Methods of heating a subsurface formation using electrically conductive particles

Abstract

Systems and methods for heaters used in treating a subsurface formation are described herein. Some embodiments also generally relate to heaters that have novel components therein. Such heaters may be obtained by using the systems and methods described. Some embodiments also generally relate to systems, methods, and/or processes for treating fluid produced from the subsurface formation.

1 . A system for treating a subsurface formation, comprising:
 a plurality of conduits at least partially located in a portion of a hydrocarbon containing formation, wherein at least part of two of the conduits are aligned in relation to each other such that electrical current will flow from a first conduit to a second conduit, and wherein the first and second conduits comprise electrically conductive material;   particles located in the portion of the hydrocarbon formation and in communication with the first and second conduits, wherein the particles comprise electrically conductive material; and   a power supply coupled to the first and second conduits, the power supply configured to electrically excite at least one of the conductive sections and at least a portion of the particles such that current flows between the first conduit, the particles, and the second conduit in the formation and heats at least a portion of the formation between the two conduits and proximate the particles.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the first conduit and at least a portion of the second conduit are substantially vertical in the formation. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the first conduit and at least a portion of the second conduit are substantially parallel to each other. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the particles are located in a substantially horizontal opening in the formation. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the first conduit and at least a portion of the second conduit are substantially vertical in the formation and the particles are located in a substantially horizontal opening in the formation, wherein the substantially horizontal opening is in communication with the first and second conduit. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the first conduit and at least a portion of the second conduit are substantially vertical in the formation and the particles are located in at least one substantially horizontal opening and at least one substantially vertical opening in the formation, wherein the substantially horizontal opening is in communication with the first and second conduit and the substantially vertical opening is in communication with the substantially horizontal opening. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the particles are located in a highly permeable fracture in the formation. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the particles are located in an opening in the formation having a permeability of greater than about 1 Darcy. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the particles are located in a pre-existing opening in the formation. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the particles comprise carbon. 
     
     
         11 . A method of treating a hydrocarbon formation,
 providing one or more particles to a portion of a hydrocarbon formation, wherein at least a portion of the particles comprise electrically conductive material;   providing electrical current to at least a portion of the particles to heat at least a part of the formation.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein providing the particles comprising injecting a solution of liquid and particles into one or more fractures in the portion of the formation. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the particles are provided to at least one of fracture, wherein the fracture is substantially vertical relative to other fractures in the formation. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the particles are provided to at least one substantially horizontal fracture or inclined fracture and/or at least one substantially vertical relative to other fractures in the formation. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein providing the particles comprising injecting a solution of liquid and particles into one or more fractures in the portion of the formation, wherein at least one of the fractures is substantially vertical relative to other fractures in the formation. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the electrically conductive material of the particles comprises carbon. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein providing the particles comprises:
 positioning an injection well proximate a first end of a substantially horizontal fracture;   positioning a production well proximate a second end of the substantially horizontal fracture; and   circulating particles from the injection well through the substantially horizontal fracture to the production well.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising moving the production well and injection well proximate a second substantially horizontal fracture and providing particles to the second substantially horizontal fracture. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the production well is configured to inhibit flow of particles to the surface. 
     
     
         20 . A method for treating a subsurface formation, comprising:
 providing particles to an opening in a portion of the formation, wherein the particles comprise electrically conductive material;   providing a plurality of conduits to a section of the formation, wherein a first conduit and a second conduit of the plurality of conduits are in communication with the electrically conductive particles;   providing electrical current to a first conduit in a section of the formation such that electrical current flows from the first conduit to a second conduit in the section of the formation, the electrical current flowing through at least a portion of the formation to heat at least part of the formation.