OPTIMIZATION OF UNTREATED OIL SHALE GEOMETRY TO CONTROL SUBSIDENCE

A method for developing hydrocarbons from a subsurface formation is provided. 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 hydro...

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Bibliographische Detailangaben
Hauptverfasser:	KAMINSKY, ROBERT D, SYMINGTON, WILLIAM A
Format:	Patent
Sprache:	eng ; fre
Schlagworte:	EARTH DRILLING EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS MINING OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR ASLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
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Beschreibung
Zusammenfassung:	A method for developing hydrocarbons from a subsurface formation is provided. 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.