Circulated heated transfer fluid heating of subsurface hydrocarbon formations

• US 8,281,861 B2
• Filed: 10/09/2009
• Issued: 10/09/2012
• 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: Nguyen, Scott Vinh, Cao, Renfeng Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): SUCHFIELD, GEORGE A
• Application Number:
  US12/576,697
• Publication Number:
  US 20100096137A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,096 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 166/302
• 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 heating a subsurface formation includes introducing a molten salt into a first passageway of a conduit-in-conduit heater at a first location. The molten salt is passed through the conduit-in-conduit heater in the formation to a second location. Heat transfers from the molten salt to a treatment area during passage of the molten salt through the conduit-in-conduit heater. The molten salt is removed from the conduit-in-conduit heater at a second location spaced away from the first location.

Claims

1. A method of heating a subsurface formation, comprising:

introducing a secondary heat transfer fluid into a first passageway of a heater positioned in the subsurface formation to preheat the heater;

introducing a primary heat transfer fluid into a second passageway of the heater; and

eliminating or reducing flow of the secondary heat transfer fluid into the first passageway after a temperature of the heater is sufficient to ensure flowability of the primary heat transfer fluid.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising introducing a third heat transfer fluid into the second passageway of the heater prior to introducing the primary heat transfer fluid to preheat the second passageway, and removing at least a portion of the third heat transfer fluid from the second passageway.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein removing at least a portion of the third heat transfer fluid comprises displacing the third heat transfer fluid with the primary heat transfer fluid.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the third heat transfer fluid comprises an aqueous solution of the primary heat transfer fluid.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the primary heat transfer fluid comprises molten salt.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the secondary heat transfer fluid is selected from a group consisting of:

carbon dioxide, exhaust gas, natural or synthetic oil, molten salts, high pressure liquid water, steam, molten metal alloys, and mixtures thereof.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising heating the secondary heat transfer fluid to a temperature up to about the boiling point of the secondary heat transfer fluid.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising drawing a vacuum on the first passageway after the temperature of the heater is sufficient to ensure flowability of the primary heat transfer fluid.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising circulating the primary heat transfer fluid through the second passageway to raise the temperature of a heat treatment area adjacent to the heater.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising providing heat to the heat treatment area from the second passageway such that at least some hydrocarbons in the subsurface formation are mobilized.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the heater is positioned in a wellbore in the subsurface formation.

12. A method for heating a subsurface formation, comprising:

circulating a first heat transfer fluid through a first passageway in a heater positioned in the subsurface formation to raise a temperature of the heater to a temperature that ensures flowability of a second heat transfer fluid in the heater;

stopping circulation of the first heat transfer fluid through the heater; and

circulating the second heat transfer fluid through a second passageway in the heater positioned in the subsurface formation to raise the temperature of a heat treatment area adjacent to the heater.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the heater comprises a conduit.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the heater comprises a conduit-in-conduit heater.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the second heat transfer fluid comprises molten salt.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the first heat transfer fluid is selected from a group consisting of:

carbon dioxide, exhaust gas, natural or synthetic oil, molten salts, high pressure liquid water, steam, and molten metal alloys.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the first heat transfer fluid comprises an aqueous solution of the second heat transfer fluid.

18. The method of claim 12, further comprising heating the first heat transfer fluid to a temperature up to about the boiling point of the first heat transfer fluid.

19. The method of claim 12, further comprising providing heat to the heat treatment area from the heater such that at least some hydrocarbons in the subsurface formation are mobilized.

20. The method of claim 12, wherein the heater is positioned in a wellbore in the subsurface formation.

21. A method for heating a subsurface formation, comprising:

circulating a first heat transfer fluid through a heater positioned in the subsurface formation to raise a temperature of the heater to a temperature that ensures flowability of a second heat transfer fluid in the heater, wherein the first heat transfer fluid comprises an aqueous solution of the second heat transfer fluid;

stopping circulation of the first heat transfer fluid through the heater; and

circulating the second heat transfer fluid through the heater positioned in the subsurface formation to raise the temperature of a heat treatment area adjacent to the heater.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising removing water from the first heat transfer fluid to form the second heat transfer fluid.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the first heat transfer fluid is selected from a group consisting of:

carbon dioxide, exhaust gas, natural or synthetic oil, molten salts, high pressure liquid water, steam, and molten metal alloys.

24. The method of claim 21, further comprising providing heat to the heat treatment area from the heater such that at least some hydrocarbons in the subsurface formation are mobilized.

25. The method of claim 21, wherein the heater is positioned in a wellbore in the subsurface formation.

26. A method for heating a subsurface formation, comprising:

circulating a first heat transfer fluid through a heater positioned in the subsurface formation to raise a temperature of the heater to a temperature that ensures flowability of a second heat transfer fluid in the heater, wherein the first heat transfer fluid comprises an aqueous solution of the second heat transfer fluid;

removing water from the first heat transfer fluid to form the second heat transfer fluid; and

circulating the second heat transfer fluid through the heater positioned in the subsurface formation to raise the temperature of a heat treatment area adjacent to the heater.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the first heat transfer fluid is selected from a group consisting of:

carbon dioxide, exhaust gas, natural or synthetic oil, molten salts, high pressure liquid water, steam, and molten metal alloys.

28. The method of claim 27, further comprising providing heat to the heat treatment area from the heater such that at least some hydrocarbons in the subsurface formation are mobilized.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the heater is positioned in a wellbore in the subsurface formation.