In situ thermal processing of a relatively impermeable formation using an open wellbore
US7040400B2 · kind B2 · utility
288Cited by
638References
76Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 24, 2002 |
| Grant date | May 9, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 23, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B43/30
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A method for treating a relatively low permeability formation containing heavy hydrocarbons in situ may include providing heat from one or more heat sources to a portion of the formation. The heat may be allowed to transfer from the heat sources to a selected section of the formation. The transferred heat may pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section. A mixture of hydrocarbons may be produced from the selected section. In certain embodiments, one or more heat sources may be placed in an uncased wellbore.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.