Patent ID: 7870904
Filing Date: 2011-01-18
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
1. A method for in situ recovery of hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon containing formation having an ambient reservoir pressure and temperature, comprising: a. drilling a bore hole in the formation to a predetermined depth to define a well bore with a casing; b. installing one or more vertical hydraulic fractures from the bore hole to create a process zone within the formation by injecting a fracture fluid at a reservoir fracturing pressure into the casing, wherein the hydraulic fractures contain a proppant; c. placing a downhole electric pump, a downhole packer, piping, and a drop tube inside the casing, wherein said drop tube is used for steam injection; d. injecting steam at a steam pressure through the drop tube into a section of the well casing connected to the hydraulic fractures; and e. recovering hydrocarbons from the formation through said piping.