Creating and maintaining a gas cap in tar sands formations
AssigneeShell Oil Company
InventorsHarold J. Vinegar, John Michael Karanikas, Deniz Sumnu Dindoruk, Scott Lee Wellington
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods for treating a tar sands formation are disclosed herein. Methods for treating a tar sands formation may include providing heat to at least part of a hydrocarbon layer in the formation from one or more heaters located in the formation. Pressure may be allowed to increase in an upper portion of the formation to provide a gas cap in the upper portion. At least some hydrocarbons are produced from a lower portion of the formation.
Claims25
1-1196. (canceled)
A method for treating a tar sands formation, comprising:
- providing heat to at least part of a hydrocarbon layer in the formation from one or more heaters located in the formation;
- allowing the pressure to increase in an upper portion of the formation to provide a gas cap in the upper portion;
- and
- producing at least some hydrocarbons from a lower portion of the formation.
A method for treating a karsted formation containing heavy hydrocarbons, comprising:
- providing heat to at least part of one or more karsted layers in the formation from one or more heaters located in the karsted layers;
- allowing a temperature in at least one of the karsted layers to reach a decomposition temperature of dolomite in the formation;
- allowing the dolomite to decompose and produce carbon dioxide;
- maintaining the carbon dioxide in the formation to provide a gas cap in an upper portion of at least one of the karsted layers;
- and
- producing at least some hydrocarbons from at least one of the karsted layers of the formation.
1220-1684. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.