Thermal processes for subsurface formations
First Claim
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1. A heater system for heating a subsurface formation, comprising:
- a first conduit positionable in the subsurface formation;
a second conduit positioned in the first conduit;
a fuel conduit positioned in the first conduit;
a first oxidizer coupled to the fuel conduit and in fluid communication with the second conduit and the fuel conduit, wherein the first oxidizer is configured to oxidize a mixture of oxidant from the second conduit and fuel from the fuel conduit to produce heat and exhaust products, and wherein the exhaust products from the first oxidizer join the fluid in the second conduit to flow downstream;
a second oxidizer coupled to the fuel conduit and in fluid communication with the second conduit and the fuel conduit, the second oxidizer positioned downstream of the first oxidizer, wherein the second oxidizer is configured to oxidize a mixture of oxidant from the second conduit and fuel from the fuel conduit to produce heat and exhaust products, and wherein the exhaust products from the second oxidizer join the fluid in the second conduit to flow downstream.
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Abstract
A process may include providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of a subsurface formation. Heat may transfer from one or more heaters to a part of a formation. In some embodiments, heat from the one or more heat sources may pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbons in a part of a subsurface formation. Hydrocarbons and/or other products may be produced from a subsurface formation. Certain embodiments describe apparatus, methods, and/or processes used in treating a subsurface or hydrocarbon containing formation.
1061 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A heater system for heating a subsurface formation, comprising:
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a first conduit positionable in the subsurface formation; a second conduit positioned in the first conduit; a fuel conduit positioned in the first conduit; a first oxidizer coupled to the fuel conduit and in fluid communication with the second conduit and the fuel conduit, wherein the first oxidizer is configured to oxidize a mixture of oxidant from the second conduit and fuel from the fuel conduit to produce heat and exhaust products, and wherein the exhaust products from the first oxidizer join the fluid in the second conduit to flow downstream; a second oxidizer coupled to the fuel conduit and in fluid communication with the second conduit and the fuel conduit, the second oxidizer positioned downstream of the first oxidizer, wherein the second oxidizer is configured to oxidize a mixture of oxidant from the second conduit and fuel from the fuel conduit to produce heat and exhaust products, and wherein the exhaust products from the second oxidizer join the fluid in the second conduit to flow downstream. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A heater system for heating a subsurface formation, comprising:
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a first conduit; a second conduit positioned in the first conduit; a plurality of oxidizers to oxidize fuel and oxidizing fluid mixture to heat a portion of a subsurface formation, the plurality of oxidizers positioned between the first conduit and the second conduit, the oxidizers in fluid communication with the first conduit and the second conduit; wherein the second conduit supplies fuel to the oxidizers; and wherein the first conduit supplies oxidizing fluid to the oxidizers. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A heater system for heating a subsurface formation, comprising:
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an oxidizer conduit; a fuel conduit positioned in the oxidizer conduit; and a first oxidizer coupled to the fuel conduit and positioned between the fuel conduit and the oxidizer conduit;
the first oxidizer configured to mix fuel from the fuel conduit and oxidizing fluid from the oxidizer conduit to produce a combustible fuel mixture that is oxidized in the first oxidizer to produce heat and combustion products, wherein the combustion products pass downstream from the oxidizer through the oxidizer conduit; anda second oxidizer coupled to the fuel conduit, wherein the second oxidizer is configured to mix fuel with fluid from the oxidizer conduit to produce a combustible fuel mixture that is oxidized in the second oxidizer to produce heat and combustion products. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification