Method of heating hydrocarbons

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to a method and means of injecting hot fluids into a hydrocarbon formation using a combustion and steam generating device installed at or near the well-head of an injector well. The various embodiments are directed generally to substantially increasing energy efficiency of thermal recovery operations by efficiently utilizing the energy of the combustion products and waste heat from the generator. The generator apparatuses can be installed at the well-head which, in turn, can be located close to the producing formation. The combustion products may be injected into a well along with steam or sequestered at another location.

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
   
   
       17 . A hydrocarbon production system, comprising:
 (a) a diesel engine;   (b) a compressor;   (c) a drive shaft interconnecting the diesel engine to the compressor; and   (d) a conduit transporting an exhaust gas of the diesel engine to the compressor for injection, by an injection well, into a hydrocarbon-containing material to mobilize the hydrocarbons.   
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 17 , further comprising a heat exchanger is in thermal communication with the engine to heat water, using waste heat from the engine, for introduction into the hydrocarbon-containing material. 
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the generating device comprises a heat exchanger in communication with the compressor and the water to transfer heat from the compressor to the water and wherein the heated water is introduced into the hydrocarbon-containing material. 
   
   
       20 . A hydrocarbon production method, comprising:
 (a) operating a diesel engine to produce an exhaust gas comprising carbon oxides and a rotating drive shaft;   (b) operating a compressor, by the rotating drive shaft, to form a compressed gas, the compressed gas comprising at least part of the exhaust gas from the diesel engine; and   (c) introducing the compressed gas into a hydrocarbon-containing material to mobilize the hydrocarbons for production.   
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein a heat exchanger is in thermal communication with the engine to transfer heat from the engine to the water for introduction of the heated water into the hydrocarbon-containing material. 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein a heat exchanger is in thermal communication with the compressor and the water to transfer heat from the compressor to the water for introduction of the heated water into the hydrocarbon-containing material.