Solution mining and heating by oxidation for treating hydrocarbon containing formations
First Claim
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1. A method for treating an oil shale formation comprising nahcolite, the method comprising:
- providing a first fluid to a portion of the formation;
producing a second fluid from the portion, wherein the second fluid includes at least some nahcolite dissolved in the first fluid;
creating interconnectivity between two or more wellbores in the portion of the formation;
providing heat to at least a part of the portion of the formation from one or more heaters located in the formation;
providing a controlled amount of oxidant to the portion of the formation such that the oxidant flows between at least two of the interconnected wellbores; and
producing hydrocarbon fluids from the formation.
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Abstract
A method for treating an oil shale formation comprising nahcolite includes providing a first fluid to a portion of the formation. A second fluid is produced from the portion. The second fluid includes at least some nahcolite dissolved in the first fluid. A controlled amount of oxidant is provided to the portion of the formation. Hydrocarbon fluids are produced from the formation.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method for treating an oil shale formation comprising nahcolite, the method comprising:
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providing a first fluid to a portion of the formation; producing a second fluid from the portion, wherein the second fluid includes at least some nahcolite dissolved in the first fluid; creating interconnectivity between two or more wellbores in the portion of the formation; providing heat to at least a part of the portion of the formation from one or more heaters located in the formation; providing a controlled amount of oxidant to the portion of the formation such that the oxidant flows between at least two of the interconnected wellbores; and producing hydrocarbon fluids from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for treating an oil shale formation comprising nahcolite, the method comprising:
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forming and maintaining a low temperature zone around at least a portion of a subsurface treatment area; providing a first fluid to a portion of the subsurface treatment area; producing a second fluid from the portion, wherein the second fluid includes at least some nahcolite dissolved in the first fluid; creating interconnectivity between two or more wellbores in the portion of the subsurface treatment area; providing heat to at least a part of the portion of the subsurface treatment area from one or more heaters located in the subsurface treatment area; providing a controlled amount of oxidant to the portion of the subsurface treatment area such that the oxidant flows between at least two of the interconnected wellbores; and producing hydrocarbon fluids from the subsurface treatment area. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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20. A method for treating an oil shale formation comprising nahcolite, the method comprising:
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forming a barrier around at least a portion of a subsurface treatment area, the barrier configured to inhibit fluid from exiting or entering the subsurface treatment area; providing a first fluid to a portion of the subsurface treatment area; producing a second fluid from the portion, wherein the second fluid includes at least some nahcolite dissolved in the first fluid; creating interconnectivity between two or more wellbores in the portion of the subsurface treatment area; providing heat to at least a part of the poition of the subsurface treatment area from one or more heaters located in the subsurface treatment area; providing a controlled amount of oxidant to the portion of the subsurface treatment area such that the oxidant flows between at least two of the interconnected wellbores; and producing hydrocarbon fluids from the subsurface treatment area. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification