Staged and/or patterned heating during in situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for forming at least one opening in a geological formation, comprising:
- forming a portion of an opening in the formation;
providing an acoustic wave to at least a portion of the formation, wherein the acoustic wave is configured to propagate between at least one geological discontinuity of the formation and at least a portion of the opening;
sensing at least one reflection of the acoustic wave in at least a portion of the opening;
using the sensed reflection to assess an approximate location of at least a portion of the opening in the formation; and
forming an additional portion of the opening based on, at least in part, the assessed approximate location of at least a portion of the opening.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation is described. The method for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation may include heating a first volume of the formation using a first set of heaters. A second volume of the formation may be heated using a second set of heaters. The first volume may be spaced apart from the second volume by a third volume of the formation. The first volume, second volume, and/or third volume may be sized, shaped, and/or located to inhibit deformation of subsurface equipment caused by geomechanical motion of the formation during heating.
198 Citations
1690 Claims
-
1. A method for forming at least one opening in a geological formation, comprising:
-
forming a portion of an opening in the formation;
providing an acoustic wave to at least a portion of the formation, wherein the acoustic wave is configured to propagate between at least one geological discontinuity of the formation and at least a portion of the opening;
sensing at least one reflection of the acoustic wave in at least a portion of the opening;
using the sensed reflection to assess an approximate location of at least a portion of the opening in the formation; and
forming an additional portion of the opening based on, at least in part, the assessed approximate location of at least a portion of the opening. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
-
-
31. A method for heating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
providing heat to the formation from one or more heaters in one or more openings in the formation, wherein at least one of the openings has been formed by;
forming a portion of an opening in the formation;
providing an acoustic wave to at least a portion of the formation, wherein the acoustic wave is configured to propagate between at least one geological discontinuity of the formation and at least a portion of the opening;
sensing at least one reflection of the acoustic wave in at least a portion of the opening; and
using the sensed reflection to assess an approximate location of at least a portion of the opening in the formation. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61)
-
62. A method of producing phenolic compounds from a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
allowing the heat to transfer from one or more of the heaters to a section of the formation;
producing formation fluids from the formation; and
controlling at least one condition in at least a portion of the formation to selectively produce phenolic compounds in the formation fluid, wherein controlling at least one condition comprises controlling production of hydrogen from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71)
-
-
72. 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 one or more of the heaters to a section of the formation;
providing hydrogen to the section, wherein a flow rate of hydrogen is controlled as a function of an amount of hydrogen in a mixture produced from the formation; and
producing the mixture from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82)
-
-
83. 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 one or more of the heaters to a section of the formation;
providing hydrogen to the section of the formation; and
controlling production of hydrogen from a plurality of production wells in the formation;
wherein the production of hydrogen produced from one or more production wells is controlled by selectively and preferentially producing the mixture as a liquid from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90)
-
-
91. 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 one or more of the heaters to a section of the formation;
providing a mixture of hydrogen and a carrier fluid to the section;
controlling production of hydrogen from the formation; and
producing formation fluid from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102)
-
-
103. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising;
-
forming a barrier around a treatment area of the formation to inhibit migration of fluids from the treatment area of the formation;
providing hydrogen to the treatment area;
providing heat from one or more heaters to the treatment area;
allowing the heat to transfer from one or more of the heaters to a section of the formation;
controlling production of hydrogen from the formation; and
producing a mixture from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111)
-
-
112. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising;
-
providing a refrigerant to a plurality of barrier wells surrounding a treatment area of the formation;
establishing a frozen barrier zone to inhibit migration of fluids from the treatment area of the formation;
providing hydrogen to the treatment area;
providing heat from one or more heaters to the treatment area;
allowing the heat to transfer from one or more of the heaters to a section of the formation;
controlling production of hydrogen from the section; and
producing a mixture from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120)
-
-
121. A method for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation, wherein at least one of the heaters is in at least one wellbore in the formation, and wherein at least one of the wellbores has been sized, at least in part, based on a determination of expansion of the formation caused by heating of the formation such that expansion of the formation caused by heating of the formation is not sufficient to cause substantial deformation of one or more heaters in such sized wellbores, and wherein a ratio of an outside diameter of the heater to an inside diameter of the wellbore is less than about 0.75;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a part of the formation; and
producing a mixture from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 150, 151, 152, 153, 154)
-
-
155. A method for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation, wherein at least one of the heaters is in at least one of one or more wellbores in the formation, and wherein heating from one or more of the heaters is controlled to inhibit substantial deformation of one or more of the heaters caused by thermal expansion of the formation against such one or more heaters;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a part of the formation; and
producing a mixture from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (156, 157, 158, 159, 160, 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 167, 168, 169, 170, 171, 172, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180, 181, 182, 183, 184, 185, 186, 187)
-
-
188. A system configured to heat at least a part of a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
an elongated heater located in an opening in the formation, wherein at least a portion of the formation has a richness of at least about 30 gallons of hydrocarbons per ton of formation, as measured by Fischer Assay, and wherein the heater is configured to provide heat to at least a part of the formation during use such that at least a part of the formation is heated to at least about 250°
C.; and
wherein an initial diameter of the opening is at least 1.5 times the largest transverse cross-sectional dimension of the heater in the opening and proximate the part of the formation being heated such that it inhibits the formation from deforming the heater due to expansion of the formation caused by heating of the formation. - View Dependent Claims (189, 190, 191, 192, 193, 194, 195, 196, 197, 198, 199, 200, 201, 202, 203, 204, 205)
-
-
206. A method for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
heating a first volume of the formation using a first set of heaters; and
heating a second volume of the formation using a second set of heaters, wherein the first volume is spaced apart from the second volume by a third volume of the formation, and wherein the first volume, the second volume, and the third volume are sized, shaped, and/or located to inhibit deformation of subsurface equipment caused by geomechanical motion of the formation during heating. - View Dependent Claims (207, 208, 209, 210, 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, 218, 219, 220, 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 226, 227, 228, 229, 230, 231, 232, 233, 234, 235, 236, 237, 238, 239, 240)
-
-
241. A method for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
heating a first volume of the formation using a first set of heaters;
heating a second volume of the formation using a second set of heaters, wherein the first volume is spaced apart from the second volume by a third volume of the formation;
heating the third volume using a third set of heaters, wherein the third set of heaters begins heating at a selected time after the first set of heaters and the second set of heaters;
allowing the heat to transfer from the first volume, the second volume, and the third volume of the formation to at least a part of the formation; and
producing a mixture from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (242, 243, 244, 245, 246, 247, 248, 249, 250, 251, 252, 253, 254, 255, 256, 257, 258, 259, 260, 261, 262, 263, 264, 265, 266, 267)
-
-
268. A system configured to heat at least a part of a subsurface formation, comprising:
-
an AC power supply;
one or more electrical conductors configured to be electrically coupled to the AC power supply and placed in an opening in the formation, wherein at least one of the electrical conductors comprises a heater section, the heater section comprising an electrically resistive ferromagnetic material configured to provide an electrically resistive heat output when AC is applied to the ferromagnetic material, and wherein the heater section is configured to provide a reduced amount of heat near or above a selected temperature during use due to the decreasing AC resistance of the heater section when the temperature of the ferromagnetic material is near or above the selected temperature; and
wherein the system is configured to allow heat to transfer from the heater section to a part of the formation. - View Dependent Claims (269, 270, 271, 272, 273, 274, 275, 276, 277, 278, 279, 280, 281, 282, 283, 284, 285, 286, 287, 288, 289, 290, 291, 292, 293, 294, 295, 296, 297, 298, 299, 300, 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307, 308, 309, 310, 311, 312, 313, 314, 315, 316, 317, 318, 319, 320, 321, 322, 323, 324, 325, 326, 327, 328, 329)
-
-
330. A method for heating a subsurface formation, comprising:
-
applying AC to one or more electrical conductors located in the subsurface formation to provide an electrically resistive heat output, wherein at least one of the electrical conductors comprises an electrically resistive ferromagnetic material that provides heat when AC flows through the electrically resistive ferromagnetic material, and wherein such electrical conductor comprising electrically resistive ferromagnetic material provides a reduced amount of heat above or near a selected temperature; and
allowing the heat to transfer from the electrically resistive ferromagnetic material to a part of the subsurface formation. - View Dependent Claims (331, 332, 333, 334, 335, 336, 337, 338, 339, 340, 341, 342, 343, 344, 345, 346, 347, 348, 349, 350, 351, 352, 353, 354, 355, 356, 357, 358, 359, 360, 361, 362, 363, 364, 365, 366)
-
-
367. A method for heating a subsurface formation, comprising:
-
applying AC to one or more electrical conductors placed in an opening in the formation, wherein at least one of the electrical conductors comprises one or more electrically resistive sections;
providing an electrically resistive heat output from at least one of the electrically resistive sections, wherein such electrically resistive sections provide a reduced amount of heat above or near a selected temperature that is about 20% or less of the heat output at about 50°
C. below the selected temperature; and
allowing the heat to transfer from at least one of the electrically resistive sections to at least a part of the formation. - View Dependent Claims (368, 369, 370, 371, 372, 373, 374, 375, 376, 377, 378, 379, 380, 381, 382, 383, 384)
-
-
385. A method for heating a subsurface formation, comprising:
-
applying a current to one or more electrical conductors placed in an opening in the formation, wherein at least one of the electrical conductors comprises one or more electrically resistive sections;
providing an electrically resistive heat output from at least one of the electrically resistive sections, wherein such electrically resistive sections provide a reduced amount of heat above or near a selected temperature that is about 20% or less of the heat output at about 50°
C. below the selected temperature; and
allowing the heat to transfer from at least one of the electrically resistive sections to at least a part of the formation. - View Dependent Claims (386, 387, 388, 389, 390, 391, 392, 393, 394, 395, 396, 397)
-
-
398. A method for heating a subsurface formation, comprising:
-
applying AC to one or more electrical conductors placed in an opening in the formation, wherein at least one of the electrical conductors comprises an electrically resistive ferromagnetic material that provides an electrically resistive heat output when AC is applied to the ferromagnetic material, and wherein AC is applied when the ferromagnetic material is about 50°
C. below a Curie temperature of the ferromagnetic material to provide an initial electrically resistive heat output;
allowing the temperature of the ferromagnetic material to approach or rise above the Curie temperature of the ferromagnetic material; and
allowing the heat output from at least one of the electrical conductors to decrease below the initial electrically resistive heat output as a result of a change in AC resistance of such electrical conductor caused by the temperature of the ferromagnetic material approaching or rising above the Curie temperature of the ferromagnetic material. - View Dependent Claims (399, 400, 401, 402, 403, 404, 405, 406, 407, 408)
-
-
409. A heater system, comprising:
-
an AC supply configured to provide AC at a voltage above about 200 volts;
an electrical conductor comprising one or more ferromagnetic sections, wherein the electrical conductor is electrically coupled to the AC supply, wherein at least one of the ferromagnetic sections is configured to provide an electrically resistive heat output during application of AC to the electrical conductor such that heat can transfer to material adjacent to such ferromagnetic section, and wherein such ferromagnetic section is configured to provide a reduced amount of heat above or near a selected temperature during use; and
wherein the selected temperature is at or about the Curie temperature of the ferromagnetic section. - View Dependent Claims (410, 411, 412, 413, 414, 415, 416, 417, 418, 419, 420, 421, 422, 423, 424, 425, 426, 427, 428, 429, 430, 431)
-
-
432. A method of heating, comprising:
-
providing an AC at a voltage above about 200 volts to one or more electrical conductors to provide an electrically resistive heat output, wherein at least one of the electrical conductors comprises one or more electrically resistive sections; and
wherein at least one of the electrically resistive sections comprises an electrically resistive ferromagnetic material and provides a reduced amount of heat above or near a selected temperature, and wherein the selected temperature is within about 50°
C. of the Curie temperature of the ferromagnetic material. - View Dependent Claims (433, 434, 435, 436, 437, 438, 439, 440, 441, 442, 443, 444, 445, 446, 447, 448, 449, 450, 451)
-
-
452. A heater system, comprising:
-
an AC supply configured to provide AC at a voltage above about 200 volts;
an electrical conductor coupled to the AC supply, and wherein the electrical conductor comprises one or more electrically resistive sections, wherein at least one of the electrically resistive sections comprises an electrically resistive ferromagnetic material, wherein the electrical conductor is configured to provide an electrically resistive heat output during application of the AC to the electrical conductor, and wherein the electrical conductor is configured to provide a reduced amount of heat above or near a selected temperature that is about 20% or less of the heat output at about 50°
C. below the selected temperature during use; and
wherein the selected temperature is at or about the Curie temperature of the ferromagnetic material. - View Dependent Claims (453, 454, 455, 456, 457, 458, 459, 460, 461, 462, 463, 464, 465)
-
-
466. A heater system, comprising:
-
an AC supply configured to provide AC at a frequency between about 100 Hz and about 1000 Hz;
an electrical conductor electrically coupled to the AC supply, wherein the electrical conductor comprises at least one electrically resistive section configured to provide an electrically resistive heat output during application of the AC to the electrically resistive section during use; and
wherein the electrical conductor comprises an electrically resistive ferromagnetic material and is configured to provide a reduced amount of heat above or near a selected temperature, and wherein the selected temperature is within about 50°
C. of the Curie temperature of the ferromagnetic material. - View Dependent Claims (467, 468, 469, 470, 471, 472, 473, 474, 475, 476, 477, 478, 479, 480, 481, 482, 483, 484)
-
-
485. A method of heating, comprising:
-
providing AC at a frequency between about 100 Hz and about 1000 Hz to an electrical conductor to provide an electrically resistive heat output, wherein the electrical conductor comprises at least one electrically resistive section; and
wherein at least one of the electrically resistive sections comprises an electrically resistive ferromagnetic material and provides a reduced amount of heat above or near a selected temperature, and wherein the selected temperature is within about 50°
C. of the Curie temperature of the ferromagnetic material. - View Dependent Claims (486, 487, 488, 489, 490, 491, 492, 493, 494, 495, 496, 497, 498, 499, 500, 501, 502, 503)
-
-
504. A heater system, comprising:
-
an AC supply configured to provide AC at a frequency between about 100 Hz and about 1000 Hz;
an electrical conductor electrically coupled to the AC supply, wherein the electrical conductor comprises at least one electrically resistive section configured to provide an electrically resistive heat output during application of the AC from the AC supply to the electrically resistive section during use; and
wherein the electrical conductor comprises an electrically resistive ferromagnetic material and is configured to provide a reduced amount of heat above or near a selected temperature that is about 20% or less of the heat output at about 50°
C. below the selected temperature, and wherein the selected temperature is at or about the Curie temperature of the ferromagnetic material. - View Dependent Claims (505, 506, 507, 508, 509, 510, 511, 512, 513, 514, 515, 516, 517, 518)
-
-
519. A heater, comprising:
-
an electrical conductor configured to generate an electrically resistive heat output during application of AC to the electrical conductor, wherein the electrical conductor comprises an electrically resistive ferromagnetic material at least partially surrounding a non-ferromagnetic material such that the heater provides a reduced amount of heat above or near a selected temperature;
an electrical insulator at least partially surrounding the electrical conductor; and
a sheath at least partially surrounding the electrical insulator. - View Dependent Claims (520, 521, 522, 523, 524, 525, 526, 527, 528, 529, 530, 531, 532, 533, 534, 535, 536, 537, 538, 539, 540, 541, 542, 543)
-
-
544. A method of heating a subsurface formation, comprising:
-
providing AC to an electrical conductor to provide an electrically resistive heat output, wherein the electrical conductor comprises an electrically resistive ferromagnetic material at least partially surrounding a non-ferromagnetic material such that the electrical conductor provides a reduced amount of heat above or near a selected temperature, wherein an electrical insulator at least partially surrounds the electrical conductor, and wherein a sheath at least partially surrounds the electrical insulator; and
allowing heat to transfer from the electrical conductor to at least part of the subsurface formation. - View Dependent Claims (545, 546, 547, 548, 549, 550, 551, 552, 553, 554, 555, 556, 557, 558)
-
-
559. A heater, comprising:
-
an electrical conductor configured to generate an electrically resistive heat output during application of AC to the electrical conductor, wherein the electrical conductor comprises an electrically resistive ferromagnetic alloy at least partially surrounding a non-ferromagnetic material such that the heater provides a reduced amount of heat above or near a selected temperature, and wherein the ferromagnetic alloy comprises nickel;
an electrical insulator at least partially surrounding the electrical conductor; and
a sheath at least partially surrounding the electrical insulator. - View Dependent Claims (560, 561, 562, 563, 564, 565, 566, 567, 568, 569, 570, 571, 572, 573, 574, 575, 576, 577, 578, 579, 580, 581, 582)
-
-
583. A heater, comprising:
-
an electrical conductor configured to generate an electrically resistive heat output during application of AC to the electrical conductor, wherein the electrical conductor comprises an electrically resistive ferromagnetic material at least partially surrounding a non-ferromagnetic material such that the heater provides a reduced amount of heat above or near a selected temperature;
a conduit at least partially surrounding the electrical conductor; and
a centralizer configured to maintain a separation distance between the electrical conductor and the conduit. - View Dependent Claims (584, 585, 586, 587, 588, 589, 590, 591, 592, 593, 594, 595, 596, 597, 598, 599)
-
-
600. A method of heating a subsurface formation, comprising:
-
providing AC to an electrical conductor to provide an electrically resistive heat output, wherein the electrical conductor comprises an electrically resistive ferromagnetic material at least partially surrounding a non-ferromagnetic material such that the electrical conductor provides a reduced amount of heat above or near a selected temperature, wherein a conduit at least partially surrounds the electrical conductor, and wherein a centralizer maintains a separation distance between the electrical conductor and the conduit; and
allowing heat to transfer from the electrical conductor to at least part of the subsurface formation. - View Dependent Claims (601, 602, 603, 604, 605, 606, 607, 608, 609, 610, 611)
-
-
612. A heater, comprising:
-
an electrical conductor configured to generate an electrically resistive heat output when AC is applied to the electrical conductor, wherein the electrical conductor comprises an electrically resistive ferromagnetic material at least partially surrounding a non-ferromagnetic material, and wherein the ferromagnetic material is configured to provide a reduced amount of heat above or near a selected temperature that is about 20% or less of the heat output at about 50°
C. below the selected temperature;
a conduit at least partially surrounding the electrical conductor; and
a centralizer configured to maintain a separation distance between the electrical conductor and the conduit. - View Dependent Claims (613, 614, 615, 616, 617, 618, 619, 620, 621, 622, 623, 624)
-
-
625. A system configured to heat a part of a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
a conduit configured to be placed in an opening in the formation, wherein the conduit is configured to allow fluids to be produced from the formation;
one or more electrical conductors configured to be placed in the opening in the formation, wherein at least one of the electrical conductors comprises a heater section, the heater section comprising an electrically resistive ferromagnetic material configured to provide an electrically resistive heat output when AC is applied to the ferromagnetic material, wherein the ferromagnetic material provides a reduced amount of heat above or near a selected temperature during use, and wherein the reduced heat output inhibits a temperature rise of the ferromagnetic material above a temperature that causes undesired degradation of hydrocarbon material adjacent to the ferromagnetic material; and
wherein the system is configured to allow heat to transfer from the heater section to a part of the formation such that the heat reduces the viscosity of fluids in the formation and/or fluids at, near, and/or in the opening. - View Dependent Claims (626, 627, 628, 629, 630, 631, 632, 633, 634, 635, 636, 637, 638, 639, 640, 641, 642, 643, 644, 645, 646, 647, 648, 649, 650, 651, 652, 653, 654, 655, 656, 657, 658)
-
-
659. A method for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
applying AC to one or more electrical conductors located in an opening in the formation to provide an electrically resistive heat output, wherein at least one of the electrical conductors comprises an electrically resistive ferromagnetic material that provides heat when AC flows through the electrically resistive ferromagnetic material, and wherein the electrically resistive ferromagnetic material provides a reduced amount of heat above or near a selected temperature;
allowing the heat to transfer from the electrically resistive ferromagnetic material to a part of the formation so that a viscosity of fluids at or near the opening in the formation is reduced; and
producing the fluids through the opening. - View Dependent Claims (660, 661, 662, 663, 664, 665, 666, 667, 668, 669, 670, 671, 672, 673, 674, 675, 676, 677, 678, 679, 680, 681, 682, 683, 684)
-
-
685. A method for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
applying AC to one or more electrical conductors located in an opening in the formation to provide an electrically resistive heat output, wherein at least one of the electrical conductors comprises an electrically resistive ferromagnetic material that provides heat when AC flows through the electrically resistive ferromagnetic material, and wherein the electrically resistive ferromagnetic material provides a reduced amount of heat above or near a selected temperature;
allowing the heat to transfer from the electrically resistive ferromagnetic material to a part of the formation to enhance radial flow of fluids from portions of the formation surrounding the opening to the opening; and
producing the fluids through the opening. - View Dependent Claims (686, 687, 688, 689, 690, 691, 692, 693, 694, 695, 696, 697, 698, 699, 700, 701, 702, 703, 704, 705, 706, 707, 708, 709)
-
-
710. A method for heating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
applying AC to one or more electrical conductors placed in an opening in the formation, wherein at least one of the electrical conductors comprises one or more electrically resistive sections;
providing a heat output from at least one of the electrically resistive sections, wherein such electrically resistive sections provide a reduced amount of heat above or near a selected temperature that is about 20% or less of the heat output at about 50°
C. below the selected temperature;
allowing the heat to transfer from at least one of the electrically resistive sections to at least a part of the formation such that a temperature in the formation at or near the opening is maintained between about 150°
C. and about 250°
C. to reduce a viscosity of fluids at or near the opening in the formation; and
producing the reduced viscosity fluids through the opening. - View Dependent Claims (711, 712, 713, 714, 715, 716, 717, 718, 719, 720, 721, 722, 723, 724, 725, 726, 727, 728, 729)
-
-
730. A system for treating a formation in situ, comprising:
-
five or more oxidizers configured to be placed in an opening in the formation;
one or more conduits, wherein at least one of the conduits is configured to provide at least oxidizing fluid to the oxidizers, and wherein at least one of the conduits is configured to provide at least fuel to the oxidizers;
wherein the oxidizers are configured to allow combustion of a mixture of the fuel and the oxidizing fluid to produce heat and exhaust gas; and
wherein the oxidizers and the conduit configured to provide at least the oxidizing fluid to the oxidizers are configured such that at least a portion of exhaust gas from at least one of the oxidizers is mixed with at least a portion of the oxidizing fluid provided to at least another one of the oxidizers. - View Dependent Claims (731, 732, 733, 734, 735, 736, 737, 738, 739, 740, 741, 742, 743, 744, 745, 746, 747, 748, 749, 750, 751, 752, 753, 754, 755, 756, 757, 758, 759, 760, 761, 762, 763, 764, 765, 766, 767, 768, 769, 770, 771, 772, 773, 774, 775, 776, 777, 778, 779, 780, 781, 782, 783, 784)
-
-
785. A method of treating a formation in situ, comprising:
-
providing fuel to a series of oxidizers positioned in an opening in the formation;
providing oxidizing fluid to the series of oxidizers positioned in the opening in the formation;
mixing at least a portion of the fuel with at least a portion of the oxidizing fluid to form a fuel/oxidizing fluid mixture;
igniting the fuel/oxidizing fluid mixture at or near the oxidizers;
allowing the fuel/oxidizing fluid mixture to react in the oxidizers to produce heat and exhaust gas;
mixing at least a portion of the exhaust gas from one or more of the oxidizers with the oxidizing fluid provided to another one or more of the oxidizers; and
allowing heat to transfer from the exhaust gas to a portion of the formation. - View Dependent Claims (786, 787, 788, 789, 790, 791, 792)
-
-
793. A system for treating a formation in situ, comprising:
-
one or more heater assemblies positionable in an opening in the formation, wherein each heater assembly comprises one or more heaters, and wherein the heaters are configured to transfer heat to the formation to establish a pyrolysis zone in the formation;
an optical sensor array positionable along a length of at least one of the heater assemblies, wherein the optical sensor array is configured to transmit one or more signals; and
one or more instruments configured to receive at least one of the signals transmitted by the optical sensor array. - View Dependent Claims (794, 795, 796, 797, 798, 799, 800, 801, 802, 803, 804, 805, 806, 807, 808, 809, 810, 811, 812, 813, 814)
-
-
815. A method of monitoring an environment in an opening in a formation, comprising:
-
providing heat from a heater assembly in the opening of the formation;
repetitively monitoring one or more parameters at two or more locations along a length of the heater assembly with a sensor array;
analyzing at least one of the parameters to assess conditions in the opening of the formation; and
using information from the analysis of at least one of the parameters to alter conditions in the opening of the formation. - View Dependent Claims (816, 817, 818, 819, 820, 821, 822, 823)
-
-
824. A method for forming a wellbore in a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
forming a first opening of the wellbore beginning at the earth'"'"'s surface and ending underground;
forming a second opening of the wellbore beginning at the earth'"'"'s surface and ending underground proximate the first opening; and
coupling the openings underground using an expandable conduit. - View Dependent Claims (825, 826, 827, 828, 829, 830, 831, 832, 833, 834, 835, 836, 837, 838, 839)
-
-
840. A system configured to heat at least a part of a subsurface formation, comprising:
-
one or more electrical conductors configured to be placed in an opening in the formation, wherein at least one electrical conductor comprises at least one electrically resistive portion configured to provide a heat output when alternating current is applied through such electrically resistive portion, and wherein at least one of such electrically resistive portions comprises one or more ferromagnetic materials, and is configured, when above or near a selected temperature and when alternating current is applied, to inherently provide a reduced heat output; and
wherein the system is configured to allow heat to transfer from at least one of the electrically resistive portions to at least a part of the subsurface formation. - View Dependent Claims (841, 842, 843, 844, 845, 846, 847, 848, 849, 850, 851, 852, 853, 854, 855, 856, 857, 858, 859, 860, 861, 862, 863, 864, 865, 866, 867, 868, 869, 870, 871, 872, 873, 874, 875, 876, 877, 878, 879, 880, 881, 882, 883, 884, 885, 886, 887, 888, 889, 890, 891, 892, 893, 894, 895, 896, 897, 898, 899, 900, 901, 902, 903, 904, 905, 906, 907, 908, 909, 910, 911, 912, 913, 914, 915, 916, 917, 918, 919, 920, 921, 922, 923, 924, 925, 926, 927, 928, 929, 930, 931, 932, 933, 934)
-
-
935. A method for heating a subsurface formation, comprising:
-
applying an alternating electrical current to one or more electrical conductors placed in an opening in the formation;
providing a heat output from at least one electrical conductor, wherein at least one electrical conductor comprises one or more electrically resistive portions, wherein at least one electrically resistive portion comprises one or more ferromagnetic materials, and wherein at least one of such electrically resistive portions is configured, when above or near a selected temperature, to inherently provide a reduced heat output; and
allowing the heat to transfer from one or more electrically resistive portions to at least a part of the formation. - View Dependent Claims (936, 937, 938, 939, 940, 941, 942, 943, 944, 945, 946, 947, 948, 949, 950, 951, 952, 953, 954, 955, 956, 957, 958, 959, 960, 961, 962, 963, 964, 965, 966, 967, 968, 969, 970)
-
-
971. A system configured to heat at least a part of a subsurface formation, comprising:
-
one or more electrical conductors configured to be placed in an opening in the formation, wherein at least one electrical conductor comprises at least one electrically resistive portion configured to provide a heat output when an alternating current is applied through such electrically resistive portion, and wherein at least one of such electrically resistive portions is configured, when operating above or near a selected temperature and when alternating current is applied, to only increase in operating temperature by less than about 1.5°
C. when the thermal load decreases by about 1 watt per meter proximate to the one or more electrically resistive portions; and
wherein the system is configured to allow heat to transfer from at least one of the electrically resistive portions to at least a part of the formation. - View Dependent Claims (972, 973, 974, 975, 976, 977, 978, 979, 980, 981, 982, 983, 984, 985, 986, 987, 988, 989, 990, 991, 992, 993, 994, 995, 996, 997, 998, 999, 1000, 1001, 1002)
-
-
1003. A heater system, comprising:
-
an AC supply configured to provide alternating current at a voltage above about 650 volts;
an electrical conductor comprising at least one electrically resistive portion configured to provide a heat output during application of the alternating electrical current to the electrically resistive portion during use; and
wherein the electrical conductor comprises a ferromagnetic material and is configured to provide a reduced heat output above or near a selected temperature, wherein the selected temperature is at or about the Curie temperature of the ferromagnetic material. - View Dependent Claims (1004, 1005, 1006, 1007, 1008, 1009, 1010, 1011, 1012, 1013, 1014, 1015, 1016, 1017, 1018, 1019, 1020, 1021, 1022, 1023, 1024, 1025, 1026, 1027)
-
-
1028. A method of heating, comprising:
-
providing an alternating current at a voltage above about 650 volts to an electrical conductor comprising at least one electrically resistive portion to provide a heat output; and
wherein at least one electrically resistive portion comprises a ferromagnetic material and is configured to provide a reduced heat output above or near a selected temperature, and wherein the selected temperature is at or about the Curie temperature of the ferromagnetic material. - View Dependent Claims (1029, 1030, 1031, 1032, 1033, 1034, 1035, 1036, 1037, 1038, 1039, 1040, 1041, 1042, 1043, 1044, 1045)
-
-
1046. A system configured to heat at least a part of a subsurface formation, comprising:
-
one or more electrical conductors configured to be placed in an opening in the formation, wherein at least one electrical conductor comprises at least one electrically resistive portion that comprises at least one ferromagnetic material, and is configured to provide a heat output when an alternating current is provided to such electrically resistive portion, and wherein at least one of such electrically resistive portions is configured, when above or near a selected temperature, to inherently exhibit a decreased AC resistance; and
wherein the system is configured to allow heat to transfer from at least one of the electrically resistive portions to at least a part of the formation. - View Dependent Claims (1047, 1048, 1049, 1050, 1051, 1052, 1053, 1054, 1055, 1056, 1057, 1058, 1059, 1060, 1061, 1062, 1063, 1064, 1065, 1066, 1067, 1068, 1069, 1070, 1071, 1072, 1073)
-
-
1074. A subsurface heating system, comprising:
-
one or more electrical conductors configured to be placed in an opening in the subsurface, wherein at least one electrical conductor comprises at least one electrically resistive portion configured to provide a heat output when an alternating current is applied through such electrically resistive portion, and wherein at least one of such electrically resistive portions is configured, when above or near a selected temperature, to provide a reduced heat output that is about 20% or less of the heat output provided at about 50°
C. below the selected temperature; and
wherein the system is configured to allow heat to transfer from at least one of the electrically resistive portions to at least a part of the subsurface. - View Dependent Claims (1075, 1076, 1077, 1078, 1079, 1080, 1081, 1082, 1083, 1084, 1085, 1086, 1087, 1088, 1089, 1090, 1091, 1092, 1093, 1094, 1095, 1096, 1097, 1098, 1099, 1100, 1101, 1102, 1103, 1104, 1105)
-
-
1106. A wellbore heating system, comprising:
-
one or more electrical conductors configured to be placed in the wellbore in the formation, wherein at least one electrical conductor comprises at least one electrically resistive portion configured to provide a heat output when alternating current is applied through such electrically resistive portion, and wherein at least one of such electrically resistive portions is configured such that the electric resistance though the electrically resistive portion decreases by at least about 20% when above or near a selected temperature, as compared to the electrical resistance at about 50°
C. below the selected temperature; and
wherein the system is configured to allow heat to transfer from at least one of the electrically resistive portions to at least a part of the wellbore. - View Dependent Claims (1107, 1108, 1109, 1110, 1111, 1112, 1113, 1114, 1115, 1116, 1117, 1118, 1119, 1120, 1121, 1122, 1123, 1124, 1125, 1126, 1127, 1128, 1129, 1130, 1131, 1132, 1133, 1134, 1135)
-
-
1136. A wellbore heating system, comprising:
-
one or more electrical conductors configured to be placed in the wellbore in the formation, wherein at least one electrical conductor comprises at least one electrically resistive portion configured to provide a heat output when alternating current is applied through such electrically resistive portion, and wherein at least one of such electrically resistive portions has, when above or near a selected temperature, a decreased AC resistance that is about 80% or less of an AC resistance at about 50°
C. below the selected temperature; and
wherein the system is configured to allow heat to transfer from at least one of the electrically resistive portions to at least a part of the wellbore. - View Dependent Claims (1137, 1138, 1139, 1140, 1141, 1142, 1143, 1144, 1145, 1146, 1147, 1148, 1149, 1150, 1151, 1152, 1153, 1154, 1155, 1156, 1157, 1158, 1159, 1160, 1161, 1162, 1163, 1164, 1165, 1166)
-
-
1167. A method for heating a subsurface formation, comprising:
-
applying an alternating electrical current to one or more electrical conductors placed in an opening in the formation, wherein at least one electrical conductor comprises one or more electrically resistive portions, and wherein at least one electrically resistive portion comprises one or more ferromagnetic materials;
providing a heat output from at least one electrically resistive portion, wherein at least one of such electrically resistive portions is configured, when above or near a selected temperature, to inherently exhibit a decreased AC resistance; and
allowing the heat to transfer from one or more electrically resistive portions to at least a part of the formation. - View Dependent Claims (1168, 1169, 1170, 1171, 1172, 1173, 1174, 1175, 1176, 1177, 1178, 1179, 1180)
-
-
1181. A method for heating a subsurface formation, comprising:
-
applying an alternating electrical current to one or more electrical conductors placed in an opening in the formation, wherein at least one electrical conductor comprises one or more electrically resistive portions;
providing a heat output from at least one electrically resistive portion, wherein at least one of such electrically resistive portions is configured, when above or near a selected temperature, to provide a heat output that is about 20% or less of the heat output at about 50°
C. below the selected temperature; and
allowing the heat to transfer from one or more electrically resistive portions to at least a part of the formation. - View Dependent Claims (1182, 1183, 1184, 1185, 1186, 1187, 1188, 1189, 1190, 1191, 1192, 1193, 1194, 1195)
-
-
1196. A method for heating a subsurface formation, comprising:
-
applying an alternating electrical current to one or more electrical conductors placed in an opening in the formation, wherein at least one electrical conductor comprises one or more electrically resistive portions;
providing a heat output from at least one electrically resistive portion, wherein at least one of such electrically resistive portions, when above or near a selected temperature, has a decreased AC resistance that is about 80% or less of the AC resistance at about 50°
C. below the selected temperature; and
allowing the heat to transfer from one or more electrically resistive portions to at least a part of the formation. - View Dependent Claims (1197, 1198, 1199, 1200, 1201, 1202, 1203, 1204, 1205, 1206, 1207, 1208, 1209, 1210, 1211)
-
-
1212. A system configured to heat at least a part of a subsurface formation, comprising:
-
one or more electrical conductors configured to be placed in an opening in the formation, wherein at least one electrical conductor comprises an electrically resistive ferromagnetic material configured to provide, when energized by an alternating current, a reduced heat output above or near a selected temperature; and
wherein the system is configured to allow heat to transfer from the electrical conductors to a part of the formation. - View Dependent Claims (1213, 1214, 1215, 1216, 1217, 1218, 1219, 1220, 1221, 1222, 1223, 1224, 1225, 1226, 1227, 1228, 1229, 1230, 1231)
-
-
1232. A method for heating a subsurface formation, comprising:
-
applying an alternating electrical current to one or more electrical conductors placed in an opening in the formation, wherein at least one electrical conductor comprises a ferromagnetic material;
providing a heat output, wherein the ferromagnetic material is configured to provide a reduced heat output above or near a selected temperature; and
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more electrical conductors to a part of the formation. - View Dependent Claims (1233, 1234, 1235, 1236, 1237, 1238, 1239, 1240, 1241, 1242)
-
-
1243. A system configured to heat at least a part of a subsurface formation, comprising:
-
one or more electrical conductors configured to be placed in an opening in the formation, wherein at least one electrical conductor comprises a ferromagnetic material configured to provide a reduced heat output above or near a selected temperature, wherein at least one electrical conductor is electrically coupled to the earth, and wherein alternating electrical current propagates from the electrical conductor to the earth; and
wherein the system is configured to allow heat to transfer from the electrical conductors to a part of the formation. - View Dependent Claims (1244, 1245, 1246, 1247, 1248, 1249, 1250, 1251, 1252, 1253, 1254, 1255, 1256, 1257, 1258, 1259, 1260, 1261, 1262, 1263, 1264, 1265, 1266, 1267, 1268, 1269, 1270)
-
-
1271. A method for heating a subsurface formation, comprising:
-
applying an alternating electrical current to one or more electrical conductors placed in an opening in the formation, wherein at least one electrical conductor comprises a ferromagnetic material;
providing a heat output from the ferromagnetic material, wherein the ferromagnetic material is configured to provide a reduced heat output above or near a selected temperature, wherein at least one electrical conductor is electrically coupled to the earth, and wherein electrical current propagates from the electrical conductor to the earth; and
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more electrical conductors to a part of the formation. - View Dependent Claims (1272, 1273, 1274, 1275, 1276, 1277, 1278, 1279, 1280, 1281, 1282, 1283)
-
-
1284. A heater system, comprising:
-
an AC supply configured to provide alternating current at a frequency between about 100 Hz and about 600 Hz;
an electrical conductor comprising at least one electrically resistive portion configured to provide a heat output during application of the alternating electrical current to the electrically resistive portion during use; and
wherein the electrical conductor comprises a ferromagnetic material and is configured to provide a reduced heat output above or near a selected temperature, and wherein the selected temperature is at or about the Curie temperature of the ferromagnetic material. - View Dependent Claims (1285, 1286, 1287, 1288, 1289, 1290, 1291, 1292, 1293, 1294, 1295, 1296, 1297, 1298, 1299, 1300, 1301, 1302, 1303, 1304, 1305)
-
-
1306. A method of heating, comprising:
-
providing an alternating current at a frequency between about 100 Hz and about 600 Hz to an electrical conductor comprising at least one electrically resistive portion to provide a heat output; and
wherein the electrical conductor comprises a ferromagnetic material and is configured to provide a reduced heat output above or near a selected temperature, and wherein the selected temperature is at or about the Curie temperature of the ferromagnetic material. - View Dependent Claims (1307, 1308, 1309, 1310, 1311, 1312, 1313, 1314, 1315, 1316, 1317, 1318, 1319, 1320, 1321, 1322)
-
-
1323. A heater, comprising:
-
an electrical conductor configured to generate heat during application of electrical current to the electrical conductor, wherein the electrical conductor is configured to provide a heat output of at least about 400 watts per meter during use below a selected temperature; and
wherein the electrical conductor comprises a ferromagnetic material that, when alternating current is applied to it, a skin depth of such alternating current is greater than about ¾
of the skin depth of the alternating current at the Curie temperature of the ferromagnetic material, such that the heater provides a reduced heat output above or near the selected temperature. - View Dependent Claims (1324, 1325, 1326, 1327, 1328, 1329, 1330, 1331, 1332, 1333, 1334, 1335, 1336, 1337, 1338, 1339, 1340, 1341, 1342, 1343, 1344, 1345, 1346, 1347, 1348)
-
-
1349. A method, comprising:
-
applying an alternating electrical current to one or more electrical conductors, wherein at least one electrical conductor comprises a ferromagnetic material; and
providing a heat output from the ferromagnetic material, wherein the ferromagnetic material is configured to provide a reduced heat output above or near a selected temperature, wherein the heat output is at least about 400 watts per meter below the selected temperature. - View Dependent Claims (1350, 1351, 1352, 1353, 1354, 1355, 1356, 1357, 1358, 1359, 1360, 1361, 1362, 1363, 1364)
-
-
1365. A heater, comprising:
-
an electrical conductor;
an electrical insulator at least partially surrounding the electrical conductor;
a sheath at least partially surrounding the electrical insulator;
- View Dependent Claims (1366, 1367, 1368, 1369, 1370, 1371, 1372, 1373, 1374, 1375, 1376, 1377, 1378, 1379, 1380, 1381, 1382, 1383, 1384, 1385, 1386, 1387, 1388, 1389, 1390, 1391, 1392, 1393, 1394, 1395, 1396, 1397)
-
-
1398. A system configured to heat at least a part of a subsurface formation, comprising:
-
one or more electrical conductors configured to be placed in an opening in the formation, wherein at least one electrical conductor comprises at least one electrically resistive portion configured to provide a heat output when alternating current is applied through such electrically resistive portion, and wherein at least one of such electrically resistive portions comprises one or more ferromagnetic materials, and is configured, when above or near a selected temperature and when alternating current is applied, to inherently provide a reduced heat output;
a combustion heater placed in the opening in the formation; and
wherein the system is configured to allow heat to transfer from at least one of the electrically resistive portions to at least a part of the formation. - View Dependent Claims (1399, 1400, 1401, 1402, 1403, 1404, 1405, 1406, 1407, 1408, 1409)
-
-
1410. A heater for a subsurface formation, comprising:
-
an electrical conductor configured to generate a heat output during application of alternating electrical current to the electrical conductor;
wherein the electrical conductor comprises a ferromagnetic material, wherein the ferromagnetic material provides, when alternating current is applied to it, a reduced heat output above or near a selected temperature, and wherein the ferromagnetic material comprises a turndown ratio of at least 2;
1; and
wherein the heater is configured to heat at least a part of a subsurface formation. - View Dependent Claims (1411, 1412, 1413, 1414, 1415, 1416, 1417, 1418, 1419, 1420, 1421, 1422, 1423, 1424, 1425, 1426, 1427, 1428, 1429, 1430)
-
-
1431. A heater for a subsurface formation, comprising:
-
at least one section comprising a first electrical conductor configured to generate a heat output during application of an alternating electrical current to the first electrical conductor;
wherein the first electrical conductor comprises a ferromagnetic material, and the heater provides, when an alternating current is applied to it, a reduced heat output above or near a selected temperature;
at least one section comprising a second electrical conductor, wherein the second electrical conductor comprises a highly electrically conductive material, wherein at least a portion of the first electrical conductor is electrically coupled to at least a portion of the second electrical conductor such that a majority of the electrical current does not flow through the second electrical conductor below the selected temperature, and such that, at the selected temperature, a majority of the electrical current flows through the second electrical conductor; and
wherein the heater is configured to heat at least part of a subsurface formation. - View Dependent Claims (1432, 1433, 1434, 1435, 1436, 1437, 1438, 1439, 1440, 1441, 1442, 1443, 1444, 1445, 1446, 1447, 1448, 1449, 1450, 1451, 1452, 1453, 1454, 1455, 1456)
-
-
1457. A heater for a subsurface formation, comprising:
-
a first elongated electrical conductor configured to generate a heat output during application of an alternating electrical current to the first electrical conductor, wherein the first electrical conductor comprises a ferromagnetic material, and the first elongated electrical conductor provides, when an alternating current is applied to it, a reduced heat output above or near a selected temperature;
a second elongated electrical conductor comprising a highly electrically conductive material, wherein at least a significant length of the first electrical conductor is electrically coupled to the second electrical conductor; and
wherein the heater is configured to heat at least part of a subsurface formation. - View Dependent Claims (1458, 1459, 1460, 1461, 1462, 1463, 1464, 1465, 1466, 1467, 1468, 1469, 1470, 1471, 1472, 1473, 1474, 1475, 1476, 1477, 1478)
-
-
1479. A method for heating fluids in a wellbore, comprising:
-
applying alternating electrical current to one or more electrical conductors placed in a wellbore, wherein at least one electrical conductor comprises one or more electrically resistive portions; and
providing heat from at least one electrically resistive portion to fluids in the wellbore, wherein at least one of such electrically resistive portions is configured, when above or near a selected temperature, to inherently provide a reduced heat output. - View Dependent Claims (1480, 1481, 1482, 1483, 1484, 1485, 1486, 1487, 1488, 1489, 1490, 1491, 1492, 1493, 1494, 1495, 1496, 1497)
-
-
1498. 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 first conduit located in the opening;
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; and
at least one baffle in the annular region. - View Dependent Claims (1499, 1500, 1501, 1502, 1503, 1504, 1505, 1506, 1507)
-
-
1508. A method whereby heat transfer between an overburden of at least a part of a hydrocarbon containing formation and a conduit 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; and
positioning at least one baffle in the annular region. - View Dependent Claims (1509, 1510, 1511, 1512, 1513, 1514, 1515, 1516, 1517)
-
-
1518. A system configured to reduce a temperature of at least a part of a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
an opening in a part of the formation;
a first conduit located in the opening;
a second conduit located inside the first conduit with an annular region between the first and second conduits;
a third conduit located inside the second conduit;
at least one baffle located in the annular region; and
at least one refrigerant configured to be provided through the second and third conduits. - View Dependent Claims (1519, 1520, 1521, 1522, 1523, 1524, 1525, 1526, 1527)
-
-
1528. A method configured to reduce the temperature of at least a part of a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
locating a first conduit in an opening in a part of the formation;
positioning a second conduit inside the first conduit;
positioning a third conduit inside the second conduit;
providing an annular region between the first and second conduits;
positioning a baffle in the annular region; and
providing refrigerant to the second conduit. - View Dependent Claims (1529, 1530, 1531, 1532, 1533, 1534, 1535, 1536, 1537, 1538)
-
-
1539. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
providing a first barrier to a first portion of the formation, wherein the first portion comprises methane;
removing water from the first portion;
producing fluids from the first portion, wherein produced fluids from the first portion comprise methane;
providing a second barrier to a second portion of the formation, wherein the second portion comprises methane;
removing water from the second portion, and then transferring at least a portion of such water to the first portion; and
producing fluids from the second portion, wherein produced fluids from the second portion comprise methane.
-
-
1540. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
providing a first barrier to a first portion of the formation;
removing water from the first portion;
providing a second barrier to a second portion of the formation, wherein the second portion comprises methane;
removing water from the second portion, and then transferring at least a portion of such water to the first portion; and
producing fluids from the second portion, wherein produced fluids comprise methane. - View Dependent Claims (1541, 1542, 1543, 1544, 1545, 1546, 1547, 1548)
-
-
1549. A method of recovering methane from a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
providing a barrier to a first portion of the formation, wherein the first portion comprises methane;
removing water from the first portion and then transferring at least a portion of such water to a second portion of the formation; and
producing fluids from the first portion, wherein the produced fluids comprise methane. - View Dependent Claims (1550, 1551, 1552, 1553, 1554)
-
-
1555. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
assessing a thickness of a portion of the formation to be treated, wherein such portion comprises methane;
using such thickness to determine a number of barrier wells to provide to the portion of the formation;
providing a plurality of barrier wells to the portion of the formation;
removing water from a portion of the formation; and
producing fluids from a portion of the formation, wherein the produced fluids comprise methane. - View Dependent Claims (1556, 1557, 1558, 1559, 1560)
-
-
1561. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
providing a first barrier to a first portion of the formation, wherein the first portion comprises methane;
providing a second barrier to a second portion of the formation, wherein at least a part of the first portion is positioned substantially between the second portion and a surface of the formation;
removing water from the first portion;
producing fluids from the first portion, wherein produced fluids from the first portion comprise methane;
removing water from the second portion of the formation, and then transferring at least a portion of such water to the first portion of the formation; and
producing fluids from the second portion, wherein produced fluids from the second portion comprise methane. - View Dependent Claims (1562, 1563, 1564, 1565)
-
-
1566. A method of in situ sequestration of carbon dioxide within a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
storing carbon dioxide within at least one portion of the formation, wherein at least some methane has been produced from the portion of the formation prior to storing the carbon dioxide within the portion of the formation, and wherein the portion of the formation has been at least partially isolated from other subsurface areas using a barrier wall. - View Dependent Claims (1567, 1568, 1569, 1570, 1571, 1572, 1573)
-
1574. A method of in situ sequestration of carbon dioxide within a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
producing fluids from at least a portion of the formation, wherein produced fluids comprise methane, and wherein the portion of the formation has been at least partially isolated from other subsurface areas using a barrier wall; and
storing carbon dioxide within the portion. - View Dependent Claims (1575, 1576, 1577, 1578, 1579, 1580, 1581, 1582, 1583)
-
-
1584. A method of in situ sequestration of carbon dioxide within a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least one portion of the formation, wherein the portion comprises methane, and wherein the portion of the formation has been at least partially isolated from other subsurface areas using a barrier wall;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a part of the formation;
producing fluids from the formation, wherein produced fluids comprise methane;
allowing the portion to cool; and
storing carbon dioxide within the portion. - View Dependent Claims (1585, 1586, 1587, 1588, 1589, 1590, 1591, 1592, 1593, 1594, 1595, 1596, 1597, 1598, 1599, 1600, 1601, 1602, 1603, 1604, 1605)
-
-
1606. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
-
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least one portion of the formation, wherein the formation comprises sub-bituminous coal;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a part of the formation;
providing H2 to the part of the formation; and
producing fluids from the formation. - View Dependent Claims (1607, 1608, 1609, 1610, 1611, 1612, 1613, 1614, 1615, 1616, 1617, 1618, 1619, 1620, 1621, 1622, 1623, 1624, 1625, 1626, 1627, 1628, 1629, 1630, 1631, 1632, 1633, 1634, 1635, 1636, 1637, 1638, 1639, 1640, 1641, 1642, 1643, 1644, 1645, 1646, 1647)
-
-
1648. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
-
producing fluids from the formation, wherein the produced fluids comprise methane;
separating H2 from the produced fluids or converting at least some of the produced fluids to H2; and
providing at least some of the separated or converted H2 to the portion of the formation. - View Dependent Claims (1649, 1650, 1651, 1652)
-
-
1653. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
-
producing fluids from the formation, wherein the produced fluids comprise methane;
separating H2 from the produced fluids or converting at least some of the produced fluids to H2;
providing heat from one or more heaters to at least one portion of the formation, wherein the portion comprises methane;
allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a part of the formation; and
providing at least some of the separated or converted H2 to the portion of the formation. - View Dependent Claims (1654, 1655, 1656, 1657)
-
-
1658. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
-
providing at least one barrier wall to at least a portion of the formation;
reducing a pressure in the portion of the formation in a controlled manner, wherein the portion of the formation comprises methane; and
producing fluids from the formation, wherein the produced fluids comprise methane. - View Dependent Claims (1659, 1660, 1661, 1662, 1663, 1664, 1665, 1666, 1667, 1668, 1669, 1670)
-
-
1671. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
-
providing a barrier to at least a portion of the formation, wherein the barrier inhibits fluids from flowing into or out of the portion;
removing at least some water from the portion;
reducing a pressure in the portion of the formation, wherein the portion of the formation comprises methane; and
producing fluids from the formation, wherein the produced fluids comprise methane. - View Dependent Claims (1672, 1673, 1674, 1675, 1676, 1677, 1678, 1679, 1680, 1681)
-
-
1682. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
-
providing a first barrier to a first portion of the formation, wherein the first portion comprises methane;
removing water from the first portion;
producing fluids from the first portion, wherein produced fluids from the first portion comprise methane;
providing a second barrier to a second portion of the formation, wherein the second portion comprises methane;
removing water from the second portion, and then transferring at least a portion of such water to the first portion;
providing carbon dioxide to the second portion of the formation; and
producing fluids from the second portion, wherein produced fluids from the second portion comprise methane. - View Dependent Claims (1683, 1684, 1685, 1686, 1687, 1688, 1689, 1690)
-
Specification