In situ recovery from a hydrocarbon containing formation
First Claim
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1. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
- providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a part of the formation, wherein one or more of the heaters comprise at least two heaters, and wherein superposition of heat from at least the two heaters mobilizes at least some hydrocarbons within the part of the formation;
maintaining a pressure within at least a majority of the part of the formation above about 2.0 bar absolute; and
producing a fluid from the formation comprising condensable hydrocarbons, wherein the condensable hydrocarbons within the fluid comprise an atomic hydrogen to atomic carbon ratio of greater than about 1.75.
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Abstract
An oil shale formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. Heat may be applied to the formation to raise a temperature of a portion of the formation to a pyrolysis temperature. Heat input into the formation may be controlled to raise the temperature of portion at a selected rate during pyrolysis of hydrocarbons within the formation. A mixture of hydrocarbons, H2, and/or other formation fluids may be produced from the formation.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
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providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation; allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a part of the formation, wherein one or more of the heaters comprise at least two heaters, and wherein superposition of heat from at least the two heaters mobilizes at least some hydrocarbons within the part of the formation; maintaining a pressure within at least a majority of the part of the formation above about 2.0 bar absolute; and producing a fluid from the formation comprising condensable hydrocarbons, wherein the condensable hydrocarbons within the fluid comprise an atomic hydrogen to atomic carbon ratio of greater than about 1.75. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
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providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation; allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a part of the formation, wherein one or more of the heaters comprise at least two heaters, and wherein superposition of heat from at least the two heaters pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the part of the formation; maintaining a pressure within at least a majority of the part of the formation above about 2.0 bar absolute; and producing a fluid from the formation comprising condensable hydrocarbons, wherein the condensable hydrocarbons within the fluid comprise an atomic hydrogen to atomic carbon ratio of greater than about 1.75.
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20. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
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providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation; allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a part of the formation; controlling the heat such that an average heating rate of the part is less than about 1°
C. per day during pyrolysis;maintaining a pressure within at least a majority of the part of the formation above about 2.0 bar absolute; and producing a fluid from the formation comprising condensable hydrocarbons, wherein the condensable hydrocarbons within the fluid comprise an atomic hydrogen to atomic carbon ratio of greater than about 1.75.
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Specification