Title: Irregular spacing of heat sources for treating hydrocarbon containing formations

Abstract

A method for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation includes providing heat input to a first section of the formation from one or more heat sources located in the first section. Fluids are produced from the first section through a production well located at or near the center of the first section. The heat sources are configured such that the average heat input per volume of formation in the first section increases with distance from the production well.

Inventors:

Miller, David Scott ^[1]; Uwechue, Uzo Philip ^[2]

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+ Show Inventor Affiliations

1. Katy, TX
2. Houston, TX

Issue Date:

2012-06-12

Research Org.:

Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), Albuquerque, NM, and Livermore, CA (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1055709

Patent Number(s):

8196658

Application Number:

US patent applicaiton 12/250,364

Assignee:

Shell Oil Company (Houston, TX)

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

H - ELECTRICITY H01 - BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS H01J - ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS

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

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H - ELECTRICITY H01 - BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS H01J - ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS

H01J37/32926 - {Software, data control or modelling}

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

E21B36/04 - using electrical heaters
E21B43/24 - using heat, e.g. steam injection

H - ELECTRICITY H01 - BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS H01F - MAGNETS

H01F29/04 - having provision for tap-changing without interrupting the load current

H - ELECTRICITY H01 - BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS H01J - ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS

H01J37/32935 - {Monitoring and controlling tubes by information coming from the object and/or discharge}

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

Y10T29/49083 - Heater type

H - ELECTRICITY H01 - BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS H01F - MAGNETS

H01F27/38 - Auxiliary core members

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

E21B43/30 - Specific pattern of wells, e.g. optimizing the spacing of wells

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DOE Contract Number:  

AC04-94AL85000

Resource Type:

Patent

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE