Methods for generation of subsurface heat for treatment of a hydrocarbon containing formation

Abstract

Methods of generating subsurface heat for treatment of a hydrocarbon containing formation are described herein. Steam is provided to at least a portion of a hydrocarbon containing formation from a plurality of substantially horizontal steam injection wells. A mixture comprising hydrogen sulfide and an oxidant is combusted in one or more flameless distributed combustors positioned in one or more substantially vertical wellbores to generate heat. At least one of the substantially vertical wellbores is within ten meters of an end of at least one of the substantially horizontal steam injection wells, and at least a portion of the generated heat is transferred to a portion of the hydrocarbon containing formation located between at least one of the substantially horizontal steam injection wells and at least one of the substantially vertical heater wells to mobilize formation fluids for recovery.

1 . A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising:
 providing steam to at least a portion of a hydrocarbon containing formation from a plurality of substantially horizontal steam injection wells;   combusting at least a portion of a mixture comprising hydrogen sulfide and oxidant in one or more flameless distributed combustors positioned in one or more substantially vertical wellbores to generate heat, wherein at least one of the substantially vertical wellbores is within ten meters of an end of at least one of the substantially horizontal steam injection wells;   transferring at least a portion of the generated heat to a portion of the hydrocarbon containing formation located between at least one of the substantially horizontal steam injection wells and at least one of the substantially vertical heater wells; and   mobilizing at least a portion of formation fluids in the heated portion of the hydrocarbon containing formation.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising producing formation fluids from a volume between at least one of the substantially vertical heater wells and at least one of the substantially horizontal steam injection wells. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the steam transfers heat to at least a portion of the hydrocarbon containing formation. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the steam drives at least a portion of the formation fluids towards one or more production wells. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein combustion produces combustion by-products, and further comprising the step of transferring at least a portion of the combustion by-products into the formation such that at least a portion of the combustion by-products provide a driving force for mobilization of at least a portion of the formation fluids. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein at least a portion of the steam provides a driving force for mobilization of at least a portion of the formation fluids. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein combustion produces combustion by-products comprising sulfur oxides, further comprising the step of mixing at least a portion of the combustion by-products with water in the hydrocarbon formation to generate a heat of solution generating a heat of solution. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein combustion produces combustion by-products comprising sulfur dioxide, further comprising the step of mixing at least a portion of the combustion by-products with at least a portion of formation fluids to form a mixture, and mobilizing at least a portion of the mixture. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein combustion produces a combustion by-products stream and the method further comprising the steps of transferring at least a portion of the generated heat to a least a portion formation fluids in the hydrocarbon containing formation; solvating at least a portion of the heated formation fluids with at least a portion of the combustion by-products stream; and mobilizing at least a portion of heated and solvated formation fluids. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein combusting at least a portion of the mixture comprises selecting a ratio of hydrogen sulfide to the oxidant for combustion such that during combustion a selected amount of hydrogen sulfide, sulfur trioxide, sulfur dioxide, or mixtures thereof is formed. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein combusting at least a portion of the mixture comprises selecting a ratio of hydrogen sulfide to the oxidant for combustion such that combustion generates substantially sulfur trioxide. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10  wherein combusting at least a portion of the mixture comprises selecting a ratio of hydrogen sulfide to the oxidant for combustion such that combustion generates substantially sulfur dioxide and hydrogen sulfide.