Patent EA-004089-B1 (EA)
Title: A method for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation
Inventor: DE ROUFFIGNAC ERIC
IPC: E21B43/243
Filed: 2001-04-24
Abstract: 1. A method for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ and producing a hydrocarbon fluid from the formation comprising pyrolysing hydrocarbons present in the formation, wherein a heat source is applied which is suitable for conductive heating at a pressure of at least 2 bar (200 kPa), during the production of the hydrocarbon fluid from the formation, on the understanding that if the pressure is 3.52 bar (352 kPa) and the pyrolysis takes place at a temperature up to 301.7 degree C a heating source is applied other than a heating source which solely provides radio frequency heating. 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 the pressure is at least 70 bar (7000 kPa). 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 the range of from 260 degree C to 375 degree C. 5. A method as claimed in any of claims 1-4, wherein the range of between heat sources is from 5m to 20m. 6. A method as claimed in claim 1, which is applied in the presence of hydrogen at a partial pressure of hydrogen of at least 0.5 bar (50 kPa), for example in the range of from 1 bar (100 kPa) to 10 bar (1000 kPa), in particular from 5 bar (500kPa) to 7 bar (700 kPa). 7. A method as claimed in any of claims 1-6, wherein the pressure is at least the pressure which can be calculated from the equation wherein P is pressure (bar absolute), T is the pyrolysis temperature ( degree C), A equals 14206 and B equals 25.123. 8. A method as claimed in any of claims 1-6, wherein the pressure is at least the pressure which can be calculated from the equation wherein P is pressure (bar absolute), T is the pyrolysis temperature( degree C), A equals 30864 and B equals 50.676. 9. A method as claimed in any of claims 1-6, wherein the pressure is at least the pressure which can be calculated from the equation wherein P is pressure (bar absolute), T is the pyrolysis temperature ( degree C), A equals 57379 and B equals 83.145. 10. A method as claimed in any of claims 1-6, wherein the pressure is at most the pressure which can be calculated from the equation wherein P is pressure (bar absolute), T is the pyrolysis temperature ( degree C), A equals 11118 and B equals 23.156. 11. A method for producing synthesis gas from hydrocarbon containing formation which is treated according to any of claims 1-10, where is applied reaction of the hydrocarbon containing formation with a synthesis gas generating fluid. 12. A method for producing hydrocarbons comprising providing a synthesis gas which synthesis gas has been produced according to claim 11 and converting the synthesis gas into hydrocarbons. 13. A method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the synthesis gas is converted into paraffins by a Fischer-Tropsch hydrocarbon synthesis process and the paraffins are converted in a hydrocracker. 14. A method of producing energy comprising providing a synthesis gas which synthesis gas has been produced according to claim 11 and expanding and/or combusting the synthesis gas or using the synthesis gas in a fuel cell.