Patent EA-003540-B1 (EA)
Title: A method for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation
Inventor: WELLINNGTON SCOTT LEE
IPC: E21B43/243
Filed: 2001-04-24
Abstract: 1. A method for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in-situ, which method comprises pyrolysing hydrocarbons present in the formation in the presence of hydrogen at a partial pressure of at least 0.1 bar and at most 50 bar. 2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hydrocarbon containing formation comprises a kerogen, such as coal or oil shale, or heavy hydrocarbons, such as a tar sand. 3. A method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein a heat source is applied which is suitable for conductive heating. 4. A method as claimed in any of claims 1-3, wherein the hydrocarbons present in the formation are pyrolysed by heating at a temperature in the range of from 250 degree C to 400 degree C, in particular in range from 260 degree C to 375 degree C. 5. A method as claimed in any of claims 1-4, wherein the partial pressure of hydrogen is in the range of from 1 bar to 10 bar, in particular, from 5 bar to 7 bar. 6. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1-5, wherein a pressure/temperature control is applied such that the pressure is at least the pressure which can be calculated for a selected temperature, or the temperature is at most the temperature which can be calculated for a selected pressure from the equation wherein P is pressure (bar absolute), T is temperature ( degree C), and A and B are predetermined parameters which relate to a property which is relevant to the quantity, the composition or the quality of the hydrocarbon fluids produced, in the presence of hydrogen at a selected partial pressure of hydrogen. 7. A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein A equals 14206, and B is 25.123. 8. A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the pressure is at most the pressure which can be calculated for a selected temperature, or the temperature is at least the temperature which can be calculated for a selected pressure from the said equation by applying A equals 24146, and B value which equals 43.349. 9. A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein A equals 30864, and B equals 50.676. 10. A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the pressure is at most the pressure which can be calculated for a selected temperature, or the temperature is at least the temperature which can be calculated for a selected pressure from the said equation by applying A equals 16947, and B values, which equals 33.603. 11. A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein A equals 57379, and B equals 83.145. 12. A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the pressure is at most the pressure, which can be calculated for a selected temperature, or the temperature is at least the temperature which can be calculated for a selected pressure from the said equation by applying A equals 5492.8 and B equals 14.234. 13. A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein A equals 38360, and B equals 60.531. 14. A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the pressure is at most the pressure, which can be calculated for a selected temperature, or the temperature is at least the temperature which can be calculated for a selected pressure from the said equation by applying A equals 6613.1 and B equals 16.364. 15. A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein A equals 28554, and B value, which equals 47.084. 16. A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the pressure is at most the pressure which can be calculated for a selected temperature, or the temperature is at least the temperature which can be calculated for a selected pressure from the said equation by applying A equals 11118, and B value which equals 23.156. 17. The method as claimed in any one of claims 1-16, further comprising the step of subsequently reacting at least part of the treated hydrocarbon containing formation with a synthesis gas generating fluid. 18. A method for producing hydrocarbons comprising providing a synthesis gas which synthesis gas has been produced according to claim 17 and converting the synthesis gas into hydrocarbons. 19. A method as claimed in claim 18, wherein the synthesis gas is converted into paraffins by a Fischer Tropsch hydrocarbon synthesis process and the paraffins are converted in a hydrocracker. 20. A method of producing energy comprising providing a synthesis gas which synthesis gas has been produced according to claim 17 and expanding and/or combusting the synthesis gas or using the synthesis gas in a fuel cell.