The application is divisional application, and the applying date of parent application is on October 20th, 2006, application No. is200680044203.4 and entitled " passing away generated using heat produces system and the side of hydrocarbon from Tar sandsMethod ".
Specific implementation mode
Following the description is usually related to handling the System and method for of the hydrocarbon in stratum.This stratum can be handled and obtain hydrocarbon productionProduct, hydrogen and other products.
" hydrocarbon " is normally defined the molecule mainly formed by carbon and hydrogen atom.Hydrocarbon may also comprise other elements, such as but notIt is limited to halogen, metallic element, nitrogen, oxygen and/or sulphur.Hydrocarbon can be but not limited to kerogen, pitch, pyrobitumen, oil, natural mineralsWax and bituminous rock.Hydrocarbon can be located in intracrustal matrices or adjacent thereto.Parent rock may include but be not limited to sedimentary rock, sandSon, silicate, carbonate, diatomite and other porous medias." hydrocarbon fluid " is the fluid for including hydrocarbon.Hydrocarbon fluid may include, press from both sidesBand or be entrained in non-hydrocarbon fluids, the non-hydrocarbon fluids for example hydrogen, nitrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide,Water and ammonia.
" stratum " includes one or more layers hydrocarbon bearing formation, one or more layers non-hydrocarbon layers, superstratum and/or underlying strata." onCover stratum " and/or " underlying strata " include the inhomogeneous impermeable material of one kind or more.Such as superstratum and/or underLayer of throwing oneself on the ground may include rock, shale, mud stone or wet/tight carbonate.In situ in some embodiments of heat treating process, overlyingStratum and/or underlying strata may include one layer of hydrocarbon bearing formation or multilayer hydrocarbon bearing formation, and the hydrocarbon bearing formation is relatively impermeable and does not pass throughGo through the temperature caused in the situ heat treatment process that hydrocarbon bearing formation significant properties changes in superstratum and/or underlying strata.Such as underlying strata may include shale or mud stone, but do not allow to heat superstratum to the pyrolysis temperature during situ heat treatment processUnder.In some cases, superstratum and/or underlying strata can have some permeability.
" formation fluid " refers to the fluid being present in stratum, and may include pyrolyzation fluid, synthesis gas, moving fluid, subtractsRheid and water (steam).Formation fluid may include hydrocarbon fluid and non-hydrocarbon fluids.Term " moving fluid " refers to as at heatManage the fluid in the flowable hydrocarbon containing formation of result on stratum." visbroken fluid " refers to the stream that viscosity reduces due to stratum is heat-treatedBody.
" fluid produced " refers to the formation fluid removed from stratum.
" heat source " be essentially by conduction and/or radiant heat transfer provide heat at least part stratum any system.Such as heat source may include electric heater, such as insulated electric conductor, elongate member and/or the conductor arranged in conduit.Heat source also may be usedInclude by outside stratum or burning fuels inside generate heat system.The system can be surface combustion burner, downhole gasThe burner of volumetric combustion device, aphlogistic distributed combustor and NATURAL DISTRIBUTION.In some embodiments, other energy can be passed throughThe heat for providing or generating in one or more heat sources is provided.Other energy can directly heat stratum, or can apply energyOnto transfer medium, the transfer medium directly or indirectly heats stratum.It should be understood that applying the one or more of heat to stratumThe different energy can be used in heat source.Thus, for example for given stratum, certain heat sources can supply heat by resistance heaterAmount, certain heat sources can be provided heat by burning, and certain heat sources can be by (such as the chemical reaction, too of one or more other energyPositive energy, wind energy, biological substance or other reproducible energy) heat is provided.Chemical reaction may include that exothermic reaction (such as aoxidizesReaction).Heat source, which may also comprise, provides heat to heating location adjacent area and/or in its peripheral region such as heater wellHeater.
" heater " is any system or heat source that heat is generated in well or in nigh well bore region.Heater canBe but not limited to electric heater, burner, in stratum material or the burning reacted of the material that is generated from stratumDevice, and/or combination thereof.
" situ heat treatment process " refers to heating hydrocarbon containing formation with heat source the temperature of layer at least partially is increased to streamDynamic or visbreaking either on pyrolysis temperature so that produce the side of the fluid of flowing, visbroken fluid or pyrolyzation fluid in the earth formationMethod.
" temperature-limiting heater " typically refers to controlling such as temperature controller, power governor, rectifier without using outsideOr the heater of thermal output (such as reducing thermal output) is adjusted in the case of miscellaneous equipment on assigned temperature.Limit temperature heatingDevice can be the resistance heater that AC (alternating current) or modulation (such as " copped wave ") DC (DC current) power.
Term " wellhole " refers to the hole by drilling or being inserted into the stratum that conduit is formed in stratum.Wellhole can haveSubstantially circular section, or be other cross sectional shapes.Term used herein " well " and " opening " are when referring on stratumWhen interior opening, it can be used interchangeably with term " wellhole ".
" u- shapes wellhole " refers to extending through at least part stratum and in the earth formation from the first opening in stratumThe wellhole of second opening pass-out.In the present context, wellhole can be only roughly the shape of " v " or " u ", it should be understood that rightFor being considered as the wellhole of " u- shapes ", should " u " " leg " do not need it is parallel to each other or vertical with " bottom " of " u ".
" visbreaking " refers to the unwrapping of fluid molecule and/or macromolecular is decomposed into small molecule in heat treatment in heat treatmentLead to the reduction of fluid viscosity.
" pyrolysis " is due to applying chemical bond rupture caused by heat.Such as pyrolysis may include by individually heating chemical combinationObject is converted to one or more other materials.Heat can be transferred on a part of stratum to cause to be pyrolyzed.
" pyrolyzation fluid " or " pyrolysis product " refers to the fluid substantially generated during pyrolysed hydrocarbon.It is anti-by being pyrolyzedThe fluid that should be generated can be mixed with other fluids in stratum.The mixture will be considered as pyrolyzation fluid or pyrolysis product.HereinUsed " pyrolysis zone " refer to reacted or reacted to be formed pyrolyzation fluid formation volume it is (such as relatively permeableStratum, such as tar sand formation).
" cracking " refers to including decomposition and the molecular recombination of organic compound to generate the mistake than initial larger number moleculeJourney.In cracking process, a series of reaction occurs with the transfer of hydrogen atom between molecule.Such as naphtha can pass through hot tearingChange reaction and forms ethylene and H2。
" heat superposition " refers to providing heat from two or more heat sources to selected ground layer segment, to make between heat source extremelyThe formation temperature of a few position is influenced by heat source.
" Fluid pressure " is the pressure that the fluid in stratum generates." lithostatic pressure " (sometimes referred to as " rock static stress ")It is the pressure in stratum, is equal to the weight of unit area overlying rock substance." hydrostatic pressure " is the pressure that water column is applied to stratumPower.
" API Gravity " refers to the API Gravity at 15.5 DEG C (60 ℉).API Gravity is true with ASTM method D6822Fixed.
Layer " thickness " refers to the thickness of layer cross section, and wherein cross section is vertical with level.
" heavy hydrocarbon " is sticky hydrocarbon fluid.Heavy hydrocarbon may include high viscous hydrocarbon fluid, such as mink cell focus, tar and/or dripIt is green.Heavy hydrocarbon can include carbon and the hydrogen and sulphur of smaller concentration, oxygen and nitrogen.There may also be micro other members in heavy hydrocarbonElement.Heavy hydrocarbon can be classified with API Gravity.The API Gravity of heavy hydrocarbon is usually less than about 20 °.Such as the API of mink cell focusDegree of specific gravity ordinarily is about 10-20 °, and the API Gravity of tar is usually less than about 10 °.Viscosity of the heavy hydrocarbon at 15 DEG C is usualGreater than about 100 centipoises.Heavy hydrocarbon can include aromatic hydrocarbons or the cyclic hydrocarbon of other complexity.
Heavy hydrocarbon can be found in relatively permeable stratum.Relatively permeable stratum may include being entrained in for exampleHydrocarbon in sand or carbonate." relatively permeable " is defined as stratum or formation average permeability for 10 millidarcies or more(such as 10 millidarcies or 100 millidarcies) greatly." opposite hypotonicity " is defined as stratum or formation average permeabilityBelow about 10 millidarcies.1 darcy is equal to about 0.99 square millimeter.The permeability of impermeable barrier is generally less than about 0.1 millidarcy.
" tar " is the viscous hydrocarbon that the viscosity at 15 DEG C is generally greater than about 10000 centipoises.The proportion of tar is usually more than1.000.The API Gravity of tar can be less than 10 °.
" tar sand formation " is wherein hydrocarbon mainly to be entrained in mineral grain framework or other host rocks (such as sand or carbonic acidSalt) in heavy hydrocarbon and/or tar form existing for stratum.The example of tar sand formation include the stratum Athabasca,The stratum Grosmont and the stratum Peace River (all three stratum are in Canadian Alberta) and VenezuelaThe stratum Faja in the areas Orinoco.
In some cases, some or all hydrocarbon parts of opposite permeable formation can be mainly heavy hydrocarbon and/or cokeOil, (or not having) minerals (such as pitch lake) without supporting mineral grain framework and only floating.
Certain types on the stratum containing heavy hydrocarbon can also be but not limited to natural mineral wax or bitumen." natural mineralsWax " typically occurs in substantially tube mineral ore, can width number meter, several kilometers long and hundreds of meters deep." bitumen "Solid hydrocarbons including aromatic composition, and typically occur in big mineral ore.From formation crude position recovery of hydrocarbons such as natural mineralsWax and bitumen may include that melting forms liquid hydrocarbon and/or the solution mining hydrocarbon from stratum.
" upgrading " refers to improving the quality of hydrocarbon.Such as upgrading of heavy hydrocarbons can be such that the API Gravity of heavy hydrocarbon improves.
The hydrocarbon in stratum can be handled in various ways so that many different products are made.In some embodiments, in stratumHydrocarbon handled stage by stage.Fig. 1 describes the explanation in the stage to heating hydrocarbon containing formation.Fig. 1 is also described from stratumYield (" Y ") (y-axis) of the formation fluid in terms of barrels of oil equivalent/ton to by DEG C in terms of heating stratum temperature (" T ") (x-axis) exampleSon.
There is the desorption of methane and the vaporization of water during the stage 1 heats.Heating stratum by the stage 1 can be as far as possiblePromptly carry out.Such as when the hydrocarbon containing formation is initially heated, the hydrocarbon in stratum desorbs adsorbed methane.It can be from stratumProduce the methane of desorption.If hydrocarbon containing formation further heated, the water vapor in hydrocarbon containing formation.In some hydrocarbon containing formationsIn, water can take up the 10-50% of the pore volume in stratum.In other stratum, water occupies the hole body of greater or lesser ratioProduct.Water is usually vaporized at 160-285 DEG C under the pressure of 600-7000kPa absolute pressures in the earth formation.In some embodiments, vapourWetability variation in the aquatic products Radix Rehmanniae layer of change and/or increased strata pressure.The wetability changes and/or increased pressure canTo influence the pyrolytic reaction in stratum or other reactions.In some embodiments, the water of vaporization is produced from stratum.OtherIn embodiment, the water of vaporization is for the steam extraction and/or distillation in the earth formation or outside stratum.Water is discharged from stratum andImprove the storage space that the pore volume in stratum increases hydrocarbon in pore volume.
In some embodiments, stratum is further heated after stage 1 heating, so that the temperature in stratum reachesTo (at least) initial pyrolysis temperature (such as temperature in temperature range lower end as shown in stage 2).Hydrocarbon in stratum mayIt is pyrolyzed in the stage 2.Pyrolysis temperature range changes depending on the type of hydrocarbon in stratum.Pyrolysis temperature range may include 250-900 DEG C of temperature.Pyrolysis temperature range for producing desirable product can extend through total pyrolysis temperature range onlyOnly a part.In some embodiments, the pyrolysis temperature range for producing desirable product may include 250-400 DEG CTemperature or 270-350 DEG C of temperature.If the temperature of hydrocarbon is slowly raised through 250-400 DEG C of temperature in stratum, whenThe production of pyrolysis product may be basically completed when temperature reaches 400 DEG C.The mean temperature of hydrocarbon can less than 5 DEG C/day, be less than 2The pyrolysis temperature for producing desirable product is raised through under DEG C/day, the rate less than 1 DEG C/day or less than 0.5 DEG C/dayRange.Thermal gradient can be established around heat source with multiple heat sources heating hydrocarbon containing formation, slowly to increase the temperature of hydrocarbon in stratumPass through pyrolysis temperature range.
It may be influenced from hydrocarbon containing formation by the temperature increase rate of the pyrolysis temperature range for desirable productThe quality and quantity of the formation fluid of production.Temperature is slowly raised through can for the pyrolysis temperature range of desirable productIt can inhibit the flowing of long-chain molecule in stratum.Temperature is slowly raised through can for the pyrolysis temperature range of desirable productThe reaction for generating undesirable product between mobilized hydrocarbons can be limited.The temperature on stratum is slowly raised through for desiredProduct pyrolysis temperature range can make from stratum produce high quality, high API Gravity hydrocarbon.The temperature on stratum is delayedSlow be raised through can make for the pyrolysis temperature range of desirable product as existing for hydrocarbon product taking-up in the earth formationA large amount of hydrocarbon.
In some situ heat treatment embodiments, a part of stratum is heated to desirable temperature rather than is slowly addedHeat makes temperature pass through temperature range.In some embodiments, desirable temperature is 300 DEG C, 325 DEG C or 350 DEG C.It can selectOther temperature are selected as desirable temperature.The superposition for carrying out the heat of self-heat power makes in the earth formation relatively quickly and efficientlyEstablish desirable temperature.Energy input in can adjusting from heat source to stratum by the temperature in stratum to substantially remain in instituteAt desired temperature.The stratum of heating part is substantially remained at desirable temperature until pyrolysis is reduced so that from stratumProducing desirable formation fluid becomes uneconomical.The ground layer segment for being subjected to pyrolysis may include by only being conducted heat by a heat sourceAnd it is brought into the region in pyrolysis temperature range.
In some embodiments, from stratum production include pyrolyzation fluid formation fluid.When formation temperature increases,The quantity of condensable hydrocarbon may be decreased in the formation fluid of production.At high temperature, stratum may output major part methane and/orHydrogen.If by hydrocarbon containing formation heating by entire pyrolysis range, for the upper limit of pyrolysis range, the possible output in stratum is onlyA small amount of hydrogen.After all of the available hydrogen is depleted, the fluid-withdrawal rate of the minimum number from stratum will be generally occurred within.
After pyrolysis of hydrocarbons, a large amount of carbon and some hydrogen remain present in stratum.Retain in the earth formation apparentThe carbon of ratio can be produced in the form of synthesis gas from stratum.During the stage 3 described in Fig. 1 heats, it can synthesizeGas generates.Stage 3 may include the temperature for being heated to hydrocarbon containing formation that synthesis gas to be sufficient to make to generate.Such as it can be in about 400-Synthesis gas is produced within the temperature range of about 1000 DEG C of about 1200 DEG C, about 1100 DEG C of about 500- or about 550-.When synthesis will be generatedWhen the fluid of gas introduces stratum, the temperature of the heating part on stratum determines the composition of the synthesis gas produced in the earth formation.It can be withGenerated synthesis gas is removed from stratum by producing well.
During being pyrolyzed and synthesis gas generates, the total energy content of the fluid produced from hydrocarbon containing formation can keep oppositeIt is constant.During being pyrolyzed under relatively low formation temperature, hence it is evident that the fluid of ratio produced can be with high energy contentCondensable hydrocarbons.However at higher pyrolysis temperatures, less formation fluid may include condensable hydrocarbon.More can notCondensable formation fluids can be produced from stratum.During the generation of predominantly non-condensable formation fluids, per unit volumeThe energy content of the fluid produced may be reduced slightly.During synthesis gas generates, compared with the energy content of pyrolyzation fluid,The energy content for the synthesis gas of per unit volume produced is substantially reduced.However, the volume of the synthesis gas of production is in many feelingsIt will be obviously increased under condition, and thereby compensate for the energy content reduced.
Fig. 2 describes the schematic diagram of the embodiment of a part of situ heat treatment system of processing hydrocarbon containing formation.In-situ heatProcessing system may include barrier wells 200.Shielded layer is formed around processing region using barrier wells.Shielded layer inhibits fluid outflowAnd/or flow into processing region.Barrier wells include but not limited to dewatering well, vacuum well, trapping well, injector well, mud well, freezing wellOr combination thereof.In some embodiments, barrier wells 200 are dewatering wells.Dewatering well can remove liquid water and/or inhibit liquidBody water enters in a part of stratum to be heated or in the stratum heated.In the embodiment of Fig. 2 descriptions, giveOnly along heat source 202 side extend barrier wells 200, but barrier wells typically surrounds used in or it is ready for use addWhole heat sources 202 of the processing region of hot formation.
Heat source 202 is placed at least part stratum.Heat source 202 may include in heater, such as insulated electric conductor, conduitConductor heater, surface combustion burner, it is aphlogistic distribution/or NATURAL DISTRIBUTION burner.Heat source 202 may also comprise other typesHeater.Heat source 202 provides heat at least part stratum to heat the hydrocarbon in stratum.It can be supplied by supply line 204Energy is to heat source 202.Supply line 204 can be different in structure, this depends on a kind of heat source or more used in heating stratumThe type of kind heat source.Supply line 204 for heat source can transport the electricity for electric heater, can transport the combustion for burnerMaterial, or the heat exchanging fluid recycled in stratum can be transported.
Formation fluid is removed from stratum using producing well 206.In some embodiments, producing well 206 includes heat source.Heat source in producing well can heat one or more parts on the stratum at producing well or near it.At some in-situ heatsIn logos embodiment, in terms of every meter of producing well, it is supplied to the heat in stratum from producing well and is less than in terms of every meter of heat source from addingThe heat source of hot formation is supplied to the heat on stratum.
In some embodiments, the heat source in producing well 206 allows the gas phase that formation fluid is removed from stratum.It is producingJing Chu or provide heat by producing well can be with：(1) when production fluid moves in the producing well near superstratum, inhibitThese production fluids condense and/or reflux, and (2) increase to the input of the heat in stratum, the producing well phase of (3) and not heat sourceThan increasing the throughput rate of producing well, (4) inhibit carbon number height (C in producing well6And C6More than) compound condensation, and/or (5)Increase producing well at or its neighbouring stratum permeability.
The subsurface pressure on stratum is equivalent to the pressure of the fluid generated in stratum.When the temperature in the heating part of stratum increasesWhen, increase since the fluid of generation increases the vaporization with water, the pressure of heating part also increases.Control removes fluid from stratumRate can allow control stratum in pressure.Can determine the pressure on stratum in many different positions, for example, it is close orAt producing well, near or at heat source or at monitoring well.
In some hydrocarbon containing formations, until at least some of stratum, hydrocarbon has been pyrolyzed, from stratum produce hydrocarbon be all byInhibit.When formation fluid has selected quality, can from stratum producing formation fluid.In some embodiments,Selected quality includes that API Gravity is at least about 20 °, 30 ° or 40 °.Inhibit production until at least some of stratum hydrocarbon heatSolution can improve heavy hydrocarbon to the conversion ratio of lighter hydrocarbons.Inhibit initial production that the heavy hydrocarbon produced from stratum can be made minimum.LargelyThe production of heavy hydrocarbon may need expensive equipment and/or shorten the service life of production equipment.
After reaching pyrolysis temperature and allowing to produce from stratum, thus it is possible to vary strata pressure is to change and/or control lifeThe composition of the formation fluid of production, with control in formation fluid with can not compared with condensed fluid condensable fluid percentage, and/orControl the API Gravity of produced formation fluid.Such as pressure decline may cause to produce more condensable fluid components.Condensable fluid component can include greater percentage of alkene.
In the embodiment of some situ heat treatment process, strata pressure can keep sufficiently high, to promote API GravityThe production of formation fluid more than 20 °.Sink in keeping increased pressure that stratum can be inhibited to be heat-treated in situ in the earth formation.Keep increased pressure that can promote to produce gaseous fluid from stratum.Production gas phase can be allowed for conveying to be produced from stratumThe size reduction of the collecting pipe of raw fluid.Keep increased pressure that can reduce or eliminate the fluid in collecting pipe on groundThe needs of formation fluid are compressed when being transported to processing equipment.
Heating part on stratum keeps increased pressure that can surprisingly allow for producing a large amount of Quality advances and moleculeThe relatively low hydrocarbon of amount.Pressure can be kept, so that the formation fluid of production has the compound of the selected carbon number of minimum or more.Selected carbon number can be most 25, most 20, most 12 or most 8.Some high carbon number compounds can be carried secretly in the earth formationIn steam, and it can be removed from stratum together with steam.Keep increased pressure that can inhibit to press from both sides in steam in the earth formationWith high carbon number compounds and/or polycyclic hydrocarbon compounds.High carbon number compounds and/or polycyclic hydrocarbon compounds can be when considerably longLiquid phase is kept in stratum in phase.The considerably long period can provide time enough to form low-carbon to be pyrolyzed for compoundNumber compound.
The formation fluid produced by producing well 206 can be transported to by collection conduit 208 in treatment facility 210.It also can be by202 producing formation fluid of heat source.Such as it can be by 202 production fluid of heat source, to control the pressure in the stratum adjacent with heat source.ByThe fluid that heat source 202 produces can be by pipeline or pipelined to gathering line 208, or the fluid produced can pass through pipeRoad or pipeline are delivered directly in treatment facility 210.Treatment facility 210 may include the separation for processing produced formation fluidUnit, reaction member, upgrading unit, fuel cell, turbine, storage container and/or other systems and unit.Treatment facility canAt least part hydrocarbon produced by stratum forms transport fuel.In some embodiments, transport fuel can be jet fuelSuch as JP-8.
In some embodiments, by temperature-limiting heater for heavy oil application (such as opposite permeable formation or Tar sandsThe processing on stratum).Temperature-limiting heater can provide relatively low Curie temperature, so that the highest average operation temperature of heater is smallIn 350 DEG C, 300 DEG C, 250 DEG C, 225 DEG C, 200 DEG C or 150 DEG C.(such as tar sand formation) in one embodiment, heatingThe maximum temperature of device is less than about 250 DEG C, to inhibit the generation of alkene and the generation of other crackates.In some embodimentsIn, greater than about 250 DEG C of heater maximum temperature can be used, to produce lighter hydrocarbon product.Such as the highest temperature of heaterDegree can be or less than about 500 DEG C.
Heater can heat the formation volume (close to the region of producing well) close to producing well, so that producing well neutralization is leaned onThe fluid temperature (F.T.) of the volume of nearly producing well is less than the temperature for leading to fluid degradation.Heat source can be located in producing well or close to productionWell.In some embodiments, heat source is temperature-limiting heater.In some embodiments, two or more heat sources can beThe volume provides heat.The viscosity of the crude oil in producing well or close to producing well can be reduced by carrying out the heat of self-heat power.At someIn embodiment, come self-heat power heat make in producing well or close to producing well fluid motion and/or reinforce fluid to producing wellRadial Flow.In some embodiments, reducing the viscosity of crude oil allows or strengthens heavy oil (about API Gravity is mostAbout 10 ° of oil) or medium specific weight oily (the about oil of about 10 ° -20 ° of API Gravity) from the gas lift of producing well.In some embodiment partyIn case, in stratum oily initial API gravity degree be up to 10 °, it is 20 ° most, 25 ° or 30 ° most most.In some embodiment partyIn case, oily viscosity is at least 0.05Pas (50cp) in stratum.In some embodiments, viscosity oily in stratum is at leastFor 0.10Pas (100cp), at least 0.15Pas (150cp) or at least 0.20Pas (200cp).A large amount of natural gases mayHave to the gas lift for providing oil of the viscosity more than 0.05Pas.By the oil in producing well in stratum or close to producing wellIt is 0.05Pas (50cp), 0.03Pas (30cp), 0.02Pas (20cp), 0.01Pas that viscosity, which is reduced to viscosity,(10cp) or smaller (down to 0.001Pas (1cp) or lower), which reduce to rise from stratum, lifts the required amount of natural gas of oil.At someIn embodiment, visbreaking oil for example pumps production by other methods.
By improving the temperature at producing well or near producing well to reduce in the stratum in producing well or near producing wellThe viscosity of oil can increase the rate that oil is produced from stratum.In some embodiments, the speed ratio of oil is produced from stratumStratum increases to 2 times, 3 times, 4 times or up to 20 times without the cold production of standard of outside heating when production.Due to being leaned on using heatingThe reinforcing oil production of nearly production well area, specific stratum may be more economical feasible.For cold throughput rate about in 0.05m3/(every meter of day length of hole) arrives 0.20m3Stratum between/(every meter of day length of hole), heating, which reduces, leans near well bore regionViscosity throughput rate may be made to have great raising.In some stratum, using length be up to 775m, up to 1000m orThe up to producing well of 1500m.Such as the producing well using length between 450m to 775m, using length 550m to 800m itBetween producing well, or use producing well of the length between 650m to 900m.Therefore yield can be obtained in some stratumGreat raising.Heating can be used for cold throughput rate not in 0.05m close to production well area3/ (every meter of day length of hole) arrives0.20m3Stratum between/(every meter of day length of hole), but it may not be economical advantages to heat this stratum.HeatingHigher cold throughput rate may not be made to have great raising close to the region of wellhole, but lower throughput rate may notIt is increased to economically useful value.
Viscosity oily at or near producing well is reduced using temperature-limiting heater, to inhibit relevant with non-temperature-limiting heaterProblem and with due to hot spot heat stratum in oil phase close the problem of.One possible problem is if since heater is inExcessively high temperature and so that heater is excessively heated oil, non-temperature-limiting heater can lead to the oily coking at or near producing well.ProductionThe higher salt boiling water that may also cause in well of temperature in well, this will lead to formation scaling in well.Reach the non-of higher temperatureOther elements (such as controlling the sieve, pump or valve of sand) that temperature-limiting heater may also damage in well.Hot spot may be due toFormation, which is expanded or collapsed on heater against heater, to be caused.In some embodiments, heater (temperature-limiting heaterOr other types of non-temperature-limiting heater) have due in very long heater apart from upper sagging relatively low section.These relatively low sectionIt can be located in the heavy oil or pitch of the relatively low portion collection of wellhole.At these relatively low section, due to heavy oil or asphalt coking, heatingDevice is likely to form hot spot.The non-temperature-limiting heater of standard may overheat at these hot spots, therefore be generated not along the length of heaterUniform heat.Heater can be inhibited to be overheated in hot spot or relatively low section using temperature-limiting heater, and be provided more along length of holeUniform heating.
In some embodiments, including fluid in the opposite permeable formation of heavy hydrocarbon in the earth formation hydrocarbon pyrolysis veryIt produces less or without under conditions of.In some embodiments, including the opposite permeable formation of heavy hydrocarbon is tar sand formation.Such as stratum can be tar sand formation, such as Canada Alberta Athabasca tar sand formations or carbonate strata,Such as the Grosmont carbonate stratas of Canada Alberta.The fluid produced from stratum is moving fluid.From tar sandy groundLayer production moving fluid may be more more economical than production pyrolyzation fluid.Production moving fluid can also increase to be produced from tar sand formationHydrocarbon total amount.
Fig. 3-6 describes the side view for the embodiment that moving fluid is produced from tar sand formation.In Fig. 3-6, add(heater as shown in the figure is with entrance or is pierced by adding for paper for heating part of the hot device 212 in hydrocarbon layers 214 with basic horizontalHot part).Fig. 3 describes the side view for the embodiment that moving fluid is produced from the tar sand formation with relatively thin hydrocarbon layers.Fig. 4 describes the embodiment of production moving fluid from thicker hydrocarbon layers (hydrocarbon layers shown in Fig. 4 are thicker than hydrocarbon layers shown in Fig. 3)Side view.Fig. 5 describes the reality of the production moving fluid from thicker hydrocarbon layers (hydrocarbon layers shown in fig. 5 are thicker than hydrocarbon layers shown in Fig. 4)Apply the side view of scheme.Fig. 6 is described produces moving fluid from the tar sand formation with the hydrocarbon layers with intercalated shaleThe side view of embodiment.
In figure 3, heater 212 is arranged in hydrocarbon layers 214 with alternate delta pattern.In Fig. 4,5 and 6, heater212 are arranged in hydrocarbon layers 214 with alternate delta pattern, and this mode is vertically repeated to surround most or most all hydrocarbon layers.In figure 6, the heater 212 of alternate delta pattern repeats to pass uninterrupted through intercalated shale 216 in hydrocarbon layers 214.In Fig. 3-6In, heater 212 can be equally spacedly separated from each other.In the embodiment shown in Fig. 3-6, the vertical line number of heater 212Expectation spacing, the thickness of hydrocarbon layers 214 and/or the number of intercalated shale 216 being such as, but not limited to depending on factor between heaterAmount and position.In some embodiments, heater 212 is arranged to other patterns.Such as heater 212 can be by pattern for exampleBut it is not limited to hexagonal shaped pattern, square pattern or rectangular patterns setting.
In the embodiment shown in Fig. 3-6, the offer of heater 212, which makes the hydrocarbon in hydrocarbon layers 214 move, (reduces the viscous of hydrocarbonDegree) heat.In some embodiments, the heat that heater 212 provides makes the viscosity of the hydrocarbon in hydrocarbon layers 214 fall belowAbout 0.50Pas (500cp), it is below about 0.10Pas (100cp) or is below about 0.05Pas (50cp).Heater 212 itBetween distance and/or the thermal output of heater can design and/or control so that the viscosity of the hydrocarbon in hydrocarbon layers 214 is reduced to expectationValue.The heat of the offer of heater 212 can be controlled, so as to seldom or be not pyrolyzed in hydrocarbon layers 214.Heat superposition between heaterOne or more passing aways (such as channel of fluid flowing) between heater can be formed.In some embodiments,Producing well 206A and/or producing well 206B is located near heater 212, so that the heat from heater is added to producing wellOn.Heat from heater 212 be added on producing well 206A and/or producing well 206B formed it is one or more from heaterTo the passing away of producing well.In some embodiments, one or more passing aways converge.Such as passing away can beOr close minimum heater converges and/or passing away can converge or close to producing well 206A and/or producing well 206B.Due to the effect of heat and barometric gradient that gravity and heater and/or producing well are established, the moving fluid in hydrocarbon layers 214 tends toIn the heater 212 minimum into hydrocarbon layers, producing well 206A and/or producing well 206B flowings.Passing away and/or the row convergedGoing out channel allows producing well 206A and/or producing well 206B to collect the moving fluid in hydrocarbon layers 214.
In some embodiments, hydrocarbon layers 214 have enough permeability with allow moving fluid be discharged into producing well 206A and/Or producing well 206B.Such as the permeability of hydrocarbon layers 214 can be at least about 0.1 darcy, at least about 1 darcy, at least about 10 darciesOr at least about 100 darcies.In some embodiments, hydrocarbon layers 214 have relatively large vertical permeability and horizontal permeabilityRatio (KV/Kh).Such as the K of hydrocarbon layers 214V/KhRatio can between about 0.01 to about 2, between about 0.1 and about 1 or aboutBetween 0.3 and about 0.7.
In some embodiments, pass through the producing well 206A lifes near the heater 212 positioned at hydrocarbon layers 214 compared with lower partProduce fluid.In some embodiments, by producing well 206B production fluids, the position of producing well 206B is less than and close to hydrocarbon layers214 compared with the midpoint between the heater 212 in lower part.At least part of producing well 206A and/or producing well 206B can be withIt is oriented to basic horizontal in hydrocarbon layers 214 (as seen in figures 3-6, producing well has the horizontal component for entering or being pierced by paper).It is rawProducing well 206A and/or producing well 206B can be located at close to lower heater 212 or minimum heater.
In some embodiments, the substantially vertical lower sections for being set to minimum heater in hydrocarbon layers 214 producing well 206A.It is rawProduction well 206A could be provided as less than (such as the triangle shown in Fig. 3-6 of heater 212 at heater pattern bottom apexThe bottom apex of heater pattern).The substantially vertical lower sections for being set to minimum heater producing well 206A can effectively be receivedCollect the moving fluid in hydrocarbon layers 214.
In some embodiments, minimum heater to 214 bottom of hydrocarbon layers distance about 2 between about 10m, arrive hydrocarbon layersThe distance of bottom about 4 to the distance between about 8m or to hydrocarbon layers bottom about 5 between about 7m.In some embodimentsIn, producing well 206A and/or producing well 206B allow the heat from heater to be added to life with a distance from minimum heater 212It produces on well, but inhibits the coking at producing well again with a distance from heater.Producing well 206A and/or producing well 206B with it is nearestThe distance between heater (such as minimum heater) up to heater pattern (such as the triangle of heater shown in Fig. 3-6Shape pattern) in heater between distance 3/4.In some embodiments, producing well 206A and/or producing well 206B are from mostThe distance of close heater be heater pattern in heater between distance most 2/3, most 1/2 or most 1/3.OneIn a little embodiments, producing well 206A and/or producing well 206B from minimum heater about 2 between about 10m, from minimum heaterAbout 4 between about 8m or from minimum heater about 5 between about 7m.Producing well 206A and/or producing well 206B is to hydrocarbon layersThe distance of 214 bottoms about 0.5 to the distance between about 8m, to hydrocarbon layers bottom about 1 between about 5m or arrive hydrocarbon layers bottomDistance about 2 between about 4m.
In some embodiments, at least some producing wells 206A is substantially vertical is disposed in proximity to adding for intercalated shale 216The lower section of hot device 212, as shown in Figure 6.Producing well 206A can be existed between heater 212 and intercalated shale 216 with productionFlowing and the fluid collected above intercalated shale.Intercalated shale 216 may be shielding impermeable in hydrocarbon layers 214.At someIn embodiment, the thickness of intercalated shale 216 about 1 between about 6m, about 2 between about 5m or about 3 to about 4m itBetween.As shown in fig. 6, the producing well 206A between heater 212 and intercalated shale 216 (can be pressed from both sides from 214 top of hydrocarbon layers in shaleLayer top) the producing well 206A below minimum heater in production fluid and hydrocarbon layers can be from hydrocarbon layers lower part (in intercalated shaleLower section) production fluid.In some embodiments, there may be two or more intercalated shales in hydrocarbon layers.In this implementationIn scheme, producing well is arranged at or near each intercalated shale, to produce the fluid for flowing and collecting above intercalated shale.
In some embodiments, when intercalated shale is heated by the heater 212 of intercalated shale either side, intercalated shale216 ruptures (desiccation).Since intercalated shale 216 ruptures, the permeability of intercalated shale increases and intercalated shale allows fluid streamCross intercalated shale.Once fluid can flow through intercalated shale 216, the producing well above intercalated shale may just not for productionIt needs, because fluid can flow to 214 bottom of hydrocarbon layers or neighbouring producing well and produce there.
In some embodiments, the minimum heater above intercalated shale 216 to the distance of intercalated shale in about 2mDistance of the distance between about 4m and about 8m or to intercalated shale between about 10m, to intercalated shale is in about 5m and about 7mBetween.The distance of producing well 206A to the minimum heater of 216 top of intercalated shale is pressed from both sides between about 2m and about 10m, to shaleDistance of the distance of the minimum heater of layer top between about 4m and about 8m or to the minimum heater above intercalated shaleBetween about 5m and about 7m.Producing well 206A to intercalated shale 216 distance between about 0.5m and about 8m, arrive intercalated shaleDistance of the distance between about 1m and about 5m or to intercalated shale is between about 2m and about 4m.
In some embodiments, heat is provided in producing well 206A and/or producing well 206B, as seen in figures 3-6.Heat is provided in producing well 206A and/or producing well 206B can keep and/or improve motility of the fluid in producing well.The heat provided in producing well 206A and/or producing well 206B can be superimposed with the heat from heater 212, be formed from heatingFlow channel of the device to producing well.In some embodiments, producing well 206A and/or producing well 206B includes pump, will be flowedBody is moved out to surface of stratum.In some embodiments, using heater and/or injection diluent (such as using in producing wellConduit penetrate diluent to inject), so that the viscosity of the fluid (oil) in producing well 206A and/or producing well 206B is reduced.
In some embodiments, other than situ heat treatment process, driving method (such as the steaming of such as cyclic steam injectionVapour injection method, solvent injection method or carbon dioxide injection method) for handling tar sand formation.In some embodiments, it heatsDevice is for being that driving method forms high osmosis area (or injection zone) in the earth formation.Heater can be used for forming movement in the earth formationGeometry or production network, to allow fluid to flow through stratum during driving method.For example, heater can be used in heaterBetween producing well passing away is formed for driving method.In some embodiments, heater during driving method for providingHeat.The heat that heater provides is likely less than the heat input (such as the heat input injected from steam) of driving method.
In some embodiments, driving method (such as steam injection method) before heat treating process in situ for making fluid transportIt is dynamic.Steam injection may be used to the rock in the separate stratum of hydrocarbon (oil) or other layers.Steam injection can be such that oil moves, andDo not heat rock.
In some embodiments, driving method is used to that hydrocarbon to be handled and produced from stratum.Driving method can be from formation crudePosition produces a small amount of oil (being, for example, less than the recovery ratio of 20% slave formation crude position extraction oil).Situ heat treatment process can be usedIncrease the recovery ratio from formation crude position extraction oil after driving method.In some embodiments, driving method is in-situ heatThe pre- hot formation of facture.In some embodiments, after stratum has used driving method to handle, stratum situ heat treatment processProcessing is for quite a long time (such as after driving method, using situ heat treatment process 1 year, 2 years or 3 years).