Treatment methods for nahcolitic oil shale formations with fractures

Abstract

A method for treating a hydrocarbon containing layer in a subsurface formation includes forming a plurality of substantially vertical fractures in the formation at selected intervals along a length of at least one production wellbore positioned substantially horizontally in the hydrocarbon containing layer. Heat is provided from a plurality of heaters to the hydrocarbon containing layer such that at least some hydrocarbons in the hydrocarbon containing layer are mobilized. At least some of the plurality of heaters are positioned substantially horizontally in the hydrocarbon containing layer. At least some mobilized hydrocarbons are produced through at least one production wellbore.

Description

[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 620,526, filed Apr. 5, 2012, which is incorporated herein by reference.RELATED PATENTS[0002]This patent application incorporates by reference in its entirety each of U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,688,387 to Wellington et al.; 6,991,036 to Sumnu-Dindoruk et al.; 6,698,515 to Karanikas et al.; 6,880,633 to Wellington et al.; 6,782,947 to de Rouffignac et al.; 6,991,045 to Vinegar et al.; 7,073,578 to Vinegar et al.; 7,121,342 to Vinegar et al.; 7,320,364 to Fairbanks; 7,527,094 to McKinzie et al.; 7,584,789 to Mo et al.; 7,533,719 to Hinson et al.; 7,562,707 to Miller; and 7,798,220 to Vinegar et al.; U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2009-0189617 to Burns et al.; 2010-0071903 to Prince-Wright et al.; 2010-0096137 to Nguyen et al.; and 2010-0258265 to Karanikas et al.BACKGROUND[0003]1. Field of the Invention[0004]The present invention relates generally to methods and systems for production of hydrocarbons, hydr...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent describes methods and systems for treating a subsurface formation containing hydrocarbons. The methods involve forming horizontal wellbores and vertical fractures in the formation, providing heat to the formation to mobilize the hydrocarbons, and producing the mobilized hydrocarbons through the wellbores. The patent also describes specific embodiments that combine certain features from different embodiments. Overall, the patent offers new techniques for enhancing oil and gas production from underground formations.

Problems solved by technology

At present, however, there are still many hydrocarbon containing formations from which hydrocarbons, hydrogen, and / or other products cannot be economically produced.

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