Abstract:
Systems, methods, and/or heaters for treating a subsurface formation are described herein. Some embodiments also generally relate to heaters that have novel components therein. Such heaters may be obtained by using the systems and methods described.
Abstract:
A heating system for a subsurface formation is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of substantially horizontally oriented or inclined heater sections located in a hydrocarbon containing layer in the formation. At least a portion of two of the heater sections are substantially parallel to each other. The ends of at least two of the heater sections in the layer are electrically coupled to a substantially horizontal, or inclined, electrical conductor oriented substantially perpendicular to the ends of the at least two heater sections.
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.
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:
Systems, methods, processes, and/or heaters for treating a subsurface formation are described herein. Some embodiments also generally relate to heaters that have novel components therein. Such heaters may be obtained by using the systems and methods described. Some embodiments also generally relate to systems, methods, and/or processes for treating fluid produced from the subsurface formation.
Abstract:
Systems, methods, processes, and/or heaters for treating a subsurface formation are described herein. Some embodiments also generally relate to heaters that have novel components therein. Such heaters may be obtained by using the systems and methods described. Some embodiments also generally relate to systems, methods, and/or processes for treating fluid produced from the subsurface formation.
Abstract:
Systems, methods, and/or heaters for treating a subsurface formation are described herein. Some embodiments also generally relate to heaters that have novel components therein. Such heaters may be obtained by using the systems and methods described.
Abstract:
A heating system for a subsurface formation includes an electrical conductor and an insulation layer at least partially surrounding the electrical conductor. A jacket that includes ferromagnetic material at least partially surrounds the insulation layer. The outside surface of the jacket is configured to be at little or no electric potential while the electrical conductor is conducting electricity and while the jacket is at temperatures below the Curie temperature of the ferromagnetic material.
Abstract:
Methods for treating a tar sands formation are described herein. Methods for treating a tar sands may include heating a portion of a hydrocarbon layer in the formation from one or more heaters located in the portion. The heat may be controlled to increase the permeability of at least part of the portion to create an injection zone in the portion with an average permeability sufficient to allow injection of a fluid through the injection zone. A drive fluid and/or an oxidizing fluid may be provided into the injection zone. At least some hydrocarbons are produced from the portion.
Abstract:
Some embodiments of the present invention relate to the use of wind-electricity to produce unconventional oil from a kerogen-containing or bitumen-containing subsurface formation. A heater cell may be divided into nested inner and outer zones. In the smaller inner zone, heaters may be arranged at a relatively high spatial density while in the larger surrounding outer zone, a heater spatial density may be significantly lower. Due to the higher heater density, a rate of temperature increase in the smaller inner zone of the subsurface exceeds that of the larger outer zone, and a rate of hydrocarbon fluid production ramps up faster in the inner zone than in the outer zone. In some embodiments, at least a majority of the heaters in the inner zone are powered primarily by fuel combustion and at least a majority of heaters in the outer zone are powered primarily by electricity generated by wind. Alternatively, in other embodiments, at least a majority of the heaters in the inner zone are powered primarily by electricity generated by wind and at least a majority of heaters in the outer zone are powered primarily by fuel combustion.