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:
Oct. 21, 2014
Filed:
Nov. 15, 2010
Robert D. Kaminsky, Houston, TX (US);
Matthew T. Shanley, Bellaire, TX (US);
Robert D. Kaminsky, Houston, TX (US);
Matthew T. Shanley, Bellaire, TX (US);
ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company, Houston, TX (US);
Abstract
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° 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, α. 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, α. The second value αis at least 50% greater than the first value αand, more preferably, is at least 100% greater than α.