Patent · US Expired

Producing hydrocarbons and non-hydrocarbon containing materials when treating a hydrocarbon containing formation

US7100994B2 · kind B2 · utility

228Cited by
690References
82Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 24, 2002
Grant dateSep 5, 2006
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 6, 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 hydrocarbon containing formation is provided. In one embodiment, heat from one or more heaters may be provided to at least a portion of the formation. Heat may be allowed to transfer from the one or more heaters to at least a part of the formation. In certain embodiments, the heat from the one or more heaters may pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbons within the formation. In an embodiment, a first fluid may be introduced into at least a portion of the formation. The portion may have previously undergone an in situ conversion process. A mixture of the first fluid and a second fluid (or a second compound) may be produced from the formation. In some embodiments, a first fluid may be provided to the formation prior to pyrolyzing hydrocarbons in the formation, and a second fluid (or a second compound) may be produced prior to pyrolyzing hydrocarbons in the formation. In some embodiments the second fluid or second compound include minerals, metals, salts, or other compounds that may be recovered.

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