In situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation with heat sources located at an edge of a formation layer
US6702016B2 · kind B2 · utility
258Cited by
359References
63Claims
0Family size
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Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 24, 2001 |
| Grant date | Mar 9, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 24, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S48/06
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
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. Heat sources within a relatively thin layer of hydrocarbon material may be positioned in a staggered pattern near to edges of the layer so that superposition of heat from the heat sources allows a large percentage of the layer to reach a desired temperature.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.