Treatment methods for nahcolitic oil shale formations with fractures

Inactive Publication Date: 2013-10-10
SHELL OIL CO
View PDF16 Cites 5 Cited by
  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]Embodiments described herein generally relate to systems and methods for treating a subsurface formation. In

Problems solved by technology

At present, however, there are still many hydrocarbon containing formations from w

Method used

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
View more

Image

Smart Image Click on the blue labels to locate them in the text.
Viewing Examples
Smart Image
  • Treatment methods for nahcolitic oil shale formations with fractures
  • Treatment methods for nahcolitic oil shale formations with fractures
  • Treatment methods for nahcolitic oil shale formations with fractures

Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

Embodiment Construction

[0029]The following description generally relates to systems and methods for treating hydrocarbons in the formations. Such formations may be treated to yield hydrocarbon products, hydrogen, and other products.

[0030]“API gravity” refers to API gravity at 15.5° C. (60° F.). API gravity is as determined by ASTM Method D6822 or ASTM Method D1298.

[0031]“Asphalt / bitumen” refers to a semi-solid, viscous material soluble in carbon disulfide. Asphalt / bitumen may be obtained from refining operations or produced from subsurface formations.

[0032]“Carbon number” refers to the number of carbon atoms in a molecule. A hydrocarbon fluid may include various hydrocarbons with different carbon numbers. The hydrocarbon fluid may be described by a carbon number distribution. Carbon numbers and / or carbon number distributions may be determined by true boiling point distribution and / or gas-liquid chromatography.

[0033]“Condensable hydrocarbons” are hydrocarbons that condense at 25° C. and one atmosphere abso...

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
Login to view more

PUM

No PUM Login to view more

Abstract

A method for treating a hydrocarbon containing layer in a subsurface formation includes forming a plurality of substantially vertical fractures in the formation at selected intervals along a length of at least one production wellbore positioned substantially horizontally in the hydrocarbon containing layer. Heat is provided from a plurality of heaters to the hydrocarbon containing layer such that at least some hydrocarbons in the hydrocarbon containing layer are mobilized. At least some of the plurality of heaters are positioned substantially horizontally in the hydrocarbon containing layer. At least some mobilized hydrocarbons are produced through at least one production wellbore.

Description

[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 620,526, filed Apr. 5, 2012, which is incorporated herein by reference.RELATED PATENTS[0002]This patent application incorporates by reference in its entirety each of U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,688,387 to Wellington et al.; 6,991,036 to Sumnu-Dindoruk et al.; 6,698,515 to Karanikas et al.; 6,880,633 to Wellington et al.; 6,782,947 to de Rouffignac et al.; 6,991,045 to Vinegar et al.; 7,073,578 to Vinegar et al.; 7,121,342 to Vinegar et al.; 7,320,364 to Fairbanks; 7,527,094 to McKinzie et al.; 7,584,789 to Mo et al.; 7,533,719 to Hinson et al.; 7,562,707 to Miller; and 7,798,220 to Vinegar et al.; U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2009-0189617 to Burns et al.; 2010-0071903 to Prince-Wright et al.; 2010-0096137 to Nguyen et al.; and 2010-0258265 to Karanikas et al.BACKGROUND[0003]1. Field of the Invention[0004]The present invention relates generally to methods and systems for production of hydrocarbons, hydr...

Claims

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
Login to view more

Application Information

Patent Timeline
no application Login to view more
IPC IPC(8): E21B43/24
CPCE21B43/2405E21B43/305E21B36/04
Inventor FOWLER, THOMAS DAVID
Owner SHELL OIL CO
Who we serve
  • R&D Engineer
  • R&D Manager
  • IP Professional
Why Eureka
  • Industry Leading Data Capabilities
  • Powerful AI technology
  • Patent DNA Extraction
Social media
Try Eureka
PatSnap group products