Thermal processes for subsurface formations

• US 8,579,031 B2
• Filed: 05/17/2011
• Issued: 11/12/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Shell Oil Company (Shell Plc)
• Original Assignee: Shell Oil Company (Shell Plc)
• Inventors: Vinegar, Harold J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ro, Yong-Suk (Philip)
• Application Number:
  US13/109,828
• Publication Number:
  US 20110259591A1
• Time in Patent Office: 910 Days
• Field of Search: 166/61, 166/302, 166/285, 166/288, 166/294, 166/305.1
• US Class Current: 166/302
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 36/02 using burners
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 36/04 using electrical heaters
• 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 43/243 Combustion in situ
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/06 Measuring temperature or pressure
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/07 Temperature

Abstract

A process may include providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of a subsurface formation. Heat may transfer from one or more heaters to a part of a formation. Heat from the one or more heat sources may pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbons in a part of a subsurface formation. Hydrocarbons and/or other products may be produced from a subsurface formation. Apparatus, methods, and/or processes used in treating a subsurface or hydrocarbon containing formation are described.

Claims

1. A system configured to insulate an overburden of at least a part of a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:

an opening in a part of the formation;

a freeze well located in the opening, wherein a refrigerant is circulated through the freeze well to freeze at least a portion of the formation below the overburden, the freeze well comprising;

a first conduit;

an insulating material located between the first conduit and the overburden;

a second conduit located inside the first conduit with an annular region between the first and second conduits, wherein the refrigerant enters the freeze well through the second conduit and exits the freeze well through the annular region; and

one or more spacers in the annular region, wherein the spacers position the second conduit in the first conduit, and wherein the spacers promote turbulent flow of the refrigerant in the annular region.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the insulating material is cement.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the insulating material is foamed cement.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the cement is foamed with nitrogen.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the first conduit extends through the overburden of the formation.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein an inner surface of the first conduit is roughened.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein an outer surface of the second conduit is roughened.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the refrigerant flows out of the second conduit and into the annular region at a bottom of the freeze well.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the second conduit comprises an insulated conduit.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the insulating material comprises an annular space filled with gas between the first conduit and the overburden.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the insulating material comprises an annular space comprising a vacuum between the first conduit and the overburden.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the insulating material is only located in the overburden of the formation.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein there is substantially no insulating material between the first conduit and a portion of the formation below the overburden.

14. A method whereby heat transfer between an overburden of at least a part of a hydrocarbon containing formation and a freeze well positioned in an opening in a part of the formation is decreased, comprising:

locating an insulating material between a first conduit and the overburden;

locating a second conduit inside the first conduit and forming an annular region between the first and second conduits, wherein a refrigerant enters the freeze well through the second conduit and exits the freeze well through the annular region;

positioning one or more spacers in the annular region, wherein the spacers position the second conduit in the first conduit, and wherein the spacers promote turbulent flow of the refrigerant in the annular region; and

circulating the refrigerant through the freeze well to freeze at least a portion of the formation below the overburden.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the insulating material is cement.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the insulating material is foamed cement.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the foamed cement is foamed with nitrogen.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the first conduit extends through the overburden.

19. The method of claim 14, further comprising flowing the refrigerant through the freeze well by flowing the refrigerant into the freeze well through the second conduit and out of the freeze well through the annular region.

20. The method of claim 14, further comprising flowing the refrigerant through the second conduit to a bottom of the freeze well and out of the freeze well through the annular region.

21. The method of claim 14, further comprising roughening an inner surface of the first conduit or an outer surface of the second conduit.

22. The method of claim 14, wherein locating the insulating material comprises positioning the first conduit with an annular space between the first conduit and the overburden.