Leak detection in circulated fluid systems for heating subsurface formations
First Claim
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1. A method of treating a subsurface formation, comprising:
- circulating a heated carbonate molten salt through at least one conduit of a conduit-in-conduit heater positioned in a wellbore located in the formation;
heating hydrocarbons in at least a portion of the formation with heat from the circulating heated carbonate molten salt, wherein the hydrocarbons are heated to a mobilization temperature of the hydrocarbons; and
producing at least some of the heated hydrocarbons from the formation.
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Abstract
A method of treating a subsurface formation includes circulating at least one molten salt through at least one conduit of a conduit-in-conduit heater located in the formation to heat hydrocarbons in the formation to at least a mobilization temperature of the hydrocarbons. At least some of the hydrocarbons are produced from the formation. An electrical resistance of at least one of the conduits of the conduit-in-conduit heater is assessed to assess a presence of a leak in at least one of the conduits.
1119 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method of treating a subsurface formation, comprising:
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circulating a heated carbonate molten salt through at least one conduit of a conduit-in-conduit heater positioned in a wellbore located in the formation; heating hydrocarbons in at least a portion of the formation with heat from the circulating heated carbonate molten salt, wherein the hydrocarbons are heated to a mobilization temperature of the hydrocarbons; and producing at least some of the heated hydrocarbons from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of treating a subsurface formation, comprising:
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circulating a heated carbonate molten salt through at least one conduit of a conduit-in-conduit heater positioned in a wellbore located in the formation; heating hydrocarbons in at least a first portion of the formation with heat from the circulating heated carbonate molten salt, wherein the hydrocarbons are heated to a mobilization temperature of the hydrocarbons; allowing at least a portion of the carbonate molten salt to flow through openings in the conduit-in-conduit heater and into a second portion of the formation; allowing at least some carbonate molten salt in the second portion to cool and at least partially solidify in the second portion, wherein the solidified carbonate molten salt forms a permeable heater in the second portion that surrounds a portion of the conduit-in-conduit heater; providing at least some additional heated molten carbonate salt through the permeable heater to heat at least one additional portion of the formation, wherein the at least one additional portion is adjacent the permeable heater; and producing at least some of the heated hydrocarbons from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification