Method for production of hydrocarbons from organic-rich rock
AssigneeExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
InventorsQuinn R. Passey, Michele M. Thomas, Kevin M. Bohacs
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for accelerating the conversion of kerogen to hydrocarbons in a subterranean formation containing organic-rich rock that is located in the vicinity of reservoir-quality strata. Sufficient heat is generated in the reservoir-quality strata such that it heats the organic-rich rock in the subterranean formation and accelerates the conversion of kerogen to hydrocarbons in the formation.
Claims13
A method for accelerating the conversion of kerogen to hydrocarbons in a subterranean formation, wherein said subterranean formation contains organic-rich rock and is located in the vicinity of reservoir-quality strata, the method comprising generating sufficient heat in the reservoir-quality strata such that said heat is transferred into the subterranean formation to accelerate conversion of said kerogen in the said formation to quantities of hydrocarbons.
A method for accelerating the conversion of kerogen to hydrocarbons from a kerogen-bearing, subterranean formation, wherein said subterranean formation is located in the vicinity of a reservoir formation containing hydrocarbons, the method comprising:
- (1) injecting oxygen-bearing gas into said reservoir formation;
- (2) creating combustion of the hydrocarbons in said reservoir with oxygen-bearing gas so as to generate sufficient heat in said reservoir formation such that said heat is transferred into said subterranean formation and substantially accelerates conversion of said kerogen to hydrocarbons.
A method for accelerating the conversion of kerogen to hydrocarbons from a kerogen-bearing, subterranean formation, wherein said subterranean formation is located in the vicinity of a reservoir formation containing hydrocarbons, the method comprising:
- (1) injecting oxygen-bearing gas into said reservoir formation;
- (2) creating combustion of the hydrocarbons in said reservoir formation with oxygen-bearing gas so as to create sufficient heat in said reservoir such that said heat is transferred into said subterranean formation and raises the temperature within a portion of said subterranean reservoir to at least about 220° C.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.