarbons from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (5461, 5462, 5463, 5464, 5465, 5466, 5467, 5468, 5469, 5470, 5471)
-
-
5472. A system configurable to heat a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
a conduit configurable to be placed within an opening in the formation;
a conductor configurable to be placed within the conduit, wherein the conductor is further configurable to provide heat to at least a portion of the formation during use;
at least one centralizer configurable to be coupled to the conductor, wherein at least one centralizer inhibits movement of the conductor within the conduit during use; and
wherein the system is configurable to allow heat to transfer from the conductor to a section of the formation during use. - View Dependent Claims (5473, 5474, 5475, 5476, 5477, 5478, 5479, 5480, 5481, 5482, 5483, 5484, 5485, 5486, 5487, 5488, 5489, 5490, 5491)
-
-
5492. A system configurable to heat a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
a conduit configurable to be placed within an opening in the formation;
a conductor configurable to be placed within the conduit, wherein the conductor is further configurable to provide heat to at least a portion of the formation during use;
at least one centralizer configurable to be coupled to the conductor, wherein at least one centralizer inhibits movement of the conductor within the conduit during use wherein the system is configurable to allow heat to transfer from the conductor to a section of the formation during use; and
wherein the system is configurable to be removed from the opening in the formation.
-
-
5493. An in situ method for heating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
applying an electrical current to a conductor to provide heat to at least a portion of the formation, wherein the conductor is placed within a conduit, wherein at least one centralizer is coupled to the conductor to inhibit movement of the conductor within the conduit, and wherein the conduit is placed within an opening in the formation; and
allowing the heat to transfer from the first conductor to a section of the formation. - View Dependent Claims (5494, 5495)
-
-
5496. A system configurable to heat a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
a conduit configurable to be placed within an opening in the formation;
a conductor configurable to be placed within a conduit, wherein the conductor is further configurable to provide heat to at least a portion of the formation during use;
an insulation layer coupled to at least a portion of the conductor, wherein the insulation layer electrically insulates at least a portion of the conductor from the conduit during use; and
wherein the system is configurable to allow heat to transfer from the conductor to a section of the formation during use - View Dependent Claims (5497, 5498, 5499, 5500, 5501, 5502, 5503)
-
-
5504. An in situ method for heating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
applying an electrical current to a conductor to provide heat to at least a portion of the formation, wherein the conductor is placed within a conduit, wherein an insulation layer is coupled to at least a portion of the conductor to electrically insulate at least a portion of the conductor from the conduit, and wherein the conduit is placed within an opening in the formation; and
allowing the heat to transfer from the first conductor to a section of the formation. - View Dependent Claims (5505, 5506)
-
-
5507. A method for making a conductor-in-conduit heater for a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
placing at least one protrusion on a conductor;
placing at least one centralizer on the conductor; and
placing the conductor within a conduit to form a conductor-in-conduit heater, wherein at least one centralizer maintains a location of the conductor within the conduit. - View Dependent Claims (5508, 5509, 5510, 5511, 5512, 5513, 5514, 5515, 5516, 5517, 5518, 5519, 5520, 5521, 5522, 5523, 5524, 5525, 5526)
-
-
5527. A method of installing a conductor-in-conduit heater of a desired length in a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
assembling a conductor-in-conduit heater of a desired length, comprising;
placing a conductor within a conduit to form a conductor-in-conduit heater; and
coupling the conductor-in-conduit heater to at least one additional conductor-in-conduit heater to form a conductor-in-conduit heater of the desired length, wherein the conductor is electrically coupled to the conductor of at least one additional conductor-in-conduit heater and the conduit is electrically coupled to the conduit of at least one additional conductor-in-conduit heater;
coiling the conductor-in-conduit heater of the desired length after forming the heater; and
placing the conductor-in-conduit heater of the desired length in an opening in a hydrocarbon containing formation. - View Dependent Claims (5528, 5529, 5530, 5531, 5532, 5533, 5534, 5535, 5536, 5537, 5538, 5539, 5540, 5541, 5542, 5543, 5544, 5545, 5546, 5547, 5548, 5549, 5550, 5551, 5552, 5553, 5554, 5555, 5556, 5557, 5558, 5559, 5560, 5561, 5562)
-
5563. A method for making a conductor-in-conduit heater configurable to be used to heat a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
placing a conductor within a conduit to form a conductor-in-conduit heater; and
shielded active gas welding the conductor-in-conduit heater to at least one additional conductor-in-conduit heater to form a conductor-in-conduit heater of a desired length, wherein the conductor is electrically coupled to the conductor of at least one additional conductor-in-conduit heater and the conduit is electrically coupled to the conduit of at least one additional conductor-in-conduit heater; and
wherein the conductor-in-conduit heater is configurable to be placed in an opening in the hydrocarbon containing formation, and wherein the conductor-in-conduit heater is further configurable to heat a section of the hydrocarbon containing formation during use. - View Dependent Claims (5564, 5565, 5566, 5567, 5568, 5569, 5570, 5571, 5572, 5573)
-
-
5574. A system configurable to heat a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
a conduit configurable to be placed within an opening in the formation;
a conductor configurable to be placed within the conduit, wherein the conductor is further configurable to provide heat to at least a portion of the formation during use, and wherein the conductor comprises at least two conductor sections coupled by shielded active gas welding; and
wherein the system is configurable to allow heat to transfer from the conductor to a section of the formation during use. - View Dependent Claims (5575, 5576, 5577, 5578, 5579)
-
-
5580. A method for installing a heater of a desired length in a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
assembling a heater of a desired length, wherein the assembling of the heater of the desired length is performed at a location proximate the hydrocarbon containing formation;
coiling the heater of the desired length after forming the heater; and
placing the heater of the desired length in an opening in a hydrocarbon containing formation, wherein placing the heater in the opening comprises uncoiling the heater while placing the heater in the opening. - View Dependent Claims (5581, 5582, 5583, 5584, 5585, 5586, 5587, 5588, 5589)
-
-
5590. A method for installing a heater of a desired length in a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
assembling a heater of a desired length, wherein the assembling of the heater of the desired length is performed at a location proximate the hydrocarbon containing formation;
coiling the heater of the desired length after forming the heater;
placing the heater of the desired length in an opening in a hydrocarbon containing formation, wherein placing the heater in the opening comprises uncoiling the heater while placing the heater in the opening; and
wherein the heater is configurable to be removed from the opening. - View Dependent Claims (5591, 5592, 5593, 5594, 5595, 5596, 5597, 5598, 5599)
-
-
5600. A system configurable to heat a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
a conduit configurable to be placed within an opening in the formation;
a conductor configurable to be placed within a conduit, wherein the conductor is further configurable to provide heat to at least a portion of the formation during use;
an electrically conductive material configurable to be coupled to at least a portion of the conductor, wherein the electrically conductive material is configurable to lower an electrical resistance of the conductor in the overburden during use; and
wherein the system is configurable to allow heat to transfer from the conductor to a section of the formation during use. - View Dependent Claims (5601, 5602, 5603, 5604, 5605, 5606, 5607, 5608, 5609, 5610, 5611, 5612, 5613, 5614)
-
-
5615. An in situ method for heating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
applying an electrical current to a conductor to provide heat to at least a portion of the formation, wherein the conductor is placed in a conduit, and wherein the conduit is placed in an opening in the formation, and wherein the conductor is coupled to an electrically conductive material; and
allowing the heat to transfer from the conductor to a section of the formation. - View Dependent Claims (5616, 5617, 5618, 5619, 5620)
-
-
5621. A system configurable to heat a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
a conduit configurable to be placed within an opening in the formation;
a conductor configurable to be placed within a conduit, wherein the conductor is further configurable to provide heat to at least a portion of the formation during use, and wherein the conductor has been treated to increase an emissivity of at least a portion of a surface of the conductor; and
wherein the system is configurable to allow heat to transfer from the conductor to a section of the formation during use. - View Dependent Claims (5622, 5623, 5624, 5625, 5626, 5627, 5628, 5629, 5630, 5631, 5632, 5633, 5634, 5635)
-
-
5636. A heater configurable to heat a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
a conduit configurable to be placed within an opening in the formation; and
a conductor configurable to be placed within a conduit, wherein the conductor is further configurable to provide heat to at least a portion of the formation during use, and wherein the conductor has been treated to increase an emissivity of at least a portion of a surface of the conductor. - View Dependent Claims (5637, 5638, 5639, 5640, 5641, 5642, 5643, 5644, 5645, 5646, 5647, 5648, 5649, 5650)
-
-
5651. A method for forming an increased emissivity conductor-in-conduit heater, comprising:
-
treating a surface of a conductor to increase an emissivity of at least the surface of the conductor;
placing the conductor within a conduit to form a conductor-in-conduit heater; and
wherein the conductor-in-conduit heater is configurable to heat a hydrocarbon containing formation. - View Dependent Claims (5652, 5653, 5654, 5655, 5656, 5657)
-
-
5658. A system configurable to heat a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
a heater configurable to be placed in an opening in the formation, wherein the heater is further configurable to provide heat to at least a portion of the formation during use;
an expansion mechanism configurable to be coupled to the heater, wherein the expansion mechanism is configurable to allow for movement of the heater during use; and
wherein the system is configurable to allow heat to transfer to a section of the formation during use. - View Dependent Claims (5659, 5660, 5661, 5662, 5663, 5664, 5665, 5666, 5667, 5668, 5669)
-
-
5670. A system configurable to provide heat to a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
a conduit positionable in at least a portion of an opening in the formation, wherein a first end of the opening contacts an earth surface at a first location, and wherein a second end of the opening contacts the earth surface at a second location; and
an oxidizer configurable to provide heat to a selected section of the formation by transferring heat through the conduit. - View Dependent Claims (5671, 5672, 5673, 5674, 5675, 5676, 5677, 5678, 5679, 5680, 5681, 5682, 5683, 5684, 5685)
-
-
5686. An in situ method for heating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
providing heat to a conduit positioned in an opening in the formation, wherein a first end of the opening contacts an earth surface at a first location, and wherein a second end of the opening contacts the earth surface at a second location; and
allowing the heat in the conduit to transfer through the opening and to a surrounding portion of the formation. - View Dependent Claims (5687, 5688, 5689, 5690, 5691)
-
-
5692. A system configurable to provide heat to a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
a conduit positionable in an opening in the formation, wherein a first end of the opening contacts an earth surface at a first location, wherein a second end of the opening contacts the earth surface at a second location;
an annulus formed between a wall of the conduit and a wall of the opening; and
a oxidizer configurable to provide heat to a selected section of the formation by transferring heat through the annulus. - View Dependent Claims (5693, 5694, 5695, 5696, 5697, 5698, 5699, 5700, 5701, 5702, 5703, 5704, 5705, 5706, 5707, 5708, 5709, 5710, 5711)
-
-
5712. An in situ method for heating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
providing heat to an annulus formed between a wall of an opening in the formation and a wall of a conduit in the opening, wherein a first end of the opening contacts an earth surface at a first location, and wherein a second end of the opening contacts the earth surface at a second location; and
allowing the heat in the annulus to transfer through the opening and to a surrounding portion of the formation. - View Dependent Claims (5713, 5714, 5715, 5716, 5717)
-
-
5718. A system configurable to provide heat to a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
a first conduit positionable in an opening in the formation, wherein a first end of the opening contacts an earth surface at a first location, wherein a second end of the opening contacts the earth surface at a second location;
a second conduit positionable in the opening;
a first oxidizer configurable to provide heat to a selected section of the formation by transferring heat through the first conduit; and
a second oxidizer configurable to provide heat to the selected section of the formation by transferring heat through the second conduit. - View Dependent Claims (5719, 5720, 5721, 5722, 5723, 5724, 5725, 5726, 5727)
-
-
5728. An in situ method for heating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
providing heat to a first conduit positioned in an opening in the formation, wherein a first end of the opening contacts an earth surface at a first location, and wherein a second end of the opening contacts the earth surface at a second location;
providing heat to a second conduit positioned in the opening in the formation;
allowing the heat in the first conduit to transfer through the opening and to a surrounding portion of the formation; and
allowing the heat in the second conduit to transfer through the opening and to a surrounding portion of the formation;
- View Dependent Claims (5729, 5730, 5731, 5732, 5733, 5734, 5735)
-
-
5736. A system configurable to provide heat to a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
a first conduit positionable in an opening in the formation, wherein a first end of the opening contacts an earth surface at a first location, wherein a second end of the opening contacts the earth surface at a second location;
a second conduit positionable in the first conduit; and
at least one surface unit configurable to provide heat to the first conduit. - View Dependent Claims (5737, 5738, 5739, 5740, 5741, 5742, 5743, 5744)
-
-
5745. An in situ method for heating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
heating a fluid using at least one surface unit;
providing the heated fluid to a first conduit wherein a portion of the first conduit is positioned in an opening in the formation, wherein a first end of the opening contacts an earth surface at a first location, and wherein a second end of the opening contacts the earth surface at a second location;
allowing the heated fluid to flow into a second conduit, wherein the first conduit is positioned within the second conduit; and
allowing heat from the first and second conduit to transfer to a portion of the formation. - View Dependent Claims (5746, 5747, 5748, 5749, 5750, 5751, 5752, 5753, 5754, 5755, 5756)
-
-
5757. A system configurable to provide heat to a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
a conduit positionable in at least a portion of an opening in the formation, wherein a first end of the opening contacts an earth surface at a first location, and wherein a second end of the opening contacts the earth surface at a second location; and
at least two oxidizers configurable to provide heat to a portion of the formation. - View Dependent Claims (5758, 5759, 5760, 5761, 5762, 5763, 5764)
-
-
5765. An in situ method for heating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
providing fuel to a conduit positioned in an opening in the formation, wherein a first end of the opening contacts an earth surface at a first location, and wherein a second end of the opening contacts the earth surface at a second location;
providing an oxidizing fluid to the opening;
oxidizing fuel in at least one oxidizer positioned proximate the conduit; and
allowing heat to transfer to a portion of the formation. - View Dependent Claims (5766, 5767, 5768, 5769, 5770, 5771, 5772, 5773, 5774, 5775, 5776)
-
-
5777. A system configurable to provide heat to a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
a conduit positionable in at least a portion of an opening in the formation, wherein a first end of the opening contacts an earth surface at a first location, and wherein a second end of the opening contacts the earth surface at a second location; and
an oxidizing fluid source configurable to provide an oxidizing fluid to a reaction zone of the formation. - View Dependent Claims (5778, 5779, 5780, 5781, 5782, 5783, 5784, 5785, 5786, 5787)
-
-
5788. An in situ method for heating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
providing an electrical current to a conduit positioned in an opening in the formation;
allowing heat to transfer from the conduit to a reaction zone of the formation;
providing at least some oxidizing fluid to the conduit;
allowing the oxidizing fluid to transfer from the conduit to the reaction zone in the formation;
allowing the oxidizing fluid to oxidize at least some hydrocarbons in the reaction zone to generate heat; and
allowing at least some of the generated heat to transfer to a pyrolysis zone in the formation. - View Dependent Claims (5789, 5790, 5791, 5792, 5793, 5794, 5795, 5796, 5797)
-
-
5798. A method for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a first section of the formation such that the heat from the one or more heaters pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the first section; and
producing a mixture through a second section of the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises at least some pyrolyzed hydrocarbons from the first section, and wherein the second section comprises a higher permeability than the first section. - View Dependent Claims (5799, 5800, 5801, 5802, 5803, 5804, 5805, 5806, 5807, 5808, 5809, 5810, 5811, 5812, 5813, 5814, 5815, 5816, 5817, 5818, 5819, 5820)
-
-
5821. A method for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation, wherein one or more of such heaters is placed within at least one uncased wellbore in the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a first section of the formation such that the heat from the one or more heaters pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the first section; and
producing a mixture through a second section of the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises at least some pyrolyzed hydrocarbons from the first section, and wherein the second section comprises a higher permeability than the first section. - View Dependent Claims (5822, 5823)
-
-
5824. A method of using a computer system for modeling an in situ process for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
providing at least one property of the formation to the computer system;
providing at least one operating condition of the process to the computer system, wherein the in situ process comprises providing heat from one or more heaters to at least one portion of the formation, and wherein the in situ process comprises allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation; and
assessing at least one process characteristic of the in situ process using a simulation method on the computer system, and using at least one property of the formation and at least one operating condition. - View Dependent Claims (5825, 5826, 5827, 5828, 5829, 5830, 5831, 5832, 5833, 5834, 5835, 5836, 5837, 5838, 5839, 5840, 5841, 5842, 5843, 5844, 5845, 5846, 5847, 5848, 5849, 5850, 5851, 5852, 5853, 5854, 5855, 5856, 5857, 5858, 5859, 5860, 5861, 5862, 5863, 5864, 5865, 5866, 5867, 5868, 5869, 5870, 5871, 5872, 5873, 5874, 5875, 5876, 5877, 5878, 5879, 5880, 5881, 5882, 5883, 5884)
-
-
5885. A method of using a computer system for modeling an in situ process for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
simulating a heat input rate to the formation from two or more heaters on the computer system, wherein heat is allowed to transfer from the heaters to a selected section of the formation;
providing at least one desired parameter of the in situ process to the computer system; and
controlling the heat input rate from the heaters to achieve at least one desired parameter. - View Dependent Claims (5886, 5887, 5888, 5889, 5890, 5891, 5892, 5893, 5894, 5895, 5896, 5897, 5898, 5899, 5900)
-
-
5901. A method of using a computer system for modeling an in situ process for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
providing at least one heat input property to the computer system;
assessing heat injection rate data for the formation using a first simulation method on the computer system;
providing at least one property of the formation to the computer system;
assessing at least one process characteristic of the in situ process from the heat injection rate data and at least one property of the formation using a second simulation method; and
wherein the in situ process comprises providing heat from one or more heaters to at least one portion of the formation, and wherein the in situ process comprises allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation. - View Dependent Claims (5902, 5903, 5904, 5905, 5906, 5907, 5908, 5909, 5910, 5911, 5912, 5913, 5914, 5915, 5916, 5917, 5918, 5919, 5920, 5921, 5922, 5923, 5924, 5925, 5926, 5927, 5928, 5929, 5930, 5931, 5932, 5933, 5934, 5935, 5936, 5937, 5938, 5939, 5940, 5941, 5942, 5943, 5944, 5945, 5946, 5947, 5948, 5949, 5950, 5951, 5952, 5953, 5954, 5955, 5956, 5957, 5958, 5959, 5960, 5961, 5962, 5963, 5964, 5965, 5966)
-
-
5967. A method of using a computer system for modeling an in situ process for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
providing one or more model parameters for the in situ process to the computer system;
assessing one or more simulated process characteristics based on one or more model parameters using a simulation method;
modifying one or more model parameters such that at least one simulated process characteristic matches or approximates at least one real process characteristic;
assessing one or more modified simulated process characteristics based on the modified model parameters; and
wherein the in situ process comprises providing heat from one or more heaters to at least one portion of the formation, and wherein the in situ process comprises allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation. - View Dependent Claims (5968, 5969, 5970, 5971, 5972, 5973, 5974, 5975, 5976, 5977, 5978, 5979, 5980, 5981, 5982, 5983, 5984, 5985, 5986, 5987, 5988, 5989, 5990, 5991, 5992)
-
-
5993. A method of using a computer system for modeling an in situ process for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
assessing at least one operating condition of the in situ process using a simulation method based on one or more model parameter;
modifying at least one model parameter such that at least one simulated process characteristic of the in situ process matches or approximates at least one real process characteristic of the in situ process;
assessing one or more modified simulated process characteristics based on the modified model parameters; and
wherein the in situ process comprises providing heat from one or more heaters to at least one portion of the formation, and wherein the in situ process comprises allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation. - View Dependent Claims (5994, 5995, 5996, 5997, 5998)
-
-
5999. A method of modeling a process of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ using a computer system, comprising:
-
providing one or more model parameters to the computer system;
assessing one or more first process characteristics based on the one or more model parameters using a first simulation method on the computer system;
assessing one or more second process characteristics based on one or more model parameters using a second simulation method on the computer system;
modifying one or more model parameters such that at least one first process characteristic matches or approximates at least one second process characteristic; and
wherein the in situ process comprises providing heat from one or more heaters to at least one portion of the formation, and wherein the in situ process comprises allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation. - View Dependent Claims (6000, 6001, 6002, 6003, 6004, 6005, 6006, 6007, 6008, 6009)
-
-
6010. A method of using a computer system for modeling an in situ process for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
providing to the computer system one or more values of at least one operating condition of the in situ process, wherein the in situ process comprises providing heat from one or more heaters to at least one portion of the formation, and wherein the in situ process comprises allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation;
assessing one or more values of at least one process characteristic corresponding to one or more values of at least one operating condition using a simulation method;
providing a desired value of at least one process characteristic for the in situ process to the computer system; and
assessing a desired value of at least one operating condition to achieve the desired value of at least one process characteristic from the assessed values of at least one process characteristic and the provided values of at least one operating condition. - View Dependent Claims (6011, 6012, 6013, 6014, 6015, 6016)
-
-
6017. A method of using a computer system for modeling an in situ process for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
providing a desired value of at least one process characteristic for the in situ process to the computer system, wherein the in situ process comprises providing heat from one or more heaters to at least one portion of the formation, and wherein the in situ process comprises allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation; and
assessing a value of at least one operating condition to achieve the desired value of at least one process characteristic, wherein such assessing comprises using a relationship between at least one process characteristic and at least one operating condition for the in situ process, wherein such relationship is stored on a database accessible by the computer system. - View Dependent Claims (6018, 6019, 6020, 6021, 6022, 6023, 6024, 6025, 6026, 6027)
-
-
6028. A system, comprising:
-
a CPU;
a data memory coupled to the CPU; and
a system memory coupled to the CPU, wherein the system memory is configured to store one or more computer programs executable by the CPU, and wherein the computer programs are executable to implement a method of using a computer system for modeling an in situ process for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation, the method comprising;
providing at least one property of the formation to the computer system;
providing at least one operating condition of the process to the computer system, wherein the in situ process comprises providing heat from one or more heaters to at least one portion of the formation, and wherein the in situ process comprises allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation; and
assessing at least one process characteristic of the in situ process using a simulation method on the computer system, and using at least one property of the formation and at least one operating condition.
-
-
6029. A carrier medium comprising program instructions, wherein the program instructions are computer-executable to implement a method comprising:
-
providing at least one property of the formation to the computer system;
providing at least one operating condition of the process to the computer system, wherein the in situ process comprises providing heat from one or more heaters to at least one portion of the formation, and wherein the in situ process comprises allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation; and
assessing at least one process characteristic of the in situ process using a simulation method on the computer system, and using at least one property of the formation and at least one operating condition.
-
-
6030. A system, comprising:
-
a CPU;
a data memory coupled to the CPU; and
a system memory coupled to the CPU, wherein the system memory is configured to store one or more computer programs executable by the CPU, and wherein the computer programs are executable to implement a method of using a computer system for modeling an in situ process for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation, the method comprising;
simulating a heat input rate to the formation from two or more heaters on the computer system, wherein heat is allowed to transfer from the heaters to a selected section of the formation;
providing at least one desired parameter of the in situ process to the computer system; and
controlling the heat input rate from the heaters to achieve at least one desired parameter.
-
-
6031. A carrier medium comprising program instructions, wherein the program instructions are computer-executable to implement a method comprising:
-
simulating a heat input rate to the formation from two or more heaters on the computer system, wherein heat is allowed to transfer from the heaters to a selected section of the formation;
providing at least one desired parameter of the in situ process to the computer system; and
controlling the heat input rate from the heaters to achieve at least one desired parameter.
-
-
6032. A system, comprising:
-
a CPU;
a data memory coupled to the CPU; and
a system memory coupled to the CPU, wherein the system memory is configured to store one or more computer programs executable by the CPU, and wherein the computer programs are executable to implement a method of using a computer system for modeling an in situ process for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation, the method comprising;
providing at least one heat input property to the computer system;
assessing heat injection rate data for the formation using a first simulation method on the computer system;
providing at least one property of the formation to the computer system;
assessing at least one process characteristic of the in situ process from the heat injection rate data and at least one property of the formation using a second simulation method; and
wherein the in situ process comprises providing heat from one or more heaters to at least one portion of the formation, and wherein the in situ process comprises allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation.
-
-
6033. A carrier medium comprising program instructions, wherein the program instructions are computer-executable to implement a method comprising:
-
providing at least one heat input property to the computer system;
assessing heat injection rate data for the formation using a first simulation method on the computer system;
providing at least one property of the formation to the computer system;
assessing at least one process characteristic of the in situ process from the heat injection rate data and at least one property of the formation using a second simulation method; and
wherein the in situ process comprises providing heat from one or more heaters to at least one portion of the formation, and wherein the in situ process comprises allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation.
-
-
6034. A system, comprising:
-
a CPU;
a data memory coupled to the CPU; and
a system memory coupled to the CPU, wherein the system memory is configured to store one or more computer programs executable by the CPU, and wherein the computer programs are executable to implement a method of using a computer system for modeling an in situ process for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation, the method comprising;
providing one or more model parameters for the in situ process to the computer system;
assessing one or more simulated process characteristics based on one or more model parameters using a simulation method;
modifying one or more model parameters such that at least one simulated process characteristic matches or approximates at least one real process characteristic;
assessing one or more modified simulated process characteristics based on the modified model parameters; and
wherein the in situ process comprises providing heat from one or more heaters to at least one portion of the formation, and wherein the in situ process comprises allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation.
-
-
6035. A carrier medium comprising program instructions, wherein the program instructions are computer-executable to implement a method comprising:
-
providing one or more model parameters for the in situ process to the computer system;
assessing one or more simulated process characteristics based on one or more model parameters using a simulation method;
modifying one or more model parameters such that at least one simulated process characteristic matches or approximates at least one real process characteristic;
assessing one or more modified simulated process characteristics based on the modified model parameters; and
wherein the in situ process comprises providing heat from one or more heaters to at least one portion of the formation, and wherein the in situ process comprises allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation.
-
-
6036. A system, comprising:
-
a CPU;
a data memory coupled to the CPU; and
a system memory coupled to the CPU, wherein the system memory is configured to store one or more computer programs executable by the CPU, and wherein the computer programs are executable to implement a method of using a computer system for modeling an in situ process for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation, the method comprising;
assessing at least one operating condition of the in situ process using a simulation method based on one or more model parameter;
modifying at least one model parameter such that at least one simulated process characteristic of the in situ process matches or approximates at least one real process characteristic of the in situ process;
assessing one or more modified simulated process characteristics based on the modified model parameters; and
wherein the in situ process comprises providing heat from one or more heaters to at least one portion of the formation, and wherein the in situ process comprises allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation simulated process characteristics based on the modified model parameters.
-
-
6037. A carrier medium comprising program instructions, wherein the program instructions are computer-executable to implement a method comprising:
-
assessing at least one operating condition of the in situ process using a simulation method based on one or more model parameter;
modifying at least one model parameter such that at least one simulated process characteristic of the in situ process matches or approximates at least one real process characteristic of the in situ process;
assessing one or more modified simulated process characteristics based on the modified model parameters; and
wherein the in situ process comprises providing heat from one or more heaters to at least one portion of the formation, and wherein the in situ process comprises allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation.
-
-
6038. A system, comprising:
-
a CPU;
a data memory coupled to the CPU; and
a system memory coupled to the CPU, wherein the system memory is configured to store one or more computer programs executable by the CPU, and wherein the computer programs are executable to implement a method of using a computer system for modeling an in situ process for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation, the method comprising;
providing one or more model parameters to the computer system;
assessing one or more first process characteristics based on one or more model parameters using a first simulation method on the computer system;
assessing one or more second process characteristics based on one or more model parameters using a second simulation method on the computer system;
modifying one or more model parameters such that at least one first process characteristic matches or approximates at least one second process characteristic; and
wherein the in situ process comprises providing heat from one or more heaters to at least one portion of the formation, and wherein the in situ process comprises allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation.
-
-
6039. A carrier medium comprising program instructions, wherein the program instructions are computer-executable to implement a method comprising:
-
providing one or more model parameters to the computer system;
assessing one or more first process characteristics based on one or more model parameters using a first simulation method on the computer system;
assessing one or more second process characteristics based on one or more model parameters using a second simulation method on the computer system;
modifying one or more model parameters such that at least one first process characteristic matches at least one second process characteristic; and
wherein the in situ process comprises providing heat from one or more heaters to at least one portion of the formation, and wherein the in situ process comprises allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation.
-
-
6040. A system, comprising:
-
a CPU;
a data memory coupled to the CPU; and
a system memory coupled to the CPU, wherein the system memory is configured to store one or more computer programs executable by the CPU, and wherein the computer programs are executable to implement a method of using a computer system for modeling an in situ process for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation, the method comprising;
providing to the computer system one or more values of at least one operating condition of the in situ process, wherein the in situ process comprises providing heat from one or more heaters to at least one portion of the formation, and wherein the in situ process comprises allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation;
assessing one or more values of at least one process characteristic corresponding to one or more values of at least one operating condition using a simulation method;
providing a desired value of at least one process characteristic for the in situ process to the computer system; and
assessing a desired value of at least one operating condition to achieve the desired value of at least one process characteristic from the assessed values of at least one process characteristic and the provided values of at least one operating condition.
-
-
6041. A carrier medium comprising program instructions, wherein the program instructions are computer-executable to implement a method comprising:
-
providing to the computer system one or more values of at least one operating condition of the in situ process, wherein the in situ process comprises providing heat from one or more heaters to at least one portion of the formation, and wherein the in situ process comprises allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation;
assessing one or more values of at least one process characteristic corresponding to one or more values of at least one operating condition using a simulation method;
providing a desired value of at least one process characteristic for the in situ process to the computer system; and
assessing a desired value of at least one operating condition to achieve the desired value of at least one process characteristic from the assessed values of at least one process characteristic and the provided values of at least one operating condition.
-
-
6042. A system, comprising:
-
a CPU;
a data memory coupled to the CPU; and
a system memory coupled to the CPU, wherein the system memory is configured to store one or more computer programs executable by the CPU, and wherein the computer programs are executable to implement a method of using a computer system for modeling an in situ process for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation, the method comprising;
providing a desired value of at least one process characteristic for the in situ process to the computer system, wherein the in situ process comprises providing heat from one or more heaters to at least one portion of the formation, and wherein the in situ process comprises allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation; and
assessing a value of at least one operating condition to achieve the desired value of at least one process characteristic, wherein such assessing comprises using a relationship between at least one process characteristic and at least one operating condition for the in situ process, wherein such relationship is stored on a database accessible by the computer system.
-
-
6043. A carrier medium comprising program instructions, wherein the program instructions are computer-executable to implement a method comprising:
-
providing a desired value of at least one process characteristic for the in situ process to the computer system, wherein the in situ process comprises providing heat from one or more heaters to at least one portion of the formation, and wherein the in situ process comprises allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation; and
assessing a value of at least one operating condition to achieve the desired value of at least one process characteristic, wherein such assessing comprises using a relationship between at least one process characteristic and at least one operating condition for the in situ process, wherein such relationship is stored on a database accessible by the computer system.
-
-
6044. A method of using a computer system for operating an in situ process for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
operating the in situ process using one or more operating parameters, wherein the in situ process comprises providing heat from one or more heaters to at least one portion of the formation, and wherein the in situ process comprises allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation;
providing at least one operating parameter of the in situ process to the computer system; and
using at least one parameter with a simulation method and the computer system to provide assessed information about the in situ process. - View Dependent Claims (6045, 6046, 6047, 6048, 6049, 6050, 6051, 6052, 6053, 6054, 6055, 6056, 6057, 6058, 6059, 6060, 6061, 6062, 6063, 6064, 6065, 6066, 6067, 6068, 6069, 6070, 6071, 6072, 6073, 6074, 6075, 6076, 6077, 6078, 6079, 6080)
-
-
6081. A method of using a computer system for operating an in situ process for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
operating the in situ process using one or more operating parameters, wherein the in situ process comprises providing heat from one or more heaters to at least one portion of the formation, and wherein the in situ process comprises allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation;
providing at least one operating parameter of the in situ process to the computer system;
using at least one parameter with a simulation method and the computer system to provide assessed information about the in situ process; and
using the assessed information to operate the in situ process. - View Dependent Claims (6082, 6083, 6084, 6085)
-
-
6086. A method of using a computer system for operating an in situ process for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising
operating the in situ process using one or more operating parameters, wherein the in situ process comprises providing heat from one or more heaters to at least one portion of the formation, and wherein the in situ process comprises allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation; -
providing at least one operating parameter of the in situ process to the computer system;
using at least one parameter with a first simulation method and the computer system to provide assessed information about the in situ process; and
obtaining information from a second simulation method and the computer system using the assessed information and a desired parameter. - View Dependent Claims (6087, 6088, 6089, 6090, 6091, 6092, 6093, 6094, 6095, 6096, 6097, 6098, 6099, 6100, 6101, 6102, 6103, 6104)
-
-
6105. A system, comprising:
-
a CPU;
a data memory coupled to the CPU; and
a system memory coupled to the CPU, wherein the system memory is configured to store one or more computer programs executable by the CPU, and wherein the computer programs are executable to implement a method of using a computer system for operating an in situ process for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising;
operating the in situ process using one or more operating parameters, wherein the in situ process comprises providing heat from one or more heaters to at least one portion of the formation, and wherein the in situ process comprises allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation;
providing at least one operating parameter of the in situ process to the computer system; and
using at least one parameter with a simulation method and the computer system to provide assessed information about the in situ process.
-
-
6106. A carrier medium comprising program instructions, wherein the program instructions are computer-executable to implement a method comprising:
-
operating the in situ process using one or more operating parameters, wherein the in situ process comprises providing heat from one or more heaters to at least one portion of the formation, and wherein the in situ process comprises allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation;
providing at least one operating parameter of the in situ process to the computer system; and
using at least one parameter with a simulation method and the computer system to provide assessed information about the in situ process.
-
-
6107. A system, comprising:
-
a CPU;
a data memory coupled to the CPU; and
a system memory coupled to the CPU, wherein the system memory is configured to store one or more computer programs executable by the CPU, and wherein the computer programs are executable to implement a method of using a computer system for operating an in situ process for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising;
operating the in situ process using one or more operating parameters, wherein the in situ process comprises providing heat from one or more heaters to at least one portion of the formation, and wherein the in situ process comprises allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation;
providing at least one operating parameter of the in situ process to the computer system;
using at least one parameter with a simulation method and the computer system to provide assessed information about the in situ process; and
using the assessed information to operate the in situ process.
-
-
6108. A carrier medium comprising program instructions, wherein the program instructions are computer-executable to implement a method comprising:
-
operating the in situ process using one or more operating parameters, wherein the in situ process comprises providing heat from one or more heaters to at least one portion of the formation, and wherein the in situ process comprises allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation;
providing at least one operating parameter of the in situ process to the computer system;
using at least one parameter with a simulation method and the computer system to provide assessed information about the in situ process; and
using the assessed information to operate the in situ process.
-
-
6109. A system, comprising:
-
a CPU;
a data memory coupled to the CPU; and
a system memory coupled to the CPU, wherein the system memory is configured to store one or more computer programs executable by the CPU, and wherein the computer programs are executable to implement a method of using a computer system for operating an in situ process for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising;
operating the in situ process using one or more operating parameters, wherein the in situ process comprises providing heat from one or more heaters to at least one portion of the formation, and wherein the in situ process comprises allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation;
providing at least one operating parameter of the in situ process to the computer system;
using at least one parameter with a first simulation method and the computer system to provide assessed information about the in situ process; and
obtaining information from a second simulation method and the computer system using the assessed information and a desired parameter.
-
-
6110. A carrier medium comprising program instructions, wherein the program instructions are computer-executable to implement a method comprising:
-
operating the in situ process using one or more operating parameters, wherein the in situ process comprises providing heat from one or more heaters to at least one portion of the formation, and wherein the in situ process comprises allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation;
providing at least one operating parameter of the in situ process to the computer system;
using at least one parameter with a first simulation method and the computer system to provide assessed information about the in situ process; and
obtaining information from a second simulation method and the computer system using the assessed information and a desired parameter.
-
-
6111. A method of modeling one or more stages of a process for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ with a simulation method using a computer system, comprising:
-
providing at least one property of the formation to the computer system;
providing at least one operating condition for the one or more stages of the in situ process to the computer system, wherein the in situ process comprises providing heat from one or more heaters to at least one portion of the formation, and wherein the in situ process comprises allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation;
assessing at least one process characteristic of the one or more stages using the simulation method. - View Dependent Claims (6112, 6113, 6114, 6115, 6116, 6117, 6118, 6119, 6120, 6121, 6122, 6123, 6124, 6125, 6126, 6127, 6128, 6129, 6130)
-
-
6131. A method of using a computer system for modeling an in situ process for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
providing at least one property of the formation to a computer system;
providing at least one operating condition to the computer system;
assessing at least one process characteristic of the in situ process, wherein the in situ process comprises providing heat from one or more heaters to at least one portion of the formation, and wherein the in situ process comprises allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation; and
assessing at least one deformation characteristic of the formation using a simulation method from at least one property, at least one operating condition, and at least one process characteristic. - View Dependent Claims (6132, 6133, 6134, 6135, 6136, 6137, 6138, 6139, 6140, 6141, 6142, 6143, 6144, 6145, 6146, 6147, 6148, 6149, 6150, 6151, 6152, 6153, 6154, 6155, 6156, 6157, 6158, 6159, 6160, 6161, 6162, 6163, 6164)
-
-
6165. A method of using a computer system for modeling an in situ process for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
providing to the computer system at least one set of operating conditions for the in situ process, wherein the process comprises providing heat from one or more heaters to at least one portion of the formation, and wherein the process comprises allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation;
providing to the computer system at least one desired deformation characteristic for the in situ process; and
assessing at least one additional operating condition of the formation that achieves at least one desired deformation characteristic. - View Dependent Claims (6166, 6167, 6168, 6169, 6170, 6171, 6172, 6173, 6174, 6175, 6176, 6177, 6178, 6179, 6180)
-
-
6181. A method of using a computer system for modeling an in situ process for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
providing one or more values of at least one operating condition;
assessing one or more values of at least one deformation characteristic using a simulation method based on the one or more values of at least one operating condition;
providing a desired value of at least one deformation characteristic for the in situ process to the computer system, wherein the process comprises providing heat from one or more heaters to at least one portion of the formation, and wherein the process comprises allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation; and
assessing a desired value of at least one operating condition that achieves the desired value of at least one deformation characteristic from the determined values of at least one deformation characteristic and the provided values of at least one operating condition. - View Dependent Claims (6182, 6183, 6184, 6185, 6186, 6187, 6188, 6189, 6190, 6191, 6192, 6193, 6194, 6195, 6196, 6197, 6198)
-
-
6199. A method of using a computer system for modeling an in situ process for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
providing a desired value of at least one deformation characteristic for the in situ process to the computer system, wherein the in situ process comprises providing heat from one or more heaters to at least one portion of the formation, and wherein the in situ process comprises allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation; and
assessing a value of at least one operating condition to achieve the desired value of at least one deformation characteristic from a database in memory on the computer system comprising a relationship between at least one deformation characteristic and at least one operating condition for the in situ process. - View Dependent Claims (6200, 6201, 6202, 6203, 6204, 6205)
-
-
6206. A system, comprising:
-
a CPU;
a data memory coupled to the CPU; and
a system memory coupled to the CPU, wherein the system memory is configured to store one or more computer programs executable by the CPU, and wherein the computer programs are executable to implement a method of using a computer system for modeling an in situ process for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation, the method comprising;
providing at least one property of the formation to a computer system;
providing at least one operating condition to the computer system;
determining at least one process characteristic of the in situ process, wherein the process comprises providing heat from one or more heaters to at least one portion of the formation, and wherein the process comprises allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation; and
determining at least one deformation characteristic of the formation using a simulation method from at least one property, at least one operating condition, and at least one process characteristic.
-
-
6207. A carrier medium comprising program instructions, wherein the program instructions are computer-executable to implement a method comprising:
-
providing at least one property of the formation to a computer system;
providing at least one operating condition to the computer system;
determining at least one process characteristic of the in situ process, wherein the process comprises providing heat from one or more heaters to at least one portion of the formation, and wherein the process comprises allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation; and
determining at least one deformation characteristic of the formation using a simulation method from at least one property, at least one operating condition, and at least one process characteristic.
-
-
6208. A system, comprising:
-
a CPU;
a data memory coupled to the CPU; and
a system memory coupled to the CPU, wherein the system memory is configured to store one or more computer programs executable by the CPU, and wherein the computer programs are executable to implement a method of using a computer system for modeling an in situ process for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation, the method comprising;
providing to the computer system at least one set of operating conditions for the in situ process, wherein the process comprises providing heat from one or more heaters to at least one portion of the formation, and wherein the process comprises allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation;
providing to the computer system at least one desired deformation characteristic for the in situ process; and
determining at least one additional operating condition of the formation that achieves at least one desired deformation characteristic.
-
-
6209. A carrier medium comprising program instructions, wherein the program instructions are computer-executable to implement a method comprising:
-
providing to the computer system at least one set of operating conditions for the in situ process, wherein the process comprises providing heat from one or more heaters to at least one portion of the formation, and wherein the process comprises allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation;
providing to the computer system at least one desired deformation characteristic for the in situ process; and
determining at least one additional operating condition of the formation that achieves at least one desired deformation characteristic.
-
-
6210. A system, comprising:
-
a CPU;
a data memory coupled to the CPU; and
a system memory coupled to the CPU, wherein the system memory is configured to store one or more computer programs executable by the CPU, and wherein the computer programs are executable to implement a method of using a computer system for modeling an in situ process for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation, the method comprising;
providing one or more values of at least one operating condition;
determining one or more values of at least one deformation characteristic using a simulation method based on the one or more values of at least one operating condition;
providing a desired value of at least one deformation characteristic for the in situ process to the computer system, wherein the process comprises providing heat from one or more heaters to at least one portion of the formation, and wherein the process comprises allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation; and
determining a desired value of at least one operating condition that achieves the desired value of at least one deformation characteristic from the determined values of at least one deformation characteristic and the provided values of at least one operating condition.
-
-
6211. A carrier medium comprising program instructions, wherein the program instructions are computer-executable to implement a method comprising:
-
providing one or more values of at least one operating condition;
determining one or more values of at least one deformation characteristic using a simulation method based on the one or more values of at least one operating condition;
providing a desired value of at least one deformation characteristic for the in situ process to the computer system, wherein the process comprises providing heat from one or more heaters to at least one portion of the formation, and wherein the process comprises allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation; and
determining a desired value of at least one operating condition that achieves the desired value of at least one deformation characteristic from the determined values of at least one deformation characteristic and the provided values of at least one operating condition.
-
-
6212. A system, comprising:
-
a CPU;
a data memory coupled to the CPU; and
a system memory coupled to the CPU, wherein the system memory is configured to store one or more computer programs executable by the CPU, and wherein the computer programs are executable to implement a method of using a computer system for modeling an in situ process for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation, the method comprising;
providing a desired value of at least one deformation characteristic for the in situ process to the computer system, wherein the process comprises providing heat from one or more heaters to at least one portion of the formation, and wherein the process comprises allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation; and
determining a value of at least one operating condition to achieve the desired value of at least one deformation characteristic from a database in memory on the computer system comprising a relationship between at least one formation characteristic and at least one operating condition for the in situ process.
-
-
6213. A carrier medium comprising program instructions, wherein the program instructions are computer-executable to implement a method comprising:
-
providing a desired value of at least one deformation characteristic for the in situ process to the computer system, wherein the process comprises providing heat from one or more heaters to at least one portion of the formation, and wherein the process comprises allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation; and
determining a value of at least one operating condition to achieve the desired value of at least one deformation characteristic from a database in memory on the computer system comprising a relationship between at least one formation characteristic and at least one operating condition for the in situ process.
-
-
6214. A system configurable to provide heat to a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
a first oxidizer configurable to be placed in an opening in the formation, wherein the first oxidizer is configurable to oxidize a first fuel during use;
a second oxidizer configurable to be placed in the opening, wherein the second oxidizer is configurable to oxidize a second fuel during use; and
wherein the system is configurable to allow heat from oxidation of the first fuel or the second fuel to transfer to the formation during use. - View Dependent Claims (6215, 6216, 6217, 6218, 6219, 6220, 6221, 6222, 6223, 6224, 6225, 6226, 6227, 6228, 6229, 6230, 6231, 6232, 6233, 6234, 6235, 6236, 6237, 6238, 6239, 6240, 6241, 6242, 6243, 6244, 6245, 6246, 6247, 6248, 6249, 6250, 6251)
-
-
6252. An in situ method for heating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
providing a first oxidizing fluid to a first oxidizer placed in an opening in the formation;
providing a first fuel to the first oxidizer;
oxidizing at least some of the first fuel in the first oxidizer;
providing a second oxidizing fluid to a second oxidizer placed in the opening in the formation;
providing a second fuel to the second oxidizer;
oxidizing at least some of the second fuel in the second oxidizer; and
allowing heat from oxidation of the first fuel and the second fuel to transfer to a portion of the formation. - View Dependent Claims (6253, 6254, 6255, 6256, 6257, 6258, 6259, 6260, 6261, 6262, 6263, 6264, 6265)
-
-
6266. A system configurable to provide heat to a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
an opening placed in the formation, wherein the opening comprises a first elongated portion, a second elongated portion, and a third elongated portion, wherein the second elongated portion diverges from the first elongated portion in a first direction, wherein the third elongated portion diverges from the first elongated portion in a second direction, and wherein the first direction is substantially different than the second direction;
a first heater configurable to be placed in the second elongated portion, wherein the first heater is configurable to heat at least a portion of the formation during use;
a second heater configurable to be placed in the third elongated portion, wherein the second heater is configurable to heat to at least a portion of the formation during use; and
wherein the system is configurable to allow heat to transfer to the formation during use. - View Dependent Claims (6267, 6268, 6269, 6270, 6271, 6272, 6273, 6274, 6275, 6276, 6277, 6278, 6279, 6280, 6281, 6282, 6283, 6284, 6285, 6286, 6287, 6288, 6289, 6290, 6291, 6292, 6293, 6294, 6295, 6296, 6297, 6298, 6299, 6300, 6301, 6302, 6303, 6304, 6305)
-
-
6306. An in situ method for heating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
providing heat from two or more heaters placed in an opening in the formation, wherein the opening comprises a first elongated portion, a second elongated portion, and a third elongated portion, wherein the second elongated portion diverges from the first elongated portion in a first direction, wherein the third elongated portion diverges from the first elongated portion in a second direction, and wherein the first direction is substantially different than the second direction;
allowing heat from the two or more heaters to transfer to a portion of the formation; and
wherein the two or more heaters comprise a first heater placed in the second elongated portion and a second heater placed in the third elongated portion. - View Dependent Claims (6307, 6308, 6309, 6310, 6311, 6312, 6313, 6314, 6315, 6316, 6317, 6318, 6319, 6320, 6321, 6322, 6323, 6324, 6325, 6326, 6327, 6328, 6329, 6330)
-
-
6331. A system configurable to provide heat to a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
an oxidizer configurable to be placed in an opening in the formation, wherein the oxidizer is configurable to oxidize fuel to generate heat during use;
a first conduit configurable to be placed in the opening of the formation, wherein the first conduit is configurable to provide oxidizing fluid to the oxidizer in the opening during use;
a heater configurable to be placed in the opening and configurable to provide additional heat; and
wherein the system is configurable to allow the generated heat and the additional heat to transfer to the formation during use. - View Dependent Claims (6332, 6333, 6334, 6335, 6336, 6337, 6338, 6339, 6340, 6341, 6342, 6343, 6344, 6345, 6346, 6347, 6348)
-
-
6349. An in situ method for heating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
allowing heat to transfer from a heater placed in an opening to a portion of the formation. providing oxidizing fluid to an oxidizer placed in the opening in the formation;
providing fuel to the oxidizer;
oxidizing at least some fuel in the oxidizer; and
allowing additional heat from oxidation of at least some fuel to transfer to the portion of the formation. - View Dependent Claims (6350, 6351, 6352, 6353, 6354, 6355, 6356, 6357, 6358, 6359, 6360)
-
-
6361. A system configurable to provide heat to a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
a heater configurable to be placed in an opening in the formation, wherein the heater is configurable to heat a portion of the formation to a temperature sufficient to sustain oxidation of hydrocarbons during use;
an oxidizing fluid source configurable to provide an oxidizing fluid to a reaction zone of the formation to oxidize at least some hydrocarbons in the reaction zone during use such that heat is generated in the reaction zone, and wherein at least some of the reaction zone has been previously heated by the heater;
a first conduit configurable to be placed in the opening, wherein the first conduit is configurable to provide the oxidizing fluid from the oxidizing fluid source to the reaction zone in the formation during use, wherein the flow of oxidizing fluid can be controlled along at least a segment of the first conduit; and
wherein the system is configurable to allow the generated heat to transfer from the reaction zone to the formation during use. - View Dependent Claims (6362, 6363, 6364, 6365, 6366, 6367, 6368, 6369, 6370, 6371, 6372, 6373, 6374, 6375, 6376, 6377, 6378, 6379, 6380, 6381)
-
-
6382. An in situ method for providing heat to a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
heating a portion of the formation to a temperature sufficient to support reaction of hydrocarbons with an oxidizing fluid within the portion of the formation;
providing the oxidizing fluid to a reaction zone in the formation;
controlling a flow of the oxidizing fluid along at least a length of the reaction zone;
generating heat within the reaction zone; and
allowing the generated heat to transfer to the formation. - View Dependent Claims (6383, 6384, 6385, 6386, 6387, 6388, 6389, 6390, 6391, 6392, 6393, 6394, 6395, 6396, 6397, 6398, 6399, 6400, 6401, 6402, 6403, 6404, 6405, 6406, 6407, 6408, 6409, 6410, 6411, 6412, 6413, 6414, 6415)
-
-
6416. A system configurable to provide heat to a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
a heater configurable to be placed in an opening in the formation, wherein the heater is configurable to provide heat to at least a portion of the formation during use;
an oxidizing fluid source configurable to provide an oxidizing fluid to a reaction zone of the formation to generate heat in the reaction zone during use, wherein at least a portion of the reaction zone has been previously heated by the heater during use;
a conduit configurable to be placed in the opening, wherein the conduit is configurable to provide the oxidizing fluid from the oxidizing fluid source to the reaction zone in the formation during use;
wherein the system is configurable to provide molecular hydrogen to the reaction zone during use; and
wherein the system is configurable to allow the generated heat to transfer from the reaction zone to the formation during use. - View Dependent Claims (6417, 6418, 6419, 6420, 6421, 6422, 6423, 6424, 6425, 6426, 6427, 6428, 6429, 6430, 6431, 6432, 6433, 6434, 6435, 6436, 6437, 6438, 6439, 6440)
-
-
6441. An in situ method for heating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
heating a portion of the formation to a temperature sufficient to support reaction of hydrocarbons within the portion of the formation with an oxidizing fluid;
providing the oxidizing fluid to a reaction zone in the formation;
allowing the oxidizing fluid to react with at least a portion of the hydrocarbons in the reaction zone to generate heat in the reaction zone;
providing molecular hydrogen to the reaction zone; and
transferring the generated heat from the reaction zone to a pyrolysis zone in the formation. - View Dependent Claims (6442, 6443, 6444, 6445, 6446, 6447, 6448, 6449, 6450, 6451, 6452, 6453, 6454, 6455, 6456, 6457, 6458, 6459, 6460, 6461, 6462, 6463, 6464, 6465, 6466, 6467, 6468, 6469, 6470, 6471)
-
-
6472. A system configurable to heat a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
a heater configurable to be placed in an opening in the formation, wherein the heater is configurable to provide heat to at least a portion of the formation during use;
an oxidizing fluid source, wherein an oxidizing fluid is selected to oxidize at least some hydrocarbons at a reaction zone during use such that heat is generated in the reaction zone;
a first conduit configurable to be placed in the opening, wherein the first conduit is configurable to provide the oxidizing fluid from the oxidizing fluid source to the reaction zone in the formation during use; and
;
a second conduit configurable to be placed in the opening, wherein the second conduit is configurable to remove a product of oxidation from the opening during use; and
wherein the system is configurable to allow the generated heat to transfer from the reaction zone to the formation during use. - View Dependent Claims (6473, 6474, 6475, 6476, 6477, 6478, 6479, 6480, 6481, 6482, 6483, 6484, 6485, 6486, 6487, 6488, 6489, 6490, 6491, 6492, 6493, 6494, 6495, 6496, 6497, 6498)
-
-
6499. An in situ method for heating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
heating a portion of the formation to a temperature sufficient to support reaction of hydrocarbons within the portion of the formation with an oxidizing fluid;
providing the oxidizing fluid to a reaction zone in the formation;
allowing the oxidizing fluid to react with at least a portion of the hydrocarbons in the reaction zone to generate heat in the reaction zone;
removing an oxidation product from the opening; and
transferring the generated heat from the reaction zone to the formation. - View Dependent Claims (6500, 6501, 6502, 6503, 6504, 6505, 6506, 6507, 6508, 6509, 6510, 6511, 6512, 6513, 6514, 6515, 6516, 6517, 6518, 6519, 6520, 6521, 6522, 6523, 6524, 6525, 6526, 6527, 6528)
-
-
6529. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least one portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation;
controlling the heat from the one or more heaters such that an average temperature within at least a selected section of the formation is less than about 375°
C.;
producing a mixture from the formation from a production well; and
controlling heating in or proximate the production well to produce a selected yield of non-condensable hydrocarbons in the produced mixture. - View Dependent Claims (6530, 6531, 6532, 6533, 6534, 6535, 6536, 6537, 6538)
-
-
6539. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least one portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation;
controlling the heat from the one or more heaters such that an average temperature within at least a selected section of the formation is less than about 375°
C.; and
producing a mixture from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (6540, 6541, 6542, 6543, 6544, 6545, 6546, 6547, 6548)
-
-
6549. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least one portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation;
controlling the heat from the one or more heaters such that an average temperature within at least a selected section of the formation is less than about 375°
C.;
measuring a temperature within a wellbore placed in the formation; and
producing a mixture from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (6550, 6551, 6552, 6553, 6554, 6555, 6556, 6557, 6558)
-
-
6559. An in situ method of measuring assessing a temperature within a wellbore in a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
providing a pressure wave from a pressure wave source into the wellbore, wherein the wellbore comprises a plurality of discontinuities along a length of the wellbore;
measuring a reflection signal of the pressure wave; and
using the reflection signal to assess at least one temperature between at least two discontinuities. - View Dependent Claims (6560, 6561, 6562, 6563, 6564, 6565, 6566, 6567, 6568, 6569, 6570, 6571, 6572, 6573, 6574, 6575, 6576, 6577, 6578, 6579)
-
-
6580. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least one portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation;
controlling the heat from the one or more heaters such that an average temperature within at least a majority of the selected section of the formation is less than about 375°
C.; and
producing a mixture from the formation through a heater well. - View Dependent Claims (6581, 6582, 6583, 6584, 6585, 6586, 6587)
-
-
6588. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least one portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation;
wherein heating is provided from at least a first heater and at least a second heater, wherein the first heater has a first heating cost and the second heater has a second heating cost;
controlling a heating rate of at least a portion of the selected section to preferentially use the first heater when the first heating cost is less than the second heating cost; and
controlling the heat from the one or more heaters to pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbon in the selected section of the formation. - View Dependent Claims (6589, 6590, 6591, 6592, 6593, 6594, 6595, 6596, 6597)
-
-
6598. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least one portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation;
wherein heating is provided from at least a first heater and at least a second heater, wherein the first heater has a first heating cost and the second heater has a second heating cost;
controlling a heating rate of at least a portion of the selected section such that a cost associated with heating the selected section is minimized; and
controlling the heat from the one or more heaters to pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbon in at least a portion of the selected section of the formation. - View Dependent Claims (6599, 6600, 6601, 6602, 6603, 6604, 6605, 6606, 6607)
-
-
6608. A method for controlling an in situ system of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
monitoring at least one acoustic event within the formation using at least one acoustic detector placed within a wellbore in the formation;
recording at least one acoustic event with an acoustic monitoring system;
analyzing at least one acoustic event to determine at least one property of the formation; and
controlling the in situ system based on the analysis of the at least one acoustic event. - View Dependent Claims (6609, 6610, 6611, 6612, 6613, 6614, 6615, 6616, 6617, 6618, 6619, 6620, 6621, 6622, 6623, 6624, 6625, 6626, 6627, 6628)
-
-
6629. A method of predicting characteristics of a formation fluid produced from an in situ process, wherein the in situ process is used for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
determining an isothermal experimental temperature that can be used when treating a sample of the formation, wherein the isothermal experimental temperature is correlated to a selected in situ heating rate for the formation; and
treating a sample of the formation at the determined isothermal experimental temperature, wherein the experiment is used to assess at least one product characteristic of the formation fluid produced from the formation for the selected heating rate. - View Dependent Claims (6630, 6631, 6632, 6633, 6634, 6635, 6636, 6637, 6638, 6639, 6640, 6641)
-
-
6642. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least one portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation;
adding hydrogen to the selected section after a temperature of the selected section is at least about 270°
C.; and
producing a mixture from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (6643, 6644, 6645, 6646, 6647, 6648)
-
-
6649. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least one portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation; and
controlling a temperature of a majority of the selected section by selectively adding hydrogen to the formation. - View Dependent Claims (6650, 6651, 6652, 6653, 6654, 6655, 6656)
-
-
6657. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from at least the portion to a selected section of the formation; and
producing fluids from the formation wherein at least a portion of the produced fluids have been heated by the heat provided by one or more of the heaters, and wherein at least a portion of the produced fluids are produced at a temperature greater than about 200°
C. - View Dependent Claims (6658, 6659, 6660, 6661, 6662, 6663, 6664, 6665, 6666, 6667, 6668, 6669, 6670, 6671, 6672, 6673, 6674, 6675, 6676, 6677, 6678, 6679, 6680, 6681, 6682, 6683, 6684, 6685, 6686, 6687, 6688, 6689, 6690, 6691, 6692, 6693, 6694, 6695, 6696, 6697, 6698, 6699, 6700, 6701, 6702, 6703, 6704, 6705)
-
-
6706. A method of converting formation fluids into olefins, comprising:
converting formation fluids into olefins, wherein the formation fluids are obtained by;
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation such that at least some hydrocarbons in the formation are pyrolyzed; and
producing formation fluids from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (6707, 6708, 6709, 6710, 6711, 6712, 6713, 6714, 6715, 6716, 6717, 6718, 6719, 6720, 6721, 6722, 6723, 6724, 6725, 6726, 6727, 6728, 6729, 6730, 6731, 6732, 6733, 6734, 6735, 6736, 6737, 6738, 6739, 6740, 6741, 6742, 6743, 6744, 6745, 6746, 6747, 6748, 6749, 6750, 6751, 6752)
-
6753. A method of separating olefins from fluids produced from a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
separating olefins from the produced fluids, wherein the produced fluids are obtained by;
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from at least one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation; and
producing fluids from the formation, wherein the produced fluids comprise olefins. - View Dependent Claims (6754, 6755, 6756, 6757, 6758, 6759, 6760, 6761, 6762, 6763, 6764, 6765, 6766, 6767, 6768, 6769, 6770, 6771, 6772, 6773, 6774, 6775, 6776, 6777, 6778, 6779, 6780, 6781, 6782, 6783)
-
6784. A method of enhancing phenol production from an in situ hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
controlling at least one condition within at least a portion of the formation to enhance production of phenols in formation fluid, wherein the formation fluid is obtained by;
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least the portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from at least one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation; and
producing formation fluids from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (6785, 6786, 6787, 6788, 6789, 6790, 6791, 6792, 6793, 6794, 6795, 6796, 6797, 6798, 6799, 6800, 6801, 6802, 6803, 6804)
-
6805. A method of controlling phenol production from a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising;
converting at least a portion of formation fluid into phenol, wherein the formation fluids in situ are obtained by;
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from at least one or more heaters to a selected section; and
producing formation fluids from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (6806, 6807, 6808, 6809)
-
6810. A method of separating phenols from fluids produced from a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
separating phenols from the produced fluids, wherein the produced fluids are obtained by;
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from at least one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation; and
producing fluids from the formation, wherein the produced fluids comprise phenols. - View Dependent Claims (6811, 6812, 6813, 6814, 6815, 6816, 6817, 6818, 6819, 6820, 6821, 6822, 6823, 6824)
-
6825. A method of enhancing phenol production from a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
controlling at least one condition within at least a portion of the formation to enhance production of phenols in formation fluid, wherein the formation fluid is obtained by;
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from at least one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation; and
producing formation fluids from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (6826, 6827, 6828, 6829, 6830, 6831, 6832, 6833, 6834, 6835, 6836, 6837, 6838, 6839, 6840, 6841)
-
6842. A method of enhancing BTEX compounds production from a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
controlling at least one condition within at least a portion of the formation to enhance production of BTEX compounds in formation fluid, wherein the formation fluid is obtained by;
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from at least one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation; and
producing formation fluids from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (6843, 6844, 6845, 6846, 6847, 6848, 6849, 6850, 6851, 6852, 6853, 6854, 6855)
-
6856. A method of separating BTEX compounds from formation fluid from a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
separating at least a portion of the BTEX compounds from the formation fluid wherein the formation fluid is obtained by;
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from at least one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation; and
producing fluids from the formation, wherein the produced fluids comprise BTEX compounds. - View Dependent Claims (6857, 6858, 6859, 6860, 6861, 6862, 6863, 6864, 6865, 6866, 6867, 6868)
-
6869. A method of in situ converting at least a portion of formation fluid into BTEX compounds, comprising:
in situ converting at least the portion of the formation fluid into BTEX compounds, wherein the formation fluid are obtained by;
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from at least one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation such that at least some hydrocarbons in the formation are pyrolyzed; and
producing formation fluid from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (6870, 6871, 6872, 6873, 6874, 6875, 6876, 6877, 6878, 6879)
-
6880. A method of enhancing naphthalene production from a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
controlling at least one condition within at least a portion of the formation to enhance production of naphthalene in formation fluid, wherein the formation fluid is obtained by;
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from at least one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation; and
producing formation fluids from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (6881, 6882, 6883, 6884, 6885, 6886, 6887, 6888, 6889, 6890, 6891)
-
6892. A method of separating naphthalene from fluids produced from a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
separating naphthalene from the produced fluids, wherein the produced fluids are obtained by;
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from at least one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation; and
producing fluids from the formation, wherein the produced fluids comprise naphthalene. - View Dependent Claims (6893, 6894, 6895, 6896, 6897, 6898, 6899, 6900, 6901, 6902, 6903, 6904, 6905, 6906, 6907)
-
6908. A method of enhancing anthracene production from a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
controlling at least one condition within at least a portion of the formation to enhance production of anthracene in formation fluid, wherein the formation fluid is obtained by;
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from at least one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation; and
producing formation fluids from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (6909, 6910, 6911, 6912, 6913, 6914, 6915, 6916, 6917, 6918, 6919)
-
6920. A method of separating anthracene from fluids produced from a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
separating anthracene from the produced fluids, wherein the produced fluids are obtained by;
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from at least one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation; and
producing fluids from the formation, wherein the produced fluids comprise anthracene. - View Dependent Claims (6921, 6922, 6923, 6924, 6925, 6926, 6927, 6928, 6929, 6930, 6931, 6932, 6933)
-
6934. A method of separating ammonia from fluids produced from a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
separating at least a portion of the ammonia from the produced fluid, wherein the produced fluids are obtained by;
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from at least one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation; and
producing fluids from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (6935, 6936, 6937, 6938, 6939, 6940, 6941, 6942, 6943, 6944, 6945, 6946, 6947)
-
6948. A method of generating ammonia from fluids produced from a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
hydrotreating at least a portion of the produced fluids to generate ammonia, wherein the produced fluids are obtained by;
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from at least one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation; and
producing fluids from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (6949, 6950, 6951, 6952, 6953, 6954, 6955, 6956, 6957, 6958, 6959, 6960)
-
6961. A method of enhancing pyridines production from a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
controlling at least one condition within at least a portion of the formation to enhance production of pyridines in formation fluid, wherein the formation fluid is obtained by;
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from at least one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation; and
producing formation fluids from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (6962, 6963, 6964, 6965, 6966, 6967, 6968, 6969, 6970, 6971, 6972)
-
6973. A method of separating pyridines from fluids produced from a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
separating pyridines from the produced fluids, wherein the produced fluids are obtained by;
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from at least one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation; and
producing fluids from the formation, wherein the produced fluids comprise pyridines. - View Dependent Claims (6974, 6975, 6976, 6977, 6978, 6979, 6980, 6981, 6982, 6983, 6984, 6985, 6986)
-
6987. A method of enhancing pyrroles production from a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
controlling at least one condition within at least a portion of the formation to enhance production of pyrroles in formation fluid, wherein the formation fluid is obtained by;
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from at least one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation; and
producing formation fluids from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (6988, 6989, 6990, 6991, 6992, 6993, 6994, 6995, 6996, 6997, 6998)
-
6999. A method of separating pyrroles from fluids produced from a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
separating pyrroles from the produced fluids, wherein the produced fluids are obtained by;
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from at least one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation; and
producing fluids from the formation, wherein the produced fluids comprise pyrroles. - View Dependent Claims (7000, 7001, 7002, 7003, 7004, 7005, 7006, 7007, 7008, 7009, 7010, 7011, 7012)
-
7013. A method of enhancing thiophenes production from a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
controlling at least one condition within at least a portion of the formation to enhance production of thiophenes in formation fluid, wherein the formation fluid is obtained by;
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from at least one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation; and
producing formation fluids from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (7014, 7015, 7016, 7017, 7018, 7019, 7020, 7021, 7022, 7023, 7024)
-
7025. A method of separating thiophenes from fluids produced from a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
separating thiophenes from the produced fluids, wherein the produced fluids are obtained by;
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from at least one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation; and
producing fluids from the formation, wherein the produced fluids comprise thiophenes. - View Dependent Claims (7026, 7027, 7028, 7029, 7030, 7031, 7032, 7033, 7034, 7035, 7036, 7037, 7038)
-
7039. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation comprising:
-
providing a barrier to at least a portion of the formation to inhibit migration of fluids into or out of a treatment area of the formation;
providing heat from one or more heaters to the treatment area;
allowing the heat to transfer from the treatment area to a selected section of the formation; and
producing fluids from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (7040, 7041, 7042, 7043, 7044, 7045, 7046, 7047, 7048, 7049, 7050, 7051, 7052, 7053, 7054, 7055, 7056, 7057, 7058, 7059, 7060, 7061, 7062, 7063, 7064, 7065, 7066, 7067, 7068, 7069)
-
-
7070. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
-
providing a refrigerant to a plurality of barrier wells placed in a portion of the formation;
establishing a frozen barrier zone to inhibit migration of fluids into or out of a treatment area;
providing heat from one or more heaters to the treatment area;
allowing the heat to transfer from the treatment area to a selected section; and
producing fluids from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (7071, 7072, 7073, 7074, 7075, 7076, 7077, 7078, 7079, 7080, 7081, 7082, 7083, 7084, 7085, 7086, 7087, 7088, 7089, 7090, 7091, 7092, 7093, 7094, 7095, 7096, 7097, 7098, 7099, 7100, 7101, 7102, 7103, 7104, 7105, 7106, 7107, 7108, 7109, 7110, 7111, 7112, 7113, 7114, 7115)
-
-
7116. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation comprising:
-
providing a refrigerant to one or more barrier wells placed in a portion of the formation;
establishing a low temperature zone proximate a treatment area of the formation;
providing heat from one or more heaters to a treatment area of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the treatment area to a selected section of the formation; and
producing fluids from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (7117, 7118, 7119, 7120, 7121, 7122, 7123, 7124, 7125, 7126, 7127, 7128, 7129, 7130, 7131, 7132, 7133, 7134, 7135, 7136, 7137, 7138, 7139, 7140, 7141, 7142, 7143, 7144)
-
-
7145. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
inhibiting migration of fluids into or out of a treatment area of the formation from a surrounding portion of the formation;
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the treatment area;
allowing the heat to transfer from at least the portion to a selected section of the formation; and
producing fluids from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (7146, 7147, 7148, 7149, 7150, 7151, 7152, 7153, 7154, 7155, 7156, 7157, 7158, 7159, 7160, 7161)
-
-
7162. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
providing a barrier to a portion of the formation, wherein the portion has previously undergone an in situ conversion process; and
inhibiting migration of fluids into and out of the converted portion to a surrounding portion of the formation. - View Dependent Claims (7163, 7164, 7165, 7166, 7167, 7168)
-
-
7169. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
introducing a first fluid into at least a portion of the formation, wherein the portion has previously undergone an in situ conversion process;
producing a mixture of the first fluid and a second fluid from the formation; and
providing at least a portion of the mixture to an energy producing unit. - View Dependent Claims (7170, 7171, 7172, 7173, 7174, 7175, 7176, 7177, 7178, 7179, 7180, 7181)
-
-
7182. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
providing a first fluid to at least a portion of a treatment area, wherein the treatment area includes one or more components;
producing a fluid from the formation wherein the produced fluid comprises first fluid and at least some of the one or more components; and
wherein the treatment area is obtained by providing heat from heaters to a portion of a hydrocarbon containing formation to convert a portion of hydrocarbons to desired products and removing a portion of the desired hydrocarbons from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (7183, 7184, 7185, 7186, 7187, 7188, 7189, 7190, 7191, 7192, 7193, 7194, 7195, 7196, 7197, 7198)
-
-
7199. A method of recovering thermal energy from a heated hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
injecting a heat recovery fluid into a heated portion of the formation;
allowing heat from the portion of the formation to transfer to the heat recovery fluid; and
producing fluids from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (7200, 7201, 7202, 7203, 7204, 7205, 7206, 7207, 7208, 7209, 7210, 7211, 7212, 7213, 7214, 7215, 7216, 7217, 7218, 7219, 7220, 7221, 7222, 7223, 7224, 7225, 7226)
-
-
7227. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation;
controlling at least one condition within the selected section;
producing a mixture from the formation; and
wherein at least the one condition is controlled such that the mixture comprises a carbon dioxide emission level less than about a selected carbon dioxide emission level. - View Dependent Claims (7228, 7229, 7230, 7231, 7232, 7233, 7234, 7235, 7236)
-
-
7237. A method for producing molecular hydrogen from a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least one portion of the formation such that carbon dioxide production is minimized;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation;
producing a mixture comprising molecular hydrogen from the formation; and
controlling the heat from the one or more heaters to enhance production of molecular hydrogen. - View Dependent Claims (7238, 7239, 7240, 7241, 7242, 7243, 7244, 7245, 7246, 7247, 7248, 7249, 7250, 7251, 7252, 7253, 7254, 7255, 7256, 7257, 7258, 7259, 7260, 7261)
-
-
7262. A method for producing methane from a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ while minimizing production of CO2, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least one portion of the formation such that CO2 production is minimized;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation;
producing a mixture comprising methane from the formation; and
controlling the heat from the one or more heaters to enhance production of methane. - View Dependent Claims (7263, 7264, 7265, 7266, 7267, 7268, 7269, 7270, 7271, 7272, 7273, 7274, 7275, 7276, 7277, 7278, 7279, 7280, 7281, 7282)
-
-
7283. A method for upgrading hydrocarbons in a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the first portion to a selected section of the formation;
providing hydrocarbons to the selected section; and
producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the mixture comprises hydrocarbons that were provided to the selected section and upgraded in the formation. - View Dependent Claims (7284, 7285, 7286, 7287, 7288, 7289, 7290, 7291, 7292, 7293, 7294, 7295, 7296, 7297, 7298, 7299, 7300, 7301, 7302, 7303, 7304, 7305, 7306, 7307)
-
-
7308. A method for producing methane from a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least one portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation;
providing hydrocarbon fluids to at least the selected section of the formation; and
producing mixture comprising methane from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (7309, 7310, 7311, 7312, 7313, 7314, 7315, 7316, 7317, 7318, 7319)
-
-
7320. A method for hydrotreating a fluid in a heated formation in situ, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least one portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation;
providing a fluid to the selected section;
controlling a H2 partial pressure in the selected section of the formation;
hydrotreating at least some of the fluid in the selected section; and
producing a mixture comprising hydrotreated fluids from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (7321, 7322, 7323, 7324, 7325, 7326, 7327, 7328, 7329, 7330, 7331, 7332, 7333, 7334, 7335, 7336)
-
-
7337. A method for producing hydrocarbons from a heated formation in situ, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least one portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation such that at least some of the selected section comprises a temperature profile;
providing a hydrocarbon mixture to the selected section;
separating the hydrocarbon mixture into one or more mixtures of components; and
producing the one or more mixtures of components from one or more production wells. - View Dependent Claims (7338, 7339, 7340, 7341, 7342, 7343, 7344, 7345, 7346, 7347, 7348, 7349, 7350)
-
-
7351. A method of utilizing heat of a heated formation, comprising:
-
placing a conduit in the formation,;
allowing heat from the formation to transfer to at least a portion of the conduit;
generating a region of reaction in the conduit;
allowing a material to flow through the region of reaction;
reacting at least some of the material in the region of reaction; and
producing a mixture from the conduit. - View Dependent Claims (7352, 7353, 7354, 7355, 7356, 7357)
-
-
7358. A method for storing fluids within a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
providing a barrier to a portion of the formation to form an in situ storage area, wherein at least a portion of the in situ storage area has previously undergone an in situ conversion process, and wherein migration of fluids into or out of the storage area is inhibited;
providing a material to the in situ storage area;
storing at least some of the provided fluids within the in situ storage area; and
wherein one or more conditions of the in situ storage area inhibits reaction within the material. - View Dependent Claims (7359, 7360, 7361, 7362, 7363, 7364, 7365, 7366, 7367, 7368, 7369, 7370, 7371, 7372, 7373, 7374, 7375, 7376, 7377)
-
-
7378. A method of filtering water within a hydrocarbon containing formation comprising:
-
providing water to at least a portion of the formation, wherein the portion has previously undergone an in situ conversion process, and wherein the water comprises one or more components;
removing at least one of the one or more components from the provided water; and
producing at least some of the water from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (7379, 7380, 7381, 7382, 7383, 7384, 7385, 7386, 7387, 7388, 7389, 7390, 7391, 7392, 7393, 7394)
-
-
7395. A method for sequestering carbon dioxide in a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
providing carbon dioxide to a portion of the formation, wherein the portion has previously undergone an in situ conversion process;
providing a fluid to the portion;
allowing at least some of the provided carbon dioxide to contact the fluid in the portion; and
precipitating carbonate compounds. - View Dependent Claims (7396, 7397, 7398, 7399, 7400, 7401, 7402, 7403, 7404, 7405, 7406, 7407, 7408, 7409, 7410, 7411, 7412, 7413, 7414, 7415, 7416)
-
-
7417. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
injecting a recovery fluid into a portion of the formation;
allowing heat within the recovery fluid, and heat from one or more heaters, to transfer to a selected section of the formation, wherein the selected section comprises hydrocarbons;
mobilizing at least some of the hydrocarbons within the selected section; and
producing a mixture from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (7418, 7419, 7420, 7421, 7422, 7423, 7424, 7425, 7426, 7427, 7428, 7429, 7430, 7431, 7432, 7433, 7434, 7435, 7436, 7437, 7438, 7439, 7440, 7441, 7442, 7443, 7444, 7445, 7446, 7447, 7448, 7449)
-
-
7450. A method of treating hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
-
injecting a recovery fluid into the formation;
providing heat from one or more heaters to the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from one or more of the heaters to a selected section of the formation, wherein the selected section comprises hydrocarbons;
mobilizing at least some of the hydrocarbons; and
producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises hydrocarbons having an average API gravity greater than about 25°
. - View Dependent Claims (7451, 7452, 7453, 7454, 7455, 7456, 7457, 7458, 7459, 7460, 7461, 7462, 7463, 7464, 7465, 7466)
-
-
7467. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
-
injecting a recovery fluid into a formation;
allowing the recovery fluid to migrate through at least a portion of the formation, wherein a size of a selected section increases as a recovery fluid front migrates through an untreated portion of the formation, and wherein the selected section is a portion of the formation treated by the recovery fluid;
allowing heat from the recovery fluid to transfer heat to the selected section, wherein the heat from the recovery fluid, and heat from one or more heaters, pyrolyzes at least some of the hydrocarbons within the selected section of the formation;
allowing the heat from the recovery fluid or one or more heaters to mobilize at least some of the hydrocarbons at the recovery fluid front;
allowing the heat from the recovery fluid, and heat from one or more heaters, to pyrolyze at least a portion of the hydrocarbons in the mobilized fluid; and
producing a mixture from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (1, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 7468, 7469, 7470, 7471, 7472, 7473, 7474, 7475, 7476, 7477, 7478, 7479, 7480, 7481, 7482, 7483, 7484, 7485, 7486, 7487, 7488, 7489, 7490, 7491, 7492, 7493, 7494, 7495, 7496, 7497, 7498, 7499, 7500, 7501, 7502, 7503, 7504, 7505, 7506, 7507, 7508, 7509)
-
-
7495-1. The method of claim 7467, wherein the one or more heaters comprise flame distributed combustors.
-
7510. A method of recovering methane from a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least one portion of the formation, wherein the portion comprises methane;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation; and
producing fluids from the formation, wherein the produced fluids comprise methane. - View Dependent Claims (7511, 7512, 7513, 7514, 7515, 7516, 7517, 7518, 7520, 7521, 7522, 7523, 7524)
-
-
7525. A method of recovering methane from a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
providing a barrier to a portion of the formation, wherein the portion comprises methane;
removing the water from the portion; and
producing fluids from the formation, wherein the produced fluids comprise methane. - View Dependent Claims (2, 7526, 7527, 7528, 7529, 7530, 7531, 7532, 7533, 7534, 7535, 7536)
-
-
7527-2. The method of claim 7525, wherein the hydrocarbon containing formation comprises an oil shale containing formation.
-
7537. A method of shutting-in an in situ treatment process in a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
terminating heating from one or more heaters providing heat to a portion of the formation;
monitoring a pressure in at least a portion of the formation;
controlling the pressure in the portion of the formation such that the pressure is maintained approximately below a fracturing or breakthrough pressure of the formation. - View Dependent Claims (7538, 7539, 7540)
-
-
7541. A method of shutting-in an in situ treatment process in a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
terminating heating from one or more heaters providing heat to a portion of the formation;
producing hydrocarbon vapor from the formation; and
injecting at least a portion of the produced hydrocarbon vapor into a portion of a storage formation. - View Dependent Claims (7542, 7543, 7544, 7545, 7546, 7547)
-
-
7550. The method of claim 7548, wherein the depleted formation comprises a gas field.
-
7551. The method of claim 7548, wherein the depleted formation comprises a water zone comprising seal and trap integrity.
-
7552. A method of mining coal from a coal formation, comprising:
mining coal from at least a portion of the treated formation, wherein the treated formation is obtained by;
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from at least one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation; and
producing fluids from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 7553, 7554, 7555, 7556, 7557, 7558, 7559, 7560, 7561, 7562)
-
7557-3. The method of claim 7552, wherein the coal, before treatment, did not comprise a substantial quantity of anthracite, and the mined coal comprises a substantial quantity of anthracite.
-
7558-4. The method of claim 7552, wherein at least some of the mined coal comprises a carbon content of greater than about 87 weight %.
-
7563. A method for treating a kerogen and liquid hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least one portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation;
mobilizing at least a portion of the liquid hydrocarbons in the selected section;
pyrolyzing at least a portion of the kerogen in the selected section; and
producing a mixture from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (7564, 7565, 7566, 7567, 7568, 7569, 7570, 7571, 7572, 7573, 7574, 7575, 7576, 7577, 7578, 7579, 7580, 7581, 7582)
-
-
7583. A method of producing a soluble compound from a soluble compound containing formation, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of a hydrocarbon containing layer;
producing a mixture comprising hydrocarbons from the formation;
using heat from the formation, heat from the mixture produced from the formation, or a component from the mixture produced from the formation to adjust a quality of a first fluid;
providing the first fluid to a soluble compound containing formation; and
producing a second fluid comprising a soluble compound from the soluble compound containing formation. - View Dependent Claims (7584, 7585, 7586, 7587, 7588, 7589, 7590, 7591, 7592, 7593, 7594, 7595, 7596, 7597, 7598, 7599, 7600, 7601, 7602, 7603, 7604, 7605, 7606, 7607, 7608, 7609, 7610, 7611, 7612, 7613, 7614)
-
-
7615. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
-
providing heat to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from at least the portion to a selected section of the formation such that dissociation of carbonate minerals is inhibited;
injecting a first fluid into the selected section;
producing a second fluid from the formation; and
conducting an in situ conversion process in the selected section. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7616, 7617, 7618, 7619, 7620, 7621, 7622, 7623, 7624, 7625, 7626, 7627, 7628, 7629, 7630, 7631, 7632, 7633, 7634, 7635, 7636, 7637, 7638, 7639, 7640, 7641, 7642, 7643, 7644, 7645, 7646, 7647, 7648, 7649, 7650, 7651, 7652, 7653, 7654, 7655, 7656, 7657, 7658, 7659, 7660, 7661, 7662, 7663, 7664, 7665, 7666, 7667)
-
-
7654-5. The method of claim 7615, wherein the second fluid comprises a mineral.
-
7655-6. The method of claim 7615, wherein the second fluid comprises aluminum.
-
7668. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
-
injecting a first fluid into the selected section;
producing a second fluid from the formation;
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation, wherein the heat is provided after production of the second fluid has begun;
allowing the heat to transfer from at least a portion of the formation;
pyrolyzing at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section; and
producing a mixture from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (7669, 7670, 7671, 7672, 7673, 7674, 7675, 7676, 7677, 7678, 7679, 7680, 7681, 7682, 7683, 7684, 7685, 7686, 7687, 7688, 7689, 7690, 7691, 7692, 7693, 7694, 7695, 7696, 7697, 7698, 7699, 7700, 7701, 7702, 7704, 7705, 7706, 7707)
-
-
7708. A method of solution mining alumina from an in situ hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to a least a portion of the formation;
pyrolyzing at least some hydrocarbons in the portion; and
producing a mixture from the formation;
providing a brine solution to a portion of the formation; and
producing a mixture comprising alumina from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (7, 7709, 7710, 7711, 7712, 7713, 7714)
-
-
7711-7. The method of claim 7708, further comprising:
-
separating at least a portion of the alumina from the mixture;
providing heat to at least the portion of the alumina to generate aluminum; and
wherein the provided heat is generated in part using one or more products of an in situ conversion process.
-
-
7715. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
-
allowing a temperature of a portion of the formation to decrease, wherein the portion has previously undergone an in situ conversion process;
injecting a first fluid into the selected section; and
producing a second fluid from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (7716, 7717, 7718, 7719, 7720, 7721, 7722, 7723, 7724, 7725, 7726, 7727, 7728, 7729, 7730, 7731, 7732, 7733, 7734)
-
-
7735. A method for treating a relatively permeable formation in situ, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to a first section of the formation such that the heat provided to the first section pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the first section;
providing heat from one or more heaters to a second section of the formation such that the heat provided to the second section pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the second section;
inducing at least a portion of the hydrocarbons from the second section to flow into the first section; and
producing a mixture from the first section, wherein the produced mixture comprises at least some pyrolyzed hydrocarbons from the second section. - View Dependent Claims (7736, 7737, 7738, 7739, 7740, 7741, 7742, 7743, 7744, 7745, 7746, 7747, 7748, 7749, 7750, 7751, 7752, 7753, 7754, 7755, 7756, 7757, 7758, 7759, 7760, 7761, 7762, 7763, 7764, 7765, 7766, 7767, 7768, 7769, 7770)
-
-
7771. A method for treating a relatively permeable formation in situ, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to a first section of the formation such that the heat provided to the first section pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the first section;
providing heat from one or more heaters to a second section of the formation such that the heat provided to the second section pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the second section;
inducing at least a portion of the hydrocarbons from the second section to flow into the first section;
inhibiting production of a mixture until at least some hydrocarbons in the formation have been pyrolyzed; and
producing the mixture from the first section, wherein the produced mixture comprises at least some pyrolyzed hydrocarbons from the second section.
-
-
7772. A method for treating a relatively permeable formation in situ, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to a first section of the formation such that the heat provided to the first section reduces the viscosity of at least some heavy hydrocarbons within the first section;
providing heat from one or more heaters to a second section of the formation such that the heat provided to the second section reduces the viscosity of at least some heavy hydrocarbons within the second section;
inducing a portion of the heavy hydrocarbons from the second section to flow into the first section;
pyrolyzing at least some of the heavy hydrocarbons within the first section; and
producing a mixture from the first section, wherein the produced mixture comprises at least some pyrolyzed hydrocarbons. - View Dependent Claims (7773, 7774, 7775, 7776, 7777, 7778, 7779, 7780, 7781, 7782, 7783, 7784, 7785, 7786, 7787, 7788, 7789, 7790, 7791, 7792, 7793, 7794, 7795, 7796, 7797, 7798, 7799, 7800, 7801, 7802)
-
-
7803. A method for treating a relatively permeable formation in situ, comprising:
-
providing heat to at least a portion of the formation;
producing heavy hydrocarbons from a first section of the relatively permeable formation;
inducing heavy hydrocarbons from a second section of the formation to flow into the first section of the formation;
producing a portion of the second section heavy hydrocarbons from the first section of the formation;
inducing heavy hydrocarbons from a third section of the formation to flow into the second section of the formation; and
producing a portion of the third section heavy hydrocarbons from the second section of the formation or the first section of the formation. - View Dependent Claims (7804, 7805, 7806, 7807, 7808, 7809, 7810)
-
-
7811. A method for treating a relatively permeable formation in situ, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the relatively permeable formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation such that the heat reduces the viscosity of at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section;
providing a gas to the selected section of the formation, wherein the gas produces a flow of at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section; and
producing a mixture from the selected section. - View Dependent Claims (7812, 7813, 7814, 7815, 7816, 7817, 7818, 7819, 7820, 7821, 7822, 7823, 7824, 7825, 7826, 7827, 7828, 7829, 7830, 7831, 7832, 7833, 7834, 7835, 7836, 7837, 7838, 7839, 7840, 7841, 7842, 7843, 7844)
-
-
7845. A method for treating a relatively permeable formation in situ, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the relatively permeable formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation such that the heat reduces the viscosity of at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section;
providing a gas to the selected section of the formation, wherein the gas produces a flow of at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section;
controlling a pressure within the selected section such that the pressure is maintained below about 150 bars absolute; and
producing a mixture from the selected section.
-
-
7846. A method for treating a relatively permeable formation in situ, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the relatively permeable formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation such that the heat pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section;
producing a mixture of hydrocarbons from the selected section; and
controlling production of the mixture to adjust the time that at least some hydrocarbons are exposed to pyrolysis temperatures in the formation in order to produce hydrocarbons of a selected quality in the mixture. - View Dependent Claims (7847, 7848, 7849, 7850, 7851, 7852, 7853, 7854, 7855, 7856, 7857, 7858, 7859, 7860, 7861, 7862, 7863, 7864, 7865)
-
-
7866. A method for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation such that the heat pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section;
selectively limiting a temperature proximate a selected portion of a heater wellbore to inhibit coke formation at or near the selected portion; and
producing at least some hydrocarbons through the selected portion of the heater wellbore. - View Dependent Claims (7867, 7868, 7869, 7870, 7871, 7872, 7873, 7874, 7875, 7876, 7877, 7878)
-
-
7879. A method for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation such that the heat pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section;
controlling operating conditions at a production well to inhibit coking in or proximate the production well; and
producing a mixture from the selected section through the production well. - View Dependent Claims (7880, 7881, 7882, 7883, 7884, 7885, 7886, 7887, 7888, 7889)
-
-
7890. A method for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the hydrocarbon containing formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation such that the heat pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section;
producing a mixture from the selected section; and
controlling a quality of the produced mixture by varying a location for producing the mixture. - View Dependent Claims (7891, 7892, 7893, 7894, 7895, 7896, 7897, 7898, 7899, 7900, 7901, 7902, 7903, 7904, 7905, 7906, 7907, 7908, 7909, 7910)
-
-
7911. A method for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the relatively permeable formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation such that the heat pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section;
producing a first mixture from a first portion of the selected section; and
producing a second mixture from a second portion of the selected section. - View Dependent Claims (7912, 7913, 7914, 7915, 7916, 7917, 7918, 7919, 7920, 7921, 7922, 7923, 7924, 7925, 7926, 7927)
-
-
7928. A method for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation such that the heat provided to the selected section pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within a lower portion of the formation; and
producing a mixture from an upper portion of the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises at least some pyrolyzed hydrocarbons from the lower portion. - View Dependent Claims (7929, 7930, 7931, 7932, 7933, 7934, 7935, 7936, 7937, 7938, 7939, 7940)
-
-
7941. A method for treating a relatively permeable formation in situ, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of a relatively permeable formation;
allowing heat to transfer from one or more heaters to a first selected section of a relatively permeable formation such that the heat reduces the viscosity of at least some hydrocarbons within the first selected section;
producing a first mixture from the first selected section;
allowing heat to transfer from one or more heaters to a second selected section of a relatively permeable formation such that the heat pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the second selected section;
producing a second mixture from the second selected section; and
blending at least a portion of the first mixture with at least a portion of the second mixture to produce a third mixture comprising a selected property. - View Dependent Claims (7942, 7943, 7944, 7945, 7946, 7947, 7948, 7949, 7950, 7951, 7952, 7953, 7954, 7955, 7956, 7957, 7958, 7959, 7960, 7961, 7962, 7963, 7964, 7965, 7966, 7967, 7968, 7969)
-
-
7970. A method for treating a relatively permeable formation in situ to produce a blending agent, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the relatively permeable formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation such that the heat pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section;
producing a blending agent from the selected section; and
wherein at least a portion of the blending agent is adapted to blend with a liquid to produce a mixture with a selected property. - View Dependent Claims (7971, 7972, 7973, 7974, 7975, 7976, 7977, 7978, 7979, 7980, 7981, 7982, 7983, 7984, 7985, 7986, 7987, 7988, 7989, 7990, 7991, 7992, 7993, 7994)
-
-
7995. A blending agent produced by a method, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of a relatively permeable formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation such that the heat pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section; and
producing the blending agent from the selected section;
wherein at least a portion of the blending agent is adapted to blend with a liquid to produce a mixture with a selected property. - View Dependent Claims (7996, 7997, 7998, 7999, 8000, 8001, 8002, 8003, 8004)
-
-
8005. A method for treating a relatively permeable formation in situ, comprising:
-
producing a first mixture from a first selected section of a relatively permeable formation, wherein the first mixture comprises heavy hydrocarbons;
providing heat from one or more heaters to a second selected section of the relatively permeable formation such that the heat pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the second selected section;
producing a second mixture from the second selected section; and
blending at least a portion of the first mixture with at least a portion of the second mixture to produce a third mixture comprising a selected property. - View Dependent Claims (8006, 8007, 8008, 8009, 8010, 8011, 8012, 8013, 8014, 8015, 8016, 8017, 8018, 8019, 8020, 8021, 8022, 8023, 8024, 8025, 8026)
-
-
8027. A method for treating a relatively permeable formation in situ, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to a selected section of a relatively permeable formation such that the heat pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section;
producing a blending agent from the selected section; and
injecting at least a portion of the blending agent into a second section of a relatively permeable formation to produce a mixture having a selected property, wherein the second section comprises at least some heavy hydrocarbons. - View Dependent Claims (8028, 8029, 8030, 8031, 8032, 8033, 8034, 8035, 8036, 8037, 8038, 8039, 8040, 8041, 8042, 8043, 8044, 8045, 8046, 8047, 8048, 8049, 8050, 8051, 8052, 8053, 8054)
-
-
8055. A method for treating a relatively permeable formation in situ, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the relatively permeable formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation such that the heat reduces the viscosity of at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section;
producing the mixture from the selected section; and
adjusting a parameter for producing the desired mixture based on at least one price characteristic of the desired mixture. - View Dependent Claims (8056, 8057, 8058, 8059, 8060, 8061, 8062, 8063, 8064, 8065, 8066, 8067, 8068, 8069, 8070, 8071)
-
-
8072. A method for forming at least one opening in a geological formation, comprising:
-
forming a portion of an opening in the formation;
providing an acoustic wave to at least a portion of the formation, wherein the acoustic wave is configured to propagate between at least one geological discontinuity of the formation and at least a portion of the opening;
sensing at least one reflection of the acoustic wave in at least a portion of the opening;
using the sensed reflection to assess an approximate location of at least a portion of the opening in the formation; and
forming an additional portion of the opening based on, at least in part, the assessed approximate location of at least a portion of the opening. - View Dependent Claims (8073, 8074, 8075, 8076, 8077, 8078, 8079, 8080, 8081, 8082, 8083, 8084, 8085, 8086, 8087, 8088, 8089, 8090, 8091, 8092, 8093, 8094, 8095, 8096, 8097, 8098, 8099, 8100, 8101)
-
-
8102. A method for heating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
providing heat to the formation from one or more heaters in one or more openings in the formation, wherein at least one of the openings has been formed by;
forming a portion of an opening in the formation;
providing an acoustic wave to at least a portion of the formation, wherein the acoustic wave is configured to propagate between at least one geological discontinuity of the formation and at least a portion of the opening;
sensing at least one reflection of the acoustic wave in at least a portion of the opening; and
using the sensed reflection to assess an approximate location of at least a portion of the opening in the formation. - View Dependent Claims (8103, 8104, 8105, 8106, 8107, 8108, 8109, 8110, 8111, 8112, 8113, 8114, 8115, 8116, 8117, 8118, 8119, 8120, 8121, 8122, 8123, 8124, 8125, 8126, 8127, 8128, 8129, 8130, 8131, 8132)
-
8133. A method for forming one or more openings in a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
forming a first opening in the formation;
providing a plurality of magnets to the first opening, wherein the plurality of magnets is positioned along at least a portion of the first opening, and wherein the plurality of magnets produces a series of magnetic fields along at least the portion of the first opening; and
forming a second opening in the formation using one or more of the series of magnetic fields such that the second opening is spaced at an approximate desired distance from the first opening. - View Dependent Claims (8134, 8135, 8136, 8137, 8138, 8139, 8140, 8141, 8142, 8143, 8144, 8145, 8146, 8147, 8148, 8149, 8150, 8151, 8152, 8153, 8154, 8155, 8156, 8157, 8158, 8159, 8160, 8161, 8162, 8163, 8164, 8165, 8166)
-
-
8167. A method for forming one or more openings in a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
forming a first opening in the formation;
providing a magnetic string to the first opening, wherein the magnetic string is positioned along at least a portion of the first opening, wherein the magnetic string produces two or more magnetic fields, wherein the magnetic string comprises two or more magnetic segments, and wherein at least two magnetic segments are positioned such that opposing poles from each magnetic segment are substantially adjacent to each other, thereby forming a junction of opposing poles; and
forming a second opening in the formation using one or more of the magnetic fields such that the second opening is spaced at an approximate desired distance from the first opening. - View Dependent Claims (8168, 8169, 8170, 8171, 8172, 8173, 8174, 8175, 8176, 8177, 8178, 8179, 8180, 8181, 8182, 8183, 8184, 8185, 8186, 8187, 8188, 8189, 8190, 8191, 8192, 8193, 8194, 8195, 8196, 8197, 8198, 8199, 8200)
-
-
8201. A system for drilling openings in a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
a drilling apparatus;
a magnetic string comprising two or more magnetic segments positionable in a conduit, wherein each of the magnetic segments comprises a plurality of magnets; and
a sensor configurable to detect a magnetic field in the formation. - View Dependent Claims (8202, 8203, 8204, 8205, 8206, 8207, 8208, 8209, 8210, 8211, 8212, 8213, 8214, 8215, 8216, 8217, 8218, 8219)
-
-
8220. A method for forming more than one wellbore in a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
forming a first wellbore in a formation;
placing a magnetic string in the first wellbore, wherein the magnetic string produces two or more magnetic fields in a portion of the formation;
forming a first set of one or more wellbores proximate to the first wellbore using, at least in part, one or more magnetic fields produced by the magnetic string;
moving the magnetic string from the first wellbore to a wellbore in the first set of one or more wellbores; and
forming a second set of one or more wellbores proximate to the wellbore with the magnetic string. - View Dependent Claims (8221, 8222, 8223, 8224, 8225, 8226, 8227, 8228, 8229, 8230, 8231, 8232, 8233)
-
-
8234. A method for forming one or more openings below the earth'"'"'s surface, comprising:
-
forming a first opening in the earth'"'"'s surface;
providing at least one movable permanent longitudinal magnet in the first opening, wherein at least one movable permanent longitudinal magnet has a north pole and a south pole, and wherein a longitudinal axis of the magnet is substantially parallel or coaxial with a longitudinal axis of the portion of the first opening that is proximate to the at least one movable permanent longitudinal magnet; and
forming a second opening in the formation using one or more magnetic fields produced by the magnet such that the second opening is spaced at an approximate desired distance from the first opening. - View Dependent Claims (8235, 8236, 8237, 8238, 8239, 8240, 8241, 8242, 8243, 8244, 8245, 8246, 8247, 8248, 8249, 8250, 8251, 8252, 8253, 8254, 8255, 8256, 8257, 8258, 8259, 8260, 8261)
-
-
8262. A method for forming one or more openings below the earth'"'"'s surface, comprising:
-
forming a first opening below the earth'"'"'s surface;
providing a conduit in the first opening, wherein the conduit is positioned along at least a portion of the first opening;
providing an electric current to the conduit to produce a magnetic field along at least a portion of the conduit; and
forming a second opening below the earth'"'"'s surface using the magnetic field, wherein the magnetic field is used such that the second opening is spaced at an approximate desired distance from the first opening. - View Dependent Claims (8263, 8264, 8265, 8266, 8267, 8268, 8269, 8270, 8271, 8272, 8273, 8274, 8275, 8276, 8277, 8278, 8279, 8280, 8281, 8282, 8283, 8284, 8285, 8286, 8287, 8288, 8289)
-
-
8290. A method for forming a wellbore and installing a heater in a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
forming an opening in the formation, wherein the opening comprises a first end that contacts the earth'"'"'s surface at a first location and a second end that contacts the earth'"'"'s surface at a second location; and
placing a heater in or coupled to the opening, wherein the heater is configured to provide or transfer heat to at least a portion of the formation to pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbons in the formation. - View Dependent Claims (8291, 8292, 8293, 8294, 8295, 8296, 8297, 8298, 8299, 8300, 8301, 8302, 8303, 8304, 8305)
-
-
8306. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters placed in, or coupled to, one or more openings in the formation to at least one part of the formation, wherein at least one opening comprises a first end that contacts the earth'"'"'s surface at a first location and a second end that contacts the earth'"'"'s surface at a second location;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a part of the formation to substantially pyrolyze at least a portion of the formation; and
producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the mixture comprises at least some pyrolyzation products. - View Dependent Claims (8307, 8308, 8309, 8310, 8311, 8312, 8313, 8314, 8315, 8316, 8317, 8318, 8319)
-
-
8320. A system configurable to heat a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
a container configurable to be placed in an opening in the formation, wherein the container is configurable to be pressurized to inhibit deformation of the container during use;
a conductor configurable such that at least a portion of the conductor can be placed in the container, wherein the conductor is further configurable to provide heat to at least a portion of the formation during use; and
wherein the system is configurable to allow heat to transfer from the conductor to a section of the formation during use. - View Dependent Claims (8321, 8322, 8323, 8324, 8325, 8326, 8327, 8328, 8329, 8330)
-
-
8331. An in situ method for heating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
applying an electrical current to a conductor to provide heat to at least a portion of the formation, wherein the conductor is at least partially placed in a container, wherein the container is in an opening in the formation, and wherein the container is pressurized to inhibit deformation of the container;
allowing the heat to transfer from the conductor to at least a part of the formation. - View Dependent Claims (8332, 8333, 8334, 8335, 8336, 8337, 8338, 8339, 8340, 8341, 8342, 8343, 8344)
-
-
8345. A system configurable to heat a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
a conduit configurable to be placed in an opening in the formation;
a conductor configurable to be at least partially placed in a conduit, wherein the conductor is further configurable to provide heat to at least a portion of the formation during use;
a sliding connector configurable to be coupled to the conductor and the conduit, wherein the sliding connector is configurable to electrically couple the conduit to a lead-out conductor; and
wherein the system is configurable to allow heat to transfer from the conductor to a section of the formation during use. - View Dependent Claims (8346, 8347, 8348, 8349, 8350, 8351, 8352)
-
-
8353. An in situ method for heating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
applying an electrical current to a conductor to provide heat to at least a portion of the formation, wherein the conductor is at least partially placed in a conduit, wherein a sliding connector is coupled to the conductor and the conduit, and wherein the sliding connector electrically couples the conduit to a lead-out conductor; and
allowing the heat to transfer from the conductor to at least a part of the formation. - View Dependent Claims (8354, 8355, 8356, 8357, 8358, 8359, 8360, 8361, 8362, 8363, 8364, 8365, 8366)
-
-
8367. A system configured to heat at least a part of a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
a conductor configurable to be placed within an opening in the formation, wherein the conductor is further configurable to provide heat to at least a part of the formation during use;
a first electrically conductive material configurable to be coupled to at least a portion of the conductor, wherein the first electrically conductive material is configurable to lower an electrical resistance of at least part of the conductor when such conductor is in formation overburden during use; and
wherein the system is configurable to allow heat to transfer from the conductor to at least a part of the formation during use. - View Dependent Claims (8368, 8369, 8370, 8371, 8372, 8373, 8374, 8375, 8376, 8377, 8378, 8379, 8380)
-
-
8381. An in situ method for heating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
applying an electrical current to a conductor to provide heat to at least a portion of the formation, wherein the conductor is configurable to be placed within an opening in the formation, wherein at least part of the conductor is coupled to a first electrically conductive material to lower a resistance of the part of the conductor in a formation overburden; and
allowing the heat to transfer from the conductor to at least a part of the formation. - View Dependent Claims (8382, 8383, 8384, 8385, 8386, 8387, 8388, 8389, 8390, 8391, 8392, 8393, 8394)
-
-
8395. A system configurable to heat a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
a conduit configured to be placed within an opening in the formation;
a conductor configured to be placed within a conduit, wherein the conductor is further configured to provide heat to at least a portion of the formation during use;
an electrically conductive material configured to be electrically coupled to the conductor, wherein the electrically conductive material is further configured to propagate a majority of electrical current, in the overburden, provided to the conductor during use; and
wherein the system is configured to allow heat to transfer from the conductor to a section of the formation during use. - View Dependent Claims (8396, 8397, 8398, 8399, 8400, 8401, 8402, 8403, 8404, 8405, 8406, 8407)
-
-
8408. An in situ method for heating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
applying an electrical current to a conductor to provide heat to at least a portion of the formation, wherein the conductor is configurable to be placed within a conduit, wherein the conduit is configurable to be placed in an opening in the formation, wherein at least part of the conductor in a formation overburden is coupled to a first electrically conductive material so that a majority of the electrical current provided to the conductor flows through the first electrically conductive material in the formation overburden; and
allowing the heat to transfer from the conductor to at least a part of the formation. - View Dependent Claims (8409, 8410, 8411, 8412, 8413, 8414, 8415, 8416, 8417, 8418, 8419, 8420)
-
-
8421. A method for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation, wherein at least one heater is in at least one open wellbore in the formation, and wherein heating from one or more heaters is controlled to inhibit substantial deformation of one or more heaters caused by thermal formation expansion against such one or more heaters;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a part of the formation; and
producing a mixture from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (8422, 8423, 8424, 8425, 8426, 8427, 8428, 8429, 8430, 8431, 8432, 8433, 8434, 8435, 8436, 8437, 8438, 8439, 8440, 8441, 8442, 8443, 8444, 8445, 8446)
-
-
8447. A method for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation, wherein at least one heater is in at least one open wellbore in the formation, and wherein at least one open wellbore has been sized, at least in part, based on a determination of formation expansion caused by heating of the formation such that formation expansion caused by heating of the formation is not sufficient to cause substantial deformation of one or more heaters in such sized wellbores;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a part of the formation; and
producing a mixture from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (8448, 8449, 8450, 8451, 8452, 8453, 8454, 8455, 8456, 8457, 8458, 8459, 8460, 8461, 8462, 8463, 8464, 8465, 8466, 8467, 8468, 8469, 8470, 8471, 8472)
-
-
8473. A method for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
heating a first volume of the formation using a first set of heaters;
heating a second volume of the formation using a second set of heaters, wherein the first volume is spaced apart from the second volume by a third volume of the formation;
heating the third volume using a third set of heaters, wherein the third set of heaters begin heating at a selected time after the first set of heaters and the second set of heaters;
allowing the heat to transfer from the first, second, and third volumes of the formation to at least a part of the formation; and
producing a mixture from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (8474, 8475, 8476, 8477, 8478, 8479, 8480, 8481, 8482, 8483, 8484, 8485, 8486, 8487, 8488, 8489, 8490, 8491, 8492, 8493, 8494, 8495, 8496, 8497)
-
-
8498. A method for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
heating a first volume of the formation using a first set of heaters; and
heating a second volume of the formation using a second set of heaters, wherein the first volume is spaced apart from the second volume by a third volume of the formation, and wherein the first volume, second volume, and third volume are sized, shaped, or located to inhibit deformation of subsurface equipment caused by geomechanical motion of the formation during heating. - View Dependent Claims (8499, 8500, 8501, 8502, 8503, 8504, 8505, 8506, 8507, 8508, 8509, 8510, 8511, 8512, 8513, 8514, 8515, 8516, 8517, 8518, 8519, 8520, 8521, 8522, 8523, 8524, 8525, 8526, 8527, 8528, 8529, 8530, 8531)
-
-
8532. A system configured to heat at least a part of a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
one or more electrical conductors configured to be placed in an opening in the formation, wherein at least one electrical conductor comprises at least one electrically resistive portion configured to provide a heat output when current is applied through such electrically resistive portion, and wherein at least one of such electrically resistive portions is configured, when above or near a selected temperature, to automatically provide a reduced heat output; and
wherein the system is configured to allow heat to transfer from at least one of the electrically resistive portions to at least a part of the formation. - View Dependent Claims (8533, 8534, 8535, 8536, 8537, 8538, 8539, 8540, 8541, 8542, 8543, 8544, 8545, 8546, 8547, 8548, 8549, 8550, 8551, 8552, 8553, 8554, 8555, 8556, 8557, 8558, 8559, 8560, 8561, 8562, 8563, 8564, 8565, 8566, 8567, 8568, 8569, 8570, 8571, 8572, 8573, 8574, 8575, 8576, 8577, 8578, 8579, 8580, 8581, 8582, 8583, 8584, 8585, 8586, 8587, 8588, 8589, 8590, 8591, 8592, 8593, 8594, 8595, 8596, 8597, 8598, 8599, 8600, 8601)
-
-
8602. A method for heating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
applying an electrical current to one or more electrical conductors placed in an opening in the formation, wherein at least one electrical conductor comprises one or more electrically resistive portions configured to provide a heat output when electrical current is applied through such electrically resistive portion, and wherein at least one of such electrically resistive portions is configured, when above or near a selected temperature, to automatically provide a reduced heat output; and
allowing the heat to transfer from one or more electrical resistive portions to at least a part of the formation. - View Dependent Claims (8603, 8604, 8605, 8606, 8607, 8608, 8609, 8610, 8611, 8612, 8613, 8614, 8615, 8616, 8617, 8618, 8619, 8620, 8621, 8622, 8623, 8624, 8625, 8626, 8627, 8628, 8629)
-
-
8630. A system configured to heat at least a part of a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
one or more electrical conductors configured to be placed in an opening in the formation, wherein at least one electrical conductor comprises a ferromagnetic material configured to provide a reduced heat output above or near a selected temperature; and
wherein the system is configured to allow heat to transfer from the electrical conductors to a part of the formation. - View Dependent Claims (8631, 8632, 8633, 8634, 8635, 8636, 8637, 8638, 8639, 8640, 8641, 8642, 8643, 8644, 8645, 8646, 8647, 8648, 8649, 8650)
-
-
8651. A method for heating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
applying an electrical current to one or more electrical conductors placed in an opening in the formation, wherein at least one electrical conductor comprises a ferromagnetic material configured to provide a reduced heat output above or near a selected temperature; and
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more electrical conductors to a part of the formation. - View Dependent Claims (8652, 8653, 8654, 8655, 8656, 8657, 8658, 8659, 8660, 8661, 8662, 8663, 8664, 8665, 8666, 8667, 8668)
-
-
8669. A system configured to heat at least a part of a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
one or more electrical conductors configured to be placed in an opening in the formation, wherein at least one electrical conductor comprises a ferromagnetic material configured to provide a reduced heat output above or near a selected temperature, wherein at least one electrical conductor is electrically coupled to the earth, and wherein electrical current is propagated from the electrical conductor to the earth; and
wherein the system is configured to allow heat to transfer from the electrical conductors to a part of the formation. - View Dependent Claims (8670, 8671, 8672, 8673, 8674, 8675, 8676, 8677, 8678, 8679, 8680, 8681, 8682, 8683, 8684, 8685, 8686, 8687, 8688, 8689, 8690, 8691, 8692, 8693)
-
-
8694. A method for heating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
applying an electrical current to one or more electrical conductors placed in an opening in the formation, wherein at least one electrical conductor comprises a ferromagnetic material configured to provide a reduced heat output above or near a selected temperature, wherein at least one electrical conductor is electrically coupled to the earth, and wherein electrical current is propagated from the electrical conductor to the earth; and
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more electrical conductors to a part of the formation. - View Dependent Claims (8695, 8696, 8697, 8698, 8699, 8700, 8701, 8702, 8703, 8704, 8705, 8706, 8707, 8708)
-
-
8709. A heater, comprising:
-
an electrical conductor configured to generate heat during application of electrical current to the electrical conductor; and
wherein the electrical conductor comprises a ferromagnetic material having a thickness greater than the skin depth of the ferromagnetic material at the Curie temperature of the ferromagnetic material such that the heater provides a reduced heat output above or near a selected temperature. - View Dependent Claims (8710, 8711, 8712, 8713, 8714, 8715, 8716, 8717, 8718, 8719, 8720, 8721, 8722, 8723, 8724, 8725, 8726, 8727, 8728, 8729)
-
-
8730. A heating system, comprising:
one or more electrical conductors, wherein at least one electrical conductor comprises at least one electrically resistive portion configured to provide a heat output when current is applied through such electrically resistive portion, and wherein at least one of such electrically resistive portions is configured, when above or near a selected temperature, to automatically provide a reduced heat output. - View Dependent Claims (8731, 8732, 8733, 8734, 8735, 8736, 8737, 8738, 8739, 8740, 8741, 8742, 8743, 8744, 8745, 8746, 8747, 8748, 8749, 8750, 8751, 8752, 8753, 8754, 8755, 8756, 8757, 8758, 8759, 8760, 8761, 8762, 8763, 8764, 8765, 8766, 8767, 8768, 8769, 8770, 8771, 8772, 8773, 8774, 8775, 8776, 8777, 8778, 8779, 8780, 8781, 8782, 8783)
-
8784. A method for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
inhibiting migration of fluids into a first treatment area of the formation from a surrounding portion of the formation, wherein the first treatment area is surrounded, in whole or in part, by one or more openings, and wherein at least one opening comprises a first end that contacts a ground surface at a first location, and a second end that contacts the ground surface at a second location;
heating at least a portion of the first treatment area with heaters to raise a temperature in the first treatment area above a pyrolysis temperature; and
producing a mixture from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (8785, 8786, 8787, 8788, 8789, 8790, 8791, 8792, 8793, 8794, 8795, 8796, 8797, 8798, 8799, 8800, 8801, 8802, 8803, 8804, 8805, 8806)
-
-
8807. A method for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
forming one or more openings proximate to, or substantially surrounding, in whole or in part, at least a portion of the formation, wherein at least one of the openings comprises a first end that contacts a ground surface at a first location, and a second end that contacts the ground surface at a second location;
forming a low temperature barrier zone using at least one of the openings that comprises a first end that contacts a ground surface at a first location, and a second end that contacts the ground surface at a second location;
heating at least a portion of the formation to pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbons in the formation; and
producing a mixture from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (8808, 8809, 8810, 8811, 8812, 8813, 8814, 8815, 8816, 8817, 8818, 8819, 8820, 8821, 8822, 8823)
-
-
8824. A method of forming a subsurface barrier in a subsurface formation, comprising:
-
positioning a conduit in an opening in a part of the formation;
positioning one or more baffles in an annulus formed between a wall of the conduit and a wall of the opening to inhibit a flow of fluids in the annulus; and
using the opening to form the subsurface barrier in the formation. - View Dependent Claims (8825, 8826, 8827, 8828, 8829)
-
-
8830. A system configured to heat at least a part of a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
a heater configured to be placed in an opening in the formation;
wherein the system is configured to allow heat to transfer from the heater to a part of the formation to pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbons in the formation; and
wherein the system is configured such that the heater can be removed from the opening in the formation and redeployed in at least one alternative opening in the formation. - View Dependent Claims (8831, 8832, 8833, 8834, 8835, 8836, 8837, 8838, 8839, 8840, 8841, 8842, 8843, 8844, 8845)
-
-
8846. A method for installing a heater of a desired length in a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
placing at least a portion of a heater of a desired length in an opening in a hydrocarbon containing formation, wherein placing the heater in the opening comprises uncoiling at least a portion of the heater while placing the heater in the opening; and
wherein the heater is configured such that the heater can be removed from the opening in the formation and redeployed in at least one alternative opening in the formation. - View Dependent Claims (8847, 8848, 8849, 8850, 8851, 8852, 8853, 8854, 8855, 8856, 8857, 8858, 8859, 8860, 8861, 8862, 8863, 8864, 8865, 8866, 8867, 8868, 8869, 8870, 8871, 8872, 8873, 8874, 8875, 8876)
-
-
8877. A method of treating at least a part of a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
-
placing one or more heaters in one or more openings;
providing heat from one or more of the heaters to at least one part of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from one or more of the heaters to a part of the formation;
removing one or more of the heaters from one or more of the openings; and
redeploying one or more of the heaters removed from the one or more openings in one or more alternate openings. - View Dependent Claims (8878, 8879, 8880, 8881, 8882, 8883, 8884, 8885, 8886, 8887, 8888, 8889, 8890, 8891, 8892, 8893, 8894, 8895, 8896, 8897, 8898, 8899, 8900, 8901, 8902)
-
-
8903. An in situ method for heating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
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providing heat from one or more heaters to an opening in the formation, wherein a first end of the opening contacts the earth'"'"'s surface at a first location, and wherein a second end of the opening contacts the earth'"'"'s surface at a second location; and
allowing the heat to transfer from the opening to at least a part of the formation to pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbons in the formation. - View Dependent Claims (8904, 8905, 8906, 8907, 8908, 8909, 8910, 8911, 8912, 8913, 8914, 8915, 8916, 8917, 8918, 8919, 8920, 8921, 8922, 8923, 8924, 8925, 8926, 8927)
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8928. A system for in situ heating of a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
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one or more heaters configurable to provide heat to at least a part of the formation by transferring heat to an opening in the formation, wherein a first end of the opening contacts the earth'"'"'s surface at a first location, and wherein a second end of the opening contacts the earth'"'"'s surface at a second location; and
wherein heat transferred from the opening is configured to pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbons in the formation. - View Dependent Claims (8929, 8930, 8931, 8932, 8933, 8934, 8935, 8936, 8937, 8938, 8939, 8940, 8941, 8942, 8943, 8944, 8945, 8946, 8947, 8948, 8949, 8950, 8951, 8952, 8953, 8954, 8955, 8956, 8957, 8958)
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Specification