Time sequenced heating of multiple layers in a hydrocarbon containing formation
First Claim
1. A method for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
- providing heat for a first amount of time to a first hydrocarbon layer in the formation from a first heater located in an opening in the formation, the opening and the first heater having a substantially horizontal or inclined portion located in the first hydrocarbon layer in the formation and at least one connecting portion extending between the substantially horizontal or inclined portion and the surface;
removing at least one connecting portion of the first heater from the opening;
placing an isolation material in the opening such that the isolation material at least partially isolates the layer in which the substantially horizontal or inclined portion of the first heater is located;
forming an additional substantially horizontal or inclined opening portion in a second hydrocarbon layer, the additional portion extending from at least one of the connecting portions of the opening;
placing a second heater in the additional substantially horizontal opening portion; and
providing heat from the second heater to the second hydrocarbon layer.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation may include providing heat to a first hydrocarbon layer in the formation from a first heater located in an opening in the formation. The opening and the first heater may have a horizontal or inclined portion located in the first hydrocarbon layer and at least one connecting portion extending between the horizontal or inclined portion and the surface. Isolation material is placed in the opening such that the isolation material partially isolates the layer in which the horizontal or inclined portion of the first heater is located. An additional horizontal or inclined opening portion that extends from at least one of the connecting portions of the opening is formed in a second hydrocarbon layer. A second heater to provide heat the second hydrocarbon formation is placed in the additional substantially horizontal opening portion.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
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providing heat for a first amount of time to a first hydrocarbon layer in the formation from a first heater located in an opening in the formation, the opening and the first heater having a substantially horizontal or inclined portion located in the first hydrocarbon layer in the formation and at least one connecting portion extending between the substantially horizontal or inclined portion and the surface; removing at least one connecting portion of the first heater from the opening; placing an isolation material in the opening such that the isolation material at least partially isolates the layer in which the substantially horizontal or inclined portion of the first heater is located; forming an additional substantially horizontal or inclined opening portion in a second hydrocarbon layer, the additional portion extending from at least one of the connecting portions of the opening; placing a second heater in the additional substantially horizontal opening portion; and providing heat from the second heater to the second hydrocarbon layer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
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providing heat for a first amount of time to a first hydrocarbon layer in the formation from a first heater located in an opening in the formation, the opening and the first heater having a substantially horizontal or inclined portion located in the first hydrocarbon layer in the formation and two connecting portions extending between the substantially horizontal or inclined portion and the surface, each connecting portion being coupled to one of the end portions of the substantially horizontal or inclined portion; removing at least one connecting portion of the first heater from the opening; placing an isolation material in the opening such that the isolation material at least partially isolates the layer in which the substantially horizontal or inclined portion of the first heater is located; forming an additional substantially horizontal or inclined opening portion in a second hydrocarbon layer, the additional portion extending between the connecting portions of the opening; placing a second heater in the additional substantially horizontal opening portion; and providing heat from the second heater to the second hydrocarbon layer.
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24. A method for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
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providing heat for a first amount of time to a first hydrocarbon layer in the formation from a first heater located in an opening in the formation, the opening and the first heater having a substantially horizontal or inclined portion located in the first hydrocarbon layer in the formation and a connecting portion extending between the substantially horizontal or inclined portion and the surface, the connecting portion being coupled to an end portion of the substantially horizontal or inclined portion; removing at least the connecting portion of the first heater from the opening; placing an isolation material in the opening such that the isolation material at least partially isolates the layer in which the substantially horizontal or inclined portion of the first heater is located; forming an additional substantially horizontal or inclined opening portion in a second hydrocarbon layer, the additional portion extending from the connecting portion of the opening; placing a second heater in the additional substantially horizontal opening portion; and providing heat from the second heater to the second hydrocarbon layer.
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Specification