Patent ID: 7669657
Filing Date: 2010-03-02
Classification: E21B,Y02C

Abstract:
1. A method for producing hydrocarbon fluids from an organic-rich rock formation, comprising: completing at least one in situ heater or heater well in the organic-rich rock formation; completing a production well in the organic-rich rock formation; hydraulically fracturing the organic-rich rock formation from the production well such that one or more artificial fractures are formed extending toward a thermal fracture plane associated with the at least one in situ heater or heater well; heating the organic-rich rock formation with at least one electrically conductive, in situ heat source from the at least one in situ heater or heater well, thereby pyrolyzing at least a portion of the organic-rich rock into hydrocarbon fluids and thereby creating thermal fractures in the organic-rich rock formation due to thermal stresses created by heating and along the thermal fracture plane, the thermal fractures intersecting the artificial fractures; and producing hydrocarbon fluids from the production well.