The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 27, 2011
Filed:
Nov. 14, 2008
William a Symington, Houston, TX (US);
Robert D Kaminsky, Houston, TX (US);
William A Symington, Houston, TX (US);
Robert D Kaminsky, Houston, TX (US);
ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company, Houston, TX (US);
Abstract
A method for developing hydrocarbons from a subsurface formation. The subsurface formation may include oil shale. The method may include conductively heating portions of an organic-rich rock formation located in a development area, thereby pyrolyzing at least a portion of formation hydrocarbons located in a heated zone in the organic-rich rock formation into hydrocarbon fluids. The heat may be generated from one or more wellbores completed within the formation, such as by means of a resistive heating element. At least one unheated zone is preserved within the organic-rich rock formation. This leaves a portion of the development area substantially unpyrolyzed. The at least one unheated zone is sized or configured in order to substantially optimize that portion of the development area in which the organic-rich rock is pyrolyzed while controlling subsidence above the organic-rich rock formation.