In situ thermal recovery from a relatively permeable formation
First Claim
1. 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 in 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 in 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.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for treating a relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons in situ may include providing heat from a first set of heat sources to a first section of the formation. The heat provided to the first section may pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbons in the first section. Heat may also be provided from a second set of heat sources to a second section of the formation. The heat provided to the second section may mobilize at least some hydrocarbons in the second section. A portion of the hydrocarbons from the second section may be induced to flow into the first section. A mixture of hydrocarbons may be produced from the formation. The produced mixture may include at least some pyrolyzed hydrocarbons.
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Citations
73 Claims
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1. A method for treating a relatively permeable formation in situ, comprising:
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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 in 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 in 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 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 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)
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36. A method for treating a relatively permeable formation in situ, comprising:
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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 in 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 in 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. - View Dependent Claims (67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73)
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37. A method for treating a relatively permeable formation in situ, comprising:
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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 in 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 in 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 in the first section; and
producing a mixture from the first section, wherein the produced mixture comprises at least some pyrolyzed hydrocarbons. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66)
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Specification