Abstract: A cyclic steam soak (CSS) stimulation method for producing heated hydrocarbons from a viscous hydrocarbon-containing formation comprises the steps of: a) drilling a well (1) having a substantially horizontal or inclined lower section (3) into the viscous hydrocarbon-containing formation (4) substantially along the trajectory of the minimum compressive horizontal stress Sh; b) cutting at selected intervals along the length of the lower well section (3) substantially disk-shaped cavities (5A-5D) into the viscous hydrocarbon-containing formation (4) by a rotating hydraulic jet cutting device (6); c) completing the well (1); d) injecting steam into the well (1) and disk-shaped cavities (5A-5D) at such an elevated pressure that the hydraulic pressure in at least one disk-shaped cavity 5A is above the formation fracturing pressure, thereby fracturing the formation (4) and permitting the steam to invade the formation surrounding the fracture and to heat hydrocarbons in the steam invaded zone; e) interrupting steam i

Abstract: A cyclic steam soak (CSS) stimulation method for producing heated hydrocarbons from a viscous hydrocarbon-containing formation comprises the steps of: a) drilling a well (1) having a substantially horizontal or inclined lower section (3) into the viscous hydrocarbon-containing formation (4) substantially along the trajectory of the minimum compressive horizontal stress Sh; b) cutting at selected intervals along the length of the lower well section (3) substantially disk-shaped cavities (5A-5D) into the viscous hydrocarbon-containing formation (4) by a rotating hydraulic jet cutting device (6); c) completing the well (1); d) injecting steam into the well (1) and disk-shaped cavities (5A-5D) at such an elevated pressure that the hydraulic pressure in at least one disk-shaped cavity 5A is above the formation fracturing pressure, thereby fracturing the formation (4) and permitting the steam to invade the formation surrounding the fracture and to heat hydrocarbons in the steam invaded zone; e) interrupting steam i

Abstract: A method for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation is described. The method may include providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation. At least one heater may be located in at least one wellbore in the formation. At least one wellbore may be sized, at least in part, based on a determination of formation expansion caused by heating of the formation so that formation expansion caused by heating of the formation is not sufficient to cause substantial deformation of one or more heaters in the sized wellbores. The ratio of the outside diameter of a heater to the inside diameter of a wellbore may be less than about 0.75. In certain embodiments, heat may transfer from the one or more heaters to a part of the formation. In some embodiments, a mixture may be produced from the formation.

Abstract: A method for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation is described. The method for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation may include heating a first volume of the formation using a first set of heaters. A second volume of the formation may be heated using a second set of heaters. The first volume may be spaced apart from the second volume by a third volume of the formation. The first volume, second volume, and/or third volume may be sized, shaped, and/or located to inhibit deformation of subsurface equipment caused by geomechanical motion of the formation during heating.

Abstract: A method for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation is described. The method may include providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation. At least one heater may be located in at least one wellbore in the formation. At least one wellbore may be sized, at least in part, based on a determination of formation expansion caused by heating of the formation so that formation expansion caused by heating of the formation is not sufficient to cause substantial deformation of one or more heaters in the sized wellbores. The ratio of the outside diameter of a heater to the inside diameter of a wellbore may be less than about 0.75. In certain embodiments, heat may transfer from the one or more heaters to a part of the formation. In some embodiments, a mixture may be produced from the formation.

Abstract: A method for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation is described. The method for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation may include heating a first volume of the formation using a first set of heaters. A second volume of the formation may be heated using a second set of heaters. The first volume may be spaced apart from the second volume by a third volume of the formation. The first volume, second volume, and/or third volume may be sized, shaped, and/or located to inhibit deformation of subsurface equipment caused by geomechanical motion of the formation during heating.

Abstract: Systems and methods of using a computer system to simulate a process for in situ treatment of a hydrocarbon containing formation are provided. The in situ process may include providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least one portion of the formation. The in situ process may, in some embodiments, include allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section of the formation. In some embodiments, the method may include operating the in situ process using one or more operating parameters. At least one operating parameter of the in situ process may be provided to the computer system. In certain embodiments, at least one parameter may be used with a simulation method and the computer system to provide assessed information about the in situ process.