In situ thermal processing through an open wellbore in an oil shale formation
First Claim
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1. A system configured to heat an oil shale formation, comprising:
- heaters disposed within one or more open wellbores in the formation, wherein the heaters are configured to provide heat to at least a portion of the formation during use;
wherein the system is configured to allow heat to transfer from the heaters to a part of the formation during use; and
wherein superposition of heat from at least two of the heaters pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons in the part of the formation.
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Abstract
An oil shale formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. Heat may be provided to the treatment area from one or more heat sources. A heat source may be positioned in an uncased wellbore. Heat may be allowed to transfer from the heat source to a section of the formation. Subsequently, hydrocarbons, H2, and/or other formation fluids may be produced from the formation.
875 Citations
77 Claims
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1. A system configured to heat an oil shale formation, comprising:
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heaters disposed within one or more open wellbores in the formation, wherein the heaters are configured to provide heat to at least a portion of the formation during use; wherein the system is configured to allow heat to transfer from the heaters to a part of the formation during use; and wherein superposition of heat from at least two of the heaters pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons in the part of the formation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of treating an oil shale formation in situ, comprising:
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providing heat from heaters to at least one portion of the formation, wherein at least one of the heaters is disposed within one of one or more open wellbores in the formation; allowing the heat to transfer from the heaters to a part of the formation, wherein superposition of heat from at least two of the heaters pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons in the part of the formation; and producing a mixture from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (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, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77)
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Specification