STIMULATION OF LIGHT TIGHT SHALE OIL FORMATIONS
First Claim
1. A method for producing hydrocarbons from a shale reservoir, comprising:
- positioning a downhole burner in a first well;
supplying a fuel, oxidizer, and water to the burner to form steam;
injecting the steam and surplus oxygen into the shale reservoir to form a heated zone within the shale reservoir, wherein the surplus oxygen reacts with hydrocarbons in the reservoir to generate heat, and wherein the heat from the reactions with the hydrocarbons and the steam increases permeability in a kerogen-rich portion of the shale reservoir; and
producing hydrocarbons from the shale reservoir.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and systems for stimulating light tight shale oil formations to recover hydrocarbons from the formations. One embodiment includes positioning a downhole burner in a first well, supplying a fuel, oxidizer, and water to the burner to form steam, injecting the steam and surplus oxygen into the shale reservoir to form a heated zone within the shale reservoir, wherein the surplus oxygen reacts with hydrocarbons in the reservoir to generate heat; wherein the heat from the reactions with the hydrocarbons and the steam increases permeability in a kerogen-rich portion of the shale reservoir, and producing hydrocarbons from the shale reservoir.
4 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for producing hydrocarbons from a shale reservoir, comprising:
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positioning a downhole burner in a first well; supplying a fuel, oxidizer, and water to the burner to form steam; injecting the steam and surplus oxygen into the shale reservoir to form a heated zone within the shale reservoir, wherein the surplus oxygen reacts with hydrocarbons in the reservoir to generate heat, and wherein the heat from the reactions with the hydrocarbons and the steam increases permeability in a kerogen-rich portion of the shale reservoir; and producing hydrocarbons from the shale reservoir. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for producing hydrocarbons from a shale reservoir, comprising:
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positioning a downhole burner in a first well; supplying a fuel, oxidizer, and water to the burner to form steam, wherein the oxidizer is in a quantity that introduces surplus oxygen into the shale reservoir; injecting gases, steam, and surplus oxygen into the shale reservoir to form a heated zone within the shale reservoir; micro-fracturing and/or increasing a porosity of the shale reservoir using the steam, gases, and surplus oxygen by heating kerogen deposits within the shale reservoir; and producing hydrocarbons from the shale reservoir. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for producing hydrocarbons from a shale reservoir, comprising:
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positioning a downhole burner in a first well; supplying a fuel, oxidizer, and water to the burner to form steam; injecting the steam and surplus oxygen into the shale reservoir to form a heated zone within the shale reservoir, wherein the surplus oxygen reacts with hydrocarbons in the reservoir to generate heat, and wherein the heat from the reactions with the hydrocarbons and the steam increases permeability in a kerogen-rich portion of the shale reservoir; and producing hydrocarbons from the shale reservoir. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification