Title: In situ heat treatment of a tar sands formation after drive process treatment

Abstract

A method for treating a tar sands formation includes providing a drive fluid to a hydrocarbon containing layer of the tar sands formation to mobilize at least some hydrocarbons in the layer. At least some first hydrocarbons from the layer are produced. Heat is provided to the layer from one or more heaters located in the formation. At least some second hydrocarbons are produced from the layer of the formation. The second hydrocarbons include at least some hydrocarbons that are upgraded compared to the first hydrocarbons produced by using the drive fluid.

Inventors:

Vinegar, Harold J ^[1]; Stanecki, John ^[2]

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+ Show Inventor Affiliations

1. Bellaire, TX
2. Blanco, TX

Issue Date:

2010-09-21

Research Org.:

Shell Oil Company (Houston, TX)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1014681

Patent Number(s):

7798220

Application Number:

US Patent Application 12/106,035

Assignee:

Shell Oil Company (Houston, TX)

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

E - FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS E21 - EARTH DRILLING E21B - EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING

C - CHEMISTRY C10 - PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES C10G - CRACKING HYDROCARBON OILS

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E - FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS E21 - EARTH DRILLING E21B - EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING

E21B36/04 - using electrical heaters

C - CHEMISTRY C10 - PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES C10G - CRACKING HYDROCARBON OILS

C10G1/042 - {by the use of hydrogen-donor solvents}

E - FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS E21 - EARTH DRILLING E21B - EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING

E21B43/24 - using heat, e.g. steam injection

C - CHEMISTRY C10 - PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES C10G - CRACKING HYDROCARBON OILS

C10G1/04 - by extraction

E - FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS E21 - EARTH DRILLING E21B - EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING

E21B43/16 - Enhanced recovery methods for obtaining hydrocarbons
E21B43/2401 - {by means of electricity}

C - CHEMISTRY C09 - DYES C09K - MATERIALS FOR MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATIONS, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE

C09K8/845 - {containing inorganic compounds}

C - CHEMISTRY C10 - PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES C10G - CRACKING HYDROCARBON OILS

C10G1/008 - {Controlling or regulating of liquefaction processes
C10G1/02 - by distillation

C - CHEMISTRY C09 - DYES C09K - MATERIALS FOR MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATIONS, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE

C09K8/86 - containing organic compounds

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y10 - TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC Y10T - TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

Y10T29/49083 - Heater type

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DOE Contract Number:  

AC04-94AL85000

Resource Type:

Patent

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English