Patent ID: 9016370
Filing Date: 2015-04-28
Classification: C10G,E21B

Abstract:
1. A method for treating a hydrocarbon containing layer in a subsurface formation, comprising: removing between about 0.5% and about 20% by weight of the nahcolite from one or more intervals in the hydrocarbon containing layer that include at least about 40% by weight nahcolite, wherein removing the nahcolite from the intervals provides an accommodation space for nahcolite remaining in the hydrocarbon containing layer to expand into when the layer is heated by heat from a plurality of heaters; providing heat from the plurality of heaters to the hydrocarbon containing layer such that at least some hydrocarbons in the hydrocarbon containing layer are mobilized; allowing nahcolite remaining in the hydrocarbon layer to expand into the accommodation space; and producing at least some mobilized hydrocarbons through at least one production well.