Abstract:
Electrical current flow is induced in a ferromagnetic conductor providing time-varying electrical current at a first frequency to an electrical conductor located in a formation. The ferromagnetic conductor at least partially surrounds and at least partially extends lengthwise around the electrical conductor. The ferromagnetic conductor resistively heats up to a first temperature of at most about 300° C. Water in the formation is vaporized with heat at the first temperature. Subsequently, time-varying electrical current at a second frequency is provided to the elongated electrical conductor to induce electrical current flow at the second frequency such that the ferromagnetic conductor resistively heats up to a second temperature above about 300° C. Heat transfers from the ferromagnetic conductor at the second temperature to at least a part of the formation to mobilize at least some hydrocarbons in the part of the formation.
Abstract:
A plurality of first barrier wells are formed in a formation for a first barrier. A substantially constant spacing separates adjacent first barrier wells. The formation is analyzed to determine the principal fracture direction of at least one layer of the formation. An offset distance of second barrier wells relative to first barrier wells is determined based on the principal fracture direction to limit a maximum separation distance between a closest barrier well and a theoretical fracture extending between the first barrier and the second barrier along the principal fracture direction to a distance of less than one half of the spacing that separates adjacent first barrier wells. The second barrier wells are offset from the first barrier wells by a distance that is at least substantially the same as the offset distance.
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. The mixture may be separated into condensable hydrocarbons and non-condensable hydrocarbons. The condensable hydrocarbons removed from the formation may be a high quality oil that has a relatively low olefin content and a relatively high API gravity.
Abstract:
A plurality of first barrier wells are formed in a formation for a first barrier. A substantially constant spacing separates adjacent first barrier wells. The formation is analyzed to determine the principal fracture direction of at least one layer of the formation. An offset distance of second barrier wells relative to first barrier wells is determined based on the principal fracture direction to limit a maximum separation distance between a closest barrier well and a theoretical fracture extending between the first barrier and the second barrier along the principal fracture direction to a distance of less than one half of the spacing that separates adjacent first barrier wells. The second barrier wells are offset from the first barrier wells by a distance that is at least substantially the same as the offset distance.
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. The mixture may be separated into condensable hydrocarbons and non-condensable hydrocarbons. The condensable hydrocarbons removed from the formation may be a high quality oil that has a relatively low olefin content and a relatively high API gravity.
Abstract:
A oil shale formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. A mixture of hydrocarbons, H2, and/or other formation fluids may be produced from the formation. Heat may be applied to the formation to raise a temperature of a portion of the formation to a pyrolysis temperature. Heat sources may be used to heat the formation. The heat sources may be positioned within the formation in a selected pattern.
Abstract translation:可以使用原位热处理来处理油页岩层。 可以从地层制备烃,H 2 H 2和/或其他地层流体的混合物。 可以将热量施加到地层以将地层的一部分的温度升高至热解温度。 热源可用于加热地层。 热源可以以选定的图案定位在地层内。
Abstract:
An oil shale formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. Heat may be provided to the treatment area from one or more heat sources. A heat source may be positioned in an uncased wellbore. Heat may be allowed to transfer from the heat source to a section of the formation. Subsequently, hydrocarbons, H2, and/or other formation fluids may be produced from the formation.
Abstract translation:可以使用原位热处理来处理油页岩层。 可以从一个或多个热源向治疗区域提供热量。 热源可以定位在未经井筒的井眼中。 可以允许热量从热源转移到地层的一部分。 随后,可以从地层中产生烃,H 2 H 2和/或其它地层流体。
Abstract:
A coal formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. A mixture of hydrocarbons, H2, and/or other formation fluids may be produced from the formation. Heat may be applied to the formation to raise a temperature of a portion of the formation to a synthesis gas production temperature. A synthesis gas producing fluid may be introduced into the formation to generate synthesis gas. Synthesis gas may be produced from the formation in a batch manner or in a substantially continuous manner.
Abstract translation:可以使用原位热处理来处理煤层。 可以从地层制备烃,H 2 H 2和/或其他地层流体的混合物。 可以将热量施加到地层以将地层的一部分的温度升高到合成气的产生温度。 可以将合成气生产流体引入地层以产生合成气。 合成气体可以以间歇方式或以基本上连续的方式从地层制备。
Abstract:
An oil shale formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. A mixture of hydrocarbons, H2, and/or other formation fluids may be produced from the formation. Heat may be applied to the formation to raise a temperature of a portion of the formation to a desired temperature. An average temperature and/or pressure within the formation may be controlled to inhibit production of hydrocarbons that have carbon numbers greater than a selected carbon number. In some embodiments, the selected carbon number may be 25. A small amount of hydrocarbons having carbon numbers greater than the selected carbon number may be entrained in vapor produced from the formation.
Abstract translation:可以使用原位热处理来处理油页岩层。 可以从地层制备烃,H 2 H 2和/或其他地层流体的混合物。 可以向地层施加热量以将地层的一部分的温度升高到期望的温度。 可以控制地层内的平均温度和/或压力以抑制具有大于所选碳数的碳数的烃的生产。 在一些实施方案中,所选择的碳数可以是25.少量的碳数大于所选碳数的烃可能被夹带在从地层产生的蒸气中。
Abstract:
A hydrocarbon containing formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. A mixture of hydrocarbons, H2, and/or other formation fluids may be produced from the formation. A formation to be treated may produce a relatively large amount of condensable hydrocarbons and/or a relatively large amount of non-condensable hydrocarbons. The formation to be treated may be chosen based on a initial total organic carbon content of the formation.
Abstract translation:可以使用原位热处理来处理含烃地层。 可以从地层制备烃,H 2 H 2和/或其他地层流体的混合物。 待处理的组合物可产生相对大量的可冷凝烃和/或相对大量的不可冷凝烃。 待处理的形成可以基于地层的初始总有机碳含量来选择。