Methods for generation of subsurface heat for treatment of a hydrocarbon containing formation
a hydrocarbon and subsurface heat technology, applied in the direction of fluid removal, insulation, borehole/well accessories, etc., can solve the problems of undesirable greenhouse gas, small heat provided by such heaters, and carbon dioxide generation by fossil fuel combustion
Inactive Publication Date: 2009-10-22
SHELL OIL CO
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Benefits of technology
The present invention is a method of treating a hydrocarbon formation by using steam and a mixture of hydrogen sulfide and oxidant in vertical wellbores to generate heat. The heat is then transferred to the hydrocarbon containing formation between horizontal steam injection wells and vertical heater wells. The method also involves mobilizing formation fluids in the heated portion of the formation. The technical effect of this invention is to provide a more efficient and effective method for treating hydrocarbon formations.
Problems solved by technology
Often, the amount of heat provided by such heaters is small relative to the amount of heat input from the drive process.
Combustion of fossil fuel generates carbon dioxide, an undesirable greenhouse gas, as a combustion by-product.
Method used
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[0020]The present invention is directed to providing subsurface heat to a hydrocarbon formation where the heat is generated by 1) combusting at least a portion of a mixture comprising hydrogen sulfide and an oxidant in one or more flameless distributed combustors positioned in one or more substantially vertical wellbores; and 2) providing steam in one or more substantially horizontal steam injection wells. The heat provided to the hydrocarbon formation mobilizes at least a portion of formation fluids in the heated portion of the hydrocarbon containing formation. Since the fuel stream is sulfur based, production of carbon dioxide is avoided upon combustion of the sulfide components of the fuel stream, reducing the overall production of carbon dioxide of the heating process relative to processes that utilize a fuel stream comprised mostly of hydrocarbons.
[0021]The process of the present invention provides heat efficiently to the hydrocarbon formation since heat from combustion of a fu...
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Methods of generating subsurface heat for treatment of a hydrocarbon containing formation are described herein. Steam is provided to at least a portion of a hydrocarbon containing formation from a plurality of substantially horizontal steam injection wells. A mixture comprising hydrogen sulfide and an oxidant is combusted in one or more flameless distributed combustors positioned in one or more substantially vertical wellbores to generate heat. At least one of the substantially vertical wellbores is within ten meters of an end of at least one of the substantially horizontal steam injection wells, and at least a portion of the generated heat is transferred to a portion of the hydrocarbon containing formation located between at least one of the substantially horizontal steam injection wells and at least one of the substantially vertical heater wells to mobilize formation fluids for recovery.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61 / 046,172 filed Apr. 18, 2008, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to methods of treating of a hydrocarbon containing formation.DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART[0003]Hydrocarbons obtained from subterranean formations are often used as energy resources, as feedstocks, and as consumer products. Concerns over depletion of available hydrocarbon resources have led to development of processes for more efficient recovery, processing and / or use of available hydrocarbon resources.[0004]Hydrocarbon formations may be treated in various ways to produce formation fluids. For example, application of heat, gases, and / or liquids to hydrocarbon formations to mobilize and / or produce formation fluids has been used to more efficiently recover hydrocarbons from hydrocarbon formations. Hydrocarbon formations con...
Claims
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IPC IPC(8): E21B43/24E21B36/02E21B36/00E21B43/20
CPCE21B36/02E21B43/2406E21B43/305E21B43/243E21B43/2408
Inventor CUI, JINGYUJOSHI, MAHENDRA LADHARAMWELLINGTON, SCOTT LEEREYNOLDS, MICHAEL ANTHONYMILAM, STANLEY NEMEC
Owner SHELL OIL CO