Heating tar sands formations while controlling pressure
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;
maintaining a pressure in the majority of the section below a fracture pressure of the formation while an average temperature in the section is at a temperature below about 24°
C.;
reducing the pressure in the majority of the section to a selected pressure after the average temperature reaches a temperature that is above about 240°
C. and at or below pyrolysis temperatures of hydrocarbons in the section; and
producing at least some 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. A pressure in the majority of the section may be maintained below a fracture pressure of the formation. The pressure in the majority of the section may be reduced to a selected pressure after the average temperature reaches a temperature that is above 240° C. and is at or below pyrolysis temperatures of hydrocarbons in the section. At least some hydrocarbon fluids may be produced from the formation.
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Citations
18 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; maintaining a pressure in the majority of the section below a fracture pressure of the formation while an average temperature in the section is at a temperature below about 24°
C.;reducing the pressure in the majority of the section to a selected pressure after the average temperature reaches a temperature that is above about 240°
C. and at or below pyrolysis temperatures of hydrocarbons in the section; andproducing at least some hydrocarbon fluids from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. 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; allowing pressure in the majority of the section to increase into a first pressure range, the first pressure range being from about 1000 kPa below a fracture pressure of the formation to the fracture pressure of the formation; maintaining the pressure in the majority of the section in the first pressure range while allowing an average temperature in the section to increase up to a temperature of about 24°
C.;reducing the pressure in the majority of the section into a second pressure range after the average temperature in the section reaches a temperature that is above about 240°
C. but is at or below pyrolysis temperatures of hydrocarbons in the section; andproducing at least some hydrocarbon fluids from the formation in the second pressure range. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification