Varying properties of in situ heat treatment of a tar sands formation based on assessed viscosities
Abstract
A method for treating a tar sands formation includes providing heat to at least part of a hydrocarbon layer in the formation from a plurality of heaters located in the formation. The heat is allowed to transfer from the heaters to at least a portion of the formation. A viscosity of one or more zones of the hydrocarbon layer is assessed. The heating rates in the zones are varied based on the assessed viscosities. The heating rate in a first zone of the formation is greater than the heating rate in a second zone of the formation if the viscosity in the first zone is greater than the viscosity in the second zone. Fluids are produced from the formation through the production wells.
- Inventors:
- Issue Date:
- Research Org.:
- Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
- Sponsoring Org.:
- USDOE
- OSTI Identifier:
- 1127088
- Patent Number(s):
- 8662175
- Application Number:
- 12/105,997
- Assignee:
- Shell Oil Company (Houston, TX)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-94AL85000
- Resource Type:
- Patent
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: 2008 Apr 18
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Citation Formats
Karanikas, John Michael, and Vinegar, Harold J. Varying properties of in situ heat treatment of a tar sands formation based on assessed viscosities. United States: N. p., 2014.
Web.
Karanikas, John Michael, & Vinegar, Harold J. Varying properties of in situ heat treatment of a tar sands formation based on assessed viscosities. United States.
Karanikas, John Michael, and Vinegar, Harold J. Tue .
"Varying properties of in situ heat treatment of a tar sands formation based on assessed viscosities". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1127088.
@article{osti_1127088,
title = {Varying properties of in situ heat treatment of a tar sands formation based on assessed viscosities},
author = {Karanikas, John Michael and Vinegar, Harold J.},
abstractNote = {A method for treating a tar sands formation includes providing heat to at least part of a hydrocarbon layer in the formation from a plurality of heaters located in the formation. The heat is allowed to transfer from the heaters to at least a portion of the formation. A viscosity of one or more zones of the hydrocarbon layer is assessed. The heating rates in the zones are varied based on the assessed viscosities. The heating rate in a first zone of the formation is greater than the heating rate in a second zone of the formation if the viscosity in the first zone is greater than the viscosity in the second zone. Fluids are produced from the formation through the production wells.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Mar 04 00:00:00 EST 2014},
month = {Tue Mar 04 00:00:00 EST 2014}
}
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