Thermal processes for subsurface formations

Abstract

A process may include providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of a subsurface formation. Heat may transfer from one or more heaters to a part of a formation. In some embodiments, heat from the one or more heat sources may pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbons in a part of a subsurface formation. Hydrocarbons and/or other products may be produced from a subsurface formation. Certain embodiments describe apparatus, methods, and/or processes used in treating a subsurface or hydrocarbon containing formation.

1 - 814 . (canceled) 
     
     
         815 . A method of monitoring an environment in an opening in a formation, comprising:
 providing heat from a heater assembly in the opening of the formation;   repetitively monitoring one or more parameters at two or more locations along a length of the heater assembly with an optical sensor array;   analyzing at least one of the parameters to assess conditions in the opening of the formation; and   using information from the analysis of at least one of the parameters to alter conditions in the opening of the formation.   
     
     
         816 . The method of  claim 815 , wherein repetitively monitoring the one or more parameters comprises continuously monitoring the one or more parameters. 
     
     
         817 . The method of  claim 815 , wherein the optical sensor array is used when a temperature in the opening is up to about 700° C. 
     
     
         818 . The method of  claim 815 , further comprising monitoring temperature. 
     
     
         819 . The method of  claim 815 , further comprising monitoring pressure. 
     
     
         820 . The method of  claim 815 , further comprising monitoring strain. 
     
     
         821 . The method of  claim 815 , further comprising monitoring gas composition. 
     
     
         822 . The method of  claim 815 , further comprising monitoring temperature and strain. 
     
     
         823 . The method of  claim 815 , further comprising monitoring temperature and pressure. 
     
     
         824 - 2058 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2059 . The method of  claim 815 , wherein at least one of the conditions in the opening comprises heat output in the opening. 
     
     
         2060 . A method of monitoring an environment in an opening in a formation, comprising:
 providing heat from a heater assembly in the opening of the formation;   repetitively monitoring one or more parameters at two or more locations along a length of the heater assembly with an optical sensor array;   assessing operating conditions in the opening of the formation by analyzing at least one of the parameters; and   adjusting one or more operating conditions in the opening of the formation based on the analysis of at least one of the parameters.   
     
     
         2061 . The method of  claim 2060 , wherein repetitively monitoring the one or more parameters comprises continuously monitoring the one or more parameters. 
     
     
         2062 . The method of  claim 2060 , wherein the optical sensor array is used when a temperature in the opening is up to about 700° C. 
     
     
         2063 . The method of  claim 2060 , further comprising monitoring temperature. 
     
     
         2064 . The method of  claim 2060 , further comprising monitoring pressure. 
     
     
         2065 . The method of  claim 2060 , further comprising monitoring strain. 
     
     
         2066 . The method of  claim 2060 , further comprising monitoring gas composition. 
     
     
         2067 . The method of  claim 2060 , further comprising monitoring temperature and strain. 
     
     
         2068 . The method of  claim 2060 , further comprising monitoring temperature and pressure. 
     
     
         2069 . The method of  claim 2060 , wherein at least one of the conditions in the opening comprises heat output in the opening.