Heating Well Lateral Extensions for Uniform Subsurface Formation Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
The slow and uneven heating rate in subsurface oil shale formations limits the commercial production of hydrocarbons, requiring high well density and increased installation costs due to low thermal conductivity of the formations.
Innovation Solution
A system with closely spaced heating wells, each comprising a main well and smaller bore lateral extensions, arranged in patterns such as hexagonal or triangular configurations to improve heat distribution and reduce the number of heating wells needed, allowing for quicker and more uniform heating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If closely spaced heating wells are provided to achieve faster and more uniform heating, then heating efficiency is improved, but installation costs and surface footprint increase
Solution Approach 1:
Each heating well is divided into a main wellbore and multiple lateral wellbores extending in different directions. This segmentation allows a single heating well to cover a larger subsurface area and provide more uniform heat distribution, reducing the total number of heating wells needed while maintaining high heating efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The heating wells transition from a simple vertical or horizontal configuration to a three-dimensional network with lateral extensions radiating in multiple directions. This dimensional expansion enables each heating well to treat a larger volume of oil shale formation, thereby reducing the overall well density required
2Device complexity
If heating wells with lateral extensions are used to improve heat distribution, then the number of heating wells required is reduced, but well construction complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The well construction process is segmented into drilling the main wellbore and then drilling lateral wellbores from the main wellbore at various positions and angles. This modular approach allows for systematic construction and can be performed using standard drilling equipment, making the increased complexity manageable
Solution Approach 2:
The main wellbore is drilled and established first, providing a foundation and access point for subsequent lateral wellbore drilling. This preliminary action simplifies the overall construction process by creating a stable base from which lateral extensions can be systematically added
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables faster and more uniform heating of the subsurface formation, reducing the number of heating wells required and lowering installation costs while achieving efficient hydrocarbon production.
Implementation Method 1
Heat is transported in the subsurface formation mainly by thermal conduction, and is limited by the low thermal conductivity of the oil shale
Implementation Method 2
When the oil shale is heated to above 260-370° C., destructive distillation of the kerogen (a process known as pyrolysis) occurs to produce products in the form of oil, gas, and residual char
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for producing hydrocarbons from a subsurface hydrocarbon-bearing formation. The system includes a production well, at least part of the production well located in a portion of the hydrocarbon-bearing formation. A heating well is also provided, at least part of the heating well located in a portion of the hydrocarbon-bearing formation; wherein the heating well includes a main well and a plurality of smaller bore lateral wells extending into the hydrocarbon-bearing formation. The smaller bore lateral wells improve heat distribution within the formation, and so fewer heating wells are required to achieve the same effect as using heating wells without smaller bore lateral wells.