Method for in situ extraction of hydrocarbon materials

Abstract

A method for in situ extraction of hydrocarbon materials in a subsurface region includes increasing permeability of a low permeability hydrocarbon-containing subsurface region to create a first well sub-region and a second well sub-region vertically below the first well sub-region. The first well sub-region is heated to extract liquid hydrocarbon materials that flow to the second well sub-region. The liquid hydrocarbon materials are then transported from the second well sub-region.

1 . A method for in-situ extraction of hydrocarbon materials in a subsurface region, the method comprising:
 increasing permeability of a low permeability hydrocarbon-containing subsurface region to create a plurality of well sub-regions that include a first well sub-region and a second well sub-region vertically below the first well sub-region;   heating the first well sub-region to extract liquid hydrocarbon materials that flow from the first well sub-region to the second well sub-region; and   transporting the liquid hydrocarbon materials from the second well sub-region.   
     
     
         2 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , including increasing the permeability by rubblizing the subsurface region. 
     
     
         3 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first well sub-region and the second well sub-region are fluidly connected. 
     
     
         4 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , including heating by using a downhole combustion heater. 
     
     
         5 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , including heating the first well sub-region to a temperature of 350°-450° C. (662°-842° F.). 
     
     
         6 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , including heating by injecting a heated working fluid into the first well sub-region. 
     
     
         7 . The method as recited in  claim 6 , including transporting the working fluid from the first well sub-region, purifying the working fluid and recirculating the working fluid back into the first well sub-region. 
     
     
         8 . The method as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the working fluid is selected from a group consisting of carbon dioxide, methane, nitrogen and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , including increasing the permeability to also create a third well sub-region above the second well sub-region, wherein the heating of the first well sub-region causes the extraction of gaseous hydrocarbon material that flows from the first well sub-region to the third well sub-region, and transporting the gaseous hydrocarbon material from the third well sub-region. 
     
     
         10 . The method as recited in  claim 9 , including circulating a heated working fluid from the first well sub-region to the third well sub-region. 
     
     
         11 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the subsurface region includes oil shale having kerogen. 
     
     
         12 . A method for in-situ extraction of hydrocarbon materials in a subsurface region, the method comprising:
 increasing permeability of a low permeability hydrocarbon-containing subsurface region to create an injection well sub-region, a vent well sub-region and a collection well sub-region that is vertically below the injection well sub-region;   heating the injection well sub-region to extract gaseous hydrocarbon materials and liquid hydrocarbon materials, where the liquid hydrocarbon materials flow from the injection well sub-region to the collection well sub-region and the gaseous hydrocarbon materials flow to the vent well sub-region; and   transporting the liquid hydrocarbon materials from the collection well sub-region and the gaseous hydrocarbon materials from the vent well sub-region.   
     
     
         13 . The method as recited in  claim 12 , including heating by using a downhole combustion heater. 
     
     
         14 . The method as recited in  claim 12 , including heating the injection well sub-region to a temperature of 350°-450° C. (662°-842° F.). 
     
     
         15 . The method as recited in  claim 12 , including heating by injecting a heated working fluid into the injection well sub-region. 
     
     
         16 . The method as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the injection well sub-region, the collection well sub-region and the vent well sub-region are all fluidly connected together. 
     
     
         17 . The method as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the injection well sub-region and the vent well sub-region are at substantially equivalent subsurface depths. 
     
     
         18 . A well arrangement for in-situ extraction of hydrocarbon materials in a subsurface region, the well arrangement comprising:
 an injection duct extending subsurface into a first well sub-region;   a collection duct extending subsurface from a second well sub-region that is fluidly connected with the first well sub-region;   a vent duct extending subsurface from a third well sub-region that is fluidly connected with the first well sub-region and the second well sub-region;   a surface battery connecting the vent duct and the injection duct; and   a downhole heater in the injection duct.   
     
     
         19 . The well arrangement as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the surface battery includes a turbo-compressor, a separator and a condenser. 
     
     
         20 . The well arrangement as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the collection duct extends to a deeper depth than the injector duct and the vent duct.