Patent ID: 7104319
Filing Date: 2006-09-12
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
1. A method for treating hydrocarbons in at least a portion of a diatomite formation, wherein the portion has an average permeability of less than about 10 millidarcy, comprising: providing heat from heaters to the formation; allowing the heat to transfer from two or more of the heaters to a selected first section of the formation such that heat from the heaters creates a pyrolysis zone wherein at least some hydrocarbons are pyrolyzed within the first selected section, and allowing the heat to transfer from one or more of the heaters to a selected second section of the formation such that heat from at least one of the heaters heats at least some hydrocarbons in the selected second section to a temperature less than the average temperature in the pyrolysis zone; and producing a mixture comprising hydrocarbons from the formation.