Method for treating hydraulically-fractured wells in shales

Abstract

The present invention is directed to an improved method for the production of hydrocarbons from shales. A mixture of heated water vapor and solvent gases are injected into the formation through the wellhead, and the well and fracture network are filled with steam. The injection is ceased and the heated water vapor and solvent gases are allowed to soak, allowing the rock to take in the heat of the steam in the fractures via thermal conduction. The well is then opened allowing the well to produce hydrocarbons, and pressure of fluid in the fractures to drop. Oil and gas from the reservoir will then flow into the well and to the surface.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.