Treating hydrocarbon formations using hybrid in situ heat treatment and steam methods

Abstract

A method for treating a tar sands formation includes providing heated fluid to a first section of the hydrocarbon layer while providing heat to a second section of a hydrocarbon layer in the formation from a plurality of heaters located in the formation. The second section is vertically displaced from the first section. Heat is allowed to transfer from the heaters and heated water to at least a portion of the formation. Fluids are allowed to gravity drain to a third section of the hydrocarbon formation. Fluids are produced from the formation through at least one production well that is located in the third section of the formation.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM[0001]This patent claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 544,778 to Cao et al., entitled “METHODS OF TREATING HYDROCARBON FORMATIONS USING A HYBRID IN SITU HEAT TREATMENT AND STEAM”, filed Oct. 7, 2011, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.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; 7,841,408 to Vinegar et al.; and 8,172,335 to Burns et al.; U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2009-0189617 to Burns et al.; 2010 / 0258265 to Karanikas et al; 2011 / 0247806 to Harris; 2011 / 0247808 to Nguyen; 2011...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent text describes methods for treating a hydrocarbon formation, specifically a tar sands formation. The methods involve using heat to improve the production of fluids from the formation. The heat can be provided through heaters located in the formation or by heated fluid injected into the formation. The heated fluid can be injected into a first section of the formation, with the fluids then draining to a second section and being produced through a production well. The method can also involve providing heat to a second section while producing fluids from the first section, or providing heat to a third section while producing fluids from the second and first sections. These methods can help improve the production of bitumen and upgraded hydrocarbons from tar sands formations.

Problems solved by technology

Mining and upgrading tar sand is usually substantially more expensive than producing lighter hydrocarbons from conventional oil reservoirs.

As discussed above, there has been a significant amount of effort to produce hydrocarbons and / or bitumen from hydrocarbon containing formations.

At present, however, there are still many hydrocarbon containing formations that contain bitumen that cannot be economically produced.

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