Solution mining and heating by oxidation for treating hydrocarbon containing formations
AssigneeShell Oil Company
InventorsHarold J. Vinegar, George Leo Stegemeier
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for treating an oil shale formation comprising nahcolite includes providing a first fluid to a portion of the formation. A second fluid is produced from the portion. The second fluid includes at least some nahcolite dissolved in the first fluid. A controlled amount of oxidant is provided to the portion of the formation. Hydrocarbon fluids are produced from the formation.
Claims24
A method for treating an oil shale formation comprising nahcolite, the method comprising:
- providing a first fluid to a portion of the formation;
- producing a second fluid from the portion, wherein the second fluid includes at least some nahcolite dissolved in the first fluid;
- creating interconnectivity between two or more wellbores in the portion of the formation;
- providing heat to at least a part of the portion of the formation from one or more heaters located in the formation;
- providing a controlled amount of oxidant to the portion of the formation such that the oxidant flows between at least two of the interconnected wellbores;
- and
- producing hydrocarbon fluids from the formation.
A method for treating an oil shale formation comprising nahcolite, the method comprising:
- forming and maintaining a low temperature zone around at least a portion of a subsurface treatment area;
- providing a first fluid to a portion of the subsurface treatment area;
- producing a second fluid from the portion, wherein the second fluid includes at least some nahcolite dissolved in the first fluid;
- creating interconnectivity between two or more wellbores in the portion of the subsurface treatment area;
- providing heat to at least a part of the portion of the subsurface treatment area from one or more heaters located in the subsurface treatment area;
- providing a controlled amount of oxidant to the portion of the subsurface treatment area such that the oxidant flows between at least two of the interconnected wellbores;
- and
- producing hydrocarbon fluids from the subsurface treatment area.
A method for treating an oil shale formation comprising nahcolite, the method comprising:
- forming a barrier around at least a portion of a subsurface treatment area, the barrier configured to inhibit fluid from exiting or entering the subsurface treatment area;
- providing a first fluid to a portion of the subsurface treatment area;
- producing a second fluid from the portion, wherein the second fluid includes at least some nahcolite dissolved in the first fluid;
- creating interconnectivity between two or more wellbores in the portion of the subsurface treatment area;
- providing heat to at least a part of the poition of the subsurface treatment area from one or more heaters located in the subsurface treatment area;
- providing a controlled amount of oxidant to the portion of the subsurface treatment area such that the oxidant flows between at least two of the interconnected wellbores;
- and
- producing hydrocarbon fluids from the subsurface treatment area.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.