Patent ID: 9127538
Filing Date: 2015-09-08
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
1. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising: providing heat from a first set of heaters to a first layer of the hydrocarbon containing formation; controlling the heat from the first set of heaters such that an average temperature in at least a majority of the first layer is above a pyrolyzation temperature; providing heat from a second set of heaters to a second layer of the hydrocarbon formation substantially above the first layer of the hydrocarbon formation after providing heat from the first set of heaters to the first layer for a selected time; controlling the heat from the second set of heaters such that an average temperature in the second layer is sufficient to allow a portion of the formation in the second layer to thermally expand into the first layer of the hydrocarbon formation; controlling the heat from the second set of heaters such that at least part of the portion of the formation that thermally expanded into the first layer expands back towards the surface of the formation; and producing hydrocarbons from the formation.