Heating tar sands formations to visbreaking temperatures
First Claim
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1. A method for treating a tar sands formation, comprising:
- heating at least a section of a hydrocarbon layer in the formation from a plurality of heaters located in the formation;
controlling the heating so that at least a majority of the section reaches an average temperature of between about 200°
C. and about 240°
C. resulting in visbreaking of at least some hydrocarbons in the section;
maintaining a pressure in the section below a fracture pressure of the section and within about 1 MPa of the fracture pressure of the section; and
producing at least some visbroken hydrocarbon fluids from the formation.
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Abstract
Methods for treating a tar sands formation are described herein. Methods may include heating at least a section of a hydrocarbon layer in the formation from a plurality of heaters located in the formation. The heat may be controlled so that at least a majority of the section reaches an average temperature of between 200° C. and 240° C., which results in visbreaking of at least some hydrocarbons in the section. At least some visbroken hydrocarbon fluids may be produced from the formation.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A method for treating a tar sands formation, comprising:
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heating at least a section of a hydrocarbon layer in the formation from a plurality of heaters located in the formation; controlling the heating so that at least a majority of the section reaches an average temperature of between about 200°
C. and about 240°
C. resulting in visbreaking of at least some hydrocarbons in the section;maintaining a pressure in the section below a fracture pressure of the section and within about 1 MPa of the fracture pressure of the section; and producing at least some visbroken hydrocarbon fluids from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification