Patent · US Expired

In situ thermal processing of a hydrocarbon containing formation via backproducing through a heater well

US6932155B2 · kind B2 · utility

268Cited by
632References
22Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 24, 2002
Grant dateAug 23, 2005
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 18, 2023

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T137/0391
  • WIPO fieldCivil engineering
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A process for producing hydrocarbons through a heater wellbore positioned in a hydrocarbon containing formation. The in situ treatment process may include providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation. The heat may be allowed, in some embodiments, to transfer from one or more heaters to a selected section of the formation. Heat that is allowed to transfer to the selected section may pyrolyze at least some of the hydrocarbons within the selected section. The process may include, in some embodiments, selectively limiting a temperature proximate a selected portion of a heater wellbore to inhibit coke formation at or near the selected portion. In some embodiments fluids may be produced at certain locations of a heater wellbore such that coke formation is inhibited.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.