Heating subsurface formations with fluids

• US 8,261,832 B2
• Filed: 10/09/2009
• Issued: 09/11/2012
• 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: Ryan, Robert Charles
• Primary Examiner(s): SUCHFIELD, GEORGE A
• Application Number:
  US12/576,800
• Publication Number:
  US 20100101794A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,068 Days
• Field of Search: 166/272.6, 166/250.07, 166/268, 166/272.1, 166/272.4, 166/302, 166/303, 166/305.1
• US Class Current: 166/303
• 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

A method of treating a hydrocarbon formation includes providing heat to the hydrocarbon formation from a plurality of heaters. The heat transfers from the heaters so that at least a section the formation reaches a selected temperature. The section includes hydrocarbons having an API gravity below 10°. A solution including water is provided to the section. A temperature of the solution is at least 250° C. A pressure of the formation is maintained such that the water remains a liquid at 250° C. At least a some of the hydrocarbons in the section having an API gravity below 10° are contacted to produce hydrocarbon fluids. The hydrocarbon fluids in the section are mobilized. The hydrocarbon fluids include hydrocarbons having an API gravity of at least 10°.

Claims

1. A method of treating a hydrocarbon formation, comprising:

providing heat to the hydrocarbon formation from a plurality of heaters;

allowing the heat to transfer from the heaters such that at least a section the formation reaches a selected temperature, the section comprising hydrocarbons having an API gravity below 10°

;

providing a solution comprising water to the heated section, wherein a temperature of the solution is at least 250°

C.;

maintaining a pressure of the formation such that the water remains a liquid at 250°

C.;

contacting at least some of the hydrocarbons in the section having an API gravity below 10°

with the solution to produce hydrocarbon fluids; and

mobilizing the hydrocarbon fluids in the section, wherein the hydrocarbon fluids comprise hydrocarbons having an API gravity of at least 10°

.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the hydrocarbons comprise bitumen.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the section comprises at least some kerogen, and wherein allowing the heat to transfer heats the kerogen to produce heavy hydrocarbons.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the section comprises at least some kerogen, and wherein allowing the heat to transfer heats the kerogen to produce bitumen.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein maintaining a pressure comprises controlling the pressure of the formation in a range from 5,000 kPa to 15,000 kPa.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the temperature of the solution ranges from 250°

and 350°

C. and the pressure is maintained from 5,000 kPa to 15,000 kPa.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the viscosity of the hydrocarbon fluids is at least 100 centipoise at 15°

C.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising producing at least a portion of the mobilized hydrocarbon fluids.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the solution further comprises one or more aromatic compounds.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the solution further comprises one or more phenol compounds.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the solution further comprises one or more cresol compounds.

12. A method of treating an oil shale formation, comprising:

providing heat to the oil shale formation from a plurality of heaters, at least a portion of the oil shale formation comprising kerogen;

allowing the heat to transfer from the heaters such that at least some of the kerogen is transformed to hydrocarbons comprising bitumen;

providing a solution comprising water to the heated portion of the oil shale formation, wherein a temperature of the solution is at least 250°

C.;

maintaining a pressure of the formation such that the water remains a liquid at 250°

C.;

contacting at least some of the hydrocarbons comprising bitumen with the solution; and

mobilizing hydrocarbon fluids in the section, wherein the hydrocarbon fluids comprise hydrocarbons having a viscosity less than a viscosity of bitumen.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein maintaining a pressure comprises controlling the pressure of the formation in a range from 5,000 kPa to 15,000 kPa.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the temperature of the solution ranges from 250°

and 350°

C. and the pressure is maintained between 5,000 kPa and 15,000 kPa.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the viscosity of the hydrocarbon fluids is at least 100 centipoise at 15°

C.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the solution further comprises aromatic compounds.

17. A method of treating a hydrocarbon formation, comprising:

providing heat to the hydrocarbon formation from a plurality of heaters, at least one of the heaters being located in a heater well in a section of the hydrocarbon formation;

allowing the heat to transfer from the heaters such that the section the formation reaches a selected temperature;

providing a solution comprising water to the heater well in the section, the heater well comprising hydrocarbons having an API gravity below 10° and

wherein a temperature of the solution is at least 250°

C.;

maintaining a pressure of the heater well such that the water remains a liquid at 250°

C.;

in the heater well, contacting at least some of the hydrocarbons having an API gravity below 10°

with the solution to produce hydrocarbon fluids; and

mobilizing the hydrocarbon fluids in the section, wherein the hydrocarbon fluids comprise hydrocarbons having an API gravity of at least 10°

.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the viscosity of the hydrocarbon fluids is at least 100 centipoise at 15°

C.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the temperature of the solution ranges from 250°

and 350°

C. and the pressure is maintained between 5,000 kPa and 15,000 kPa.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the solution further comprises aromatic compounds.