Invention Grant
- Patent Title: Controlling hydrogen pressure in self-regulating nuclear reactors used to treat a subsurface formation
- Patent Title (中): 控制用于处理地下地层的自调核反应堆中的氢气压力
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Application No.: US12576732Application Date: 2009-10-09
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Publication No.: US08220539B2Publication Date: 2012-07-17
- Inventor: Harold J. Vinegar , Scott Vinh Nguyen
- Applicant: Harold J. Vinegar , Scott Vinh Nguyen
- Applicant Address: US TX Houston
- Assignee: Shell Oil Company
- Current Assignee: Shell Oil Company
- Current Assignee Address: US TX Houston
- Main IPC: E21B36/00
- IPC: E21B36/00 ; E21B43/24 ; E21B43/30

Abstract:
An in situ heat treatment system for producing hydrocarbons from a subsurface formation includes a plurality of wellbores in the formation. At least one heater is positioned in at least two of the wellbores. A self-regulating nuclear reactor provides energy to at least one of the heaters to heat the temperature of the formation to temperatures that allow for hydrocarbon production from the formation. A temperature of the self-regulating nuclear reactor is controlled by controlling a pressure of hydrogen supplied to the self-regulating nuclear reactor, and wherein the pressure is regulated based upon formation conditions.
Public/Granted literature
- US20100101784A1 CONTROLLING HYDROGEN PRESSURE IN SELF-REGULATING NUCLEAR REACTORS USED TO TREAT A SUBSURFACE FORMATION Public/Granted day:2010-04-29
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