Moving hydrocarbons through portions of tar sands formations with a fluid
US7717171B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 19, 2007 |
| Grant date | May 18, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 28, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC10G2300/4037
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A method for treating a tar sands formation is disclosed. The method includes heating a first portion of a hydrocarbon layer in the formation from one or more heaters located in the first portion. The heat is controlled to increase a fluid injectivity of the first portion. A drive fluid and/or an oxidizing fluid is injected and/or created in the first portion to cause at least some hydrocarbons to move from a second portion of the hydrocarbon layer to a third portion of the hydrocarbon layer. The second portion is between the first portion and the third portion. The first, second, and third portions are horizontally displaced from each other. The third portion is heated from one or more heaters located in the third portion. Hydrocarbons are produced from the third portion of the formation. The hydrocarbons include at least some hydrocarbons from the second portion of the formation.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.