In situ thermal recovery from a relatively permeable formation with controlled production rate
US7055600B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 24, 2002 |
| Grant date | Jun 6, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 21, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T137/0391
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A method for treating a relatively permeable 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. A production rate of the mixture may be controlled to adjust the time that at least some hydrocarbons are exposed to pyrolysis temperatures in the formation in order to produce hydrocarbons of a selected quality in the mixture.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.