Abstract: An in situ process for treating an oil containing formation is provided. The process may include providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation. The heat may be allowed to transfer from the one or more heaters to a part of the formation such that heat from the one or more heat sources pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the part. Hydrocarbons may be produced from the formation.

Abstract: A method is provided to remove contaminants from contaminated soil. The method may include withdrawing vapors from a vapor extraction well, estimating the amount of water vapor removed from the contaminated soil in the vapors being withdrawn from the vapor extraction well, and applying heat to the contaminated soil from a plurality of heater wells at a rate not greater than that which would vaporize the estimated amount of water vapor. The permeability of the soil may thereby increase by the application of heat. Six or more heat injection wells may be provided for each vapor extraction well, and the heat injection wells may be placed and energized in a regular pattern around the vapor extraction well, which may include multiple rings of heaters around each vapor extraction well.

Abstract: A method is provided to remove contaminants from contaminated soil. The method may include withdrawing vapors from a vapor extraction well, estimating the amount of water vapor removed from the contaminated soil in the vapors being withdrawn from the vapor extraction well, and applying heat to the contaminated soil from a plurality of heater wells at a rate not greater than that which would vaporize the estimated amount of water vapor. The permeability of the soil may thereby increase by the application of heat. Six or more heat injection wells may be provided for each vapor extraction well, and the heat injection wells may be placed and energized in a regular pattern around the vapor extraction well, which may include multiple rings of heaters around each vapor extraction well.

Abstract: An in situ process for treating an oil containing formation is provided. The process may include providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation. The heat may be allowed to transfer from the one or more heaters to a part of the formation such that heat from the one or more heat sources pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the part. Hydrocarbons may be produced from the formation.

Abstract: A method for heat injection into a subterranean diatomite formation is provided. The method utilizes a heater that is placed directly in the diatomite formation without cement around the heater. Diatomite is very soft, and will quickly fill in around the heater, operation of the heater will sinter the diatomite and significantly increase the original thermal conductivity and strength of the diatomite.

Abstract: A method for heat injection into a subterranean diatomite formation is provided. A heater is placed in a wellbore within the diatomite formation, and the heater is then operated at a temperature above that which the heater could be operated at long term in order to better sinter the formation in the vicinity of the wellbore. The improved sintering of the diatomite significantly improves the heat transfer coefficient of the diatomite and thereby increases the rate at which heat can be injected from a constant limited long term heater temperature.

Abstract: A method for heat injection into a subterranean formation is provided. The method utilizes flameless combustion and a gas fired heater having an electrical heated surface for ignition of the gas. The absence of a flame eliminates the flame as a radiant heat source and results in a more even temperature distribution throughout the length of the burner. Flameless combustion is accomplished by preheating the fuel and the combustion air to a temperature above the autoignition temperature of the mixture. Preheating hydrocarbon fuel requires the inclusion of a carbon formation suppressant such as carbon dioxide or steam to prevent carbon formation.

Abstract: A process to recover oil is provided wherein an oil containing subterranean formation is heated by conductive heat transfer. The high temperature levels of this process result in high recoveries of initial oil in place, and recovery of the oil within a short time period. This process is particularly applicable to diatomite formations that have low permeabilities.

Abstract: An in situ method for removal of contaminants from soil imposes a vacuum on the soil through perforated heater wells that are positioned in the soil. The heater wells heat the soil to elevated temperatures by thermal conduction. The heater wells are permeable to vapors which emanate from the soil when heated and which are drawn towards the heater wells by the imposed vacuum. An impermeable flexible sheeting on the soil surface reduces the amount of air that is being pulled into the heater well from the atmosphere. A thermal insulator covers the soil surface and reduces heat losses from the soil surface. The heater wells are connected to a vacuum manifold for collection of vapors. A heat front moves away from the heater wells through the soil by thermal conduction, and the superposition of heat from a plurality of heater wells results in a more uniform temperature rise throughout the well pattern.

Abstract: An in situ method for removal of contaminants from soil imposes a vacuum on the soil through perforated heater wells that are positioned in the soil. The heater wells heat the soil to elevated temperatures by thermal conduction. The heater wells are permeable to vapors which emanate from the soil when heated and which are drawn toward the heater wells by the imposed vacuum. An impermeable flexible sheeting on the soil surface reduces the amount of air that is being pulled into the heater well from the atmosphere. A thermal insulator covers the soil surface and reduces heat losses from the soil surface. The heater wells are connected to a vacuum manifold for collection of vapors. A heat front moves away from the heater wells through the soil by thermal conduction, and the superposition of heat from a plurality of heater wells results in a more uniform temperature rise throughout the well pattern.

Abstract: A control system which minimizes the start up time of heaters and sustains long term automatic control is provided. This control system automatically converts control time constant current to constant power when the power reaches the power set and provides that after power interruptions, control will revert back to constant current until constant power control is again called for. The heater controlled by the control system of this invention is preferably a subterranean heater having a long heating element.

Abstract: Shale oil is produced from a subterranean interval of oil shale, where the interval is initially substantially impermeable and contains a specified grade and thickness of oil shale. Said interval is conductively heated from borehole interiors which are kept hotter than about 600.degree. C. and are heated at a rate such that kerogen pyrolysis products formed within the oil shale create and flow through horizontal fractures which subsequently extend into fluid-producing wells that are positioned in specified locations.