In situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation in a reducing environment
AssigneeShell Oil Company
InventorsScott Lee Wellington, Harold J. Vinegar, Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, IIya Emil Berchenko, George Leo Stegemeier, Etuan Zhang, Gordon Thomas Shahin, Jr., Thomas David Fowler, Robert Charles Ryan
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A hydrocarbon containing formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. A mixture of hydrocarbons, H2, and/or other formation fluids may be produced from the formation. Heat may be applied to the formation to raise a temperature of a portion of the formation to a pyrolysis temperature. A reducing environment may be maintained within a portion of the formation.
Claims81
A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
- providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation;
- allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a part of the formation;
- controlling the heat such that an average heating rate of the part is less than about 1° C. per day in a pyrolysis temperature range of about 270° C. to about 400° C.;
- wherein the part is heated in a reducing environment during at least some of the time that the part is being heated;
- and
- producing a mixture from the formation.
A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
- heating a first section of the formation to produce a mixture from the formation;
- heating a second section of the formation;
- controlling the heat such that an average heating rate of the first section or the second section is less than about 1° C. per day in a pyrolysis temperature range of about 270° C. to about 400° C.;
- and
- recirculating a portion of the produced mixture from the first section into the second section of the formation to provide a reducing environment within the second section of the formation.
A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ, comprising:
- heating a first section of the formation to produce a mixture from the formation;
- heating a second section of the formation;
- controlling a pressure and a temperature within at least a majority of the first section or the second section of the formation, wherein the pressure is controlled as a function of temperature, or the temperature is controlled as a function of pressure;
- and
- introducing a portion of the produced mixture from the first section into the second section of the formation to provide a reducing environment within the second section of the formation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.