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Title: In situ conversion process utilizing a closed loop heating system

Abstract

An in situ conversion system for producing hydrocarbons from a subsurface formation is described. The system includes a plurality of u-shaped wellbores in the formation. Piping is positioned in at least two of the u-shaped wellbores. A fluid circulation system is coupled to the piping. The fluid circulation system is configured to circulate hot heat transfer fluid through at least a portion of the piping to form at least one heated portion of the formation. An electrical power supply is configured to provide electrical current to at least a portion of the piping located below an overburden in the formation to resistively heat at least a portion of the piping. Heat transfers from the piping to the formation.

Inventors:
 [1];  [2];  [3];  [4]
  1. Palo Alto, CA
  2. Houston, TX
  3. Bellaire, TX
  4. (Houston, TX)
Issue Date:
Research Org.:
Shell Oil Company (Houston, TX)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE
OSTI Identifier:
1013656
Patent Number(s):
7575052
Application Number:
11/409,556
Assignee:
Shell Oil Company (Houston, TX)
Patent Classifications (CPCs):
C - CHEMISTRY C07 - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY C07C - ACYCLIC OR CARBOCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
E - FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS E21 - EARTH DRILLING E21B - EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING
DOE Contract Number:  
AC05-00OR22725
Resource Type:
Patent
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
42 ENGINEERING

Citation Formats

Sandberg, Chester Ledlie, Fowler, Thomas David, Vinegar, Harold J, and Schoeber, Willen Jan Antoon Henri. In situ conversion process utilizing a closed loop heating system. United States: N. p., 2009. Web.
Sandberg, Chester Ledlie, Fowler, Thomas David, Vinegar, Harold J, & Schoeber, Willen Jan Antoon Henri. In situ conversion process utilizing a closed loop heating system. United States.
Sandberg, Chester Ledlie, Fowler, Thomas David, Vinegar, Harold J, and Schoeber, Willen Jan Antoon Henri. Tue . "In situ conversion process utilizing a closed loop heating system". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1013656.
@article{osti_1013656,
title = {In situ conversion process utilizing a closed loop heating system},
author = {Sandberg, Chester Ledlie and Fowler, Thomas David and Vinegar, Harold J and Schoeber, Willen Jan Antoon Henri},
abstractNote = {An in situ conversion system for producing hydrocarbons from a subsurface formation is described. The system includes a plurality of u-shaped wellbores in the formation. Piping is positioned in at least two of the u-shaped wellbores. A fluid circulation system is coupled to the piping. The fluid circulation system is configured to circulate hot heat transfer fluid through at least a portion of the piping to form at least one heated portion of the formation. An electrical power supply is configured to provide electrical current to at least a portion of the piping located below an overburden in the formation to resistively heat at least a portion of the piping. Heat transfers from the piping to the formation.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Aug 18 00:00:00 EDT 2009},
month = {Tue Aug 18 00:00:00 EDT 2009}
}

Works referenced in this record:

An Analog Computer for Studying Heat Transfer During a Thermal Recovery Process
journal, December 1955


The Characteristics of a Low Temperature In Situ Shale Oil
conference, April 2013


Evaluation of downhole electric impedance heating systems for paraffin control in oil wells
journal, January 1992


Electrical Heating With Horizontal Wells, The Heat Transfer Problem
conference, April 2013


New Books
journal, November 1953


Operating Laboratory Oil Shale Retorts In An In-Situ Mode
conference, April 2013


Kinetics of oil generation from Colorado oil shale
journal, June 1978


Direct Production of Low Pour Point High Gravity Shale Oil
journal, March 1967