Creating fluid injectivity in tar sands formations
First Claim
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1. A method for treating a tar sands formation, comprising:
- heating a portion of a hydrocarbon layer in the formation from one or more heaters located in the portion;
controlling the heating to increase the permeability of at least part of the portion to create an injection zone in the portion with an average permeability sufficient to allow injection of a fluid through the injection zone;
controlling the pressure in the portion such that the pressure is below the fracture pressure of the portion;
providing a drive fluid and/or an oxidizing fluid into the injection zone; and
producing at least some hydrocarbons from the portion, wherein the injection zone is above a portion of the formation from which the hydrocarbons are produced.
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Abstract
Methods for treating a tar sands formation are described herein. Methods for treating a tar sands may include heating a portion of a hydrocarbon layer in the formation from one or more heaters located in the portion. The heat may be controlled to increase the permeability of at least part of the portion to create an injection zone in the portion with an average permeability sufficient to allow injection of a fluid through the injection zone. A drive fluid and/or an oxidizing fluid may be provided into the injection zone. At least some hydrocarbons are produced from the portion.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for treating a tar sands formation, comprising:
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heating a portion of a hydrocarbon layer in the formation from one or more heaters located in the portion; controlling the heating to increase the permeability of at least part of the portion to create an injection zone in the portion with an average permeability sufficient to allow injection of a fluid through the injection zone; controlling the pressure in the portion such that the pressure is below the fracture pressure of the portion; providing a drive fluid and/or an oxidizing fluid into the injection zone; and producing at least some hydrocarbons from the portion, wherein the injection zone is above a portion of the formation from which the hydrocarbons are produced. - 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 a portion of a hydrocarbon layer in the formation from one or more heaters located in the portion; controlling the heating to increase the permeability of at least part of the portion to create an injection zone in the portion with an average permeability sufficient to allow injection of a fluid through the injection zone; controlling the pressure in the portion such that the pressure is below the fracture pressure of the portion; providing a drive fluid and/or an oxidizing fluid into the injection zone; and allowing at least some of the hydrocarbons to flow into a second portion of the formation; providing heat to the second portion of the formation from one or more heaters located in the formation before and/or after allowing at least some of the hydrocarbons to flow into the second portion; and producing at least some hydrocarbons from the second portion of the formation. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification