Abstract: A method of producing hydrogen and sequestering carbon or sulfur includes generating a fluid including at least one of water, steam, hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide and heat as a byproduct of a surface facility and injecting the fluid into a subsurface formation. The subsurface formation can include a porous rock, in various forms of porosity such as intragranular, intergranular, fracture porosity. The method can further include heating the fluid to stimulate an exothermic reaction of the fluid with components of the subsurface rock formation and produce a hydrogen reaction product and one or more of sulfur minerals from the hydrogen sulfide or carbon minerals from the carbon dioxide. The fluid can be heated to between about 25° C. and about 500° C. The method can also include extracting the hydrogen produced from the reaction of the fluid with the subsurface rock formation and mineralizing at least one of the sulfur or carbon in the porous rock.

Abstract: A system and method is described to recycle and reuse the gas and NGLs from producing wells thereby increasing on site for oil recovery. The process uses a one-step approach to separate and stabilize the crude from water, NGLs and the natural gas produced during production thereby reducing the complexity associated with oil production surface infrastructure and eliminating a majority of the fugitive emissions.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for enhancing the flow rate and heat transfer efficiency of wellbores and/or propped fractures for use in geothermal operations are provided. In some embodiments, the methods comprise: injecting an etching agent into an injection inlet of a first wellbore penetrating a first portion of a subterranean formation, wherein the injection inlet is disposed at a first location at or near a surface of the subterranean formation; injecting a working fluid having a first temperature into the injection inlet; allowing at least a portion of the working fluid to flow from the injection inlet to a production outlet of a second wellbore penetrating a second portion of the subterranean formation; and producing the portion of the working fluid out of the production outlet at a first rate and at a second temperature that is higher than the first temperature.

Abstract: A method for operating a kerogen-rich unconventional gas reservoir characterized by there being multiple hydraulically-fractured wells drilled thereinto comprises: recovering a methane-containing gas from a first hydraulically-fractured well drilled into the gas reservoir, steam-methane reforming the recovered methane-containing gas to yield a hydrogen gas and an inorganic carbon-containing gas, injecting at least a portion of the hydrogen gas into a second hydraulically-fractured well drilled into the gas reservoir, and injecting at least a portion of the inorganic carbon-containing gas into a third hydraulically-fractured well drilled into the gas reservoir.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for determining the production rate of oil produced from each of a plurality of oil-bearing geological layers in an oil field. In some embodiments, the method comprises allocating injected fluid into each layer of a plurality of oil-bearing geological layers to a plurality of paths from injection sites of injection wells to production wells in each layer by balancing the mass of fluid injected into and the total fluid recovered from each oil-bearing geological layer. In some embodiments, the method comprises calculating estimated geological properties for each path in the plurality of paths to match total oil and injection fluid recovered at each production well in the plurality of production wells. In some embodiments, the method comprises using the estimated geological properties, calculating an oil production rate for each path between an injector well and a production well in a geological layer.

Abstract: A method to improve the efficiency of a gravity drainage CO2 gas injection process includes the steps of: (a) injecting a slug proximate to an underground reservoir, wherein the slug comprises a polymer component and an inorganic metal ion type crosslinking agent that are configured to form an in situ weak gel in the reservoir to block high permeability channels in a pay zone of the reservoir; and (b) continuously injecting CO2 gas at a top of the pay zone to form a gas cap at the top of the reservoir and to cause the gas cap to advance rapidly towards a producing well located below to provide a uniform sweep of the gas cap.

Abstract: A method comprising: introducing a first fluid into a wellbore above a fracture gradient of a subterranean formation penetrated by the wellbore to create a first plurality of fractures within a first portion of the subterranean formation; introducing a second fluid comprising at least one acid component into the wellbore above the fracture gradient of the subterranean formation penetrated by the wellbore to create a second plurality of fractures within a second portion of the subterranean formation; allowing the second fluid to enter at least one natural fracture in the first or second portion of the subterranean formation allowing the acid component to dissolve at least a portion of the subterranean formation to form one or more induced fractures in fluidic communication with the natural fracture, at least some of the first plurality of fractures, and at least some of the second plurality of fractures.

Abstract: A system that separates the wellhead fluid into four streams consisting of water, crude, residue gas and an NGL injectant fluid stream. The natural gas liquids injectant fluid stream has characteristics that are desirable for enhanced oil recovery namely, unfractionated natural gas liquids mix with high concentration of methane and ethane while still remaining at liquid phase when leaving the system.

Abstract: The present discloses a pressure-bearing plugging composition comprising 1-7 parts by weight bentonite, 0.1-1.5 parts by weight deformation material, 8-18 parts by weight filling material and 4-12 parts by weight modified bridging material, based on 100 parts by weight of water; the modified bridging material comprises a core, and a coating layer coated on an outer surface of the core, and a paraffin layer disposed between the core and the coating layer; the core is made of a water-absorbing material, and the coating layer is formed by bonding rigid particles and an adhesive.

Abstract: Methods and materials for sand control in water injection sites are disclosed. Proppant particles may be coated with some particles coated with a solid epoxy and other proppant particles coated with a solid epoxy curative (such as amine, hydroxyl, carboxyl, anhydride) that would bind the particles through an epoxy reaction. The invention may be advantageous for forming underground structures useful in the extraction of hydrocarbons.

Abstract: The example of implementation of the invention provides a method used for exploiting a natural gas hydrate reservoir and belongs to the field of natural gas hydrate reservoir exploitation. The method mainly comprises a heat-injecting vertical well and a production horizontal well. The production horizontal well is opened in a segmental manner. In combination with natural gas hydrate heat exploitation, heat flow injected into the vertical well is enabled to heat different positions of the natural gas hydrate reservoir to increase a recovery ratio of the natural gas hydrate reservoir. The method specifically comprises the steps of injecting a heat flow into the natural gas hydrate reservoir by utilizing the vertical well to promote decomposition of the hydrate; firstly opening a horizontal branch of the horizontal well fully and keeping depressurization exploitation.

Abstract: A system for heating water for an oil and gas well treatment system utilizing raw natural gas from an oil and gas well. The system includes a separation assembly to remove liquids from the raw natural gas, wherein at least a portion of heated water from a frac water heater is passed through the separation assembly to prevent freezing therein.

Abstract: A process for the thermobaric production of hydrocarbons from natural reservoirs through conventional wells. The hydrocarbons are converted into corresponding vapor phase fractions in the downhole, through the use of a combination of gasifying agents, heated atmospheric air, and steam—all pumped into the downhole. Temperature and pressure gradients that develop in the reservoir lead to disintegration of low-porosity rock and decompaction of impermeable rock. The vapor phase fractions are recovered at the well head and condensed on-site into high quality liquid and gaseous products.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon-producing facility includes a first energy subsystem to receive input energy from an energy source and byproduct energy generated by a second energy subsystem connected to the first energy subsystem, the first energy subsystem to perform work using the input energy and the byproduct energy. A method of analyzing energy performance in the hydrocarbon-producing facility includes identifying the byproduct energy received by the first energy subsystem from the second energy subsystem over a duration, determining energy intensity indices at corresponding time instants during the duration for the first energy subsystem, each energy intensity index based on the input energy, the byproduct energy, and output parameters of the work performed using the input energy and the byproduct energy, comparing the energy intensity indices to each other, and determining an efficiency of the first energy subsystem in response to comparing the energy intensity indices to each other.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for extracting a kerogen-based product from subsurface shale formations. The methods utilize in-situ reaction of kerogen involving liquid phase chemistry at ambient temperatures at pressures for the subsurface shale formation. These methods rely on chemically modifying the shale-bound kerogen to render it mobile using metal particulate catalysts. In the methods disclosed herein a fluid comprising metal is provided to the subsurface shale formation comprising kerogen in an inorganic matrix. A reducing agent is provided to the subsurface shale formation. The kerogen is converted by contacting the kerogen with a metal particulate catalyst formed from the metal; and a mobile kerogen-based product is formed. At least a portion of the mobile kerogen-based product is recovered. The kerogen-derived product can be upgraded to provide commercial products.

Abstract: The invention relates to systems, apparatus and methods for integrated recovery and in-situ (in reservoir) upgrading of heavy oil and oil sand bitumens. The systems, apparatus and methods enable enhanced recovery of heavy oil in a production well by introducing a hot fluid including a vacuum or atmospheric residue fraction or deasphalted oil into the production well under conditions to promote hydrocarbon upgrading. The methods may further include introducing hydrogen and a catalyst together with the injection of the hot fluid into the production well to further promote hydrocarbon upgrading reactions. In addition, the invention relates to enhanced oil production methodologies within conventional oil reservoirs.

Abstract: Heavy oil recovery from oil sand reservoirs is enhanced through the creation of subsurface high permeability pathways distributed throughout the oil sand reservoirs. The high permeability pathways may be boreholes that extend through the oil sand reservoir. A portion of the high permeability pathway may be packed with high permeability particulate to provide structural support and allow for high permeability throughout the boreholes. After establishing the high permeability pathways throughout the oil sand reservoir, solvent may be introduced into the oil sand reservoir. The solvent has the beneficial effect of lowering the viscosity of the heavy oil, which aids in the extraction of the heavy oil. Thermal recovery processes and other enhancements may be combined with these methods to aid in reducing the viscosity of the heavy oil. Advantages of these methods include, accelerated hydrocarbon recovery, higher production efficiencies, lower costs, and lower extraction times.

Abstract: A method of establishing fluid communication between a well pair in an oil-sand reservoir, where dilatable oil sands in the reservoir form a barrier to fluid communication between the well pair. Steam or water is circulated within at least one well to a region of the oil sands adjacent to the well. The steam or water pressure is increased to a dilation pressure sufficient to dilate the oil sands in the region. While circulating steam or water within the well at a substantially steady state, the steam or water pressure is maintained at a level sufficient to enlarge the dilated region, until detection of a signal indicative of fluid communication between the well pair. The rates and pressures of steam or water injection and production may be monitored and adjusted to vary a bottom-hole pressure in the well.

Abstract: A method for treating a tar sands formation includes providing heat from a first heater located between a steam injection well and a production well in a hydrocarbon containing layer. The first heater, the steam injection well, and the production well are located substantially horizontally in the layer. Heat is provided from a second heater horizontally offset from the first heater. The second heater is located vertically above an injection/production well and substantially horizontally in the layer. Steam is injected into the layer through the steam injection well after a selected amount of heat is provided from the first heater. Hydrocarbons are produced from the layer through the production well. Steam is injected and hydrocarbons are produced alternately through the injection/production well after a selected amount of heat is provided from the second heater.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for stimulating a sub-commercial geothermal well, comprising the steps of drilling a stimulating well; isolating a corresponding zone in said stimulating well by means of a plurality of vertically spaced swell packers that are swellable when contacted by subterraneously heated geothermal brine present in said stimulating well and are resistant to the high temperature of said brine; injecting stimulating fluid into said stimulating well such that it will flow only through a zone of said well that is not isolated; and allowing said stimulating fluid to exit said well from a non-isolated zone located at a desired depth into a surrounding geological formation in order to hydraulically reopen a fracture or a system of fractures within said formation at said desired depth that will be connected with said existing well to be stimulated. The present invention is also directed to apparatus for stimulating a sub-commercial geothermal well.

Abstract: A fracturing operation is done in open hole without annular space isolation. The annular space is spanned by telescoping members that are located behind isolation valves. A given bank of telescoping members can be uncovered and the telescoping members extended to span the annular space and engage the formation in a sealing manner. Pressurized fracturing fluid can be pumped through the telescoped passages and the portion of the desired formation fractured. In a proper formation, cementing is not needed to maintain wellbore integrity. The telescoping members can optionally have screens. Normally, the nature of the formation is such that gravel packing is also not required. A production string can be inserted into the string with the telescoping devices and the formation portions of interest can be produced through the selectively exposed telescoping members.

Abstract: A method for recovering hydrocarbons from a subterranean reservoir by operating a substantially gravity-controlled recovery process with two adjacent well pairs. Each well pair includes an injector well and a producer well. A mobilized zone forms around each well pair through the gravity-controlled recovery process, and a bypassed region forms between the adjacent well pairs when the respective mobilized zone of each well pair merge to form a common mobilized zone. A plurality of infill producer wells are provided in the bypassed region. The plurality of infill producer wells are operated to establish fluid communication between the plurality of infill producer wells and the common mobilized zone. Once fluid communication is established, the plurality of infill producer wells and the adjacent well pairs are operated under a substantially gravity-controlled recovery process, and hydrocarbons are recovered from the plurality of infill producer wells and from the producer wells.

Abstract: Methods to recover over 95 percent of oil and gas from shale fracturing, oil sands, biomass, and hydrates and from deep water wells. Employing CO2, H2O2, some proprietary chemicals, metals and proppants, raising the temperature of the mixture and using the mixture in shale fracturing, oil sands, biomass and gas hydrates to dislodge the gas and oil. Additionally, safety devices capable of pressure reduction at the reservoir in the production well bore upstream of a BOP are included. No water is used and no waste water is produced.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for enhanced recovery of petroleum fluids from the subsurface by steam injection into highly permeable vertical inclusion planes in the oil sand formation, and heating the heavy oil and bitumen, which flow by gravity to the wells. The inclusion is propagated into a portion of the formation having a Skempton's B parameter of greater than 0.95 exp(?0.04 p?)+0.008 p?, where p? is a mean effective stress in MPa at the depth of the inclusion. The inclusion planes can be propagated from only the central well, or from all wells, being the central well and the periphery wells. The inclusion planes are propagated into the formation to intersect and coalesce to provide hydraulic connection between the central well and the periphery wells. Steam is injected continuously in the central well, and liquids are produced continuously from all wells, whilst maintaining a liquid head over production tubing for steam trap control.

Abstract: A method for stimulating a hydrocarbon-containing formation that includes the steps of: introducing a heat source in the formation; heating a portion of liquid hydrocarbons in the formation to expand hydrocarbon volume, thereby rejuvenating fractures in the formation; passing at least some of the heated liquid hydrocarbons through the rejuvenated fractures; and producing at least a portion of the liquid hydrocarbons that passed through the rejuvenated fractures. The methods and processes provide for in-situ stimulation of hydrocarbon-containing formations using energy to expand in-situ liquid hydrocarbons, thus rejuvenating naturally occurring fractures. In some embodiments, the energy is supplied as heat from injection of an oxygen-containing fluid.

Abstract: A method for containing and capturing liquids and gases generated during in situ pyrolysis that migrate through pyrolysis generated or natural fractures includes placing a row of horizontal hydraulic fractures above and below the heated zone and completing production wells within the horizontal hydraulic fractures. The method serves at least two purposes: 1) provides a local zone of weak mechanical strength to blunt the propagation of vertical pyrolysis generated fractures and 2) provides a drainage point for fluids to relieve pressure in the formation and improve recovery. Preferably, the organic-rich rock formation is an oil shale formation.

Abstract: A method for treating a tar sands formation includes providing heated fluid to a first section of the hydrocarbon layer while providing heat to a second section of a hydrocarbon layer in the formation from a plurality of heaters located in the formation. The second section is vertically displaced from the first section. Heat is allowed to transfer from the heaters and heated water to at least a portion of the formation. Fluids are allowed to gravity drain to a third section of the hydrocarbon formation. Fluids are produced from the formation through at least one production well that is located in the third section of the formation.

Abstract: A method of producing heavy oil from a heavy oil formation with steam assisted gravity drainage. The method begins by drilling a borehole into a heavy oil formation comprising a steam barrier between a first pay zone and a second pay zone, wherein the steam barrier prevents a steam chamber to be formed between the first pay zone and the second pay zone. The steam barrier is then heated with a radio frequency. The steam barrier is then fractured to permit a steam chamber to be formed within the first pay zone and the second pay zone. Heavy oil is then produced from the heavy oil formation with steam assisted gravity drainage.

Abstract: In hydrocarbon recovery applications, viscoelastic surfactant (VES) gelled fluids may be preheated to a temperature that will increase viscosity of the VES gelled fluid. The preheated VES gelled fluid retains at least a portion of its preheated viscosity when cooled such as by introduction into a low temperature condition. In an embodiment, the VES gelled fluid may be a drilling fluid, completion fluid, or fracturing fluid, and the low temperature condition may be an offshore operation, an operation in a locality having a cold climate, and/or a shallow oil, gas, or both land-based operation where the formation temperature is 120° F. or less. The surfactant in the VES gelled fluid may be one or more of an amine, amine salt, quaternary ammonium salt, betaine, amidoamine oxide, amine oxide, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A method of permeating and infusing a formation around the borehole with wax by heating a formation surrounding a borehole and pumping molten wax into the formation, wherein the molten wax flows into and fills voids the formation without disrupting the formation is described. Also, a method of permeating and infusing a formation around the borehole with wax by heating a formation surrounding a borehole, pumping molten wax into the borehole, heating and circulating the molten wax vertically within the borehole for an extended period using a heater and pump attached to a circulation pipe extended to the bottom of a zone of the borehole to be heated, and recovering molten wax from the borehole by displacing it back to the surface with another material of different density is described.

Abstract: An actuator is disclosed which operates on the principle of the variable magnetic properties of materials with respect to temperature. As temperature is raised past Curie temperature, magnetic permeability of certain materials drops significantly to a value close to free space permeability. However, depending on the material selection, magnetic permeability may be significantly higher below Curie temperature. This principle is used to cause magnetic attractive force to move an actuator at one temperature, while permitting a return spring force to move the actuator at another temperature by changing the pathway traversed by most magnetic lines of flux from a magnetic source. The actuator may be employed to provide a temperature activated electrical switch or fluid valve. The temperature activated valves are suited to use in high temperature environments, such as SAGD wells.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for using heavy petroleum fraction as a drive fluid in the recovery of hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation. The hydrocarbons may be in the form of bitumen or heavy oil. The heavy petroleum fraction may be injected into at least one injection well and hydrocarbons produced out of at least one distinct production well. The heavy petroleum fraction may be co-injected together with steam and/or hot water and/or solvent. The heavy petroleum fraction may be a heavy fraction of a process used to upgrade crude oil, such as a heavy asphaltene fraction produced from solvent deasphalting crude oil produced by this recovery process.

Abstract: Methods and systems relate to recovering hydrocarbons from within formations in which hydrocarbon bearing reservoirs are separated from one another by a fluid flow obstructing natural stratum. Relative to the reservoirs, the stratum inhibits or blocks vertical fluid flow within the formation. Drilled bores arranged to intersect the stratum provide an array of fluid flow paths through the stratum. Fluid communication established by the drilled bores enables production utilizing a producer borehole deviated from vertical and processes that rely on techniques such as gravity drainage through the fluid flow paths and/or injection through the fluid flow paths.

Abstract: A method and system for producing hydrocarbons in situ from a heavy-oil and tar sand fixed bed, hydrocarbon deposit distributed substantially within a porous formation. The porous formation is disposed below a ground surface. The system includes at least one injection well drilled into the formation and spaced apart from at least one production well also drilled into the formation. A heated thermal-energy carrier fluid is circulated under pressure into the injection well, circulated under pressure through a hydraulic fracture in the formation. The hydraulic fracture is disposed between the injection well and the production well.

Abstract: A well bore in a subterranean formation includes a signaling subsystem communicably coupled to injection tools installed in the well bore. Each injection tool controls a flow of fluid into an interval of the formation based on a state of the injection tool. Stresses in the subterranean formation are altered by creating fractures in the formation. Control signals are sent from the well bore surface through the signaling subsystem to the injection tools to modify the states of one or more of the injection tools. Fluid is injected into the stress-altered subterranean formation through the injection tools to create a fracture network in the subterranean formation. In some implementations, the state of each injection tool can be selectively and repeatedly manipulated based on signals transmitted from the well bore surface. In some implementations, stresses are modified and/or the fracture network is created along a substantial portion and/or the entire length of a horizontal well bore.

Abstract: A system and method for extracting hydrocarbon products from oil sands using nuclear energy sources for power to decrease the viscosity of bitumen in oil sands deposits and provide sufficient heat and pressure to produce liquid and gaseous hydrocarbon products. Steps for extracting the hydrocarbon products form the oil sands deposits are disclosed.

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 system and method for extracting hydrocarbon products from oil shale using nuclear energy sources for energy to fracture the oil shale formations and provide sufficient heat and pressure to produce liquid and gaseous hydrocarbon products. Embodiments of the present invention also disclose steps for extracting the hydrocarbon products from the oil shale formations.

Abstract: A method and system for producing hydrocarbons in situ from an oil shale, fixed bed, hydrocarbon formation disposed below a ground surface. The hydrocarbon formation having an upper A-Groove higher permeability aquifer zone disposed above a R-rated, kerogen rich, lower permeability zone and a lower B-Groove higher permeability aquifer zone disposed below the R-rated zone. The system includes a plurality of injection wells drilled into the formation and spaced apart from a plurality of production wells also drilled into the hydrocarbon formation. A heated thermal-energy carrier fluid is circulated under pressure into the injection wells, circulated under pressure through the A-Groove and B-Groove aquifer zones for mobilizing selected hydrocarbons in the R-rated zone and pumped from the A-Groove and the B-Groove aquifer zones upwardly under pressure through the production wells to the ground surface. Selected hydrocarbons are then removed from the carrier fluid.

Abstract: Method for producing hydrocarbon fluids from an organic-rich rock formation include providing a plurality of in situ heat sources configured to generate heat within the formation so as to pyrolyze solid hydrocarbons into hydrocarbon fluids. Preferably, the organic-rich rock formation is heated to a temperature of at least 270° C. Heating of the organic-rich rock formation continues so that heat moves away from the respective heat sources and through the formation at a first value of effective thermal diffusivity, ?1. Heating of the formation further continues in situ so that thermal fractures are caused to be formed in the formation or so that the permeability of the formation is otherwise increased. The method also includes injecting a fluid into the organic-rich rock formation. The purpose for injecting the fluid is to increase the value of thermal diffusivity within the subsurface formation to a second value, ?2.

Abstract: Methods and related systems for use with a continuous fiber based system for use with well bore completions. Wherein a plurality of continuous fibers are deployable into a portion of a well bore completion, such that a fiber management module is adapted and positioned within the borehole to facilitate deployment of and communication with the plurality of continuous fibers. Further, the number of deployable continuous fibers of the continuous fiber based system can provide for sufficient redundancy to make at least a target measurement relating to the completion.

Abstract: A system and method for extracting hydrocarbon products from oil sands using nuclear energy sources for power to decrease the viscosity of bitumen in oil sands deposits and provide sufficient heat and pressure to produce liquid and gaseous hydrocarbon products. Steps for extracting the hydrocarbon products form the oil sands deposits are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of oil production is provided. The method includes forming an injection well and a production well. The method also includes pumping a mixture of oxygen and carbon dioxide (CO2) into the injection well. In addition, the method also includes minimizing gravity segregation by providing a relatively high level of CO2 in the mixture.

Abstract: An economic method for in situ maturing and production of oil shale or other deep-lying, impermeable resources containing immobile hydrocarbons. Vertical fractures are created using horizontal or vertical wells. The same or other wells are used to inject pressurized fluids heated to less than approximately 370° C., and to return the cooled fluid for reheating and recycling. The heat transferred to the oil shale gradually matures the kerogen to oil and gas as the temperature in the shale is brought up, and also promotes permeability within the shale in the form of small fractures sufficient to allow the shale to flow into the well fractures where the product is collected commingled with the heating fluid and separated out before the heating fluid is recycled.

Abstract: A method for enhanced production of hydrocarbon fluids from an organic-rich rock formation such as an oil shale formation is provided. The method generally includes completing at least one heater well in the organic-rich rock formation, and also completing a production well in the organic-rich rock formation. The method also includes the steps of hydraulically fracturing the organic-rich rock formation from the production well such that one or more artificial fractures are formed, and heating the organic-rich rock formation from the at least one heater well, thereby pyrolyzing at least a portion of the organic-rich rock into hydrocarbon fluids Pyrolyzing the organic-rich rock formation creates thermal fractures in the formation due to thermal stresses created by heating. The thermal fractures intersect the artificial fractures. As an additional step, hydrocarbon fluids may be produced from the production well. Preferably, the organic-rich rock formation is an oil shale formation.

Abstract: A method of hydraulic fracturing of an oil producing formation includes the provision of a heating apparatus which is transportable and that has a vessel for containing water. The method contemplates heating the water up to a temperature of about 200° F. (93.3° C.). A water stream of cool or cold water is transmitted from a source to a mixer, the cool water stream being at ambient temperature. The mixer has an inlet that receives cool or cold water from the source and an outlet that enables a discharge of a mix of cool or cold water and the hot water. After mixing in the mixer, the water assumes a temperature that is suitable for mixing with chemicals that are used in the fracturing process, such as a temperature of about 40°-120° F.+ (4.4-48.9° C.+). An outlet discharges a mix of the cool and hot water to surge tanks or to mixing tanks. In the mixing tanks, a proppant and an optional selected chemical or chemicals are added to the water which has been warmed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for extracting a kerogen-based product from subsurface (oil) shale formations, wherein such methods rely on fracturing and/or rubblizing portions of said formations so as to enhance their fluid permeability, and wherein such methods further rely on chemically modifying the shale-bound kerogen so as to render it mobile. The present invention is also directed at systems for implementing at least some of the foregoing methods. Additionally, the present invention is also directed to methods of fracturing and/or rubblizing subsurface shale formations and to methods of chemically modifying kerogen in situ so as to render it mobile.

Abstract: Methods of treating a well bore in a single trip are provided. A tubing string may be inserted into a subterranean formation having a well bore, where the tubing string has a locking device on an end. A workover tool may be positioned in a first zone of the subterranean formation, where the workover tool engages the locking device. One or more perforations may be created or enhanced in a first zone of a subterranean formation using the workover tool, and the tubing string may be positioned in a second zone of the subterranean formation. A fracturing fluid may be introduced into the first zone of the subterranean formation at a rate and pressure sufficient to create or enhance one or more fractures in the subterranean formation. The first zone of the subterranean formation may be isolated from the second zone of the subterranean formation and one or more perforations in the second zone of the subterranean formation may be created or enhanced using the workover tool.

Abstract: Some embodiments teach a method of recovering hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon formation. The method including: (a) generating injection gas, the injection gas having at least a predetermined pressure and a predetermined temperature; (b) injecting the injection gas into the hydrocarbon formation, and (c) recovering the hydrocarbons from the hydrocarbon formation. Other embodiments are disclosed in this application.

Abstract: A method for enhanced production of hydrocarbon fluids from an organic-rich rock formation such as an oil shale formation is provided. The method generally includes completing at least one heater well in the organic-rich rock formation, and also completing a production well in the organic-rich rock formation. The method also includes the steps of hydraulically fracturing the organic-rich rock formation from the production well such that one or more artificial fractures are formed, and heating the organic-rich rock formation from the at least one heater well, thereby pyrolyzing at least a portion of the organic-rich rock into hydrocarbon fluids Pyrolyzing the organic-rich rock formation creates thermal fractures in the formation due to thermal stresses created by heating. The thermal fractures intersect the artificial fractures. As an additional step, hydrocarbon fluids may be produced from the production well. Preferably, the organic-rich rock formation is an oil shale formation.