Patent ID: 8082995
Filing Date: 2011-12-27
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
1. A method for developing hydrocarbons from an organic-rich rock formation located in a hydrocarbon development area while controlling subsidence, comprising: heating portions of the organic-rich rock formation through conductive heat generation, the heating pyrolyzing a portion of formation hydrocarbons located in a heated zone in the organic-rich rock formation into hydrocarbon fluids; preserving at least two unheated zones within the organic-rich rock formation that are not subjected to pyrolyzing temperatures, thereby leaving formation hydrocarbons located in the at least two unheated zones unpyrolyzed, the at least two unheated zones also being located within the development area; sizing an area of the at least two unheated zones in order to optimize the heated zone while controlling subsidence above the organic-rich rock formation; drilling at least one cooling well through each of the at least two unheated zones; and injecting a cooling fluid into each cooling well in order to inhibit pyrolysis within the at least two unheated zones; wherein the organic-rich rock formation comprises oil shale; each cooling well is completed at or below a depth of the organic-rich rock formation, and each cooling well comprises: