Controlling hydrogen pressure in self-regulating nuclear reactors used to treat a subsurface formation

• US 8,220,539 B2
• Filed: 10/09/2009
• Issued: 07/17/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Shell Oil Company (Shell Plc)
• Original Assignee: Shell Oil Company (Shell Plc)
• Inventors: Vinegar, Harold J., Nguyen, Scott Vinh
• Primary Examiner(s): SUCHFIELD, GEORGE A
• Application Number:
  US12/576,732
• Publication Number:
  US 20100101784A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,012 Days
• Field of Search: 166/247
• US Class Current: 166/247
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/24 using heat, e.g. steam injection
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/2401 by means of electricity
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/2405 in association with fracturing or crevice forming processes E21B43/247 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 44/02 Automatic control of the tool feed E21B44/005, E21B44/10 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01C 3/00 Non-adjustable metal resistors made of wire or ribbon, e.g. coiled, woven or formed as grids
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2214/03 Heating of hydrocarbons
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 3/48 heating conductor embedded in insulating material
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49083 Heater type

Abstract

An in situ heat treatment system for producing hydrocarbons from a subsurface formation includes a plurality of wellbores in the formation. At least one heater is positioned in at least two of the wellbores. A self-regulating nuclear reactor provides energy to at least one of the heaters to heat the temperature of the formation to temperatures that allow for hydrocarbon production from the formation. A temperature of the self-regulating nuclear reactor is controlled by controlling a pressure of hydrogen supplied to the self-regulating nuclear reactor, and wherein the pressure is regulated based upon formation conditions.

Claims

1. An in situ heat treatment system for producing hydrocarbons from a subsurface formation, comprising:

a plurality of wellbores in the formation;

at least one heater positioned in at least two of the wellbores; and

a self-regulating nuclear reactor configured to provide energy to at least one of the heaters to heat the temperature of the formation to temperatures that allow for hydrocarbon production from the formation, wherein a temperature of the self-regulating nuclear reactor is controlled by controlling a pressure of hydrogen supplied to the self-regulating nuclear reactor, and wherein the pressure is regulated based upon formation conditions.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the self-regulating nuclear reactor comprises a core, wherein the core comprises a powdered fissile metal hydride material.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the temperature of the self-regulating nuclear reactor is reduced by introduction of a neutron-absorbing material.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the temperature of the self-regulating nuclear reactor is reduced by introduction of a neutron-absorbing gas.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the temperature of the self-regulating nuclear reactor is reduced by introduction of a neutron-absorbing gas, wherein the neutron-absorbing gas is xenon¹³⁵.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the temperature of the self-regulating nuclear reactor is permanently reduced to ambient temperature upon introduction of a neutron-absorbing gas.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a system to convert nitrite to nitrate salts.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the temperature of the self-regulating nuclear reactor is permanently reduced to ambient temperature upon introduction of a neutron-absorbing gas, wherein the neutron-absorbing gas is xenon¹³⁵.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the self-regulating nuclear reactor sustains a temperature within a range of about 500°

C. to about 650°

C.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the self-regulating nuclear reactor is positioned underground in the formation.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the self-regulating nuclear reactor is positioned underground in the formation below the overburden.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the self-regulating nuclear reactor is positioned in or proximate to one or more tunnels.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein at least a one of the wellbores is u-shaped.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein at least a one of the wellbores is L-shaped.

15. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least a second self-regulating nuclear reactor, wherein the second self-regulating nuclear reactor is coupled to the self-regulating nuclear reactor after a first period of time such that the power output of the two coupled self-regulating nuclear reactors is at least as great as an initial output of the self-regulating nuclear reactor.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the energy provided by the self-regulating nuclear reactor comprises a heat transfer fluid circulated by a circulation system through at least one of the heaters.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the heat transfer fluid is a molten salt.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the heat transfer fluid is a molten salt, and wherein the molten salt is molten at a temperature of the self-regulating nuclear reactor when it provides energy.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein the heat transfer fluid is a molten salt, wherein the molten salt does not decompose within a temperature range of the self-regulating nuclear reactor.

20. The system of claim 16, wherein the heat transfer fluid is a molten salt, and wherein the molten salt is a nitrite salt or a combination of nitrite salts.

21. The system of claim 16, wherein at least a portion of the heat transfer fluid circulates directly through the self-regulating nuclear reactor.

22. A method of producing hydrocarbons from a subsurface formation, comprising:

providing energy to at least one heater to heat the temperature of the formation to temperatures that allow for hydrocarbon production from the formation using a self-regulating nuclear reactor, wherein the at least one heater is located in at least one of a plurality of heater wellbores located in the formation, and wherein at least one heater is located in at least one of the other heater wellbores;

controlling a temperature of the self-regulating nuclear reactor by controlling a pressure of hydrogen supplied to the self-regulating nuclear reactor; and

regulating the pressure of hydrogen supplied to the self-regulating nuclear reactor based upon formation conditions.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the self-regulating nuclear reactor comprises a core, and wherein the core comprises a powdered fissile metal hydride material.

24. The method of claim 22, further comprising reducing the temperature of the self-regulating nuclear reactor by introducing a neutron-absorbing material.

25. The method of claim 22, further comprising reducing the temperature of the self-regulating nuclear reactor by introducing a neutron-absorbing gas.

26. The method of claim 22, further comprising reducing the temperature of the self-regulating nuclear reactor by introducing a neutron-absorbing gas, wherein the neutron-absorbing gas is xenon¹³⁵.

27. The method of claim 22, further comprising reducing the temperature of the self-regulating nuclear reactor to ambient temperature by introducing a neutron-absorbing gas.

28. The method of claim 22, further comprising sustaining the self-regulating nuclear reactor at a temperature within a range of about 500°

C. to about 650°

C.

29. The method of claim 22, further comprising positioning the self-regulating nuclear reactor underground in the formation.

30. The method of claim 22, further comprising positioning the self-regulating nuclear reactor underground below the overburden in the formation.

31. The method of claim 22, further comprising positioning the self-regulating nuclear reactor in or proximate to one or more tunnels.

32. The method of claim 22, further comprising coupling at least a second self-regulating nuclear reactor to the self-regulating nuclear reactor after a first period of time such that the power output of the two coupled self-regulating nuclear reactors is at least as great as an initial output of the self-regulating nuclear reactor.

33. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

heating a heat transfer fluid using the self-regulating nuclear reactor; and

circulating the heat transfer fluid through at least one of the heaters using a circulation system.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the heat transfer fluid is a molten salt.

35. The method of claim 33, wherein the heat transfer fluid is a molten salt, and wherein the molten salt does not decompose within a temperature range of the self-regulating nuclear reactor.

36. The method of claim 33, wherein the heat transfer fluid is a molten salt, and wherein the molten salt comprises nitrite salt.

37. The method of claim 33, wherein at least a portion of the heat transfer fluid circulates directly through the self-regulating nuclear reactor.