Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company

Matthew T Shanley

Robert D Kaminsky

Matthew Stone

Peter C Rasmussen

Abdel Wadood M El-Rabaa

William P Meurer

Xianghui Huang

Ganesh L Ghurye

Matthew T Stone

Ganesh Ghurye

A method for heating a subsurface formation using electrical resistance heating is provided. The method includes placing a first electrically conductive proppant into a fracture within an interval of organic-rich rock. The first electrically conductive proppant has a first bulk resistivity. The method further includes placing a second electrically conductive proppant into the fracture. The second electrically conductive proppant has a second bulk resistivity that is lower than the first bulk resistivity, and is in electrical communication with the first proppant at three or more terminal locations. The method then includes passing an electric current through the second electrically conductive proppant at a selected terminal and through the first electrically conductive proppant, such that heat is generated within the fracture by electrical resistivity. The operator may monitor resistance and switch terminals for the most efficient heating. A system for electrically heating an organic-rich rock formation below an earth surface is also provided.

Multiple electrical connections to optimize heating for in situ pyrolysis

Method for producing hydrocarbon fluids from an organic-rich rock formation include providing a plurality of in situ heat sources configured to generate heat within the formation so as to pyrolyze solid hydrocarbons into hydrocarbon fluids. Preferably, the organic-rich rock formation is heated to a temperature of at least 270&#xb0; C. Heating of the organic-rich rock formation continues so that heat moves away from the respective heat sources and through the formation at a first value of effective thermal diffusivity, &#x3b1;. Heating of the formation further continues in situ so that thermal fractures are caused to be formed in the formation or so that the permeability of the formation is otherwise increased. The method also includes injecting a fluid into the organic-rich rock formation. The purpose for injecting the fluid is to increase the value of thermal diffusivity within the subsurface formation to a second value, &#x3b1;. The second value &#x3b1;is at least 50% greater than the first value &#x3b1;and, more preferably, is at least 100% greater than &#x3b1;.

Enhanced convection for in situ pyrolysis of organic-rich rock formations

One or more methods, systems and computer readable mediums are utilized to provide treatment of a subterranean formation that contains solid organic matter, such as oil shale, tar sands, and/or coal formation. The treatment of the formation includes heating a treatment interval within the subterranean formation with one or more electrical in situ heaters. Available power, or other production resources, for the electrical heaters are determined at regular, predetermined intervals. Heating rates of the one or more electrical heaters are selectively controlled based on the determined available power at each regular, predetermined interval and based on an optimization model that outputs optimal heating rates for each of the electrical heaters at the determined available power.

Converting organic matter from a subterranean formation into producible hydrocarbons by controlling production operations based on availability of one or more production resources

Growing community of inventors

Bellaire, TX, United States of America

Matthew T Shanley