WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. A method of treating a relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons in situ, comprising: providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least one portion ofthe formation; allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation; confrolling the heat from the one or more heat sources such that an average temperature within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation is less than about 375 °C; and producing a mixture from the formation.
2. The method of claύn 1, whereύi the one or more heat sources comprise at least two heat sources, and wherein supeφosition of heat from at least the two heat sources pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section ofthe formation.
3. The method of claύn 1, wherein controlling formation conditions comprises maintaining a temperatare within the selected section within a pyrolysis temperature range.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise electtical heaters.
5. The method of claύn 1, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise surface burners.
6. The method of claύn 1, whereύi the one or more heat sources comprise flameless disfributed combustors.
7. The method of claύn 1, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise natural disfributed combustors.
8. The method of claim 1, further comprising confrolling a pressure and a temperature within at least a majority of the selected section ofthe formation, wherein the pressure is controlled as a function of temperatare, or the temperature is controlled as a function of pressure.
9. The method of claύn 1, further comprising confrolling a pressure within at least a majority ofthe selected " section ofthe formation with a valve coupled to at least one ofthe one or more heat sources.
10. The method of claim 1, further comprising controlling a pressure within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation with a valve coupled to a production well located in the formation.
11. The metliod of claύn 1, further comprising controlling the heat such that an average heating rate ofthe selected section is less than about 1 °C per day during pyrolysis.
12. The method of claύn 1, wherein providing heat from the one or more heat sources to at least the portion of formation comprises:
heating a selected volume (V) ofthe relatively permeable fonnation containύig heavy hydrocarbons from the one or more heat sources, wherein the formation has an average heat capacity(C„), and wherein the heating pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected volume ofthe fonnation; and wherein heating energy/day provided to the volume is equal to or less than Pwr, wherein Pwr is calculated by the equation:
Pwr = h*V*Cv*pB wherein Pwr is the heating energy/day, h is an average heating rate ofthe formation, pB is formation bulk density, and wherein the heatύig rate is less than about 10 °C/day.
13. The method of claim 1, wherein allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heat sources to the selected section comprises transferring heat substantially by conduction.
14. The method of claim 1, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons having an API gravity of at least about 25°.
15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
16. The method of claim 1, wherein the produced mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein a molar ratio of ethene to ethane in the non-condensable hydrocarbons ranges from about 0.001 to about 0.15.
17. The method of claim 1, wherein the produced mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe non-condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
18. The method of claύn 1, whereύi the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is nitrogen.
19. The method of claim 1, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is oxygen.
20. The method of claim 1, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is sulfur.
21. The method of claim 1, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein greater than about 20 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are aromatic compounds.
22. The method of claim 1, whereύi the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises multi-ring aromatics with more than two rings.
23. The method of claύn 1 , wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 0.3 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are asphaltenes.
24. The method of claύn 1, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 5 % by weight to about 30 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are cycloalkanes.
25. The method of claim 1, wherein the produced mixture comprises a non-condensable component, wherein the non-condensable component comprises hydrogen, and wherein the hydrogen is greater than about 10 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component and wherein the hydrogen is less than about 80 % by volume ofthe non- condensable component.
26. The method of claim 1, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein greater than about 0.05 % by weight ofthe produced mixture is ammonia.
27. The method of claim 1, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein the ammonia is used to produce fertilizer.
28. The method of claim 1, further comprising controlling a pressure within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation, wherein the controlled pressure is at least about 2.0 bars absolute.
29. The method of claim 1, further comprising controlling formation conditions such that the produced mixture comprises a partial pressure of H2 within the mixture greater than about 0.5 bars.
30. The method of claύn 29, whereύi the partial pressure of H2 is measured when the mixture is at a production well.
31. The method of claύn 1, wherein controlling formation conditions comprises recύculating a portion of hydrogen from the mixture into the formation.
32. The method of claim 1, further comprising altering a pressure within the formation to inhibit production of hydrocarbons from the formation having carbon numbers greater than about 25.
33. The method of claim 1, further comprising: providing hydrogen (H2) to the heated section to hydrogenate hydrocarbons within the section; and heating a portion ofthe section with heat from hydrogenation.
34. The method of claύn 1, wherein the produced mixture comprises hydrogen and condensable hydrocarbons, the method further comprising hydrogenating a portion ofthe produced condensable hydrocarbons with at least a portion ofthe produced hydrogen.
35. The method of claim 1, wherein producing the mixture comprises producing the mixture in a production well, wherein at least about 7 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
36. The method of claim 35, wherein at least about 20 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
37. The method of claύn 1, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, and wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a triangular pattern.
38. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a friangular pattern, and wherein a plurality ofthe units are repeated over an area ofthe formation to form a repetitive pattern of units.
39. The method of claim 1, further comprising separating the produced mixture into a gas stream and a liquid stream.
40. The method of claim 1, further comprising separatύig the produced mixture into a gas stream and a liquid stream and separating the liquid stream into an aqueous sfream and a non-aqueous sfream.
41. The method of claim 1, wherein the produced mixture comprises H2S, the method further comprising separating a portion of the H2S from non-condensable hydrocarbons.
42. The method of claim 1, wherein the produced mixture comprises C02, the method further comprising separating a portion ofthe C02 from non-condensable hydrocarbons.
43. The method of claim 1, wherein the mixtare is produced from a production well, wherein the heatύig is controlled such that the mixture can be produced from the formation as a vapor.
44. The method of claim 1, wherein the mixture is produced from a production well, the method further comprising heating a wellbore ofthe production well to inhibit condensation ofthe mixture within the wellbore.
45. The method of claim 1, wherein the mixture is produced from a production well, wherein a wellbore ofthe production well comprises a heater element configured to heat the formation adjacent to the wellbore, and further comprising heating the fonnation with the heater element to produce the mixture, wherein the mixture comprises a large non-condensable hydrocarbon gas component and H2.
46. The method of claim 1, wherein the minύnum pyrolysis temperature is about 270 °C.
47. The method of claim 1, further comprising maintaining the pressure within the formation above about 2.0 bars absolute to inhibit production of fluids having carbon numbers above 25.
48. The method of claim 1, further comprising confrolling pressure within the fonnation in a range from about atmospheric pressure to about 100 bars, as measured at a wellhead of a production well, to confrol an amount of condensable hydrocarbons within the produced mixture, wherein the pressure is reduced to increase production of condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein the pressure is increased to increase production of non-condensable hydrocarbons.
49. The method of claim 1, further comprising controlling pressure within the formation in a range from about atmospheric pressure to about 100 bars, as measured at a wellhead of a production well, to control an API gravity of condensable hydrocarbons within the produced mixture, wherein the pressure is reduced to decrease the API gravity, and wherein the pressure is increased to reduce the API gravity.
50. A method of treating a relatively penneable formation containύig heavy hydrocarbons in situ, comprising: providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe fonnation; allowing the heat to ttansfer from at least the portion to a selected section ofthe formation substantially by conduction of heat; pyrolyzing at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section ofthe formation; and producing a mixture from the formation.
51. The method of claim 50, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise at least two heat sources, and wherein supeφosition of heat from at least the two heat sources pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section ofthe formation.
52. The method of claύn 50, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise elecfrical heaters.
53. The method of claim 50, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise surface burners.
54. The method of claim 50, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise flameless distributed combustors.
55. The method of claim 50, whereύi the one or more heat sources comprise natural disfributed combustors.
56. The method of claim 50, further comprising controlling a pressure and a temperature within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation, wherein the pressure is controlled as a function of temperature, or the temperature is controlled as a function of pressure.
57. The method of claim 50, further comprising controlling the heat such that an average heating rate ofthe selected section is less than about 1.0 ° C per day during pyrolysis.
58. The method of claim 50, wherein providing heat from the one or more heat sources to at least the portion of formation comprises: heating a selected volume (I7) ofthe relatively permeable fonnation containing heavy hydrocarbons from the one or more heat sources, wherein the fonnation has an average heat capacity (C,,), and wherein the heating pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected volume ofthe formation; and wherein heating energy/day provided to the volume is equal to or less than Pwr, wherein Pwr is calculated by the equation:
Pwr = h*V*Cv*pB wherein Pwr is the heatύig energy/day, h is an average heating rate ofthe formation, pB is formation bulk density, and wherein the heating rate is less than about 10 °C/day.
59. The method of claim 50, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons having an API gravity of at least about 25°.
60. The method of claύn 50, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
61. The method of claύn 50, wherein the produced mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein a molar ratio of ethene to ethane in the non-condensable hydrocarbons ranges from about 0.001 to about 0.15.
62. The method of claim 50, wherein the produced mixtare comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is nifrogen.
63. The method of claim 50, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is oxygen.
64. The method of claύn 50, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is sulfur.
65. The method of claim 50, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein greater than about 20 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are aromatic compounds.
66. The method of claύn 50, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises multi-ring aromatics with more than two rings.
67. The method of claim 50, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 0.3 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are asphaltenes.
68. The method of claύn 50, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 5 % by weight to about 30 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are cycloalkanes.
69. The method of claim 50, wherein the produced mixture comprises a non-condensable component, wherein the non-condensable component comprises hydrogen, wherein the hydrogen is greater than about 10 % by volume of the non-condensable component, and wherein the hydrogen is less than about 80 % by volume ofthe non- condensable component.
70. The method of claim 50, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein greater than about 0.05 % by weight ofthe produced mixture is ammonia.
71. The method of claύn 50, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein the ammonia is used to produce fertilizer.
72. The method of claim 50, further comprising controlling a pressure within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation, wherein the controlled pressure is at least about 2.0 bars absolute.
73. The method of claim 50, further comprising confrolling formation conditions to produce a mixture of condensable hydrocarbons and H2, wherein a partial pressure of H2 within the mixture is greater than about 0.5 bars.
74. The method of claim 73, wherein the partial pressure of H2 is measured when the mixture is at a production well.
75. The method of claύn 50, further comprising altering a pressure withύi the formation to inhibit production of hydrocarbons from the formation having carbon numbers greater than about 25.
76. The method of claim 50, wherein controlling formation conditions comprises recirculating a portion of hydrogen from the mixture into the formation.
77. The method of claύn 50, further comprising: providing hydrogen (H2) to the heated section to hydrogenate hydrocarbons within the section; and heating a portion ofthe section with heat from hydrogenation.
78. The method of claim 50, wherein the produced mixture comprises hydrogen and condensable hydrocarbons, the method further comprising hydrogenatύig a portion ofthe produced condensable hydrocarbons with at least a portion ofthe produced hydrogen.
79. The method of claim 50, wherein producing the mixture comprises producing the mixture in a production well, wherein at least about 7 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
80. The method of claim 79, wherein at least about 20 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
81. The method of claim 50, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, and wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a ttiangular pattern.
82. The method of claim 50, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a triangular pattern, and wherein a plurality ofthe units are repeated over an area ofthe formation to form a repetitive pattern of units.
83. A method of treating a relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons in situ, comprising: providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation; allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation; controlling the heat from the one or more heat sources such that an average temperature within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation is less than about 370 °C such that production of a substantial amount of hydrocarbons having carbon numbers greater than 25 is inhibited; confrolling a pressure within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation, wherein the controlled pressure is at least 2.0 bars absolute; and producing a mixture from the formation, wherein about 0.1 % by weight ofthe produced mixtare to about 15 % by weight ofthe produced mixture are olefins, and wherein an average carbon number ofthe produced mixtare is greater than 1 and less than about 25.
84. The method of claύn 83, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise at least two heat sources, and wherein supeφosition of heat from at least the two heat sources pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section ofthe formation.
85. The method of claim 83, whereύi controlling formation conditions comprises maintaining a temperature within the selected section withύi a pyrolysis temperature range.
86. The method of claύn 83, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise elecfrical heaters.
87. The method of claim 83, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise surface burners.
88. The method of claim 83, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise flameless distributed combustors.
89. The method of claim 83, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise natural disfributed combustors.
90. The method of claύn 83, further comprising controlling a pressure and a temperature within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation, wherein the pressure is controlled as a function of temperature, or the temperature is controlled as a function of pressure.
91. The method of claim 83, further comprising controlling the heat such that an average heating rate ofthe selected section is less than about 1 °C per day during pyrolysis.
92. The method of claύn 83, wherein providing heat from the one or more heat sources to at least the portion of formation comprises: heating a selected volume (V) ofthe relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons from the one or more heat sources, where i the formation has an average heat capacity (Cv), and wherem the heating pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected volume ofthe formation; and wherein heating energy/day provided to the volume is equal to or less than Pwr, wherein Pwr is calculated by the equation: Pwr = h*V*Cv*pB wherein Pwr is the heating energy/day, h is an average heating rate ofthe formation, pB is formation bulk density, and wherein the heatύig rate is less than about 10 °C/day.
93. The method of claim 83, wherein allowing the heat to fransfer comprises transferring heat substantially by conduction.
94. The method of claύn 83, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
95. The method of claim 83, wherein the produced mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein a molar ratio of ethene to ethane in the non-condensable hydrocarbons ranges from about 0.001 to about 0.15.
96. The method of claim 83, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is nitrogen.
97. The method of claim 83, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is oxygen.
98. The method of claim 83, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is sulfur.
99. The method of claύn 83, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherem greater than about 20 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are aromatic compounds.
100. The method of claim 83 , whereύi the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises multi-ring aromatics with more than two rύigs.
101. The method of claim 83, whereύi the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 0.3 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are asphaltenes.
102. The method of claim 83, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 5 % by weight to about 30 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are cycloalkanes.
103. Thb method of claύn 83, wherein the produced mixture comprises a non-condensable component, wherein the non-condensable component comprises hydrogen, wherein the hydrogen is greater than about 10 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component, and wherein the hydrogen is less than about 80 % by volume ofthe non- condensable component.
104. The method of claim 83, whereύi the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein greater than about 0.05 % by weight ofthe produced mixture is ammonia.
105. The method of claύn 83, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein the ammonia is used to produce fertilizer.
106. The method of claim 83, further comprising controlling formation conditions to produce a mixture of condensable hydrocarbons and H2, wherein a partial pressure of H2 within the mixture is greater than about 0.5 bars.
107. The method of claim 106, whereύi the partial pressure of H2 is measured when the mixture is at a production well.
108. The method of claim 83, further comprising altering a pressure within the formation to inhibit production of hydrocarbons from the formation having carbon numbers greater than about 25.
109. The method of claύn 83, further comprising: providing hydrogen QH2) to the heated section to hydrogenate hydrocarbons withύi the section; and heatύig a portion ofthe section with heat from hydrogenation.
110. The method of claim 83, wherein the produced mixture comprises hydrogen and condensable hydrocarbons, the method further comprising hydrogenating a portion ofthe produced condensable hydrocarbons with at least a portion ofthe produced hydrogen.
111. The method of claim 83, wherein producύig the mixture comprises producing the mixture in a production well, wherein at least about 7 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
112. The method of claim 111, wherein at least about 20 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
113. The method of claim 83, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, and wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a triangular pattern.
114. The method of claim 83, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe fonnation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a friangular pattern, and wherein a plurality ofthe units are repeated over an area ofthe formation to form a repetitive pattern of units.
115. The method of claim 83, further comprising separating the produced mixture into a gas sfream and a liquid stream.
116. The method of claim 83, further comprising separating the produced mixture into a gas stream and a liquid stream and separating the liquid stream ύito an aqueous stream and a non-aqueous stream.
117. The method of claim 83, wherein the produced mixture comprises H2S, the method further comprising separating a portion ofthe H2S from non-condensable hydrocarbons.
118. The method of claύn 83, wherein the produced mixture comprises C02, the method further comprising separating a portion ofthe C02 from non-condensable hydrocarbons.
119. The method of claim 83, wherein the mixture is produced from a production well, wherein the heating is confrolled such that the mixture can be produced from the formation as a vapor.
120. The method of claim 83, wherein the mixture is produced from a production well, the method further comprising heating a wellbore ofthe production well to inhibit condensation ofthe mixture within the wellbore.
121. The method of claim 83, wherein the mixture is produced from a production well, wherein a wellbore of the production well comprises a heater element configured to heat the formation adjacent to the wellbore, and further comprising heating the fonnation with the heater element to produce the mixture, wherein the produced mixture comprise a large non-condensable hydrocarbon gas component and H2.
122. The method of claim 83, wherein the minύnum pyrolysis temperature is about 270 °C.
123. The method of claim 83, further comprising maintaining the pressure within the fonnation above about 2.0 bars absolute to inhibit production of fluids having carbon numbers above 25.
124. The method of claim 83, furtlier comprising controlling pressure within the fonnation in a range from about atmospheric pressure to about 100 bars absolute, as measured at a wellhead of a production well, to control an amount of condensable fluids within the produced mixture, wherein the pressure is reduced to increase production of condensable fluids, and wherein the pressure is increased to increase production of non-condensable fluids.
125. The method of claim 83, further comprising controlling pressure within the formation in a range from about atmospheric pressure to about 100 bars absolute, as measured at a wellhead of a production well, to confrol an API gravity of condensable fluids within the produced mixtare, whereύi the pressure is reduced to decrease the API gravity, and wherein the pressure is mcreased to reduce the API gravity.
126. A method of treating a relatively permeable formation containύig heavy hydrocarbons in sita, comprising: providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation; allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation; controlling a pressure within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation, whereύi the controlled pressure is at least about 2.0 bars absolute; and producing a mixture from the formation.
127. The method of claim 126, wherein controlling the pressure comprises controlling the pressure with a valve coupled to at least one ofthe one or more heat sources.
128. The method of claim 126, wherein controlling the pressure comprises controlling the pressure with a valve coupled to a production well located in the formation.
129. The method of claim 126, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise at least two heat sources, and wherein supeφosition of heat from at least the two heat sources pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section ofthe formation.
130. The method of claύn 126, whereύi controlling formation conditions comprises maintaining a temperature within the selected section within a pyrolysis temperature range.
131. The method of claύn 126, whereύi the one or more heat sources comprise electrical heaters.
132. The method of claim 126, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise surface burners.
133. The method of claim 126, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise flameless distributed combustors.
134. The method of claim 126, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise natural disttibuted combustors.
135. The method of claim 126, further comprising controlling a temperature within at least a maj ority of the selected section ofthe formation, wherein the pressure is controlled as a function of temperature, or the temperature is controlled as a function of pressure.
136. The method of claim 126, further comprising confrolling the heat such that an average heatύig rate ofthe selected section is less than about 1 °C per day during pyrolysis.
137. The method of claύn 126, wherein providύig heat from the one or more heat sources to at least the portion of formation comprises: heatύig a selected volume (V) ofthe relatively permeable formation containύig heavy hydrocarbons from the one or more heat sources, wherein the formation has an average heat capacity (Cv), and wherein the heating pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected volume ofthe formation; and wherein heating energy/day provided to the volume is equal to or less than Pwr, wherein Pwr is calculated by the equation:
Pwr = h*V*Cv*pB wherein Pwr is the heatύig energy/day, h is an average heating rate ofthe formation, pB is formation bulk density, and wherein the heating rate is less than about 10 °C/day.
138. The method of claim 126, wherein allowing the heat to transfer comprises transferring heat substantially by conduction.
139. The method of claύn 126, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons having an API gravity of at least about 25 ° .
140. The method of claim 126, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
141. The method of claim 126, wherein the produced mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein a molar ratio of ethene to ethane in the non-condensable hydrocarbons ranges from about 0.001 to about 0.15.
142. The method of claύn 126, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is nittogen.
143. The method of claim 126, wherein the produced mixtare comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is oxygen.
144. The method of claim 126, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is sulfur.
145. The method of claim 126, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein greater than about 20 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are aromatic compounds.
146. The method of claim 126, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises multi-ring aromatics with more than two rings.
147. The method of claim 126, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 0.3 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are asphaltenes.
148. The method of claim 126, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 5 % by weight to about 30 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are cycloalkanes.
149. The method of claύn 126, wherein the produced mixture comprises a non-condensable component, wherein the non-condensable component comprises hydrogen, wherein the hydrogen is greater than about 10 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component, and wherein the hydrogen is less than about 80 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component.
150. The method of claim 126, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein greater than about 0.05 % by weight ofthe produced mixture is ammonia.
151. The method of claύn 126, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein the ammonia is used to produce fertilizer.
152. The method of claim 126, further comprising confrolling formation conditions to produce a mixture of condensable hydrocarbons and H2, wherein a partial pressure of H2 within the mixture is greater than about 0.5 bars.
153. The method of claim 152, wherein the partial pressure of H2 is measured when the mixture is at a production well.
154. The method of claim 126, further comprising altering a pressure within the formation to inhibit production of hydrocarbons from the formation havύig carbon numbers greater than about 25.
155. The method of claim 126, whereύi confrolling formation conditions comprises recύculating a portion of hydrogen from the mixture into the formation.
156. The method of claim 126, further comprising: providing hydrogen (H2) to the heated section to hydrogenate hydrocarbons within the section; and heatύig a portion ofthe section with heat from hydrogenation.
157. The method of claim 126, wherein the produced mixture comprises hydrogen and condensable hydrocarbons, the method further comprising hydrogenating a portion ofthe produced condensable hydrocarbons with at least a portion ofthe produced hydrogen.
158. The method of claim 126, wherein producύig the mixture from the formation comprises producing the mixture in a production well, wherein at least about 7 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
159. The method of claύn 158, wherein at least about 20 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
160. A method of freatύig a relatively permeable formation containύig heavy hydrocarbons in sita, comprising: providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation; allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation; and controlling a pressure within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation, wherein the controlled pressure is at least about 2.0 bars absolute; controlling the heat from the one or more heat sources such that an average temperature within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe fonnation is less than about 375 °C; and producing a mixture from the formation.
161. The method of claim 160, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise at least two heat sources, and wherein supeφosition of heat from at least the two heat sources pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section ofthe formation.
162. The method of claim 160, whereiα controlling formation conditions comprises maintaining a temperature within the selected section withύi a pyrolysis temperature range.
163. The method of claim 160, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise elecfrical heaters.
164. The method of claim 160, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise surface burners.
165. The method of claim 160, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise flameless distributed combustors.
166. The method of claim 160, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise natural disfributed combustors.
167. The method of claim 160, further comprising confrolling a pressure and a temperature within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation, wherein the pressure is controlled as a function of temperature, or the temperature is confrolled as a function of pressure.
168. The method of claim 160, further comprising confrolling the heat such that an average heating rate ofthe selected section is less than about 1 °C per day during pyrolysis.
169. The method of claim 160, wherein providύig heat from the one or more heat sources to at least the portion of formation comprises: heating a selected volume (V) ofthe relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons from the one or more heat sources, wherein the formation has an average heat capacity (Cv), and wherein the heating pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected volume ofthe fonnation; and wherein heatύig energy/day provided to the volume is equal to or less than Pwr, wherein Pwr is calculated by the equation:
Pwr = h*V*Cv*pB wherein Pwr is the heatύig energy/day, h is an average heating rate ofthe formation, pB is formation bulk density, and wherein the heating rate is less than about 10 °C/day.
170. The method of claim 160, wherein allowing the heat to transfer comprises fransfening heat substantially by conduction.
171. The method of claim 160, wherein the produced mixtare comprises condensable hydrocarbons having an API gravity of at least about 25°.
172. The method of claim 160, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
173. The method of claim 160, wherein the produced mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe non-condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
174. The method of claim 160, wherein the produced mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein a molar ratio of ethene to ethane in the non-condensable hydrocarbons ranges from about 0.001 to about 0.15.
175. The method of claim 160, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is nitrogen.
176. The method of claim 160, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is oxygen.
177. The method of claim 160, whereiα the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is sulfur.
178. The method of claύn 160, wherein the produced mixtare comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein greater than about 20 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are aromatic compounds.
179. The method of claim 160, wherein the produced mixtare comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises multi-ring aromatics with more than two rings.
180. The method of claύn 160, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 0.3 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are asphaltenes.
181. The method of claim 160, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 5 % by weight to about 30 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are cycloalkanes.
182. The method of claύn 160, wherein the produced mixture comprises a non-condensable component, wherein the non-condensable component comprises hydrogen, wherein the hydrogen is greater than about 10 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component, and wherein the hydrogen is less than about 80 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component.
183. The method of claim 160, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and whereiα greater than about 0.05 % by weight ofthe produced mixture is ammonia.
184. The method of claύn 160, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein the ammonia is used to produce fertilizer.
185. The method of claύn 160, wherein controlling the heat further comprises controlling the heat such that coke production is inhibited.
186. The method of claim 160, further comprising controlling formation conditions to produce a mixture of condensable hydrocarbons and H2, wherein a partial pressure of H2 withύi the mixture is greater than about 0.5 bars.
187. The method of claim 186, wherein the partial pressure of H2 is measured when the mixture is at a production well.
188. The method of claim 160, further comprising altering the pressure within the formation to inhibit production of hydrocarbons from the formation havύig carbon numbers greater than about 25.
189. The metliod of claύn 160, wherein controlling formation conditions comprises recύculatύig a portion of hydrogen from the mixture into the formation.
190. The method of claim 160, further comprising: providing hydrogen (H2) to the heated section to hydrogenate hydrocarbons within the section; and heating a portion ofthe section with heat from hydrogenation.
191. The method of claim 160, wherein the produced mixture comprises hydrogen and condensable hydrocarbons, the method further comprising hydrogenatύig a portion ofthe produced condensable hydrocarbons with at least a portion ofthe produced hydrogen.
192. The method of claύn 160, whereύi producing the mixture comprises producing the mixture in a production well, wherem at least about 7 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
193. The method of claim 192, whereύi at least about 20 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
194. The method of claim 160, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, and wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a friangular pattern.
195. The method of claim 160, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a friangular pattern, and wherein a plurality ofthe units are repeated over an area ofthe formation to form a repetitive pattern of units.
196. A method of treating a relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons in situ, comprising:
providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation; allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation; producing a mixture from the formation, wherein at least a portion ofthe mixture is produced during the pyrolysis and the mixture moves through the formation in a vapor phase; and maintaining a pressure within at least a majority ofthe selected section above about 2.0 bars absolute.
197. The method of claim 196, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise at least two heat sources, and wherein supeφosition of heat from at least the two heat sources pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section ofthe formation.
198. The method of claύn 196, wherein controlling formation conditions comprises maintaining a temperature within the selected section withύi a pyrolysis temperature range.
199. The method of claύn 196, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise electrical heaters.
200. The method of claim 196, where n the one or more heat sources comprise surface burners.
201. The method of claim 196, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise flameless disfributed combustors.
202. The method of claim 196, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise natural disfributed combustors.
203. The method of claύn 196, further comprising confrolling the pressure and a temperature within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation, wherein the pressure is controlled as a function of temperature, or the temperature is confrolled as a function of pressure.
204. The method of claύn 196, further comprising controlling the heat such that an average heating rate ofthe selected section is less than about 1 °C per day during pyrolysis.
205. The method of claim 196, wherein providing heat from the one or more heat sources to at least the portion of formation comprises: heating a selected volume (V) of the relatively permeable formation containύig heavy hydrocarbons from the one or more heat sources, wherein the formation has an average heat capacity (C ), and wherein the heating pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected volume ofthe formation; and whereύi heatύig energy/day provided to the volume is equal to or less than Pwr, wherein Pwr is calculated by the equation:
Pwr = h*V*Cv*pB wherein Pwr is the heating energy/day, h is an average heating rate ofthe formation, pB is formation bulk density, and wherein the heating rate is less than about 10 °C/day.
206. The method of claim 196, wherein allowing the heat to transfer comprises transferring heat substantially by conduction.
207. The method of claύn 196, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons having an API gravity of at least about 25°.
208. The method of claim 196, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
209. The method of claim 196, wherein the produced mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe non-condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
210. The method of claim 196, wherein the produced mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein a molar ratio of ethene to ethane in the non-condensable hydrocarbons ranges from about 0.001 to about 0.15.
211. The method of claim 196, wherein the produced mixtare comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is nifrogen.
212. The method of claύn 196, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is oxygen.
213. The method of claύn 196, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is sulfur.
214. The method of claim 196, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein greater than about 20 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are aromatic compounds.
215. The method of claim 196, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises multi-ring aromatics with more than two rings.
216. The method of claim 196, whereύi the produced mixtare comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 0.3 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are asphaltenes.
217. The method of claύn 196, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 5 % by weight to about 30 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are cycloalkanes.
218. The method of claim 196, wherem the produced mixture comprises a non-condensable component, wherein the non-condensable component comprises hydrogen, wherein the hydrogen is greater than about 10 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component, and wherein the hydrogen is less than about 80 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component.
219. The method of claim 196, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein greater than about 0.05 % by weight ofthe produced mixture is ammonia.
220. The method of claύn 196, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein the ammonia is used to produce fertilizer.
221. The method of claim 196, wherein the pressure is measured at a wellhead of a production well.
222. The method of claύn 196, wherein the pressure is measured at a location within a wellbore ofthe production well.
223. The method of claύn 196, wherein the pressure is maintained below about 100 bars absolute.
224. The method of claim 196, further comprising controlling formation conditions to produce a mixture of condensable hydrocarbons and H2, wherein a partial pressure of H2 within the mixture is greater than about 0.5 bars.
225. The method of claim 224, wherem the partial pressure of H2 is measured when the mixture is at a production well.
226. The method of claim 196, further comprising altering a pressure within the formation to inhibit production of hydrocarbons from the formation havύig carbon numbers greater than about 25.
227. The method of claύn 196, wherein controlling formation conditions comprises recύculating a portion of hydrogen from the mixture into the formation.
228. The method of claim 196, further comprising: providing hydrogen (H2) to the heated section to hydrogenate hydrocarbons within the section; and heating a portion ofthe section with heat from hydrogenation.
229. The method of claim 196, wherein the produced mixture comprises hydrogen and condensable hydrocarbons, the method further comprising hydrogenatύig a portion ofthe produced condensable hydrocarbons with at least a portion ofthe produced hydrogen.
230. The method of claim 196, wherein producing the mixture comprises producing the mixture in a production well, wherein at least about 7 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
231. The method of claim 230, wherein at least about 20 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
232. The method of claim 196, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, and wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a triangular pattern.
233. The method of claim 196, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a triangular pattern, and wherein a plurality ofthe units are repeated over an area ofthe formation to form a repetitive pattern of units.
234. A method of treating a relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons in situ, comprising: providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation; allowing the heat to fransfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation; maintaining a pressure within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation above 2.0 bars absolute; and producing a mixture from the formation, whereiα the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons having an API gravity higher than an API gravity of condensable hydrocarbons in a mixture producible from the formation at the same temperature and at atmospheric pressure.
235. The method of claim 234, whereύi the one or more heat sources comprise at least two heat sources, and wherein supeφosition of heat from at least the two heat sources pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons withύi the selected section ofthe formation.
236. The method of claύn 234, wherein controlling formation conditions comprises maintaining a temperature within the selected section withύi a pyrolysis temperature range.
237. The method of claύn 234, whereύi the one or more heat sources comprise electrical heaters.
238. The method of claim 234, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise surface burners.
239. The method of claύn 234, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise flameless disfributed combustors.
240. The method of claim 234, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise natural disfributed combustors.
241. The method of claim 234, further comprising confrolling the pressure and a temperature within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation, wherein the pressure is confrolled as a function of temperature, or the temperature is confrolled as a function of pressure.
242. The method of claim 234, further comprising controlling the heat such that an average heating rate ofthe selected section is less than about 1 °C per day during pyrolysis.
243. The method of claim 234, wherein providing heat from the one or more heat sources to at least the portion of formation comprises: heating a selected volume (V) ofthe relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons from the one or more heat sources, wherein the formation has an average heat capacity (Cv), and wherein the heating pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons withύi the selected volume ofthe formation; and wherein heating energy/day provided to the volume is equal to or less than Pwr, wherein Pwr is calculated by the equation: Pwr = h*V*Cv*pB wherein Pwr is the heating energy/day, h is an average heating rate ofthe formation, pB is formation bulk density, and wherein the heatύig rate is less than about 10 °C/day.
244. The method of claύn 234, where n allowing the heat to ttansfer comprises transferring heat substantially by conduction.
245. The method of claύn 234, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons having an API gravity of at least about 25°.
246. The method of claim 234, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
247. The method of claim 234, wherein the produced mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe non-condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
248. The method of claim 234, wherein the produced mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein a molar ratio of ethene to ethane in the non-condensable hydrocarbons ranges from about 0.001 to about 0.15.
249. The method of claim 234, wherein the produced mixtare comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is nitrogen.
250. The method of claύn 234, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is oxygen.
251. The method of claim 234, whereύi the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is sulfur.
252. The method of claim 234, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein greater than about 20 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are aromatic compounds.
253. The method of claύn 234, wherein the produced mixtare comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises multi-ring aromatics with more than two rings.
254. The method of claim 234, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 0.3 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are asphaltenes.
255. The method of claύn 234, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 5 % by weight to about 30 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are cycloalkanes.
256. The method of claim 234, wherein the produced mixture comprises a non-condensable component, wherein the non-condensable component comprises hydrogen, wherein the hydrogen is greater than about 10 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component, and wherein the hydrogen is less than about 80 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component.
257. The method of claύn 234, whereύi the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein greater than about 0.05 % by weight ofthe produced mixtare is ammonia.
258. The method of claύn 234, whereύi the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein the ammonia is used to produce fertilizer.
259. The method of claύn 234, further comprising controlling formation conditions to produce a mixtare of condensable hydrocarbons and H2, wherein a partial pressure of H2 within the mixture is greater than about 0.5 bars.
260. The method of claim 234, wherein a partial pressure of H2 is measured when the mixtare is at a production well.
261. The method of claim 234, further comprising altering a pressure within the formation to inhibit production of hydrocarbons from the formation havύig carbon numbers greater than about 25.
262. The method of claim 234, wherein controlling formation conditions comprises recύculating a portion of hydrogen from the mixture into the formation.
263. The method of claim 234, further comprising: providύig hydrogen (H2) to the heated section to hydrogenate hydrocarbons within the section; and heatύig a portion ofthe section with heat from hydrogenation.
264. The method of claim 234, wherein the produced mixture comprises hydrogen and condensable hydrocarbons, the method further comprising hydrogenating a portion ofthe produced condensable hydrocarbons with at least a portion ofthe produced hydrogen.
265. The method of claύn 234, whereύi producing the mixture comprises producing the mixture in a production well, wherein at least about 7 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
266. The method of claim 265, wherein at least about 20 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
267. The method of claύn 234, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe fonnation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, and wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a ttiangular pattern.
268. The method of claim 234, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a ttiangular pattern, and wherein a plurality ofthe units are repeated over an area ofthe formation to form a repetitive pattern of units.
269. A method of treating a relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons in situ, comprising: providύig heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation; allowing the heat to fransfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation; maintaining a pressure within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe fonnation to above 2.0 bars absolute; and producύig a fluid from the formation, wherein condensable hydrocarbons within the fluid comprise an atomic hydrogen to atomic carbon ratio of greater than about 1.75.
270. The method of claim 269, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise at least two heat sources, and wherein supeφosition of heat from at least the two heat sources pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section of the fonnation.
271. The method of claύn 269, wherein controlling formation conditions comprises maintaining a temperature within the selected section withύi a pyrolysis temperature range.
272. The method of claim 269, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise elecfrical heaters.
273. The method of claim 269, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise surface burners.
274. The method of claim 269, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise flameless disfributed combustors.
275. The method of claim 269, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise natural disfributed combustors.
276. The method of claim 269, further comprising controlling the pressure and a temperature within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation, wherein the pressure is confrolled as a function of temperature, or the temperatare is confrolled as a function of pressure.
277. The method of claim 269, further comprising controlling the heat such that an average heating rate ofthe selected section is less than about 1 °C per day during pyrolysis.
278. The method of claim 269, wherein providing heat from the one or more heat sources to at least the portion of formation comprises: heating a selected volume (V) of the relatively penneable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons from the one or more heat sources, wherein the fonnation has an average heat capacity (Cv), and wherein the heating pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected volume ofthe formation; and wherein heating energy/day provided to the volume is equal to or less than Pwr, wherein Pwr is calculated by the equation:
Pwr = h*V*Cv*pB wherein Pwr is the heatύig energy/day, h is an average heating rate ofthe formation, pB is formation bulk density, and wherein the heating rate is less than about 10 °C/day.
279. The method of claύn 269, whereύi allowing the heat to fransfer comprises transferring heat substantially by conduction.
280. The method of claύn 269, whereύi the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons having an API gravity of at least about 25°.
281. The method of claim 269, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
282. The method of claim 269, wherein the produced mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe non-condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
283. The method of claύn 269, wherein the produced mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, and ■ wherein a molar ratio of ethene to ethane in the non-condensable hydrocarbons ranges from about 0.001 to about
0.15.
284. The method of claim 269, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is nifrogen.
285. The method of claim 269, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is oxygen.
286. The method of claύn 269, wherein the produced mixtare comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is sulfur.
287. The method of claim 269, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein greater than about 20 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are aromatic compounds.
288. The method of claύn 269, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises multi-ring aromatics with more than two rings.
289. The method of claim 269, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 0.3 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are asphaltenes.
290. The method of claύn 269, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 5 % by weight to about 30 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are cycloalkanes.
291. The method of claim 269, wherein the produced mixture comprises a non-condensable component, wherein the non-condensable component comprises hydrogen, wherein the hydrogen is greater than about 10 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component, and wherein the hydrogen is less than about 80 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component.
292. The method of claim 269, whereύi the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein greater than about 0.05 % by weight ofthe produced mixture is ammonia.
293. The method of claim 269, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein the ammonia is used to produce fertilizer.
294. The method of claim 269, further comprising controlling formation conditions to produce a mixture of condensable hydrocarbons and H2, wherein a partial pressure of H2 within the mixture is greater than about 0.5 bars.
295. The method of claim 269, wherein a partial pressure of H2 is measured when the mixture is at a production well.
296. The method of claim 269, further comprising altering the pressure within the formation to inhibit production of hydrocarbons from the formation havύig carbon numbers greater than about 25.
297. The method of claim 269, whereύi controlling formation conditions comprises recύculatύig a portion of hydrogen from the mixture into the formation.
298. The method of claim 269, further comprising: providύig hydrogen (H2) to the heated section to hydrogenate hydrocarbons withύi the section; and heatύig a portion ofthe section with heat from hydrogenation.
299. The method of claύn 269, wherein the produced mixture comprises hydrogen and condensable hydrocarbons, the method further comprising hydrogenating a portion ofthe produced condensable hydrocarbons with at least a portion ofthe produced hydrogen.
300. The method of claim 269, wherein producing the mixture comprises producing the mixture in a production well, wherein at least about 7 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
301. The method of claim 300, wherein at least about 20 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
302. The method of claim 269, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, and wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a triangular pattern.
303. The method of claim 269, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the fomiation in a unit of heat
sources, wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a triangular pattern, and wherein a plurality ofthe units are repeated over an area ofthe formation to form a repetitive pattern of units.
304. A method of treating a relatively permeable fonnation containύig heavy hydrocarbons in sita, comprising: providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe fonnation; allowing the heat to fransfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe fonnation; maintaining a pressure withύi at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe fonnation to above 2.0 bars absolute; and producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises a higher amount of non- condensable components as compared to non-condensable components producible from the formation under the same temperature conditions and at atmospheric pressure.
305. The method of claim 304, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise at least two heat sources, and wherein supeφosition of heat from at least the two heat sources pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section ofthe formation.
306. The method of claύn 304, wherein controlling formation conditions comprises maintaining a temperatare within the selected section withύi a pyrolysis temperature range.
307. The method of claim 304, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise electrical heaters.
308. The method of claύn 304, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise surface burners.
309. The method of claύn 304, whereύi the one or more heat sources comprise flameless distributed combustors.
310. The method of claim 304, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise natural disttibuted combustors.
311. The method of claim 304, further comprising controlling the pressure and a temperature within at least a majority of the selected section ofthe formation, wherein the pressure is confrolled as a function of temperatare, or the temperature is controlled as a function of pressure.
312. The method of claim 304, further comprising controlling the heat such that an average heating rate ofthe selected section is less than about 1 °C per day during pyrolysis.
313. The method of claύn 304, wherein providing heat from the one or more heat sources to at least the portion of formation comprises:
heating a selected volume (V) ofthe relatively permeable formation containύig heavy hydrocarbons from the one or more heat sources, wherein the fonnation has an average heat capacity (C„), and wherein the heating pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected volume ofthe formation; and wherein heating energy/day provided to the volume is equal to or less than Pwr, wherein Pwr is calculated by the equation:
Pwr = h*V*Cv*pB wherein Pwr is the heating energy/day, h is an average heating rate ofthe formation, ?_■ is formation bulk density, and wherein the heating rate is less than about 10 °C/day.
314. The method of claim 304, wherein allowing the heat to transfer comprises transferring heat substantially by conduction.
315. The method of claim 304, whereύi the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons having an API gravity of at least about 25°.
316. The method of claύn 304, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
317. The method of clahn 304, wherein the produced mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe non-condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
318. The method of claύn 304, wherein the produced mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein a molar ratio of ethene to ethane in the non-condensable hydrocarbons ranges from about 0.001 to about 0.15.
319. The method of claim 304, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is nifrogen.
320. The method of claim 304, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and whereiα less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is oxygen.
321. The method of claim 304, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is sulfur.
322. The method of claύn 304, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and whereύi greater than about 20 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are aromatic compounds.
323. The method of claim 304, whereύi the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises multi-ring aromatics with more than two rings.
324. The method of claύn 304, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 0.3 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are asphaltenes.
325. The method of claim 304, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 5 % by weight to about 30 % by weight o the condensable hydrocarbons are cycloalkanes.
326. The method of claim 304, wherein the produced mixture comprises a non-condensable component, wherein the non-condensable component comprises hydrogen, wherein the hydrogen is greater than about 10 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component, and wherein the hydrogen is less than about 80 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component.
327. The method of claύn 304, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein greater than about 0.05 % by weight ofthe produced mixture is ammonia.
328. The method of claim 304, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein the ammonia is used to produce fertilizer.
329. The method of claim 304, further comprising controlling formation conditions to produce a mixture of condensable hydrocarbons and H2, wherein a partial pressure of H2 within the mixture is greater than about 0.5 bars.
330. The method of claύn 304, wherein a partial pressure of H2 is measured when the mixture is at a production well.
331. The method of claim 304, further comprising altering the pressure within the formation to inhibit production of hydrocarbons from the formation having carbon numbers greater than about 25.
332. The method of claύn 304, further comprising: providing hydrogen (H2) to the heated section to hydrogenate hydrocarbons within the section; and heating a portion ofthe section with heat from hydrogenation.
333. The method of claύn 304, wherein the produced mixture comprises hydrogen and condensable hydrocarbons, the method further comprising hydrogenating a portion ofthe produced condensable hydrocarbons with at least a portion ofthe produced hydrogen.
334. The method of claim 304, where n producing the mixture comprises producing the mixture in a production well, wherein at least about 7 heat sources are disposed in the fonnation for each production well.
335. The method of claim 334, wherein at least about 20 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
336. The method of claim 304, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, and wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a triangular pattern.
337. The method of claim 304, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a friangular pattern, and wherein a plurality ofthe units are repeated over an area ofthe formation to form a repetitive pattern of units.
338. A method of treating a relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons in sita, comprising: providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation; allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation such that superimposed heat from the one or more heat sources pyrolyzes at least about 20 % by weight of hydrocarbons within the selected section ofthe formation; and producing a mixture from the formation.
339. The method of claim 338, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise at least two heat sources, and wherein supeφosition of heat from at least the two heat sources pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons withύi the selected section ofthe formation.
340. The method of claim 338, wherein controlling formation conditions comprises maintaining a temperature within the selected section withύi a pyrolysis temperature range.
341. The method of claύn 338, whereύi the one or more heat sources comprise electrical heaters.
342. The method of claim 338, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise surface burners.
343. The method of claim 338, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise flameless distributed combustors.
344. The method of claim 338, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise natural distributed combustors.
345. The method of claim 338, further comprising confrolling a pressure and a temperatare withύi at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation, wherein the pressure is confrolled as a function of temperature, or the temperatare is controlled as a function of pressure.
346. The method of claim 338, furtlier comprising controlling the heat such that an average heatύig rate ofthe selected section is less than about 1 °C per day during pyrolysis.
347. The method of claim 338, whereύi providing heat from the one or more heat sources to at least the portion of formation comprises: heatύig a selected volume (V) ofthe relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons from the one or more heat sources, wherein the formation has an average heat capacity (C„), and wherein the heating pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected volume ofthe formation; and wherein heating energy/day provided to the volume is equal to or less than Pwr, wherein Pwr is calculated by the equation: Pwr = h*V*Cv*pB wherein Pwr is the heating energy/day, h is an average heating rate ofthe formation, pB is formation bulk density, and wherein the heating rate is less than about 10 °C/day.
348. The method of claύn 338, wherein allowing the heat to transfer comprises transferring heat substantially by conduction.
349. The method of claim 338, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons having an API gravity of at least about 25°.
350. The method of claim 338, wherein the produced mixtare comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
351. The method of claύn 338, wherein the produced mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe non-condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
352. The method of claim 338, wherein the produced mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein a molar ratio of ethene to ethane in the non-condensable hydrocarbons ranges from about 0.001 to about 0.15.
353. The method of claim 338, whereύi the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is nittogen.
354. The method of claim 338, whereύi the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is oxygen.
355. The method of claim 338, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is sulfur.
356. The method of claim 338, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein greater than about 20 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are aromatic compounds.
357. The method of claim 338, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises multi-ring aromatics with more than two rings.
358. The method of claύn 338, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 0.3 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are asphaltenes.
359. The method of claim 338, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 5 % by weight to about 30 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are cycloalkanes.
360. The method of claim 338, wherein the produced mixture comprises a non-condensable component, wherein the non-condensable component comprises hydrogen, wherein the hydrogen is greater than about 10 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component, and wherein the hydrogen is less than about 80 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component.
361. The method of claύn 338, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein greater than about 0.05 % by weight ofthe produced mixture is ammonia.
362. The method of claim 338, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein the ammonia is used to produce fertilizer.
363. The method of claim 338, further comprismg controlling a pressure withύi at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation, wherein the controlled pressure is at least about 2.0 bars absolute.
364. The method of claim 338, further comprising controlling formation conditions to produce a mixture of condensable hydrocarbons and H2, wherein a partial pressure of H2 within the mixture is greater than about 0.5 bars.
365. The method of claim 338, wherein a partial pressure of H2 is measured when the mixture is at a production well.
366. The method of claim 338, further comprising altering a pressure within the formation to inhibit production of hydrocarbons from the formation having carbon numbers greater than about 25.
367. The method of claύn 338, wherein controlling fonnation conditions comprises recύculating a portion of hydrogen from the mixture into the formation.
368. The method of claim 338, further comprising: providing hydrogen (H2) to the heated section to hydrogenate hydrocarbons within the section; and heatmg a portion ofthe section with heat from hydrogenation.
369. The method of claim 338, wherein the produced mixture comprises hydrogen and condensable hydrocarbons, the method further comprising hydrogenatύig a portion ofthe produced condensable hydrocarbons with at least a portion ofthe produced hydrogen.
370. The method of claim 338, wherein producύig the mixture comprises producing the mixture in a production well, wherein at least about 7 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
371. The method of claim 370, wherein at least about 20 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
372. The method of claim 338, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, and wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a triangular pattern.
373. The method of claύn 338, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe fonnation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a triangular pattern, and wherein a plurality ofthe units are repeated over an area ofthe formation to form a repetitive pattern of units.
374. A method of treating a relatively permeable formation containύig heavy hydrocarbons in situ, comprismg: providύig heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation; allowing the heat to fransfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe fonnation such that superimposed heat from the one or more heat sources pyrolyzes at least about 20 % of hydrocarbons within the selected section ofthe fonnation; and producing a mixture from the fonnation, wherein the mixture comprises a condensable component having an API gravity of at least about 25°.
375. The method of claύn 374, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise at least two heat sources, and wherein supeφosition of heat from at least the two heat sources pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons withύi the selected section o the formation.
376. The method of claim 374, wherein controlling formation conditions comprises maintaining a temperature within the selected section within a pyrolysis temperature range.
377. The method of claim 374, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise elecfrical heaters.
378. The method of claύn 374, whereύi the one or more heat sources comprise surface burners.
379. The method of claim 374, wherem the one or more heat sources comprise flameless disfributed combustors.
380. The method of claim 374, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise natural distributed combustors.
381. The method of claύn 374, further comprising confrolling a pressure and a temperatare within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation, wherein the pressure is controlled as a function of temperature, or the temperatare is controlled as a function of pressure.
382. The method of claim 374, further comprising controlling the heat such that an average heatύig rate ofthe selected section is less than about 1 °C per day during pyrolysis.
383. The method of claim 374, wherein providing heat from the one or more heat sources to at least the portion of formation comprises: heating a selected volume (V) ofthe relatively penneable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons from the one or more heat sources, wherein the formation has an average heat capacity (Cv), and wherein the heating pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected volume ofthe formation; and wherein heatύig energy/day provided to the volume is equal to or less than Pwr, wherein Pwr is calculated by the equation:
Pwr = h*V*Cv*pB wherein Pwr is the heating energy/day, h is an average heating rate ofthe formation, pB is formation bulk density, and wherein the heatύig rate is less than about 10 °C/day.
384. The method of claim 374, wherein allowing the heat to transfer comprises fransfening heat substantially by conduction.
385. The method of claim 374, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
386. The method of claim 374, wherein the produced mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe non-condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
387. The method of claim 374, wherein the produced mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein a molar ratio of ethene to ethane in the non-condensable hydrocarbons ranges from about 0.001 to about
0.15.
388. The method of claim 374, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is nifrogen.
389. The' method of claim 374, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is oxygen.
390. The method of claύn 374, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is sulfur.
391. The method of claim 374, wherein the produced mixtare comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein greater than about 20 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are aromatic compounds.
392. The method of claύn 374, wherein the produced mixtare comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises multi-ring aromatics with more than two rings.
393. The method of claύn 374, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 0.3 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are asphaltenes.
394. The method of claim 374, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 5 % by weight to' about 30 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are cycloalkanes.
395. The method of claim 374, wherein the produced mixture comprises a non-condensable component, wherein the non-condensable component comprises hydrogen, wherein the hydrogen is greater than about 10 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component, and wherein the hydrogen is less than about 80 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component.
396. The method of claύn 374, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein greater than about 0.05 % by weight ofthe produced mixture is ammonia.
397. The method of claύn 374, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein the ammonia is used to produce fertilizer.
398. The method of claim 374, further comprising controlling a pressure within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation, wherein the controlled pressure is at least about 2.0 bars absolute.
399. The method of claim 374, further comprising controlling formation conditions to produce a mixture of condensable hydrocarbons and H2, wherein a partial pressure of H2 within the mixture is greater than about 0.5 bars.
400. The method of claim 374, wherein a partial pressure of H2 is measured when the mixtare is at a production well.
401. The method of claύn 374, further comprising altering a pressure within the formation to inhibit production of hydrocarbons from the formation having carbon numbers greater than about 25.
402. The method of claύn 374, wherein controlling formation conditions comprises recirculating a portion of hydrogen from the mixture into the formation.
403. The method of claύn 374, further comprising: providing hydrogen (H2) to the heated section to hydrogenate hydrocarbons within the section; and heatύig a portion ofthe section with heat from hydrogenation.
404. The method of claim 374, wherein the produced mixture comprises hydrogen and condensable hydrocarbons, the method further comprising hydrogenating a portion ofthe produced condensable hydrocarbons with at least a portion ofthe produced hydrogen.
405. The method of claim 374, wherein producing the mixture comprises producing the mixture in a production well, wherein at least about 7 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
406. The method of claim 405, wherein at least about 20 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
407. The method of claim 374, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, whereiα three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, and wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a friangular pattern.
408. The method of claύn 374, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat
sources, wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a triangular pattern, and wherein a plurality o the units are repeated over an area ofthe formation to form a repetitive pattern of units.
409. A method of treating a layer of a relatively permeable fonnation containing heavy hydrocarbons in situ, comprising: providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe layer, wherein the one or more heat sources are positioned proximate an edge ofthe layer; allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe layer such that superimposed heat from the one or more heat sources pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section ofthe formation; and producing a mixture from the fonnation.
410. The method of claύn 409, wherein the one or more heat sources are laterally spaced from a center ofthe layer.
41 1. The method of claim 409, wherein the one or more heat sources are positioned in a staggered line.
412. The method of claύn 409, wherein the one or more heat sources positioned proximate the edge of the layer can increase an amount of hydrocarbons produced per unit of energy input to the one or more heat sources.
413. The method of claim 409, wherein the one or more heat sources positioned proximate the edge ofthe layer can mcrease the volume of formation undergoing pyrolysis per unit of energy input to the one or more heat sources.
414. The method of claim 409, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise elecfrical heaters.
415. The method of claim 409, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise surface burners.
416. The method of claύn 409, whereύi the one or more heat sources comprise flameless disttibuted combustors.
417. The method of claim 409, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise natural distributed combustors.
418. The method of claim 409, further comprising controlling a pressure and a temperature within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation, wherein the pressure is confrolled as a function of temperature, or the temperature is controlled as a function of pressure.
419. The method of claύn 409, further comprising controlling the heat such that an average heating rate ofthe selected section is less than about 1.0 ° C per day during pyrolysis.
420. The method of claim 409, wherein providing heat from the one or more heat sources to at least the portion ofthe layer comprises: heating a selected volume (V) ofthe relatively permeable fonnation containύig heavy hydrocarbons from the one or more heat sources, wherein the fonnation has an average heat capacity (Cv), and wherein the heating pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected volume ofthe formation; and wherein heating energy/day provided to the volume is equal to or less than Pwr, wherein Pwr is calculated by the equation:
Pwr = h*V*Cv*pB wherein Pwr is the heating energy/day, h is an average heating rate ofthe formation, pB is formation bulk density, and wherein the heating rate is less than about 10 °C/day.
421. The method of claim 409, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons having an API gravity of at least about 25°.
422. The method of claύn 409, whereύi the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
423. The method of claim 409, wherein the produced mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein a molar ratio of ethene to ethane in the non-condensable hydrocarbons ranges from about 0.001 to about 0.15.
424. The method of claύn 409, whereύi the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is nifrogen.
425. The method of claim 409, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is oxygen.
426. The method of claim 409, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is sulfur.
427. The method of claim 409, whereύi the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and whereύi greater than about 2Q % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are aromatic compounds.
428. The method of claύn 409, whereύi the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises multi-ring aromatics with more than two rings.
429. The method of claim 409, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 0.3 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are asphaltenes.
430. The method of claim 409, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 5 % by weight to about 30 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are cycloalkanes.
431. The method of claim 409, wherein the produced mixture comprises a non-condensable component, wherein the non-condensable component comprises hydrogen, wherein the hydrogen is greater than about 10 % by volume o the non-condensable component, and wherein the hydrogen is less than about 80 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component.
432. The method of claim 409, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein greater than about 0.05 % by weight ofthe produced mixture is ammonia.
433. The method of claύn 409, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein the ammonia is used to produce fertilizer.
434. The method of claim 409, further comprising controlling a pressure within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation, wherein the controlled pressure is at least about 2.0 bars absolute.
435. The method of claim 409, further comprising confrolling formation conditions to produce a mixture of condensable hydrocarbons and H2, wherein a partial pressure of H2 within the mixture is greater than about 0.5 bars.
436. The method of claύn 435, wherein the partial pressure of H2 is measured when the mixture is at a production well.
437. The method of claim 409, further comprising altering a pressure within the formation to inhibit production of hydrocarbons from the formation having carbon numbers greater than about 25.
438. The method of claim 409, further comprising controlling formation conditions, wherem controlling formation conditions comprises recύculatύig a portion of hydrogen from the mixture into the formation.
439. The method of claim 409, further comprising: providύig hydrogen (H2) to the heated section to hydrogenate hydrocarbons within the section; and heatύig a portion of the section with heat from hydrogenation.
440. The method of claim 409, wherein the produced mixture comprises hydrogen and condensable hydrocarbons, the method further comprising hydrogenating a portion ofthe produced condensable hydrocarbons with at least a portion ofthe produced hydrogen.
441. The method of claim 409, wherein producing the mixture comprises producing the mixture in a production well, wherein at least about 7 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
442. The method of claim 441, wherein at least about 20 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
443. The method of claύn 409, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, and wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a friangular pattern.
444. The method of claim 409, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a triangular pattern, and wherein a plurality ofthe units are repeated over an area ofthe formation to form a repetitive pattern of units.
445. A method of treating a relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons in situ, comprising: providύig heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation; allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation; and controlling a pressure and a temperature within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation, wherein the pressure is controlled as a function of temperature, or the temperature is controlled as a function of pressure; and producing a mixture from the formation.
446. The method of claim 445, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise at least two heat sources, and wherein supeφosition of heat from at least the two heat sources pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section ofthe formation.
447. The method of claim 445, wherein confrolling formation conditions comprises maintaining a temperature within the selected section withύi a pyrolysis temperatare range.
448. The method of claύn 445, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise elecfrical heaters.
449. The method of claim 445, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise surface burners.
450. The method of claim 445, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise flameless disfributed combustors.
451. The method of claim 445, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise natural distributed combustors.
452. The method of claύn 445, further comprising controlling the heat such that an average heatύig rate ofthe selected section is less than about 1 °C per day during pyrolysis.
453. The method of claim 445, wherein providing heat from the one or more heat sources to at least the portion of formation comprises: heating a selected volume (V) ofthe relatively penneable fonnation containing heavy hydrocarbons from the one or more heat sources, wherein the formation has an average heat capacity (Cv), and wherein the heating pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected volume ofthe formation; and wherein heating energy/day provided to the volume is equal to or less than Pwr, wherein Pwr is calculated by the equation:
Pwr = h*V*Cv*pB wherein Pwr is the heating energy/day, h is an average heating rate ofthe formation, pB is formation bulk density, and wherein the heatύig rate is less than about 10 °C/day.
454. The method of claim 445, wherein allowing the heat to transfer comprises transferring heat substantially by conduction.
455. The method of claim 445, wherein the produced mixtare comprises condensable hydrocarbons having an API gravity of at least about 25°.
456. The method of claim 445, whereui the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
457. The method of claύn 445, wherein the produced mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe non-condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
458. The method of claim 445 , wherein the produced mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein a molar ratio of ethene to ethane in the non-condensable hydrocarbons ranges from about 0.001 to about 0.15.
459. The method of claim 445, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is nitrogen.
460. The method of claim 445, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is oxygen.
461. The method of claim 445, whereύi the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is sulfur.
462. The method of claύn 445, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein greater than about 20 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are aromatic compounds.
463. The method of claύn 445, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises multi-ring aromatics with more than two rings.
464. The method of claim 445, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 0.3 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are asphaltenes.
465. The method of claim 445, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 5 % by weight to about 30 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are cycloalkanes.
466. The method of claύn 445, wherein the produced mixture comprises a non-condensable component, wherein the non-condensable component comprises hydrogen, wherein the hydrogen is greater than about 10 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component, and wherein the hydrogen is less than about 80 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component.
467. The method of claim 445, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein greater than about 0.05 % by weight ofthe produced mixture is ammonia.
468. The method of claύn 445, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein the ammonia is used to produce fertilizer.
469. The method of claim 445, wherein the controlled pressure is at least about 2.0 bars absolute.
470. The method of claύn 445, further comprising controlling formation conditions to produce a mixture of condensable hydrocarbons and H2, wherein a partial pressure of H2 within the mixture is greater than about 0.5 bars.
471. The method of claim 445, wherein a partial pressure of H2 is measured when the mixture is at a production well.
472. The method of claim 445, further comprismg altering a pressure within the formation to inhibit production of hydrocarbons from the formation havύig carbon numbers greater than about 25.
473. The method of claim 445, whereύi controlling formation conditions comprises recύculatύig a portion of hydrogen from the mixture into the formation.
474. The method of claim 445, further comprising: providing hydrogen (H2) to the heated section to hydrogenate hydrocarbons within the section; and heating a portion ofthe section with heat from hydrogenation.
475. The method of claim 445, wherein the produced mixture comprises hydrogen and condensable hydrocarbons, the method further comprising hydrogenating a portion ofthe produced condensable hydrocarbons with at least a portion of the produced hydrogen.
476. The method of claύn 445, wherein producing the mixture comprises producing the mixture in a production well, wherein at least about 7 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
477. The method of claύn 476, wherein at least about 20 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
478. The method of claim 445, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, and wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a friangular pattern.
479. The method of claim 445, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a friangular pattern, and wherein a plurality ofthe units are repeated over an area ofthe formation to form a repetitive pattern of units.
480. A method of treating a relatively permeable formation containύig heavy hydrocarbons in sita, comprising: providύig heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation; allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation to raise an average temperature within the selected section to, or above, a temperature that will pyrolyze hydrocarbons within the selected section; producύig a mixture from the formation; and controlling API gravity ofthe produced mixture to be greater than about 25 degrees API by controlling average pressure and average temperature in the selected section such that the average pressure in the selected section is greater than the pressure (p) set forth in the following equation for an assessed average temperature (T) in the selected section:
where p is measured in psia and T is measured in ° Kelvin.
481. The method of claύn 480, wherein the API gravity ofthe produced mixture is controlled to be greater than about 30 degrees API, and wherein the equation is:
482. The method of claim 480, wherein the API gravity ofthe produced mixture is controlled to be greater than about 35 degrees API, and wherein the equation is: p _ e [-22000/T + 38]
483. The method of claim 480, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise at least two heat sources, and wherein supeφosition of heat from at least the two heat sources pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section ofthe formation.
484. The method of claim 480, wherein controlling the average temperature comprises maintaining a temperature in the selected section withύi a pyrolysis temperature range.
485. The method of claim 480, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise electrical heaters.
486. The method of claim 480, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise surface burners.
487. The method of claim 480, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise flameless distributed combustors.
488. The method of claύn 480, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise natural disfributed combustors.
489. The method of claim 480, further comprising controlling a temperature within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation, wherein the pressure is controlled as a function of temperature, or the temperature is controlled as a function of pressure.
490. The method of claύn 480, further comprising controlling the heat such that an average heating rate ofthe selected section is less than about 1 °C per day during pyrolysis.
491. The method of claim 480, wherein providing heat from the one or more heat sources to at least the portion of formation comprises: heatύig a selected volume (V) ofthe relatively permeable formation containύig heavy hydrocarbons from the one or more heat sources, wherein the formation has an average heat capacity (Cv), and wherein the heating pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected volume ofthe fonnation; and wherein heating energy /day provided to the volume is equal to or less than Pwr, whereύi Pwr is calculated by the equation:
Pwr = h*V*Cv*ps
wherein Pwr is the heating energy/day, h is an average heating rate ofthe formation, pB is formation bulk density, and wherein the heating rate is less than about 10 °C/day.
492. The method of claim 480, wherein allowing the heat to transfer comprises transferring heat substantially by conduction.
493. The method of claim 480, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
494. The method of claim 480, wherein the produced mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe non-condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
495. The method of claύn 480, wherein the produced mixtare comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein a molar ratio of ethene to ethane in the non-condensable hydrocarbons ranges from about 0.001 to about 0.15.
496. The method of claύn 480, wherein the produced mixtare comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is nifrogen.
497. The method of claim 480, wherein the produced mixtare comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is oxygen.
498. The method of claim 480, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is sulfur.
499. The method of claύn 480, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein greater than about 20 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are aromatic compounds.
500. The method of claύn 480, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises multi-ring aromatics with more than two rings.
501. The method of claύn 480, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 0.3 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are asphaltenes.
502. The method of claim 480, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 5 % by weight to about 30 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are cycloalkanes.
503. The method of claim 480, wherein the produced mixture comprises a non-condensable component, wherein the non-condensable component comprises hydrogen, wherein the hydrogen is greater than about 10 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component, and wherein the hydrogen is less than about 80 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component.
504. The method of claim 480, whereύi the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein greater than about 0.05 % by weight ofthe produced mixture is ammonia.
505. The method of claim 480, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein the ammonia is used to produce fertilizer.
506. The method of claim 480, further comprising controlling formation conditions to produce a mixture of condensable hydrocarbons and H2, wherein a partial pressure of H2 within the mixture is greater than about 0.5 bars.
507. The method of claύn 480, wherein a partial pressure of H2 is measured when the mixture is at a production well.
508. The method of claύn 480, further comprising altering a pressure within the formation to ύihibit production of hydrocarbons from the formation having carbon numbers greater than about 25.
509. The method of claim 480, wherein controlling formation conditions comprises recύculating a portion of hydrogen from the mixture into the formation.
510. The method of claim 480, further comprising: providing hydrogen (H2) to the heated section to hydrogenate hydrocarbons within the section; and heating a portion ofthe section with heat from hydrogenation.
511. The method of claim 480, wherein the produced mixture comprises hydrogen and condensable hydrocarbons, the method further comprising hydrogenating a portion ofthe produced condensable hydrocarbons with at least a portion ofthe produced hydrogen.
512. The method of claim 480, wherein producύig the mixture comprises producing the mixture in a production well, wherein at least about 7 heat sources are disposed in the fonnation for each production well.
513. The method of claύn 512, wherein at least about 20 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
514. The method of claύn 480, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, and wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a ttiangular pattern.
515. The method of claim 480, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a friangular pattern, and wherein a plurality ofthe units are repeated over an area ofthe formation to form a repetitive pattern of units.
516. A method of treating a relatively permeable formation containύig heavy hydrocarbons in sita, comprising: providing heat to at least a portion of a relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons such that a temperature (T) in a substantial part ofthe heated portion exceeds 270 °C and hydrocarbons are pyrolyzed within the heated portion ofthe formation; confrolling a pressure _>) within at least a substantial part ofthe heated portion ofthe formation; vfoerempbar> e [(-A /τ> ÷B- ' β7"] ; wherein p is the pressure in bars absolute and T is the temperature in degrees K, and A and B are parameters that are larger than 10 and are selected in relation to the characteristics and composition ofthe relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons and on the requύed olefin content and carbon number ofthe pyrolyzed hydrocarbon fluids; and producing pyrolyzed hydrocarbon fluids from the heated portion ofthe formation.
517. The method of claim 516, wherein A is greater than 14000 and B is greater than about 25 and a majority of the produced pyrolyzed hydrocarbon fluids have an average carbon number lower than 25 and comprise less than about 10 % by weight of olefins.
518. The method of claύn 516, wherein T is less than about 390 °C, p is greater than about 1.4 bars, A is greater than about 44000, and b is greater than about 67, and a majority ofthe produced pyrolyzed hydrocarbon fluids have an average carbon number less than 25 and comprise less than 10 % by weight of olefins.
519. The method of claύn 516, wherein T is less than about 390 °C, p is greater than about 2 bars, A is less than about 57000, and b is less than about 83, and a majority ofthe produced pyrolyzed hydrocarbon fluids have an average carbon number lower than about 21.
520. The method of claύn 516, further comprising controlling the heat such that an average heating rate ofthe heated portion is less than about 3 °C per day during pyrolysis.
521. The method of claim 516, wherein providύig heat from the one or more heat sources to at least the portion of formation comprises:
heatύig a selected volume (V) ofthe relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons from the one or more heat sources, wherein the fonnation has an average heat capacity (Cv), and wherein the heating pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected volume ofthe formation; and wherein heatύig energy/day provided to the volume is equal to or less than Pwr, wherein Pwr is calculated by the equation:
Pwr = h*V*Cv*pB wherein Pwr is the heating energy/day, h is an average heatύig rate ofthe formation, pB is formation bulk density, and wherein the heating rate is less than about 10 °C/day.
522. The method of claύn 516, wherein heat is fransferred substantially by conduction from one or more heat sources to the heated portion ofthe formation.
523. The method of claim 516, further comprising controlling formation conditions to produce a mixture of hydrocarbon fluids and H2, wherein a partial pressure of H2 within the mixture flowing through the formation is greater than 0.5 bars.
524. The method of claύn 523, further comprising, hydrogenating a portion ofthe produced pyrolyzed hydrocarbon fluids with at least a portion ofthe produced hydrogen and heating the fluids with heat from hydrogenation.
525. The method of claim 516, whereύi the substantially gaseous pyrolyzed hydrocarbon fluids are produced from a production well, the method further comprising heatύig a wellbore ofthe production well to inhibit condensation ofthe hydrocarbon fluids within the wellbore.
526. A method of treating a relatively permeable formation containύig heavy hydrocarbons in sita, comprising: providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation; allowing the heat to fransfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation to raise an average temperature within the selected section to, or above, a temperature that will pyrolyze hydrocarbons within the selected section; producing a mixture from the formation; and controlling a weight percentage of olefins ofthe produced mixture to be less than about 20 % by weight by controlling average pressure and average temperature in the selected section such that the average pressure in the selected section is greater than the pressure (p) set forth in the following equation for an assessed average temperature (T) in the selected section: p = e [-57000>T + 83]
whereui is measured in psia and Tis measured in ° Kelvin.
527. The method of claim 526, whereύi the weight percentage of olefins ofthe produced mixture is controlled to be less than about 10 % by weight, and wherein the equation is:
= e .- «oατ + _«;_
528. The method of claim 526, wherein the weight percentage of olefins ofthe produced mixture is controlled to be less than about 5 % by weight, and wherein the equation is: p _, _ — „ [-]2000/T+ 22I .
529. The method of claim 526, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise at least two heat sources, and wherein supeφosition of heat from at least the two heat sources pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons withύi the selected section ofthe fonnation.
530. The method of claim 526, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise elecfrical heaters.
531. The method of claύn 526, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise surface burners.
532. The method of claim 526, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise flameless distributed combustors.
533. The method of claim 526, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise natural disttibuted combustors.
534. The method of claim 526, further comprising controlling a temperature within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation, wherein the pressure is controlled as a function of temperature, or the temperatare is conttolled as a function of pressure.
535. The method of claim 534, wherein controlling an average temperature comprises maintaining a temperature within the selected section within a pyrolysis temperature range.
536. The method of claim 526, further comprising controlling the heat such that an average heating rate ofthe selected section is less than about 3.0 °C per day during pyrolysis.
537. The method of claim 526, further comprising controlling the heat such that an average heating rate ofthe selected section is less than about 1 °C per day during pyrolysis.
538. The method of claim 526, wherein providing heat from the one or more heat sources to at least the portion of fonnation comprises: heating a selected volume (V) ofthe relatively permeable fonnation containing heavy hydrocarbons from the one or more heat sources, wherein the fonnation has an average heat capacity (C„), and wherein the heating pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected volume ofthe formation; and wherein heating energy/day provided to the volume is equal to or less than Pwr, wherein Pwr is calculated by the equation:
Pwr = h*V*Cv*pB wherein Pwr is the heating energy/day, h is an average heating rate ofthe formation, ρB is formation bulk density, and wherein the heating rate is less than about 10 °C/day.
539. The method of claim 526, wherein allowing the heat to ttansfer comprises transferring heat substantially by conduction.
540. The method of claim 526, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons having an API gravity of at least about 25°.
541. The method of claim 526, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
542. The method of claύn 526, wherein the produced mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe non-condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
543. The method of claim 526, wherein the produced mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein a molar ratio of ethene to ethane in the non-condensable hydrocarbons ranges from about 0.001 to about 0.15.
544. The method of claύn 526, whereύi the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is nittogen.
545. The method of claim 526, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is oxygen.
546. The method of claύn 526, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is sulfur.
547. The method of claim 526, where n the produced mixtare comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and whereύi greater than about 20 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are aromatic compounds.
548. The method of claim 526, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises multi-ring aromatics with more than two rings.
549. The method of claim 526, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 0.3 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are asphaltenes.
550. The method of claim 526, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 5 % by weight to about 30 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are cycloalkanes.
551. The method of claύn 526, wherein the produced mixture comprises a non-condensable component, wherein the non-condensable component comprises hydrogen, wherein the hydrogen is greater than about 10 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component, and wherein the hydrogen is less than about 80 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component.
552. The method of claύn 526, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein greater than about 0.05 % by weight ofthe produced mixture is ammonia.
553. The method of claim 526, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein the ammonia is used to produce fertilizer.
554. The method of claim 526, further comprising confrolling formation conditions to produce a mixture of condensable hydrocarbons and H2, wherein a partial pressure of H2 within the mixture is greater than about 0.5 bars.
555. The method of claim 526, whereύi a partial pressure of H2 is measured when the mixture is at a production well.
556. The method of claύn 526, further comprising altering a pressure within the formation to inhibit production of hydrocarbons from the formation having carbon numbers greater than about 25.
557. The method of claim 526, wherein controlling formation conditions comprises recύculating a portion of hydrogen from the mixture into the formation.
558. The method of claim 526, further comprising: providing hydrogen (H2) to the heated section to hydrogenate hydrocarbons withύi the section; and heating a portion ofthe section with heat from hydrogenation.
559. The method of claim 526, wherein the produced mixture comprises hydrogen and condensable hydrocarbons, the method further comprising hydrogenating a portion ofthe produced condensable hydrocarbons with at least a portion ofthe produced hydrogen.
560. The method of claύn 526, wherein producing the mixture comprises producing the mixture in a production well, wherein at least about 7 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
561. The method of claύn 560, wherein at least about 20 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
562. The method of claim 526, further comprising providύig heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, and wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a triangular pattern.
563. The method of claim 526, further comprising providύig heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a friangular pattern, and wherein a plurality ofthe units are repeated over an area ofthe formation to form a repetitive pattern of units.
564. A method of treating a relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons in situ, comprising: providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation; allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation to raise an average temperature withύi the selected section to, or above, a temperature that will pyrolyze hydrocarbons within the selected section; producing a mixture from the formation; and controlling hydrocarbons having carbon numbers greater than 20 ofthe produced mixture to be less than about 20 % by weight by controlling average pressure and average temperature in the selected section such that the average pressure in the selected section is greater than the pressure (p) set forth in the following equation for an assessed average temperatare (T) in the selected section: p = e[-,4000 τ+ 25] where p is measured in psia and Tis measured in ° Kelvin.
565. The method of claim 564, wherein the hydrocarbons having carbon numbers greater than 20 ofthe produced mixture is confrolled to be less than about 15 % by weight, and wherein the equation is: p _ = e „ ['-18000/T + 32]
566. The method of claim 564, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise at least two heat sources, and wherein supeφosition of heat from at least the two heat sources pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section ofthe formation.
567. The method of claim 564, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise electrical heaters.
568. The method of claim 564, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise surface burners.
569. The method of claύn 564, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise flameless distributed combustors.
570. The method of claύn 564, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise natural disfributed combustors.
571. The method of claim 564, further comprising controlling a temperature withύi at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe fonnation, wherein the pressure is controlled as a function of temperature, or the temperature is confrolled as a function of pressure.
572. The method of claύn 571, wherein controlling the temperature comprises maintaining a temperature within the selected section within a pyrolysis temperature range.
573. The method of claύn 564, further comprising confrolling the heat such that an average heatύig rate ofthe selected section is less than about 1 °C per day during pyrolysis.
574. The method of claim 564, whereύi providύig heat from the one or more heat sources to at least the portion of formation comprises: heating a selected volume (V) ofthe relatively permeable formation containύig heavy hydrocarbons from the one or more heat sources, wherein the formation has an average heat capacity (Cv), and wherein the heating pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected volume ofthe formation; and wherein heatύig energy/day provided to the volume is equal to or less than Pwr, wherein Pwr is calculated by the equation:
Pwr = h*V*Cv*pB wherein Pwr is the heatύig energy/day, h is an average heating rate ofthe formation, pB is formation bulk density, and wherein the heating rate is less than about 10 °C/day.
575. The method of claύn 564, wherein allowing the heat to transfer comprises transferring heat substantially by conduction.
576. The method of claim 564, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons having an API gravity of at least about 25°.
577. The method of claύn 564, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
578. The method of claύn 564, wherein the produced mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein a molar ratio of ethene to ethane in the non-condensable hydrocarbons ranges from about 0.001 to about 0.15.
579. The method of claim 564, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is nitrogen.
580. The method of claim 564, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is oxygen.
581. The method of claim 564, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is sulfur.
582. The method of claύn 564, wherein the produced mixtare comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein greater than about 20 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are aromatic compounds.
583. The method of claim 564, whereύi the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises multi-ring aromatics with more than two rings.
584. The method of claύn 564, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 0.3 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are asphaltenes.
585. The method of claim 564, wherem the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 5 % by weight to about 30 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are cycloalkanes.
586. The method of claim 564, wherein the produced mixture comprises a non-condensable component, wherein the non-condensable component comprises hydrogen, wherein the hydrogen is greater than about 10 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component, and wherein the hydrogen is less than about 80 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component.
587. The method of claύn 564, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein greater than about 0.05 % by weight ofthe produced mixture is ammonia.
588. The method of claύn 564, whereύi the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein the ammonia is used to produce fertilizer.
589. The method of claim 564, further comprising controlling formation conditions to produce a mixture of condensable hydrocarbons and H2, wherein a partial pressure of H2 within the mixture is greater than about 0.5 bars.
590. The method of claim 564, wherein a partial pressure of H2 is measured when the mixture is at a production well.
591. The method of claim 564, further comprising altering a pressure within the formation to ύihibit production of hydrocarbons from the formation havύig carbon numbers greater than about 25.
592. The method of claim 564, further comprising: providing hydrogen (H2) to the heated section to hydrogenate hydrocarbons within the section; and heating a portion ofthe section with heat from hydrogenation.
593. The method of claim 564, wherein the produced mixture comprises hydrogen and condensable hydrocarbons, the method further comprising hydrogenating a portion ofthe produced condensable hydrocarbons with at least a portion ofthe produced hydrogen.
594. The method of claim 564, wherein producing the mixture comprises producing the mixture in a production well, wherein at least about 7 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
595. The method of claim 594, wherein at least about 20 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
596. The method of claim 564, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, and wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a friangular pattern.
597. The method of claim 564, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a triangular pattern, and wherein a plurality ofthe units are repeated over an area ofthe formation to form a repetitive pattern of units.
598. A method of treating a relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons in sita, comprising: providύig heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation; allowing the heat to ttansfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation to raise an average temperature within the selected section to, or above, a temperature that will pyrolyze hydrocarbons withύi the selected section; producing a mixture from the formation; and
controlling an atomic hydrogen to carbon ratio ofthe produced mixture to be greater than about 1.7 by controlling average pressure and average temperature in the selected section such that the average pressure in the selected section is greater than the pressure (p) set forth in the following equation for an assessed average temperature (7) in the selected section: _ e f-38000/T+ 6I]
where p is measured in psia and Tis measured in ° Kelvin.
599. The method of claim 598, wherein the atomic hydrogen to carbon ratio ofthe produced mixture is controlled to be greater than about 1.8, and wherein the equation is:
_ [-13000/T+ 24]
P e
600. The method of claύn 598, wherein the atomic hydrogen to carbon ratio ofthe produced mixture is controlled to be greater than about 1.9, and wherein the equation is:
601. The method of claim 598, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise at least two heat sources, and wherein supeφosition of heat from at least the two heat sources pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section ofthe formation.
602. The method of claύn 598, whereύi the one or more heat sources comprise electrical heaters.
603. The method of claim 598, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise surface burners.
604. The method of claύn 598, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise flameless distributed combustors.
605. The method of claύn 598, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise natural disttibuted combustors.
606. The method of claim 598, further comprising controlling a temperature within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation, wherein the pressure is controlled as a function of temperatare, or the temperature is controlled as a function of pressure.
607. The method of claim 606, wherein confrolling the temperature comprises maintaining a temperature withύi the selected section withύi a pyrolysis temperature range.
608. The method of claim 598, further comprising confrollύig the heat such that an average heating rate ofthe selected section is less than about 1 °C per day during pyrolysis.
609. The method of claύn 598, wherein providing heat from the one or more heat sources to at least the portion of fonnation comprises: heating a selected volume (V) ofthe relatively permeable fonnation containing heavy hydrocarbons from the one or more heat sources, wherein the fonnation has an average heat capacity (C„), and wherein the heatύig pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected volume ofthe formation; and wherein heatύig energy/day provided to the volume is equal to or less than Pwr, wherein Pwr is calculated by the equation:
Pwr = h*V*Cv*pB whereiα Pwr is the heating energy/day, h is an average heating rate ofthe formation, pB is formation bulk density, and wherein the heating rate is less than about 10 °C/day.
610. The method of claύn 598, whereύi allowing the heat to fransfer comprises transferring heat substantially by conduction.
611. The method of claim 598, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons having an API gravity of at least about 25°.
612. The method of claim 598, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
613. The method of claύn 598, whereύi the produced mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe non-condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
614. The method of claim 598, wherein the produced mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein a molar ratio of ethene to ethane in the non-condensable hydrocarbons ranges from about 0.001 to about
0.15.
615. The method of claύn 598, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is nifrogen.
616. The method of claim 598, wherein the produced mixtare comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is oxygen.
617. The method of claύn 598, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is sulfur.
618. The method of claim 598, wherein the produced mixtare comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein greater than about 20 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are aromatic compounds.
619. The method of claim 598, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises multi-ring aromatics with more than two rings.
620. The method of claύn 598, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 0.3 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are asphaltenes.
621. The method of claim 598, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 5 % by weight to about 30 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are cycloalkanes.
622. The method of claim 598, wherein the produced mixture comprises a non-condensable component, wherein the non-condensable component comprises hydrogen, wherein the hydrogen is greater than about 10 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component, and wherein the hydrogen is less than about 80 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component.
623. The method of claim 598, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein greater than about 0.05 % by weight ofthe produced mixture is ammonia.
624. The method of claim 598, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein the ammonia is used to produce fertilizer.
625. The method of claim 598, further comprising controlling formation conditions to produce a mixture of condensable hydrocarbons and H2, wherein a partial pressure of H2 within the mixture is greater than about 0.5 bars.
626. The method of claim 598, wherein a partial pressure of H2 is measured when the mixture is at a production well.
627. The method of claim 598, further comprising altering a pressure within the formation to inhibit production of hydrocarbons from the formation havύig carbon numbers greater than about 25.
628. The method of claim 598, wherein controlling formation conditions comprises recirculating a portion of hydrogen from the mixture into the formation.
629. The method of claύn 598, further comprising: providing hydrogen (H2) to the heated section to hydrogenate hydrocarbons within the section; and heatύig a portion ofthe section with heat from hydrogenation.
630. The method of claim 598, whereui the produced mixture comprises hydrogen and condensable hydrocarbons, the method further comprising hydrogenating a portion ofthe produced condensable hydrocarbons with at least a portion ofthe produced hydrogen.
631. The method of claύn 598, wherein producing the mixture comprises producing the mixture in a production well, wherein at least about 7 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
632. The method of claim 631, wherein at least about 20 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
633. The method of claim 598, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formatioα in a unit of heat sources, and wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a triangular pattern.
634. The method of claim 598, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a friangular pattern, and wherein a plurality ofthe units are repeated over an area ofthe formation to form a repetitive pattern of units.
635. A method of treating a relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons in situ, comprising: providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least one portion ofthe formation; allowing the heat to fransfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation; controlling a pressure-temperature relationship within at least the selected section ofthe formation by selected energy input into the one or more heat sources and by pressure release from the selected section through wellbores ofthe one or more heat sources; and producing a mixture from the formation.
636. The method of claύn 635, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise at least two heat sources, and wherein supeφosition of heat from at least the two heat sources pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section ofthe formation.
637. The method of claύn 635, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise at least two heat sources.
638. The method of claim 635, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise surface burners.
639. The method of claim 635, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise flameless disfributed combustors.
640. The method of claim 635, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise natural disttibuted combustors.
641. The method of claim 635, further comprising confrolling the pressure-temperature relationship by controlling a rate of removal of fluid from the formation.
642. The method of claim 635, further comprising controlling the heat such that an average heating rate ofthe selected section is less than about 1 °C per day during pyrolysis.
643. The method of claim 635, wherein providύig heat from the one or more heat sources to at least the portion of formation comprises: heating a selected volume (V) ofthe relatively penneable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons from the one or more heat sources, wherein the formation has an average heat capacity (C,,), and wherein the heatύig pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected volume ofthe formation; and wherein heatύig energy/day provided to the volume is equal to or less than Pwr, wherein Pwr is calculated by the equation:
Pwr = h*V*Cv*pB wherein Pwr is the heating energy/day, h is an average heating rate ofthe fonnation, pB is formation bulk density, and wherein the heating rate is less than about 10 °C/day.
644. The method of claim 635, wherein allowing the heat to transfer comprises transferring heat substantially by conduction.
645. The method of claim 635, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons havύig an API gravity of at least about 25°.
646. The method of claim 635, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
647. The method of claύn 635, wherein the produced mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe non-condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
648. The method of claύn 635, wherein the produced mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein a molar ratio of ethene to ethane in the non-condensable hydrocarbons ranges from about 0.001 to about 0.15.
649. The method of claim 635, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is nittogen.
650. The method of claim 635, wherein the produced mixtare comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is oxygen.
651. The method of claim 635, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is sulfur.
652. The method of claim 635, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein greater than about 20 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are aromatic compounds.
653. The method of claύn 635, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises multi-ring aromatics with more than two rings.
654. The method of claim 635, whereύi the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 0.3 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are asphaltenes.
655. The method of claύn 635, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 5 % by weight to about 30 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are cycloalkanes.
656. The method of claύn 635, wherein the produced mixture comprises a non-condensable component, whereύi the non-condensable component comprises hydrogen, wherein the hydrogen is greater than about 10 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component, and wherein the hydrogen is less than about 80 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component.
657. The method of claim 635, whereύi the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein greater than about 0.05 % by weight ofthe produced mixture is ammonia.
658. The method of claύn 635, wherein the produced mixtare comprises ammonia, and wherein the ammonia is used to produce fertilizer.
659. The method of claim 635, further comprising controlling a pressure within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation, wherein the controlled pressure is at least about 2.0 bars absolute.
660. The method of claim 635, further comprising controlling formation conditions to produce a mixture of hydrocarbon fluids and H2, wherein a partial pressure of H2 within the mixture is greater than about 0.5 bars.
661. The method of claim 635, further comprising controlling formation conditions to produce a mixture of condensable hydrocarbons and H2, wherein a partial pressure of H2 within the mixture is greater than about 0.5 bars.
662. The method of claim 635, wherein a partial pressure of H2 is measured when the mixture is at a production well.
663. The method of claύn 635, further comprising altering a pressure within the formation to inhibit production of hydrocarbons from the formation having carbon numbers greater than about 25.
664. The method of claim 635, wherein controlling formation conditions comprises recύculating a portion of hydrogen from the mixture into the formation.
665. The method of claύn 635, further comprising: providύig hydrogen (H2) to the heated section to hydrogenate hydrocarbons within the section; and heatύig a portion of the section with heat from hydrogenation.
666. The method of claim 635, wherein the produced mixture comprises hydrogen and condensable hydrocarbons, the method further comprising hydrogenatύig a portion ofthe produced condensable hydrocarbons with at least a portion ofthe produced hydrogen.
667. The method of claim 635, whereiα producύig the mixture comprises producing the mixture in a production well, wherein at least about 7 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
668. The method of claim 667, wherein at least about 20 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
669. The method of claim 635, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, and wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a friangular pattern.
670. The method of claim 635, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe fonnation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a friangular pattern, and wherein a plurality ofthe units are repeated over an area ofthe formation to form a repetitive pattern of units.
671. A method of treating a relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons in sita, comprising: heating a selected volume ( ) ofthe relatively penneable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons, wherein fonnation has an average heat capacity (Cv), and wherein the heating pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected volume ofthe formation; and
wherein heating energy/day provided to the volume is equal to or less than Pwr, wherein Pwr is calculated by the equation:
Pwr = h*V*Cv*pB wherein Pwr is the heating energy/day, h is an average heatύig rate ofthe formation, pB is formation bulk density, and wherein the heatύig rate is less than about 10 °C/day.
672. The method of claim 671, wherein heatύig a selected volume comprises heatύig with an elecfrical heater.
673. The method of claim 671, wherein heating a selected volume comprises heating with a surface burner.
674. The method of claύn 671, wherein heatύig a selected volume comprises heatύig with a flameless disfributed combustor.
675. The method of claύn 671, whereύi heating a selected volume comprises heatύig with at least one natural disfributed combustor.
676. The method of claim 671, further comprising controlling a pressure and a temperature within at least a majority ofthe selected volume ofthe fonnation, wherein the pressure is confrolled as a function of temperature, or the temperature is controlled as a function of pressure.
677. The method of claim 671, further comprising controlling the heatύig such that an average heating rate of the selected volume is less than about 1 °C per day during pyrolysis.
678. The method of claim 671, wherein a value for Cvis detennined as an average heat capacity of two or more samples taken from the relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons.
679. The method of claim 671, wherein heatύig the selected volume comprises transferring heat substantially by conduction.
680. The method of claύn 671, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons having an API gravity of at least about 25°.
681. The method of claim 671, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about.0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
682. The method of claim 671, wherein the produced mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe non-condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
683. The method of claim 671 , wherein the produced mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein a molar ratio of ethene to ethane in the non-condensable hydrocarbons ranges from about 0.001 to about 0.15.
684. The method of claύn 671, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is nitrogen.
685. The method of claim 671, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is oxygen.
686. The method of claύn 671, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is sulfur.
687. The method of claim 671, wherein the produced mixtare comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein greater than about 20 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are aromatic compounds.
688. The method of claim 671, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises multi-ring aromatics with more than two rings.
689. The method of claim 671, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 0.3 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are asphaltenes.
690. The method of claim 671, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 5 % by weight to about 30 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are cycloalkanes.
691. The method of claim 671, wherein the produced mixture comprises a non-condensable component, whereiα the non-condensable component comprises hydrogen, wherein the hydrogen is greater than about 10 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component, and wherein the hydrogen is less than about 80 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component.
692. The method of claim 671, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein greater than about 0.05 % by weight ofthe produced mixture is ammonia.
693. The method of claim 671 , wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein the ammonia is used to produce fertilizer
694. The method of claύn 671, further comprising controlling a pressure within at least a majority ofthe selected volume ofthe formation, wherein the controlled pressure is at least about 2.0 bars absolute.
695. The method of claim 671, further comprising controlling fonnation conditions to produce a mixtare from the formation comprising condensable hydrocarbons and H2, wherein a partial pressure of H2 within the mixture is greater than about 0.5 bars.
696. The method of claim 671, wherein a partial pressure of H2 is measured when the mixture is at a production well.
697. The method of claim 671 , further comprising altering a pressure within the formation to inhibit production of hydrocarbons from the formation having carbon numbers greater than about 25.
698. The method of claim 671, wherein controlling formation conditions comprises recύculating a portion of hydrogen from the mixture into the formation.
699. The method of claύn 671, further comprising: providύig hydrogen (H2) to the heated volume to hydrogenate hydrocarbons within the volume; and heating a portion ofthe volume with heat from hydrogenation.
700. The method of claύn 671, wherein the produced mixture comprises hydrogen and condensable hydrocarbons, the method further comprising hydrogenating a portion ofthe produced condensable hydrocarbons with at least a portion ofthe produced hydrogen.
701. The method of claim 671, wherein producing the mixture comprises producing the mixtare in a production well, wherein at least about 7 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
702. The method of claim 701, wherein at least about 20 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
703. The method of claim 671 , further comprising providύig heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, and wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a friangular pattern.
704. The method of claim 671, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a triangular pattern, and wherein a plurality ofthe units are repeated over an area ofthe formation to form a repetitive pattern of units.
705. A method of treating a relatively permeable formation containύig heavy hydrocarbons in sita, comprising: providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation; allowing the heat to fransfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation to raise an average temperatare within the selected section to, or above, a temperature that will pyrolyze hydrocarbons within the selected section; controlling heat output from the one or more heat sources such that an average heating rate ofthe selected section rises by less than about 3 °C per day when the average temperature ofthe selected section is at, or above, the temperature that will pyrolyze hydrocarbons within the selected section; and producing a mixture from the formation.
706. The method of claim 705, whereύi confrolling heat output comprises: raising the average temperature within the selected section to a first temperature that is at or above a minimum pyrolysis temperature of hydrocarbons within the fonnation; limiting energy input into the one or more heat sources to inhibit increase in temperature ofthe selected section; and increasing energy input ύito the formation to raise an average temperature ofthe selected section above the first temperature when production of formation fluid declines below a desύed production rate.
707. The method of claim 705, wherein controlling heat output comprises: raising the average temperature withύi the selected section to a first temperature that is at or above a minimum pyrolysis temperatare of hydrocarbons within the formation; limiting energy input ύito the one or more heat sources to ύihibit increase in temperature ofthe selected section; and increasing energy input into the formation to raise an average temperature ofthe selected section above the first temperature when quality of formation fluid produced from the formation falls below a desύed quality.
708. The method of claim 705, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise at least two heat sources, and wherein supeφosition of heat from at least the two heat sources pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section.
709. The method of claύn 705, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise electrical heaters.
710. The method of claύn 705, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise surface burners.
711. The method of claύn 705, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise flameless distributed combustors.
712. The method of claim 705, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise natural disfributed combustors.
713. The method of claim 705, further comprising controlling a pressure and a temperature within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation, wherein the pressure is confrolled as a function of temperature, or the temperature is controlled as a function of pressure.
714. The method of claim 705, wherein the heat is conttolled such that an average heating rate ofthe selected section is less than about 1.5 °C per day during pyrolysis.
715. The method of claim 705, wherein the heat is controlled such that an average heating rate ofthe selected section is less than about 1 °C per day during pyrolysis.
716. The method of claim 705, wherein providύig heat from the one or more heat sources to at least the portion of formation comprises: heating a selected volume (V) ofthe relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons from the one or more heat sources, wherein the formation has an average heat capacity (Cv), and wherein the heating pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected volume ofthe formation; and wherein heating energy/day provided to the volume is equal to or less than Pwr, whereύi Pwr is calculated by the equation:
Pwr = h*V*Cv*pB wherein Pwr is the heatύig energy/day, h is an average heating rate ofthe formation, pB is formation bulk density.
717. The method of claύn 705, wherein allowing the heat to fransfer comprises transferring heat substantially by conduction.
718. The method of claύn 705, whereύi the produced mixtare comprises condensable hydrocarbons having an API gravity of at least about 25°.
719. The method of claύn 705, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
720. The method of claύn 705, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, wherein the condensable hydrocarbons have an olefin content less than about 2.5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein the olefin content is greater than about 0.1 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons.
721. The method of claύn 705, whereύi the produced mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, wherein a molar ratio of ethene to ethane in the non-condensable hydrocarbons is less than about 0.15, and wherein the ratio of ethene to ethane is greater than about 0.001.
722. The method of claim 705, wherein the produced mixtare comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein a molar ratio of ethene to ethane in the non-condensable hydrocarbons is less than about 0.10 and wherein the ratio of ethene to ethane is greater than about 0.001.
723. The method of claim 705, wherein the produced mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein a molar ratio of ethene to ethane in the non-condensable hydrocarbons is less than about 0.05 and wherein the ratio of ethene to ethane is greater than about 0.001.
724. The method of claύn 705, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is nitrogen.
725. The method of claim 705, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is oxygen.
726. The method of claύn 705, wherein the produced mixtare comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is sulfur.
727. The method of claim 705, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein greater than about 20 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are aromatic compounds.
728. The method of claim 705, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises multi-ring aromatics with more than two rings.
729. The method of claim 705, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 0.3 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are asphaltenes.
730. The method of claim 705, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 5 % by weight to about 30 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are cycloalkanes.
731. The method of claύn 705, wherein the produced mixture comprises a non-condensable component, wherem the non-condensable component comprises hydrogen, wherein the hydrogen is greater than about 10 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component, and wherein the hydrogen is less than about 80 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component.
732. The method of claύn 705, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein greater than about 0.05 % by weight ofthe produced mixture is ammonia.
733. The method of claim 705, wherein the produced mixtare comprises ammonia, and wherein the ammonia is used to produce fertilizer.
734. The method of claim 705, further comprising controlling a pressure within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation, wherein the conttolled pressure is at least about 2.0 bars absolute.
735. The method of claύn 705, further comprising controllύig formation conditions to produce a mixture of condensable hydrocarbons and H2, wherein a partial pressure of H2 within the mixture is greater than about 0.5 bars.
736. The method of claim 705, whereύi a partial pressure of H2 is measured when the mixture is at a production well.
737. The method of claim 705, further comprising alterύig a pressure within the formation to inhibit production of hydrocarbons from the formation having carbon numbers greater than about 25.
738. The method of claύn 705, wherein controlling fonnation conditions comprises recirculating a portion of hydrogen from the mixture into the formation.
739. The method of claim 705, further comprising: providing H2 to the heated section to hydrogenate hydrocarbons within the section; and heating a portion ofthe section with heat from hydrogenation.
740. The method of claύn 705, wherein the produced mixture comprises hydrogen and condensable hydrocarbons, the method further comprising hydrogenating a portion ofthe produced condensable hydrocarbons with at least a portion ofthe produced hydrogen.
741. The method of claim 705, wherein producύig the mixtare comprises producύig the mixture in a production well, wherein at least about 7 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
742. The method of claim 741, whereύi at least about 20 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
743. The method of claim 705, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, and wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a triangular pattern.
744. The method of claim 705, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more of the heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a triangular pattern, and wherein a plurality ofthe units are repeated over an area ofthe formation to form a repetitive pattern of units.
745. A method of treating a relatively penneable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons in sita, comprising: providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation; to heat a selected section ofthe formation to an average temperature above about 270 °C; allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heat sources to the selected section ofthe formation; controlling the heat from the one or more heat sources such that an average heating rate of the selected section is less than about 3 °C per day during pyrolysis; and producύig a mixture from the formation.
746. The method of claim 745, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise at least two heat sources, and wherein supeφosition of heat from at least the two heat sources pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section ofthe formation.
747. The method of claim 745, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise electrical heaters.
748. The method of claύn 745, further comprising supplying elecfricity to the elecfrical heaters substantially during non-peak hours.
749. The method of claim 745, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise surface burners.
750. The method of claύn 745, .whereύi the one or more heat sources comprise flameless distributed combustors.
751. The method of claim 745, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise natural disttibuted combustors.
752. The method of claύn 745, further comprising controlling a pressure and a temperature within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation, wherein the pressure is controlled as a function of temperature, or the temperature is conttolled as a function of pressure.
753. The method of claim 745, whereύi the heat is further conttolled such that an average heating rate ofthe selected section is less than about 3 °C/day until production of condensable hydrocarbons substantially ceases.
754. The method of claim 745, whereύi the heat is further controlled such that an average heating rate ofthe selected section is less than about 1.5 °C per day during pyrolysis.
755. The method of claύn 745, wherein the heat is further confrolled such that an average heating rate ofthe selected section is less than about 1 °C per day during pyrolysis.
756. The method of claim 745, wherein providing heat from the one or more heat sources to at least the portion of formation comprises: heating a selected volume (V) ofthe relatively permeable formation containύig heavy hydrocarbons from the one or more heat sources, wherein the formation has an average heat capacity (Cv), and wherein the heating pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected volume ofthe formation; and wherein heating energy/day provided to the volume is equal to or less than Pwr, wherein Pwr is calculated by the equation:
Pwr = h*V*Cv*pB wherein Pwr is the heating energy/day, h is an average heating rate ofthe formation, pB is formation bulk density.
757. The method of claim 745, wherein allowing the heat to fransfer comprises transferring heat substantially by conduction.
758. The method of claim 745, wherein the produced mixtare comprises condensable hydrocarbons having an API gravity of at least about 25°.
759. The method of claim 745, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
760. The method of claύn 745, wherein the produced mixtare comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe non-condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
761. The method of claim 745, wherein the produced mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, wherein a molar ratio of ethene to ethane in the non-condensable hydrocarbons is less than about 0.15, and wherein the ratio of ethene to ethane is greater than about 0.001.
762. The method of claim 745, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is nitrogen.
763. The method of claim 745, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is oxygen.
764. The method of claύn 745, wherein the produced mixtare comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is sulfur.
765. The method of claim 745, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein greater than about 20 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are aromatic compounds.
766. The method of claim 745, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises multi-ring aromatics with more than two rings.
767. The method of claύn 745, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 0.3 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are asphaltenes.
768. The method of claim 745, whereύi the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 5 % by weight to about 30 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are cycloalkanes.
769. The method of claim 745, whereύi the produced mixture comprises a non-condensable component, wherein the non-condensable component comprises hydrogen, wherein the hydrogen is greater than about 10 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component, and wherein the hydrogen is less than about 80 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component.
770. The method of claim 745, whereui the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein greater than about 0.05 % by weight ofthe produced mixture is ammonia.
771. The method of claim 745, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and whereύi the ammonia is used to produce fertilizer.
772. The method of claim 745, further comprising controlling a pressure within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation, wherein the controlled pressure is at least about 2.0 bars absolute.
773. The method of claim 745, further comprising controlling fonnation conditions to produce a mixture of condensable hydrocarbons and H2, wherein a partial pressure of H2 within the mixture is greater than about 0.5 bars.
774. The method of claim 773, whereiα the partial pressure of H2 is measured when the mixture is at a production well.
775. The method of claim 745, further comprising altering a pressure within the formation to inhibit production of hydrocarbons from the formation having carbon numbers greater than about 25.
776. The method of claim 745, wherein controlling formation conditions comprises recirculating a portion of hydrogen from the mixture into the formation.
777. The method of claim 745, further comprising: providing hydrogen (H2) to the heated section to hydrogenate hydrocarbons within the section; and heatύig a portion ofthe section with heat from hydrogenation.
778. The method of claim 745, wherein the produced mixture comprises hydrogen and condensable hydrocarbons, the method further comprising hydrogenat ng a portion ofthe produced condensable hydrocarbons with at least a portion ofthe produced hydrogen.
779. The method of claim 745, wherein producύig the mixture comprises producing the mixture in a production well, wherein at least about 7 heat sources are disposed in the fonnation for each production well.
780. The method of claύn 779, wherein at least about 20 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
781. The metliod of claim 745, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, and wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a friangular pattern.
782. The method of claim 745, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a friangular pattern, and wherein a plurality ofthe units are repeated over an area ofthe formation to form a repetitive pattern of units.
783. A method of treating a relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons in sita, comprising: providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation; allowing the heat to ttansfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation; producing a mixture from the formation through at least one production well; monitoring a temperature at or in the production well; and controlling heat input to raise the monitored temperature at a rate of less than about 3 °C per day.
784. The method of claύn 783, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise at least two heat sources, and wherein supeφosition of heat from at least the two heat sources pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section ofthe formation.
785. The method of claim 783, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise electtical heaters.
786. The method of claim 783, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise surface burners.
787. The method of claim 783, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise flameless distributed combustors.
788. The method of claim 783, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise natural distributed combustors.
789. The method of claim 783, further comprising controlling a pressure and a temperature within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation, wherein the pressure is controlled as a function of temperature, or the temperature is controlled as a function of pressure.
790. The method of claim 783, wherein the heat is controlled such that an average heatύig rate ofthe selected section is less than about 1 °C per day during pyrolysis.
791. The method of claim 783, wherein providing heat from the one or more heat sources to at least the portion of formation comprises: heating a selected volume (V) of the relatively permeable formation contaύiύig heavy hydrocarbons from the one or more heat sources, wherein the formation has an average heat capacity (Cv), and wherein the heating pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected volume ofthe formation; and wherein heatύig energy/day provided to the volume is equal to or less than Pwr, wherein Pwr is calculated by the equation:
Pwr = h*V*Cv*pB wherein Pwr is the heatύig energy/day, h is ah average heating rate ofthe formation, pB is formation bulk density.
792. The method of claim 783, whereύi allowing the heat to fransfer comprises transferring heat substantially by conduction.
793. The method of claύn 783, whereύi the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons having an API gravity of at least about 25°.
794. The method of claim 783, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
795. The method of claύn 783 , wherein the produced mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, wherein a molar ratio of ethene to ethane in the non-condensable hydrocarbons is less than about 0.15, and wherein the ratio of ethene to ethane is greater than about 0.001.
796. The method of claim 783, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable "hydrocarbons is nitrogen.
797. The method of claim 783, wherein the produced mixtare comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is oxygen.
798. The method of claύn 783 , wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is sulfur.
799. The method of claim 783, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein greater than about 20 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are aromatic compounds.
800. The method of claim 783, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises multi-ring aromatics with more than two rings.
801. The method of claim 783, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 0.3 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are asphaltenes.
802. The method of claύn 783, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 5 % by weight to about 30 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are cycloalkanes.
803. The method of claim 783, wherein the produced mixture comprises a non-condensable component, wherein the non-condensable component comprises hydrogen, wherein the hydrogen is greater than about 10 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component, and wherein the hydrogen is less than about 80 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component.
804. The method of claύn 783, whereύi the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein greater than about 0.05 % by weight ofthe produced mixture is ammonia.
805. The method of claύn 783, whereύi the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein the ammonia is used to produce fertilizer.
806. The method of claim 783, further comprising controlling a pressure within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation, wherein the conttolled pressure is at least about 2.0 bars absolute.
807. The method of claim 783, further comprising controlling formation conditions to produce a mixture of condensable hydrocarbons and H2, wherein a partial pressure of H2 within the mixture is greater than about 0.5 bars.
808. The method of claύn 807, wherein the partial pressure of H2 is measured when the mixture is at a production well.
809. The method of claim 783, further comprising altering a pressure within the formation to ύihibit production of hydrocarbons from the formation having carbon numbers greater than about 25.
810. The method of claim 783 , whereύi controlling formation conditions comprises recirculating a portion of hydrogen from the mixture into the formation.
811. The method of claim 783, further comprising: providing H2 to the heated section to hydrogenate hydrocarbons within the section; and heatύig a portion ofthe section with heat from hydrogenation.
812. The method of claύn 783, wherein the produced mixture comprises hydrogen and condensable hydrocarbons, the method further comprising hydrogenating a portion ofthe produced condensable hydrocarbons with at least a portion ofthe produced hydrogen.
813. The method of claύn 783, wherein producύig the mixture comprises producing the mixture in a production well, wherein at least about 7 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
814. The method of claim 813, whereύi at least about 20 heat sources are disposed in the fonnation for each production well.
815. The method of claim 783, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, and wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a triangular pattern.
816. The method of claim 783, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a triangular pattern, and whereύi a plurality ofthe units are repeated over an area ofthe fonnation to form a repetitive pattern of units.
817. A method of treating a relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons in sita, comprising: heating a portion ofthe formation to a temperature sufficient to support oxidation of hydrocarbons within the portion, wherein the portion is located substantially adjacent to a wellbore;
flowing an oxidant through a conduit positioned withύi the wellbore to a heat source zone within the portion, wherein the heat source zone supports an oxidation reaction between hydrocarbons and the oxidant; reacting a portion ofthe oxidant with hydrocarbons to generate heat; and fransfening generated heat substantially by conduction to a pyrolysis zone ofthe formation to pyrolyze at least a portion ofthe hydrocarbons within the pyrolysis zone.
818. The method of claim 817, wherein heating the portion ofthe fonnation comprises raising a temperature of the portion above about 400 °C.
819. The method of claim 817, wherein the conduit comprises critical flow orifices, the method further comprising flowing the oxidant through the critical flow orifices to the heat source zone.
820. The method of claim 817, further comprising removing reaction products from the heat source zone through the wellbore.
821. The method of claύn 817, further comprising removing excess oxidant from the heat source zone to inhibit transport ofthe oxidant to the pyrolysis zone.
822. The method of claim 817, further comprising transporting the oxidant from the conduit to the heat source zone substantially by diffusion.
823. The method of claim 817, further comprising heatύig the conduit with reaction products being removed through the wellbore.
824. The method of claim 817, wherein the oxidant comprises hydrogen peroxide.
825. The method of claim 817, wherein the oxidant comprises air.
826. The method of claim 817, wherein the oxidant comprises a fluid substantially free of nitrogen.
827. The method of claύn 817, further comprising limiting an amount of oxidant to maintain a temperature of the heat source zone less than about 1200 °C.
828. The method of claim 817, wherein heatύig the portion ofthe formation comprises electrically heating the fonnation.
829. The method of claim 817, wherein heating the portion ofthe formation comprises heatύig the portion using exhaust gases from a surface burner.
830. The method of claim 817, whereύi heatύig the portion ofthe formation comprises heating the portion with a flameless distributed combustor.
831. The method of claim 817, further comprising confrolling a pressure and a temperature withύi at least a majority ofthe pyrolysis zone, wherein the pressure is confrolled as a function of temperature, or the temperatare is controlled as a function of pressure.
832. The method of claim 817, further comprising controlling the heat such that an average heating rate ofthe pyrolysis zone is less than about 1 °C per day during pyrolysis.
833. The method of claim 817, further comprising controlling a pressure within at least a majority ofthe pyrolysis zone ofthe formation, wherein the confrolled pressure is at least about 2.0 bars absolute.
834. The method of claim 817, further comprising: providύig hydrogen (H2) to the pyrolysis zone to hydrogenate hydrocarbons within the pyrolysis zone; and heating a portion ofthe pyrolysis zone with heat from hydrogenation.
835. The method of claim 817, wherein the wellbore is located along sfrike to reduce pressure differentials along a heated length ofthe wellbore.
836. The method of claύn 817, wherein the wellbore is located along strike to increase uniformity of heatύig along a heated length ofthe wellbore.
837. The method of claύn 817, wherein the wellbore is located along strike to increase control of heating along a heated length ofthe wellbore.
838. A method of treating a relatively penneable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons in sita, comprising: heating a portion ofthe fonnation to a temperature sufficient to support reaction of hydrocarbons within the portion ofthe formation with an oxidant; flowing the oxidant into a conduit, and wherein the conduit is connected such that the oxidant can flow from the conduit to the hydrocarbons; allowing the oxidant and the hydrocarbons to react to produce heat in a heat source zone; allowing heat to transfer from the heat source zone to a pyrolysis zone in the formation to pyrolyze at least a portion ofthe hydrocarbons within the pyrolysis zone; and removing reaction products such that the reaction products are inhibited from flowing from the heat source zone to the pyrolysis zone.
839. The method of claim 838, wherein heating the portion of the formation comprises raising the temperature ofthe portion above about 400 °C.
840. The method of claim 838, whereύi heatύig the portion ofthe fonnation comprises electrically heating the formation.
841. The method of claim 838, wherein heating the portion ofthe fonnation comprises heatύig the portion using exhaust gases from a surface burner.
842. The method of claim 838, whereύi the conduit comprises critical flow orifices, the method further comprising flowing the oxidant through the critical flow orifices to the heat source zone.
843. The method of claim 838, whereύi the conduit is located within a wellbore, wherein removύig reaction products comprises removing reaction products from the heat source zone through the wellbore.
844. The method of claim 838, further comprising removing excess oxidant from the heat source zone to inhibit fransport ofthe oxidant to the pyrolysis zone.
845. The method of claim 838, further comprising transporting the oxidant from the conduit to the heat source zone substantially by diffusion.
846. The method of claύn 838, wherein the conduit is located within a wellbore, the metliod further comprising heating the conduit with reaction products being removed through the wellbore to raise a temperature ofthe oxidant passing through the conduit.
847. The method of claim 838, wherein the oxidant comprises hydrogen peroxide.
848. The method of claim 838, wherein the oxidant comprises air.
849. The method of claύn 838, whereύi the oxidant comprises a fluid substantially free of nitrogen.
850. The method of claim 838, further comprising limiting an amount of oxidant to maintain a temperature of the heat source zone less than about 1200 °C.
851. The method of claύn 838, further comprising limiting an amount of oxidant to maintaύi a temperature of the heat source zone at a temperature that inhibits production of oxides of nitrogen.
852. The method of claύn 838, wherein heating a portion ofthe formation to a temperature sufficient to support oxidation of hydrocarbons within the portion further comprises heatύig with a flameless disttibuted combustor.
853. The method of claim 838, further comprising controlling a pressure and a temperature within at least a majority ofthe pyrolysis zone ofthe formation, wherein the pressure is controlled as a function of temperature, or the temperature is controlled as a function of pressure.
854. The method of claύn 838, further comprising controlling the heat such that an average heating rate ofthe pyrolysis zone is less than about 1 °C per day during pyrolysis.
855. The method of claim 838, wherein allowing the heat to transfer comprises transferring heat substantially by conduction.
856. The method of claim 838, further comprising controlling a pressure within at least a majority ofthe pyrolysis zone, wherein the controlled pressure is at least about 2.0 bars absolute.
857. The method of claim 838, further comprising: providing hydrogen (H2) to the pyrolysis zone to hydrogenate hydrocarbons within the pyrolysis zone; and heating a portion ofthe pyrolysis zone with heat from hydrogenation.
858. An in sita method for heating a relatively permeable formation contaύiύig heavy hydrocarbons, comprising: heating a portion ofthe formation to a temperature sufficient to support reaction of hydrocarbons withύi the portion ofthe formation with an oxidizing fluid, whereiα the portion is located substantially adjacent to an opening in the formation; providing the oxidizmg fluid to a heat source zone in the formation; allowing the oxidizmg gas to react with at least a portion ofthe hydrocarbons at the heat source zone to generate heat in the heat source zone; and transferring the generated heat substantially by conduction from the heat source zone to a pyrolysis zone in the formation.
859. The method of claim 858, further comprising transporting the oxidizing fluid through the heat source zone by diffusion.
860. The method of claύn 858, further comprising dύecting at least a portion ofthe oxidizing fluid into the opening through orifices of a conduit disposed in the opening.
861. The method of claim 858, further comprising controlling a flow ofthe oxidizing fluid with critical flow orifices of a conduit disposed in the openύig such that a rate of oxidation is controlled.
862. The method of claim 858, wherein a conduit is disposed within the opening, the method further comprising removing an oxidation product from the formation through the conduit.
863. The method of claim 858, wherein a conduit is disposed within the opening, the method further comprising removing an oxidation product from the formation through the conduit and fransferring substantial heat from the oxidation product in the conduit to the oxidizing fluid in the conduit.
864. The method of claim 858, wherein a conduit is disposed within the openύig, the method further comprising removing an oxidation product from the formation through the conduit, wherein a flow rate ofthe oxidizing fluid in the conduit is approximately equal to a flow rate ofthe oxidation product in the conduit.
865. The method of claύn 858, wherein a conduit is disposed within the openύig, the method further comprising removing an oxidation product from the formation through the conduit and confrollύig a pressure between the oxidizing fluid and the oxidation product in the conduit to reduce contamination ofthe oxidation product by the oxidizmg fluid.
866. The method of claύn 858, wherein a center conduit is disposed within an outer conduit, and wherein the outer conduit is disposed within the opening, the method further comprising providύig the oxidizmg fluid ύito the openύig through the center conduit and removing an oxidation product through the outer conduit.
867. The method of claim 858, wherein the heat source zone extends radially from the opening a width of less than approximately 0.15 m.
868. The method of claύn 858, whereύi heating the portion comprises applying electrical current to an electric heater disposed within the openύig.
869. The method of claύn 858, whereύi the pyrolysis zone is substantially adjacent to the heat source zone.
870. The method of claim 858, further comprising controlling a pressure and a temperatare within at least a majority ofthe pyrolysis zone ofthe formation, wherein the pressure is confrolled as a function of temperatare, or the temperature is controlled as a function of pressure.
871. The method of claim 858, further comprising controlling the heat such that an average heating rate ofthe pyrolysis zone is less than about 1 °C per day during pyrolysis.
872. The method of claύn 858, wherein allowing the heat to ttansfer comprises transferring heat substantially by conduction.
873. The method of claim 858, further comprising confrolling a pressure within at least a majority ofthe pyrolysis zone, wherein the controlled pressure is at least about 2.0 bars absolute.
874. The method of claim 858, further comprising: providing hydrogen (H2) to the pyrolysis zone to hydrogenate hydrocarbons withύi the pyrolysis zone; and heating a portion ofthe pyrolysis zone with heat from hydrogenation.
875. A method of treating a relatively permeable formation containύig heavy hydrocarbons in sita, comprising: providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe fonnation; allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation; producing a mixture from the formation; and maintaining an average temperature within the selected section above a minimum pyrolysis temperature and below a vaporization temperature of hydrocarbons having carbon numbers greater than 25 to inhibit production of a substantial amount of hydrocarbons having carbon numbers greater than 25 in the mixture.
876. The method of claύn 875, whereύi the one or more heat sources comprise at least two heat sources, and wherein supeφosition of heat from at least the two heat sources pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section ofthe formation.
877. The method of claύn 875, wherein maintaining the average temperature within the selected section comprises maintaining the temperature within a pyrolysis temperatare range.
878. The method of claύn 875, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise electtical heaters.
879. The method of claim 875, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise surface burners.
880. The method of claim 875, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise flameless distributed combustors.
881. The method of claim 875, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise natural distributed combustors.
882. The method of claύn 875, whereύi the minimum pyrolysis temperature is greater than about 270 °C.
883. The method of claim 875, wherein the vaporization temperature is less than approximately 450 °C at atmospheric pressure.
884. The method of claim 875, further comprising controlling a pressure and a temperature within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation, wherein the pressure is controlled as a function of temperature, or the temperatare is controlled as a function of pressure.
885. The method of claim 875, further comprising confrolling the heat such that an average heating rate ofthe selected section is less than about 1 °C per day during pyrolysis.
886. The method of claim 875, whereύi providing heat from the one or more heat sources to at least the portion of formation comprises: heating a selected volume (V) of the relatively penneable fonnation containing heavy hydrocarbons from the one or more heat sources, wherein the fonnation has an average heat capacity (Cv), and wherein the heating pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected volume ofthe formation; and wherein heatύig energy/day provided to the volume is equal to or less than Pwr, wherein Pwr is calculated by the equation:
Pwr = h*V*Cv*pB wherein Pwr is the heating energy/day, h is an average heating rate ofthe formation, pB is formation bulk density, and wherein the heating rate is less than about 10 °C/day.
887. The method of claim 875, wherein allowing the heat to transfer comprises fransferring heat substantially by conduction.
888. The method of claύn 875, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons having an API gravity of at least about 25°.
889. The method of claύn 875, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
890. The method of claύn 875, wherein the produced mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe non-condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
891. The method of claim 875, wherein the produced mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, wherein a molar ratio of ethene to ethane in the non-condensable hydrocarbons is less than about 0.15, and wherein the ratio of ethene to ethane is greater than about 0.001.
892. The method of claim 875, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is nifrogen.
893. The method of claύn 875, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is oxygen.
894. The method of claύn 875, whereύi the produced mixtare comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is sulfur.
895. The method of claim 875, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein greater than about 20 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are aromatic compounds.
896. The method of claim 875, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises multi-ring aromatics with more than two rings.
897. The method of claύn 875, whereύi the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 0.3 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are asphaltenes.
898. The method of claim 875, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 5 % by weight to about 30 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are cycloalkanes.
899. The method of claύn 875, wherein the produced mixture comprises a non-condensable component, wherein the non-condensable component comprises hydrogen, wherein the hydrogen is greater than about 10 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component, and wherein the hydrogen is less than about 80 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component.
900. The method of claύn 875, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein greater than about 0.05 % by weight ofthe produced mixture is ammonia.
901. The method of claύn 875, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein the ammonia is used to produce fertilizer.
902. The method of claύn 875, further comprising controlling a pressure withύi at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation, wherein the controlled pressure is at least about 2.0 bars absolute.
903. The method of claύn 875, further comprising controlling formation conditions to produce a mixture of condensable hydrocarbons and H2, wherein a partial pressure of H2 within the mixture is greater than about 0.5 bars.
904. The method of claim 903, wherein the partial pressure of H2 is measured when the mixture is at a production well.
905. The method of claim 875, wherein controlling formation conditions comprises recύculating a portion of hydrogen from the mixture into the fonnation.
906. The method of claim 875, further comprising: providing hydrogen (H2) to the heated section to hydrogenate hydrocarbons within the section; and heating a portion ofthe section with heat from hydrogenation.
907. The method of claim 875, wherein the produced mixture comprises hydrogen and condensable hydrocarbons, the method further comprising hydrogenating a portion ofthe produced condensable hydrocarbons with at least a portion ofthe produced hydrogen.
908. The method of claύn 875, wherein producing the mixtare comprises producing the mixture in a production well, wherein at least about 7 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
909. The method of claim 908, wherein at least about 20 heat sources are disposed in the fonnation for each production well.
910. The method of claim 875, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, and wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a triangular pattern.
911. The method of claύn 875, further comprising providύig heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a friangular pattern, and wherein a plurality ofthe units are repeated over an area ofthe formation to form a repetitive pattern of units.
912. A method of treating a relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons in sita, comprising: providύig heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe fonnation; allowing the heat to ttansfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation; controlling a pressure within the formation to inhibit production of hydrocarbons from the formation havύig carbon numbers greater than 25; and producing a mixture from the formation.
913. The method of claim 912, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise at least two heat sources, and wherein supeφosition of heat from at least the two heat sources pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section ofthe formation.
914. The method of claύn 912, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise elecfrical heaters.
915. The method of claim 912, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise surface burners.
916. The method of claim 912, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise flameless disfributed combustors.
917. The method of claim 912, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise natural distributed combustors.
918. The method of claim 912, further comprising confrolling a temperatare within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation, wherein the pressure is controlled as a function of temperature, or the temperature is confrolled as a function of pressure.
919. The method of claim 918, wherein controlling the temperatare comprises maintaining a temperature within the selected section within a pyrolysis temperature range.
920. The method of claύn 912, further comprising controlling the heat such that an average heating rate ofthe selected section is less than about 1 °C per day during pyrolysis.
921. The method of claim 912, wherein providing heat from the one or more heat sources to at least the portion of formation comprises: heating a selected volume (V) ofthe relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons from the one or more heat sources, wherein the formation has an average heat capacity (Cv), and wherein the heating pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected volume ofthe formation; and wherein heating energy/day provided to the volume is equal to or less than Pwr, wherein Pwr is calculated by the equation:
Pwr = h*V*Cv*pB wherein Pwr is the heating energy/day, h is an average heating rate ofthe formation, pB is formation bulk density, and wherein the heatύig rate is less than about 10 °C/day.
922. The method of claim 912, where n allowing the heat to transfer comprises transferring heat substantially by conduction.
923. The method of claim 912, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons having an API gravity of at least about 25°.
924. The method of claim 912, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and whereύi about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
925. The method of claim 912, wherein the produced mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe non-condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
926. The method of claim 912, wherein the produced mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, wherein a molar ratio of ethene to ethane in the non-condensable hydrocarbons is less than about 0.15, and wherein the ratio of ethene to ethane is greater than about 0.001.
927. The method of claim 912, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is nitrogen.
928. The method of claim 912, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is oxygen.
929. The method of claύn 912, whereύi the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is sulfur.
930. The method of claim 912, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein greater than about 20 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are aromatic compounds.
931. The method of claim 912, whereύi the produced mixtare comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and whereύi less than about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises multi-ring aromatics with more than two rings.
932. The method of claim 912, whereύi the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 0.3 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are asphaltenes.
933. The method of claim 912, whereύi the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 5 % by weight to about 30 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are cycloalkanes.
934. The method of claim 912, wherein the produced mixture comprises a non-condensable component, wherein the non-condensable component comprises hydrogen, wherein the hydrogen is greater than about 10 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component, and wherein the hydrogen is less than about 80 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component.
935. The method of claim 912, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein greater than about 0.05 % by weight ofthe produced mixture is ammonia.
936. The method of claύn 912, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein the ammonia is used to produce fertilizer.
937. The method of claύn 912, further comprising confrolling the pressure within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation, wherein the controlled pressure is at least about 2.0 bars absolute.
938. The method of claim 912, further comprising controlling formation conditions to produce a mixture of condensable hydrocarbons and H2, wherein a partial pressure of H2 within the mixture is greater than about 0.5 bars.
939. The method of claim 938, wherein the partial pressure of H2 is measured when the mixture is at a production well.
940. The method of claύn 912, wherein confrolling formation conditions comprises recirculating a portion of hydrogen from the mixture into the formation.
941. The method of claim 912, further comprising: providing hydrogen (H2) to the heated section to hydrogenate hydrocarbons within the section; and heating a portion ofthe section with heat from hydrogenation.
942. The method of claύn 912, wherein the produced mixture comprises hydrogen and condensable hydrocarbons, the method further comprising hydrogenatύig a portion ofthe produced condensable hydrocarbons with at least a portion ofthe produced hydrogen.
943. The method of claim 912, wherein producύig the mixture comprises producύig the mixture in a production well, wherein at least about 7 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
944. The method of claim 943, wherein at least about 20 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
945. The method of claύn 912, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, and wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a triangular pattern.
946. The method of claim 912, further comprising providύig heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a friangular pattern, and wherein a plurality ofthe units are repeated over an area ofthe formation to form a repetitive pattern of units.
947. A method of treating a relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons in situ, comprising: providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation; allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation; and
producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixtare comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
948. The method of claim 947, whereύi the one or more heat sources comprise at least two heat sources, and wherein supeφosition of heat from at least the two heat sources pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons withύi the selected section ofthe fonnation.
949. The method of claim 947, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise electrical heaters.
950. The method of claim 947, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise surface burners.
951. The method of claim 947, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise flameless distributed combustors.
952. The method of claim 947, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise natural distributed combustors.
953. The method of claim 947, further comprising controlling a pressure and a temperatare within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation, wherein the pressure is controlled as a function of temperature, or the temperature is controlled as a function of pressure.
954. The method of claim 947, wherein confrolling the temperature comprises maintaining the temperature within the selected section withύi a pyrolysis temperature range.
955. The method of claim 947, further comprising confrolling the heat such that an average heatύig rate ofthe selected section is less than about 1 °C per day during pyrolysis.
956. The method of claim 947, wherein providing heat from the one or more heat sources to at least the portion of formation comprises: heating a selected volume (V) ofthe relatively permeable formation contaύiύig heavy hydrocarbons from the one or more heat sources, wherein the formation has an average heat capacity (Cv), and wherein the heatύig pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected volume ofthe formation; and wherein heatύig energy/day provided to the volume is equal to or less than Pwr, whereύi Pwr is calculated by the equation: Pwr = h*V*Cv*pB wherein Pwr is the heating energy/day, h is an average heating rate ofthe formation, pB is formation bulk density, and wherein the heating rate is less than about 10 °C/day.
957. The method of claim 947, wherein allowing the heat to ttansfer comprises transferring heat substantially by conduction.
958. The method of claim 947, whereύi the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons having an API gravity of at least about 25°.
959. The method of claim 947, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
960. The method of claim 947, wherein the produced mixtare comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe non-condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
961. The method of claim 947, wherein the produced mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, wherein a molar ratio of ethene to ethane in the non-condensable hydrocarbons is less than about 0.15, and wherein the ratio of ethene to ethane is greater than about 0.001.
962. The method of claim 947, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is nitrogen.
963. The method of claim 947, whereύi the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is oxygen.
964. The method of claim 947, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is sulfur.
965. The method of claim 947, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein greater than about 20 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are aromatic compounds.
966. The method of claim 947, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises multi-ring aromatics with more than two rings.
967. The method of claim 947, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 0.3 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are asphaltenes.
968. The method of claim 947, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 5 % by weight to about 30 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are cycloalkanes.
969. The method of claim 947, whereύi the produced mixture comprises a non-condensable component, wherein the non-condensable component comprises hydrogen, wherein the hydrogen is greater than about 10 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component, and wherein the hydrogen is less than about 80 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component.
970. The method of claύn 947, whereui the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein greater than about 0.05 % by weight ofthe produced mixture is ammonia.
971. The method of claim 947, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein the ammonia is used to produce fertilizer.
972. The method of claim 947, further comprising controlling a pressure within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation, wherein the controlled pressure is at least about 2.0 bars absolute.
973. The method of claim 947, further comprising confrolling fonnation conditions to produce a mixture of condensable hydrocarbons and H2, wherein a partial pressure of H2 withύi the mixture is greater than about 0.5 bars.
974. The method of claim 973, wherein the partial pressure of H2 is measured when the mixture is at a production well.
975. The method of claim 947, further comprising altering a pressure within the formation to inhibit production of hydrocarbons from the formation havύig carbon numbers greater than about 25.
976. The method of claύn 947, where n controlling formation conditions comprises recύculating a portion of hydrogen from the mixture into the formation.
977. The method of claim 947, further comprising: providύig hydrogen (H2) to the heated section to hydrogenate hydrocarbons within the section; and heating a portion ofthe section with heat from hydrogenation.
978. The method of claύn 947, wherein the produced mixture comprises hydrogen and condensable hydrocarbons, the method further comprising hydrogenating a portion ofthe produced condensable hydrocarbons with at least a portion ofthe produced hydrogen.
979. The method of claύn 947, wherein producing the mixture comprises producing the mixture ύi a production well, wherein at least about 7 heat sources are disposed in the fonnation for each production well.
980. The method of claύn 979, wherein at least about 20 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
981. The method of claim 947, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, and wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a triangular pattern.
982. The method of claim 947, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a ttiangular pattern, and wherein a plurality ofthe units are repeated over an area ofthe formation to form a repetitive pattern of units.
983. A method of treating a relatively permeable formation containύig heavy hydrocarbons in sita, comprising: heating a section ofthe fonnation to a pyrolysis temperature from at least a first heat source, a second heat source and a third heat source, and wherein the first heat source, the second heat source and the third heat source are located along a perimeter ofthe section; controlling heat input to the first heat source, the second heat source and the third heat source to limit a heating rate ofthe section to a rate configured to produce a mixture from the formation with an olefin content of less than about 15% by weight of condensable fluids (on a dry basis) within the produced mixture; and producing the mixture from the formation through a production well.
984. The method of claim 983, wherein supeφosition of heat fonn the first heat source, second heat source, and thud heat source pyrolyzes a portion ofthe hydrocarbons within the formation to fluids
985. The method of claim 983, wherein the pyrolysis temperatare is between about 270 °C and about 400 °C.
986. The method of claύn 983, whereύi the first heat source is operated for less than about twenty four hours a day.
987. The method of claim 983, wherein the first heat source comprises an elecfrical heater.
988. The method of claύn 983, wherein the first heat source comprises a surface burner.
989. The method of claim 983, whereύi the first heat source comprises a flameless distributed combustor.
990. The method of claim 983, wherein the first heat source, second heat source and thud heat source are positioned substantially at apexes of an equilateral triangle.
991. The method of claim 983, wherein the production well is located substantially at a geometrical center of the first heat source, second heat source, and thud heat source.
992. The method of claύn 983, further comprising a fourth heat source, fifth heat source, and sixth heat source located along the perimeter ofthe section.
993. The method of claim 992, wherein the heat sources are located substantially at apexes of a regular hexagon.
994. The method of claύn 993, wherein the production well is located substantially at a center ofthe hexagon.
995. The method of claύn 983, further comprising controlling a pressure and a temperature within at least a majority ofthe section ofthe formation, wherein the pressure is controlled as a function of temperature, or the temperature is controlled as a function of pressure.
996. The method of claim 983, whereύi controlling the temperature comprises maintaining the temperature within the selected section within a pyrolysis temperature range.
997. The method of claim 983, further comprising controlling the heat such that an average heating rate ofthe section is less than about 3 °C per day during pyrolysis.
998. The method of claύn 983, further comprising confrolling the heat such that an average heating rate ofthe section is less than about 1 °C per day during pyrolysis.
999. The method of claύn 983, whereύi providύig heat from the one or more heat sources to at least the portion of formation comprises: heating a selected volume (V) ofthe relatively penneable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons from the one or more heat sources, wherein the formation has an average heat capacity (C,.), and wherein the heating pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected volume ofthe formation; and wherein heatύig energy/day provided to the volume is equal to or less than Pwr, wherein Pwr is calculated' by the equation:
Pwr = h*V*C *pB wherein Pwr is the heating energy/day, h is an average heating rate ofthe formation, pB is formation bulk density, and wherein the heatύig rate is less than about 10 °C/day.
1000. The method of claim 983, wherein heating the section ofthe formation comprises transferring heat substantially by conduction.
1001. The method of claim 983, wherein the produced mixtare comprises condensable hydrocarbons having an API gravity of at least about 25°.
1002. The method of claim 983, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
1003. The method of claύn 983, wherein the produced mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, wherein a molar ratio of ethene to ethane in the non-condensable hydrocarbons is less than about 0.15, and wherein the ratio of ethene to ethane is greater than about 0.001.
1004. The method of claim 983, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is nitrogen.
1005. The method of claim 983 , wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is oxygen.
1006. The method of claim 983, wherein the produced mixtare comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is sulfur.
1007. The method of claim 983, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein greater than about 20 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are aromatic compounds.
1008. The method of claύn 983, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises multi-ring aromatics with more than two rings.
1009. The method of claim 983, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 0.3 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are asphaltenes.
1010. The method of claύn 983, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 5 % by weight to about 30 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are cycloalkanes.
1011. The method of claύn 983, wherein the produced mixtare comprises a non-condensable component, wherein the non-condensable component comprises hydrogen, wherein the hydrogen is greater than about 10 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component, and wherein the hydrogen is less than about 80 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component.
1012. The method of claim 983, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein greater than about 0.05 % by weight ofthe produced mixture is ammonia.
1013. The method of claim 983, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein the ammonia is used to produce fertilizer.
1014. The method of claim 983, further comprising confrolling a pressure within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation, wherein the confrolled pressure is at least about 2.0 bars absolute.
1015. The method of claim 983, further comprising controlling formation conditions to produce a mixture of condensable hydrocarbons and H2, wherein a partial pressure of H2 within the mixture is greater than about 0.5 bars.
1016. The method of claim 1015, wherein the partial pressure of H2 is measured when the mixture is at a production well.
1017. The method of claύn 983, further comprising altering a pressure within the formation to inhibit production of hydrocarbons from the formation having carbon numbers greater than about 25.
1018. The method of claim 983, wherein controlling formation conditions comprises recύculating a portion of hydrogen from the mixtare into the formation.
1019. The method of claim 983, further comprising: providing hydrogen (H2) to the heated section to hydrogenate hydrocarbons within the section; and heating a portion ofthe section with heat from hydrogenation.
1020. The method of claύn 983, wherein the produced mixture comprises hydrogen and condensable hydrocarbons, the method further comprising hydrogenating a portion ofthe produced condensable hydrocarbons with at least a portion ofthe produced hydrogen.
1021. The method of claύn 983, whereύi producύig the mixture comprises producing the mixture in a production well, wherein at least about 7 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
1022. The method of claim 1021, wherein at least about 20 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
1023. The method of claim 983 , further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, and wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a triangular pattern.
1024. The method of claim 983, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a triangular pattern, and wherein a plurality ofthe units are repeated over an area ofthe formation to form a repetitive pattern of units.
1025. A method of treating a relatively penneable fonnation containing heavy hydrocarbons in situ, comprising: providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation; allowing the heat to fransfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation; and producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is nitrogen.
1026. The method of claim 1025, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise at least two heat sources, and wherein supeφosition of heat from at least the two heat sources pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section of the formation.
1027. The method of claim 1025, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise elecfrical heaters.
1028. The method of claim 1025, whereύi the one or more heat sources comprise surface burners.
1029. The method of claim 1025, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise flameless disfributed combustors.
1030. The method of claim 1025, wherem the one or more heat sources comprise natural distributed combustors.
1031. The method of claim 1025, further comprising controlling a pressure and a temperature withύi at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe fonnation, wherein the pressure is confrolled as a function of temperatare, or the temperature is controlled as a function of pressure.
1032. The method of claim 1031, wherein controlling the temperatare comprises maintaining the temperature within the selected section within a pyrolysis temperature range.
1033. The method of claύn 1025, further comprising controlling the heat such that an average heating rate ofthe selected section is less than about 1 °C per day during pyrolysis.
1034. The method of claim 1025, wherein providύig heat from the one or more heat sources to at least the portion of formation comprises:
heating a selected volume (V) of the relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons from the one or more heat sources, wherein the formation has an average heat capacity (C„), and wherein the heating pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected volume ofthe formation; and wherein heating energy/day provided to the volume is equal to or less than Pwr, wherein Pwr is calculated by the equation:
Pwr = h*V*Cv*pB wherein Pwr is the heatύig energy/day, h is an average heating rate ofthe formation, pB is formation bulk density, and wherein the heating rate is less than about 10 °C/day.
1035. The method of claim 1025, wherein allowing the heat to transfer comprises transferring heat substantially by conduction.
1036. The method of claim 1025, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons having an API gravity of at least about 25°.
1037. The method of claύn 1025, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
1038. The method of claim 1025, wherein the produced mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe non-condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
1039. The method of claim 1025, whereύi the produced mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, wherein a molar ratio of ethene to ethane in the non-condensable hydrocarbons is less than about 0.15, and wherein the ratio of ethene to ethane is greater than about 0.001.
1040. The method of claim 1025, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is oxygen.
1041. The method of claύn 1025, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is sulfur.
1042. The method of claim 1025, whereiα the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein greater than about 20 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are aromatic compounds.
1043. The method of claim 1025, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises multi-ring aromatics with more than two rings.
1044. The method of claim 1025, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 0.3 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are asphaltenes.
1045. The method of claim 1025, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 5 % by weight to about 30 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are cycloalkanes.
1046. The method of claim 1025, wherein the produced mixture comprises a non-condensable component, wherein the non-condensable component comprises hydrogen, wherein the hydrogen is greater than about 10 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component, and wherein the hydrogen is less than about 80 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component.
1047. The method of claim 1025, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein greater than about 0.05 % by weight ofthe produced mixture is ammonia.
1048. The method of claύn 1025, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein the ammonia is used to produce fertilizer.
1049. The method of claύn 1025, further comprising controlling a pressure within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation, wherein the conttolled pressure is at least about 2.0 bars absolute.
1050. The method of claim 1025, furtlier comprising controlling formation conditions to produce a mixture of condensable hydrocarbons and H2, wherein a partial pressure of H2 within the mixture is greater than about 0.5 bars.
1051. The method of claim 1050, wherein the partial pressure of H2 is measured when the mixture is at a production well.
1052. The method of claim 1025, further comprising alterύig a pressure within the fonnation to inhibit production of hydrocarbons from the formation having carbon numbers greater than about 25.
1053. The method of claim 1025, wherein controlling formation conditions comprises recύculating a portion of hydrogen from the mixture into the formation.
1054. The method of claim 1025, further comprising: providing hydrogen (H2) to the heated section to hydrogenate hydrocarbons within the section; and heating a portion ofthe section with heat from hydrogenation.
1055. The method of claim 1025, whereύi the produced mixture comprises hydrogen and condensable hydrocarbons, the method further comprising hydrogenatύig a portion ofthe produced condensable hydrocarbons with at least a portion ofthe produced hydrogen.
1056. The method of claim 1025, wherein producύig the mixtare comprises producύig the mixture in a production well, wherein at least about 7 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
1057. The method of claim 1056, wherein at least about 20 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
1058. The method of claim 1025, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, and wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a friangular pattern.
1059. The method of claύn 1025, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a triangular pattern, and wherein a plurality ofthe units are repeated over an area ofthe formation to form a repetitive pattern of units.
1060. A method of treating a relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons in situ, comprising: providύig heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation; allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation; and producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is oxygen.
1061. The method of claim 1060, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise at least two heat sources, and wherein supeφosition of heat from at least the two heat sources pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section ofthe formation.
1062. The method of claim 1060, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise electrical heaters.
1063. The method of claim 1060, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise surface burners.
1064. The method of claim 1060, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise flameless disfributed combustors.
1065. The method of claim 1060, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise natural distributed combustors.
1066. The method of claim 1060, further comprising controlling a pressure and a temperature within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation, wherein the pressure is controlled as a function of temperature, or the temperatare is confrolled as a function of pressure.
1067. The method of claim 1066, wherein controllύig the temperature comprises maintaining the temperature within the selected section within a pyrolysis temperature range.
1068. The method of claim 1060, further comprising controlling the heat such that an average heating rate ofthe selected section is less than about 1 °C per day during pyrolysis.
1069. The method of claim 1060, wherein providing heat from the one or more heat sources to at least the portion of fonnation comprises: heating a selected volume (V) ofthe relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons from the one or more heat sources, wherein the formation has an average heat capacity (Cv), and wherein the heating pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected volume ofthe formation; and wherein heatύig energy/day provided to the volume is equal to or less than Pwr, wherein Pwr is calculated by the equation:
Pwr = h*V*Cv*pB wherein Pwr is the heatύig energy/day, h is an average heating rate ofthe formation, /._■ is formation bulk density, and wherein the heatύig rate is less than about 10 °C/day.
1070. The method of claύn 1060, whereύi allowing the heat to transfer comprises transferring heat substantially by conduction.
1071. The method of claύn 1060, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons having an API gravity of at least about 25°.
1072. The method of claύn 1060, whereύi the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
1073. The method of claύn 1060, wherein the produced mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe non-condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
1074. The method of claύn 1060, whereύi the produced mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, wherein a molar ratio of ethene to ethane in the non-condensable hydrocarbons is less than about 0.15, and wherein the ratio of ethene to ethane is greater than about 0.001.
1075. The method of claύn 1060, whereύi the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is nitrogen.
1076. The method of claim 1060, whereύi the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is oxygen.
1077. The method of claim 1060, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is sulfur.
1078. The method of claim 1060, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein greater than about 20 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are aromatic compounds.
1079. The method of claim 1060, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises multi-ring aromatics with more than two rings.
1080. The method of claύn 1060, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 0.3 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are asphaltenes.
1081. The method of claim 1060, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and whereύi about 5 % by weight to about 30 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are cycloalkanes.
1082. The method of claim 1060, wherein the produced mixture comprises a non-condensable component, wherein the non-condensable component comprises hydrogen, where n the hydrogen is greater than about 10 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component, and wherein the hydrogen is less than about 80 % by volume o the non-condensable component.
1083. The method of claύn 1060, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein greater than about 0.05 % by weight ofthe produced mixture is ammonia.
1084. The method of claύn 1060, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein the ammonia is used to produce fertilizer.
1085. The method of claim 1060, further comprising controlling a pressure within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation, wherein the conttolled pressure is at least about 2.0 bars absolute.
1086. The method of claim 1060, further comprising controlling formation conditions to produce a mixture of condensable hydrocarbons and H2, wherein a partial pressure of H2 within the mixture is greater than about 0.5 bars.
1087. The method of claim 1086, wherein the partial pressure of H2 is measured when the mixtare is at a production well.
1088. The method of claim 1060, further comprising altering a pressure within the formation to ύihibit production of hydrocarbons from the formation havύig carbon numbers greater than about 25.
1089. The method of claim 1060, wherein controlling formation conditions comprises recύculating a portion of hydrogen from the mixture into the formation.
1090. The method of claim 1060, further comprising: providing hydrogen (H2) to the heated section to hydrogenate hydrocarbons within the section; and heatύig a portion ofthe section with heat from hydrogenation.
1091. The method of claim 1060, wherein the produced mixture comprises hydrogen and condensable hydrocarbons, the method further comprising hydrogenating a portion ofthe produced condensable hydrocarbons with at least a portion ofthe produced hydrogen.
1092. The method of claim 1060, wherein producing the mixture comprises producing the mixture in a production well, wherein at least about 7 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
1093. The method of claim 1092, wherein at least about 20 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
1094. The method of claim 1060, further comprismg providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, and wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a ttiangular pattern.
1095. The method of claύn 1060, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a triangular pattern, and wherein a plurality ofthe units are repeated over an area ofthe formation to form a repetitive pattern of units.
1096. A method of treating a relatively permeable formation containύig heavy hydrocarbons in situ, comprising: providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation; allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation; and producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixtare comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, o the condensable hydrocarbons is sulfur.
1097. The method of claim 1096, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise at least two heat sources, and wherein supeφosition of heat from at least the two heat sources pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons withύi the selected section ofthe formation.
1098. The method of claim 1096, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise electrical heaters.
1099. The method of claim 1096, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise surface burners.
1100. The method of claim 1096, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise flameless distributed combustors.
1101. The method of claim 1096, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise natural distributed combustors.
1102. The method of claim 1096, further comprising controlling a pressure and a temperature within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation, wherein the pressure is conttolled as a function of temperature, or the temperature is confrolled as a function of pressure.
1103. The method of claim 1102, wherein controlling the temperature comprises maintaining the temperature within the selected section within a pyrolysis temperature range.
1104. The method of claim 1096, further comprising controlling the heat such that an average heatύig rate ofthe selected section is less than about 1 °C per day during pyrolysis.
1105. The method of claim 1096, wherein providing heat from the one or more heat sources to at least the portion of formation comprises: heating a selected volume (V) of the relatively penneable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons from the one or more heat sources, wherein the formation has an average heat capacity (Cv), and wherein the heating pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected volume ofthe formation; and wherein heating energy/day provided to the volume is equal to or less than Pwr, wherein Pwr is calculated by the equation:
Pwr = h*V*Cv*pB wherein Pwr is the heating energy/day, h is an average heating rate ofthe formation, pB is formation bulk density, and wherein the heating rate is less than about 10 °C/day.
1106. The method of claim 1096, wherein allowing the heat to fransfer comprises transferring heat substantially by conduction.
1107. The method of claim 1096, wherein the produced mixtare comprises condensable hydrocarbons having an API gravity of at least about 25°.
1108. The method of claim 1096, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherem about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
1109. The method of claim 1096, wherein the produced mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe non-condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
11 10. The method of claim 1096, wherein the produced mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, wherein a molar ratio of ethene to ethane in the non-condensable hydrocarbons is less than about 0.15, and wherein the ratio of ethene to ethane is greater than about 0.001.
111 1. The method of claim 1096, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is nitrogen.
1112. The method of claim 1096, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is oxygen.
1113. The method of claύn 1096, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein greater than about 20 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are aromatic compounds.
1114. The method of claim 1096, whereiα the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight o the condensable hydrocarbons comprises multi-ring aromatics with more than two rings.
1115. The method of claύn 1096, whereύi the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and whereύi less than about 0.3 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are asphaltenes.
1 116. The method of claύn 1096, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 5 % by weight to about 30 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are cycloalkanes.
*
1117. The method of claim 1096, wherein the produced mixture comprises a non-condensable component, whereύi the non-condensable component comprises hydrogen, wherein the hydrogen is greater than about 10 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component, and wherein the hydrogen is less than about 80 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component.
1118. The method of claim 1096, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein greater than about 0.05 % by weight ofthe produced mixture is ammonia.
1119. The method of claύn 1096, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein the ammonia is used to produce fertilizer.
1120. The method of claim 1096, further comprising controlling a pressure within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe fonnation, wherein the controlled pressure is at least about 2.0 bars absolute.
1121. The method of claύn 1096, further comprising confrolling fonnation conditions to produce a mixtare of condensable hydrocarbons and H2, wherein a partial pressure of H2 withύi the mixture is greater than about 0.5 bars.
1122. The method of claim 1121, wherein the partial pressure of H2 is measured when the mixture is at a production well.
1123. The method of claim 1096, further comprising altering a pressure within the formation to inhibit production of hydrocarbons from the formation havύig carbon numbers greater than about 25.
1124. The method of claim 1096, wherein controlling formation conditions comprises recύculating aportion of hydrogen from the mixture into the formation.
1125. The method of claim 1096, further comprising: providing hydrogen Qϊ∑) to the heated section to hydrogenate hydrocarbons within the section; and heating a portion ofthe section with heat from hydrogenation.
1126. The method of claύn 1096, wherein the produced mixture comprises hydrogen and condensable hydrocarbons, the method further comprising hydrogenatύig a portion ofthe produced condensable hydrocarbons with at least a portion ofthe produced hydrogen.
1127. The method of claim 1096, wherein producing the mixtare comprises producing the mixture in a production well, wherein at least about 7 heat sources are disposed in the fonnation for each production well.
1128. The method of claύn 1127, wherein at least about 20 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
1129. The method of claim 1096, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, and wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a friangular pattern.
1130. The method of claim 1096, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, whereύi three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat
sources, wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a triangular pattern, and wherein a plurality ofthe units are repeated over an area of the fonnation to form a repetitive pattern of units.
1 131. A method of freating a relatively permeable fonnation containing heavy hydrocarbons in situ, comprising: raising a temperature of a first section ofthe formation with one or more heat sources to a first pyrolysis temperatare; heating the first section to an upper pyrolysis temperature, wherein heat is supplied to the first section at a rate configured to inhibit olefin production; producing a first mixture from the formation, wherein the first mixtare comprises condensable hydrocarbons and H2; creating a second mixtare from the fnst mixture, wherein the second mixture comprises a higher concenfration of H2 than the first mixture; raising a temperature of a second section ofthe formation with one or more heat sources to a second pyrolysis temperature; providing a portion ofthe second mixture to the second section; heating the second section to an upper pyrolysis temperature, wherein heat is supplied to the second section at a rate configured to inhibit olefin production; and producing a thud mixture from the second section.
1132. The metliod of claim 1131, wherein creating the second mixture comprises removing condensable hydrocarbons from the first mixture.
1133. The method of claim 1131, wherein creating the second mixture comprises removing water from the first mixture.
1 134. The method of claim 1131, wherein creating the second mixture comprises removing carbon dioxide from the first mixture.
1 135. The method of claim 1131, wherein the first pyrolysis temperature is greater than about 270 °C.
1136. The method of claim 1131, wherein the second pyrolysis temperature is greater than about 270 °C.
1 137. The method of claύn 1131, wherein the upper pyrolysis temperature is about 500 °C.
1138. The method of claύn 1131, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise at least two heat sources, and wherein supeφosition of heat from at least the two heat sources pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons withύi the first or second selected section ofthe formation.
1139. The method of claim 1131, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise electrical heaters.
1140. The method of claim 1131, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise surface burners.
1141. The method of claim 1131, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise flameless disfributed combustors.
1142. The method of claύn 1131, whereύi the one or more heat sources comprise natural distributed combustors.
1143. The method of claύn 1131, further comprising controlling a pressure and a temperature within at least a majority ofthe first section and the second section ofthe fonnation, wherein the pressure is controlled as a function of temperature, or the temperature is controlled as a function of pressure.
1144. The method of claύn 1131, further comprising confrolling the heat to the first and second sections such that an average heating rate ofthe first and second sections is less than about 1 °C per day during pyrolysis.
1145. The method of claύn 1131, whereύi heating the first and the second sections comprises: heating a selected volume (V) ofthe relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons from the one or more heat sources, wherein the formation has an average heat capacity (Cv), and wherein the heating pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected volume ofthe formation; and wherein heating energy/day provided to the volume is equal to or less than Pwr, wherein Pwr is calculated by the equation:
Pwr = h*V*Cv*pB wherein Pwr is the heating energy/day, h is an average heating rate ofthe formation, pB is formation bulk density, and wherein the heatύig rate is less than about 10 °C/day.
1146. The method of claim 1131, wherein heating the first and second sections comprises fransferring heat substantially by conduction.
1147. The method of claύn 1131, wherein the first or thud mixtare comprises condensable hydrocarbons havύig an API gravity of at least about 25°.
1148. The method of claim 1131, wherein the first or thud mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
1149. The method of claύn 1131, whereύi the first or third mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein a molar ratio of ethene to ethane in the non-condensable hydrocarbons ranges from about 0.001 to about 0.15.
1 150. The method of claim 1131, wherein the first or thud mixtare comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is nitrogen.
1 151. The method of claim 1131, wherein the first or thud mixtare comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is oxygen.
1152. The method of claim 1131, wherein the first or thud mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is sulfur.
1153. The method of claim 1131, wherein the first or thud mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein greater than about 20 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are aromatic compounds.
1 154. The method of claim 1131, wherein the first or thud mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises multi-ring aromatics with more than two rings.
1155. The method of claim 1131, wherein the first or thud mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 0.3 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are asphaltenes.
1156. The method of claim 1131, wherein the first or thud mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 5 % by weight to about 30 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are cycloalkanes.
1157. The method of claim 1131, wherein the first or third mixture comprises a non-condensable component, and wherein the non-condensable component comprises hydrogen, and wherein the hydrogen is greater than about 10 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component and wherein the hydrogen is less than about 80 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component.
1158. The method of claim 1131, wherein the first or thud mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein greater than about 0.05 % by weight ofthe produced mixture is ammonia.
1 159. The method of claύn 1131, wherein the first or thud mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein the ammonia is used to produce fertilizer.
1160. The method of claim 1131, further comprising controlling a pressure within at least a majority ofthe first or second sections ofthe formation, wherein the confrolled pressure is at least about 2.0 bars absolute.
1161. The method of claύn 1131, further comprising controlling formation conditions to produce a mixture of condensable hydrocarbons and H2, wherein a partial pressure of H2 within the mixture is greater than about 0.5 bars.
1162. The method of claim 1161, wherein the partial pressure of H2 within a mixture is measured when the mixture is at a production well.
1163. The method of claim 1131, further comprising altering a pressure within the formation to inhibit production of hydrocarbons from the formation having carbon numbers greater than about 25.
1164. The method of claύn 1131, further comprising: providing hydrogen (H2) to the first or second section to hydrogenate hydrocarbons within the first or second section; and heatύig a portion ofthe first or second section with heat from hydrogenation.
1165. The method of claim 1131, further comprising: producing hydrogen and condensable hydrocarbons from the formation; and hydrogenating a portion ofthe produced condensable hydrocarbons with at least a portion ofthe produced hydrogen.
1166. The method of claim 1131, wherein producing the first or thud mixture comprises producing the first or thfrd mixture in a production well, whereύi at least about 7 heat sources are disposed in the fonnation for each production well.
1167. The method of claim 1166, wherein at least about 20 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
1168. The method of claim 1131, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, and wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a triangular pattern.
1169. The method of claim 1131, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a^unit of heat sources, wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a triangular pattern, and wherein a plurality ofthe units are repeated over an area ofthe formation to form a repetitive pattern of units.
1170. A method of treating a relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons in situ, comprising: providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation; allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation; producing a mixture from the fonnation; and
hydrogenating a portion ofthe produced mixture with H2 produced from the formation.
1171. The method of claim 1170, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise at least two heat sources, and wherein supeφosition of heat from at least the two heat sources pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons withύi the selected section ofthe formation.
1 172. The method of claύn 1170, further comprising maintaining a temperatare within the selected section within a pyrolysis temperature range.
1173. The method of claim 1170, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise electrical heaters.
1174. The method of claim 1170, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise surface burners.
1175. The method of claim 1170, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise flameless distributed combustors.
1176. The method of claim 1170, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise natural disttibuted combustors.
1 177. The method of claim 1170, further comprising controlling a pressure and a temperature within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation, wherein the pressure is confrolled as a function of temperature, or the temperatare is controlled as a function of pressure.
1178. The method of claύn 1170, further comprising controlling the heat such that an average heating rate ofthe selected section is less than about 1 °C per day during pyrolysis.
1179. The method of claim 1170, wherein providing heat from the one or more heat sources to at least the portion of formation comprises: heating a selected volume (V) ofthe relatively penneable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons from the one or more heat sources, wherein the formation has an average heat capacity (C„), and wherein the heating pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected volume ofthe formation; and whereiα heating energy/day provided to the volume is equal to or less than Pwr, whereiα Pwr is calculated by the equation:
Pwr = h*V*Cv*pB whereiα Pwr is the heating energy/day, h is an average heating rate ofthe formation, pB is formation bulk density, and wherein the heating rate is less than about 10 °C/day.
1180. The method of claύn 1170, wherein allowing the heat to fransfer comprises transfening heat substantially by conduction.
1181. The method of claim 1170, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons havύig an API gravity of at least about 25°.
1182. The method of claim 1170, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
1183. The method of claim 1170, whereύi the produced mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein a molar ratio of ethene to ethane in the non-condensable hydrocarbons ranges from about 0.001 to about 0.15.
1184. The method of claim 1170, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is nitrogen.
1185. The method of claim 1170, whereύi the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is oxygen.
1186. The method of claim 1170, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is sulfur.
1187. The method of claύn 1170, whereύi the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein greater than about 20 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are aromatic compounds.
1188. The method of claim 1170, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises multi-ring aromatics with more than two rings.
1189. The method of claim 1170, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 0.3 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are asphaltenes.
1 190. The method of claim 1170, whereύi the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 5 % by weight to about 30 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are cycloalkanes.
1191. The method of claύn 1170, wherein the produced mixture comprises a non-condensable component, wherein the non-condensable component comprises hydrogen, wherein the hydrogen is greater than about 10 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component, and wherein the hydrogen is less than about 80 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component.
1192. The method of claim 1170, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein greater than about 0.05 % by weight ofthe produced mixtare is ammonia.
1193. The method of claim 1170, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein the ammonia is used to produce fertilizer.
1194. The method of claim 1170, further comprising controlling a pressure withύi at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation, wherein the conttolled pressure is at least about 2.0 bars absolute.
1195. The method of claim 1170, further comprising controlling formation conditions to produce the mixture, wherein a partial pressure of H2 within the mixture is greater than about 0.5 bars.
1196. The method of claύn 1170, wherein a partial pressure of H2 within the mixture is measured when the mixture is at a production well.
1197. The method of claύn 1170, further comprising altering a pressure within the formation to inhibit production of hydrocarbons from the formation having carbon numbers greater than about 25.
1198. The method of claim 1170, further comprising: providing hydrogen (H2) to the heated section to hydrogenate hydrocarbons within the section; and heatύig a portion ofthe section with heat from hydrogenation.
1199. The method of claύn 1170, wherein producing the mixture comprises producing the mixture in a production well, wherein at least about 7 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
1200. The method of claύn 1199, whereύi at least about 20 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
1201. The method of claύn 1170, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, and wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a triangular pattern.
1202. The method of claim 1170, further comprising providύig heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a friangular pattern, and wherein a plurality ofthe units are repeated over an area ofthe formation to form a repetitive pattern of units.
1203. A method of freating a relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons in sita, comprising: heating a first section ofthe formation;
producing H2 from the first section of formation; heating a second section ofthe formation; and recύculating a portion ofthe H2 from the first section into the second section ofthe fonnation to provide a reducing envύonment withύi the second section ofthe formation.
1204. The method of claim 1203, wherein heating the first section or heating the second section comprises heating with an electrical heater.
1205. The method of claim 1203, wherein heatύig the first section or heating the second section comprises heatύig with a surface burner.
1206. The method of claim 1203, where n heatύig the first section or heating the second section comprises heatύig with a flameless distributed combustor.
1207. The method of claim 1203, wherein heatύig the first section or heating the second section comprises heating with a natural disttibuted combustor.
1208. The method of claim 1203, further comprising controlling a pressure and a temperatare within at least a majority ofthe first or second section ofthe formation, wherein the pressure is controlled as a function of temperature, or the temperatare is controlled as a function of pressure.
1209. The method of claim 1203, further comprising controlling the heat such that an average heating rate ofthe first or second section is less than about 1 °C per day during pyrolysis.
1210. The method of claύn 1203, whereύi heatύig the fnst section or heating the second section further comprises: heating a selected volume (V) ofthe relatively penneable fonnation containing heavy hydrocarbons from the one or more heat sources, wherein the formation has an average heat capacity (Cv), and wherein the heating pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected volume ofthe formation; and wherein heating energy/day provided to the volume is equal to or less than Pwr, wherein Pwr is calculated by the equation:
Pwr = h*V*Cv*pB wherein Pwr is the heatύig energy/day, h is an average heatύig rate ofthe formation, pB is formation bulk density, and wherein the heatύig rate is less than about 10 °C/day.
121 1. The method of claim 1203, wherein heatύig the first section or heating the second section comprises transferring heat substantially by conduction.
1212. The method of claim 1203, further comprising producing a mixture from the second section, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons having an API gravity of at least about 25°.
1213. The method of claim 1203, further comprising producing a mixtare from the second section, wherein the produced mixtare comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
1214. The method of claim 1203, further comprising producing a mixture from the second section, wherein the produced mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein a molar ratio of ethene to ethane in the non-condensable hydrocarbons ranges from about 0.001 to about 0.15.
1215. The method of claim 1203, further comprising producύig a mixture from the second section, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is nitrogen.
1216. The method of claύn 1203, further comprising producing a mixture from the second section, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is oxygen.
1217. The method of claim 1203, further comprising producύig a mixture from the second section, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is sulfur.
1218. The method of claύn 1203, further comprising producing a mixture from the second section, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein greater than about 20 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are aromatic compounds.
1219. The method of claύn 1203, further comprising producing a mixture from the second section, wherein the produced mixtare comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises multi-ring aromatics with more than two rings.
1220. The method of claim 1203, further comprising producing a mixture from the second section, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 0.3 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are asphaltenes.
1221. The method of claim 1203, further comprising producύig a mixture from the second section, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 5 % by weight to about 30 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are cycloalkanes.
1222. The method of claim 1203, further comprising producύig a mixture from the second section, wherein the produced mixture comprises a non-condensable component, wherein the non-condensable component comprises hydrogen, wherein the hydrogen is greater than about 10 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component, and wherein the hydrogen is less than about 80 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component.
1223. The method of claύn 1203, further comprising producing a mixture from the second section, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein greater than about 0.05 % by weight ofthe produced mixture is ammonia.
1224. The method of claim 1203, further comprising producύig a mixture from the second section, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein the ammonia is used to produce fertilizer.
1225. The method of claim 1203, further comprising controlling a pressure within at least a majority ofthe first or second section ofthe formation, wherein the confrolled pressure is at least about 2.0 bars absolute.
1226. The method of claim 1203, further comprising confrolling formation conditions to produce a mixture of condensable hydrocarbons and H2, wherein a partial pressure of H2 withύi the mixture is greater than about 0.5 bars.
1227. The method of claim 1226, wherein the partial pressure of H2 within a mixture is measured when the mixture is at a production well.
1228. The method of claύn 1203, further comprising altering a pressure within the formation to inhibit production of hydrocarbons from the formation having carbon numbers greater than about 25.
1229. The method of claύn 1203, further comprising: providing hydrogen (H2) to the second section to hydrogenate hydrocarbons withύi the section; and heating a portion ofthe second section with heat from hydrogenation.
1230. The method of claim 1203, further comprising: producύig hydrogen and condensable hydrocarbons from the formation; and hydrogenatύig a portion ofthe produced condensable hydrocarbons with at least a portion ofthe produced hydrogen.
1231. The method of claim 1203, further comprising producing a mixture from the formation in a production well, wherein at least about 7 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
1232. The method of claύn 1231, wherein at least about 20 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
1233. The method of claim 1203, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, and wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a friangular pattern.
1234. The method of claim 1203, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a triangular pattern, and wherein a plurality ofthe units are repeated over an area ofthe formation to form a repetitive pattern of units.
1235. A method of treating a relatively penneable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons in sita, comprising: providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation; allowing the heat to fransfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation; producing a mixture from the formation; and controlling formation conditions such that the mixture produced from the formation comprises condensable hydrocarbons including H2, wherein a partial pressure of H2 within the mixture is greater than about 0.5 bars.
1236. The method of claύn 1235, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise at least two heat sources, and wherein supeφosition of heat from at least the two heat sources pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons withύi the selected section ofthe fonnation.
1237. The method of claim 1235, wherein controlling formation conditions comprises maintaining a temperature within the selected section withύi a pyrolysis temperature range.
1238. The method of claύn 1235, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise electrical heaters.
1239. The method of claim 1235, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise surface burners.
1240. The method of claim 1235, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise flameless disfributed combustors.
1241. The method of claύn 1235, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise natural distributed combustors.
1242. The method of claim 1235, further comprising controlling a pressure and a temperature within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation, wherein the pressure is controlled as a function of temperature, or the temperatare is confrolled as a function of pressure.
1243. The method of claim 1235, further comprising confrolling the heat such that an average heating rate ofthe selected section is less than about 1 °C per day during pyrolysis.
1244. The method of claim 1235, wherein providύig heat from the one or more heat sources to at least the portion of formation comprises: heating a selected volume (V) ofthe relatively permeable fonnation containύig heavy hydrocarbons from the one or more heat sources, wherein the formation has an average heat capacity (C„), and wherein the heating pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected volume ofthe fonnation; and wherein heating energy/day provided to the volume is equal to or less than Pwr, whereύi Pwr is calculated by the equation:
Pwr = h*V*Cv*pB wherein Pwr is the heatύig energy/day, /. is an average heating rate ofthe formation, pB is formation bulk density, and wherein the heatύig rate is less than about 10 °C/day.
1245. The method of claim 1235, whereύi allowing the heat to fransfer comprises transfening heat substantially by conduction.
1246. The method of claim 1235, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons having an API gravity of at least about 25°.
1247. The method of claim 1235, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
1248. The method of claim 1235, wherein the produced mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein a molar ratio of ethene to ethane in the non-condensable hydrocarbons ranges from about 0.001 to about 0.15.
1249. The method of claύn 1235, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is nitrogen.
1250. The method of claύn 1235, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is oxygen.
1251. The method of claύn 1235, whereύi the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is sulfur.
1252. The method of claύn 1235, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and whereύi greater than about 20 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are aromatic compounds.
1253. The method of claύn 1235, wherein the produced mixtare comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises multi-ring aromatics with more than two rings.
1254. The method of claim 1235, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 0.3 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are asphaltenes.
1255. The method of claύn 1235, whereύi the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 5 % by weight to about 30 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are cycloalkanes.
1256. The method of claim 1235, wherein the produced mixture comprises a non-condensable component, wherein the non-condensable component comprises hydrogen, wherein the hydrogen is greater than about 10 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component, and wherein the hydrogen is less than about 80 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component.
1257. The method of claύn 1235, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein greater than about 0.05 % by weight ofthe produced mixture is ammonia.
1258. The method of claim 1235, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein the ammonia is used to produce fertilizer.
1259. The method of claim 1235, further comprising controlling a pressure within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation, wherein the conttolled pressure is at least about 2.0 bars absolute.
1260. The method of claim 1235, further comprising altering a pressure within the formation to inhibit production of hydrocarbons from the formation having carbon numbers greater than about 25.
1261. The method of claύn 1235, wherein controlling formation conditions comprises recύculating a portion of hydrogen from the mixture into the formation.
1262. The method of claim 1235, further comprising: providing hydrogen (H2) to the heated section to hydrogenate hydrocarbons withύi the section; and heating a portion ofthe section with heat from hydrogenation.
1263. The method of claim 1235, further comprising: producing hydrogen and condensable hydrocarbons from the formation; and hydrogenatύig a portion ofthe produced condensable hydrocarbons with at least a portion ofthe produced hydrogen.
1264. The method of claim 1235, wherein producing the mixture comprises producing the mixture in a production well, wherein at least about 7 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
1265. The method of claim 1264, wherein at least about 20 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
1266. The method of claim 1235, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located iα the formation in a unit of heat sources, and wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a triangular pattern.
1267. The method of claim 1235, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe fonnation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a triangular pattern, and wherein a plurality ofthe units are repeated over an area ofthe formation to form a repetitive pattern of units.
1268. The method of claύn 1235, wherein a partial pressure of H2 within the mixture is measured when the mixture is at a production well.
1269. A method of treating a relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons in situ, comprising: providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation; allowing the heat to fransfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation; maintaining a pressure ofthe selected section above atmospheric pressure to increase a partial pressure of H2, as compared to the partial pressure of H2 at atmospheric pressure, in at least a majority ofthe selected section; and producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons having an API gravity of at least about 25°.
1270. The method of claim 1269, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise at least two heat sources, and wherein supeφosition of heat from at least the two heat sources pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section ofthe formation.
1271. The method of claim 1269, further comprising maintaining a temperature within the selected section within a pyrolysis temperature range.
1272. The method of claim 1269, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise elecfrical heaters.
1273. The method of claύn 1269, whereύi the one or more heat sources comprise surface burners.
1274. The method of claύn 1269, whereύi the one or more heat sources comprise flameless distributed combustors.
1275. The method of clafrn 1269, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise natural distributed combustors.
1276. The method of claim 1269, further comprising controlling the pressure and a temperature within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation, wherein the pressure is controlled as a function of temperatare, or the temperature is conttolled as a function of pressure.
1277. The method of claim 1269, further comprising controlling the heat such that an average heating rate ofthe selected section is less than about 1 °C per day during pyrolysis.
1278. The method of claim 1269, wherein providύig heat from the one or more heat sources to at least the portion of formation comprises: heating a selected volume (V) ofthe relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons from the one or more heat sources, wherein the formation has an average heat capacity (Cv), and wherein the heating pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected volume ofthe formation; and wherein heating energy/day provided to the volume is equal to or less than Pwr, wherein Pwr is calculated by the equation: Pwr = h*V*Cv*pB wherein Pwr is the heatύig energy/day, h is an average heating rate ofthe formation, ρB is formation bulk density, and wherein the heatύig rate is less than about 10 °C/day.
1279. The method of claim 1269, wherein allowing the heat to transfer comprises fransfening heat substantially by conduction.
1280. The method of claim 1269, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
1281. The method of claim 1269, whereύi the produced mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein a molar ratio of ethene to ethane in the non-condensable hydrocarbons ranges from about 0.001 to about 0.15.
1282. The method of claim 1269, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is nittogen.
1283. The method of claim 1269, whereύi the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and whereύi less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is oxygen.
1284. The method of claim 1269, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is sulfur.
1285. The method of claim 1269, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein greater than about 20 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are aromatic compounds.
1286. The method of claim 1269, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises multi-ring aromatics with more than two rings.
1287. The method of claim 1269, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 0.3 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are asphaltenes.
1288. The method of claim 1269, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 5 % by weight to about 30 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are cycloalkanes.
1289. The method of claim 1269, whereύi the produced mixture comprises a non-condensable component, wherein the non-condensable component comprises hydrogen, wherein the hydrogen is greater than about 10 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component, and wherein the hydrogen is less than about 80 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component.
1290. The method of claύn 1269, whereύi the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein greater than about 0.05 % by weight ofthe produced mixture is ammonia.
1291. The method of claim 1269, whereύi the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein the ammonia is used to produce fertilizer.
1292. The method of claim 1269, further comprising controlling the pressure within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation, whereύi the confrolled pressure is at least about 2.0 bars absolute.
1293. The method of claim 1269, further comprising increasing the pressure ofthe selected section, to an upper limit of about 21 bars absolute, to increase an amount of non-condensable hydrocarbons produced from the fonnation.
1294. The method of claim 1269, further comprising decreasing pressure ofthe selected section, to a lower limit of about atmospheric pressure, to increase an amount of condensable hydrocarbons produced from the formation.
1295. The method of claim 1269, wherein the partial pressure comprises a partial pressure based on properties measured at a production well.
1296. The method of claim 1269, further comprising altering the pressure within the formation to ύihibit production of hydrocarbons from the formation havύig carbon numbers greater than about 25.
1297. The method of claim 1269, further comprising controlling formation conditions by recύculating a portion of hydrogen from the mixture into the fonnation.
1298. The method of claύn 1269, further comprising: providing hydrogen (H2) to the heated section to hydrogenate hydrocarbons within the section; and heatύig a portion ofthe section with heat from hydrogenation.
1299. The method of claim 1269, further comprising: producing hydrogen and condensable hydrocarbons from the formation; and hydrogenating a portion ofthe produced condensable hydrocarbons with at least a portion ofthe produced hydrogen.
1300. The method of claim 1269, wherein producing the mixture comprises producing the mixture in a production well, wherein at least about 7 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
1301. The method of claύn 1300, whereύi at least about 20 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
1302. The method of claύn 1269, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, and wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a triangular pattern.
1303. The method of claim 1269, further comprisύig providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a friangular pattern, and wherein a plurality ofthe units are repeated over an area ofthe formation to form a repetitive pattern of units.
1304. A method of treating a relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons in situ, comprising: providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation; allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation;
providύig H2 to the fonnation to produce a reducing envύonment in at least some ofthe formation; producing a mixture from the formation.
1305. The method of claim 1304, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise at least two heat sources, and wherein supeφosition of heat from at least the two heat sources pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section ofthe formation.
1306. The method of claim 1304, further comprising maintaining a temperature within the selected section withύi a pyrolysis temperature range.
1307. The method of claim 1304, further comprising separating a portion of hydrogen within the mixtare and recύculating the portion ύito the formation.
1308. The method of claim 1304, whereύi the one or more heat sources comprise elecfrical heaters.
1309. The method of claim 1304, whereύi the one or more heat sources comprise surface burners.
1310. The method of claim 1304, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise flameless disfributed combustors.
1311. The method of claim 1304, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise natural disttibuted combustors.
1312. The method of claim 1304, further comprising controlling a pressure and a temperature within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation, wherein the pressure is conttolled as a function of temperature, or the temperature is controlled as a function of pressure.
1313. The method of claύn 1304, further comprising confrolling the heat such that an average heating rate ofthe selected section is less than about 1 °C per day during pyrolysis.
1314. The method of claim 1304, wherein providing heat from the one or more heat sources to at least the portion of formation comprises: heating a selected volume (V) of the relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons from the one or more heat sources, wherein the formation has an average heat capacity (Cv), and wherein the heating pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected volume ofthe formation; and wherein heating energy/day provided to the volume is equal to or less than Pwr, whereύi Pwr is calculated by the equation:
Pwr = h*V*Cv*pB wherein Pwr is the heating energy/day, h is an average heating rate ofthe formation, pB is formation bulk density, and wherein the heatύig rate is less than about 10 °C/day.
1315. The method of claim 1304, whereύi allowing the heat to transfer comprises transferring heat substantially by conduction.
1316. The method of claim 1304, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons havύig an API gravity of at least about 25°.
1317. The method of claim 1304, wherein the produced mixtare comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and whereύi about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
1318. The method of claύn 1304, wherein the produced mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein a molar ratio of ethene to ethane in the non-condensable hydrocarbons ranges from about 0.001 to about 0.15.
1319. The method of claim 1304, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is nitrogen.
1320. The method of claύn 1304, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is oxygen.
1321. The method of claim 1304, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is sulfur.
1322. The method of claim 1304, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein greater than about 20 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are aromatic compounds.
1323. The method of claim 1304, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises multi-ring aromatics with more than two rings.
1324. The method of claim 1304, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 0.3 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are asphaltenes.
1325. The method of claim 1304, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 5 % by weight to about 30 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are cycloalkanes.
1326. The method of claim 1304, wherein the produced mixture comprises a non-condensable component, wherein the non-condensable component comprises hydrogen, wherein the hydrogen is greater than about 10 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component, and wherein the hydrogen is less than about 80 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component.
1327. The method of claim 1304, wherein the produced mixtare comprises ammonia, and wherein greater than about 0.05 % by weight ofthe produced mixture is ammonia.
1328. The method of claim 1304, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein the ammonia is used to produce fertilizer.
1329. The method of claim 1304, further comprising controlling a pressure within at least a majority ofthe' selected section ofthe formation, wherein the controlled pressure is at least about 2.0 bars absolute.
1330. The method of claim 1304, further comprising confrolling formation conditions to produce the mixture, wherein a partial pressure of H2 within the mixture is greater than about 0.5 bars.
1331. The method of claim 1304, wherein a partial pressure of H2 within the mixture is measured when the mixture is at a production well.
1332. The method of claύn 1304, further comprising altering a pressure withύi the fonnation to inhibit production of hydrocarbons from the formation having carbon numbers greater than about 25.
1333. The method of claim 1304, wherein providing hydrogen (H2) to the formation further comprises: hydrogenating hydrocarbons within the section; and heating a portion ofthe section with heat from hydrogenation.
1334. The method of claim 1304, further comprising: producing hydrogen and condensable hydrocarbons from the formation; and hydrogenating a portion ofthe produced condensable hydrocarbons with at least a portion ofthe produced hydrogen.
1335. The method of claim 1304, wherein producing the mixture comprises producing the mixture in a production well, whereύi at least about 7 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
1336. The method of claim 1335, wherein at least about 20 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
1337. The method of claim 1304, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, and wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a triangular pattern.
1338. The method of claim 1304, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a friangular pattern, and wherein a plurality ofthe units are repeated over an area ofthe fonnation to form a repetitive pattern of units.
1339. A method of tteating a relatively penneable fonnation containing heavy hydrocarbons in sita, comprising: providύig heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation; allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation; providing H2 to the selected section to hydrogenate hydrocarbons withύi the selected section and to heat a portion ofthe section with heat from the hydrogenation; and confrolling heating ofthe selected section by controlling amounts of H2 provided to the selected section.
1340. The method of claim 1339, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise at least two heat sources, and wherein supeφosition of heat from at least the two heat sources pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section ofthe formation.
1341. The method of claim 1339, further comprising maintaining a temperature within the selected section within a pyrolysis temperature range.
1342. The method of claim 1339, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise elecfrical heaters.
1343. The method of claim 1339, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise surface burners.
1344. The method of claύn 1339, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise flameless distributed combustors.
1345. The method of claim 1339, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise natural distributed combustors.
1346. The method of claύn 1339, further comprising controlling a pressure and a temperature withύi at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation, wherein the pressure is controlled as a function of temperature, or the temperature is controlled as a function of pressure.
1347. The method of claim 1339, further comprising confrolling the heat such that an average heating rate ofthe selected section is less than about 1 °C per day during pyrolysis.
1348. The method of claim 1339, wherein providing heat from the one or more heat sources to at least the portion of formation comprises: heating a selected volume (V) ofthe relatively permeable fonnation containing heavy hydrocarbons from the one or more heat sources, wherein the formation has an average heat capacity (C„), and wherein the heating pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected volume ofthe formation; and wherein heating energy/day provided to the volume is equal to or less than Pwr, wherein Pwr is calculated by the equation:
Pwr = h*V*Cv*pB wherein Pwr is the heating energy/day, h is an average heatύig rate ofthe formation, pB is formation bulk density, and wherein the heating rate is less than about 10 °C/day.
1349. The method of claim 1339, wherein allowing the heat to fransfer comprises fransfening heat substantially by conduction.
1350. The method of claim 1339, further comprising producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons having an API gravity of at least about 25°.
1351. The method of claim 1339, further comprising producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
1352. The method of claim 1339, further comprising producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein a molar ratio of ethene to ethane in the non-condensable hydrocarbons ranges from about 0.001 to about 0.15.
1353. The method of claύn 1339, further comprising producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is nittogen.
1354. The method of claύn 1339, further comprising producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is oxygen.
1355. The method of claim 1339, further comprismg producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is sulfur.
1356. The method of claim 1339, further comprising producing a mixtare from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein greater than about 20 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are aromatic compounds.
1357. The method of claύn 1339, further comprising producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixtare comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises multi-ring aromatics with more than two rings.
1358. The method of claim 1339, further comprising producύig a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 0.3 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are asphaltenes.
1359. The method of claim 1339, further comprising producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 5 % by weight to about 30 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are cycloalkanes.
1360. The method of claim 1339, further comprising producing a mixture from the fonnation, wherein the produced mixture comprises a non-condensable component, wherein the non-condensable component comprises hydrogen, wherein the hydrogen is greater than about 10 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component, and wherein the hydrogen is less than about 80 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component.
1361. The method of claim 1339, further comprising producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein greater than about 0.05 % by weight ofthe produced mixture is ammonia.
1362. The method of claim 1339, further comprising producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein the ammonia is used to produce fertilizer.
1363. The method of claim 1339, further comprising confrolling a pressure within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation, wherein the controlled pressure is at least about 2.0 bars absolute.
1364. The method of claύn 1339, further comprising controlling formation conditions to produce a mixture from the formation, wherein a partial pressure of H2 within the mixture is greater than about 0.5 bars.
1365. The method of claim 1364, wherein the partial pressure of H2 within the mixture is measured when the mixture is at a production well.
1366. The method of claim 1339, further comprising altering a pressure within the formation to inhibit production of hydrocarbons from the formation having carbon numbers greater than about 25.
1367. The method of claim 1339, further comprising controlling formation conditions by recύculating a portion of hydrogen from a produced mixture into the formation.
1368. The method of claim 1339, further comprising: producing hydrogen and condensable hydrocarbons from the formation; and hydrogenating a portion ofthe produced condensable hydrocarbons with at least a portion ofthe produced hydrogen.
1369. The method of claim 1339, further comprising producing a mixture in a production well, wherein at least about 7 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
1370. The method of claim 1369, wherein at least about 20 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
1371. The method of claim 1339, further comprisύig providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, and wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a triangular pattern.
1372. The method of claim 1339, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a triangular pattern, and wherein a plurality ofthe units are repeated over an area ofthe formation to form a repetitive pattern of units.
1373. An in sita method for producing H2 from a relatively permeable fonnation containύig heavy hydrocarbons, comprising: providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation; allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation; and producing a mixture from the formation, wherein a H2 partial pressure within the mixture is greater than about 0.5 bars.
1374. The method of claim 1373, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise at least two heat sources, and wherein supeφosition of heat from at least the two heat sources pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section ofthe formation.
1375. The method of claim 1373, further comprising maintaining a temperature within the selected section withύi a pyrolysis temperature range.
1376. The method of claύn 1373, whereύi the one or more heat sources comprise electrical heaters.
1377. The method of claim 1373, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise surface burners.
1378. The method of claim 1373, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise flameless distributed combustors.
1379. The method of claim 1373, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise natural disfributed combustors.
1380. The method of claύn 1373, further comprising controlling a pressure and a temperature within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation, wherein the pressure is controlled as a function of temperature, or the temperature is controlled as a function of pressure.
1381. The method of claim 1373 , further comprising controlling the heat such that an average heating rate of the selected section is less than about 1 °C per day during pyrolysis.
1382. The method of claim 1373, wherein providing heat from the one or more heat sources to at least the portion of formation comprises: heating a selected volume (V) ofthe relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons from the one or more heat sources, wherein the formation has an average heat capacity (Cv), and wherein the heatύig pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected volume ofthe fonnation; and wherein heatύig energy/day provided to the volume is equal to or less than Pwr, whereύi Pwr is calculated by the equation:
Pwr = h*V*Cv*pB wherein Pwr is the heating energy/day, h is an average heating rate ofthe formation, pB is fonnation bulk density, and wherein the heating rate is less than about 10 °C/day.
1383. The method of claim 1373, wherein allowing the heat to fransfer comprises fransferring heat substantially by conduction.
1384. The method of claim 1373, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons having an API gravity of at least about 25°.
1385. The method of claύn 1373, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
1386. The method of claύn 1373, wherein the produced mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein a molar ratio of ethene to ethane in the non-condensable hydrocarbons ranges from about 0.001 to about 0.15.
1387. The method of claim 1373, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is nifrogen.
1388. The method of claim 1373, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is oxygen.
1389. The method of claim 1373, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is sulfur.
1390. The method of claim 1373, whereύi the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein greater than about 20 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are aromatic compounds.
1391. The method of claim 1373, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises multi-ring aromatics with more than two rings.
1392. The method of claim 1373, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 0.3 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are asphaltenes.
1393. The method of claim 1373, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 5 % by weight to about 30 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are cycloalkanes.
1394. The method of claim 1373, wherein the produced mixture comprises a non-condensable component, wherein the non-condensable component comprises hydrogen, wherein the hydrogen is greater than about 10 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component, and wherein the hydrogen is less than about 80 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component.
1395. The method of claim 1373, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein greater than about 0.05 % by weight ofthe produced mixture is ammonia.
1396. The method of claim 1373, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein the ammonia is used to produce fertilizer.
1397. The method of claim 1373, further comprising controlling a pressure within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation, wherein the confrolled pressure is at least about 2.0 bars absolute.
1398. The method of claύn 1373, further comprising altering a pressure within the formation to inhibit production of hydrocarbons from the formation having carbon numbers greater than about 25.
1399. The method of claύn 1373, further comprising recύculating a portion ofthe hydrogen within the mixture into the formation.
1400. The method of claim 1373, further comprising condensing a hydrocarbon component from the produced mixture and hydrogenating the condensed hydrocarbons with a portion ofthe hydrogen.
1401. The method of claim 1373 , further comprising: providύig hydrogen (H2) to the heated section to hydrogenate hydrocarbons within the section; and heating a portion ofthe section with heat from hydrogenation.
1402. The method of claύn 1373, wherein producύig the mixture comprises producing the mixture in a production well, wherein at least about 7 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
1403. The method of claim 1402, whereύi at least about 20 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
1404. The method of claim 1373, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, and wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a triangular pattern.
1405. The method of claim 1373, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a triangular pattern, and whereύi a plurality ofthe units are repeated over an area ofthe formation to form a repetitive pattern of units.
1406. The method of claύn 1373, wherein a partial pressure of H2 within the mixture is measured when the mixture is at a production well.
1407. A method of treating a relatively permeable formation containύig heavy hydrocarbons in sita, comprising: providύig heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation; allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation; wherein the selected section has been selected for heating using an atomic hydrogen weight percentage of at least a portion of hydrocarbons in the selected section, and wherein at least the portion ofthe hydrocarbons in the selected section comprises an atomic hydrogen weight percentage, when measured on a dry, ash-free basis, of greater than about 4.0 %; and producing a mixture from the formation.
1408. The method of claim 1407, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise at least two heat sources, and wherein supeφosition of heat from at least the two heat sources pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section ofthe fonnation.
1409. The method of claim 1407, further comprising maintaining a temperature within the selected section within a pyrolysis temperature range.
1410. The method of claim 1407, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise electrical heaters.
1411. The method of claim 1407, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise surface burners.
1412. The method of claim 1407, whereύi the one or more heat sources comprise flameless disfributed combustors.
1413. The method of claim 1407, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise natural distributed combustors.
1414. The method of claύn 1407, further comprising controlling a pressure and a temperatare within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation, wherein the pressure is controlled as a function of temperature, or the temperatare is confrolled as a function of pressure.
1415. The method of claim 1407, further comprising controlling the heat such that an average heating rate ofthe selected section is less than about 1 °C per day during pyrolysis.
1416. The method of claύn 1407, whereύi providing heat from the one or more heat sources to at least the portion of formation comprises: heating a selected volume (V) ofthe relatively penneable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons from the one or more heat sources, wherein the formation has an average heat capacity (C ), and wherein the heating pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected volume ofthe formation; and wherein heatύig energy/day provided to the volume is equal to or less than Pwr, wherein Pwr is calculated by the equation:
Pwr = h*V*Cv*pB wherein Pwr is the heatύig energy/day, h is an average heating rate ofthe formation, pB is formation bulk density, and wherein the heating rate is less than about 10 °C/day.
1417. The method of claim 1407, whereύi allowing the heat to transfer comprises fransfening heat substantially by conduction.
1418. The method of claim 1407, whereύi the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons having an API gravity of at least about 25°.
1419. The method of claim 1407, whereύi the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
1420. The method of claim 1407, wherein the produced mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein a molar ratio of ethene to ethane in the non-condensable hydrocarbons ranges from about 0.001 to about
0.15.
1421. The method of claim 1407, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is nifrogen.
1422. The method of claim 1407, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is oxygen.
1423. The method of claim 1407, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is sulfur.
1424. The method of claim 1407, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein greater than about 20 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are aromatic compounds.
1425. The method of claim 1407, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises multi-ring aromatics with more than two rings.
1426. The method of claύn 1407, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 0.3 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are asphaltenes.
1427. The method of claim 1407, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 5 % by weight to about 30 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are cycloalkanes.
1428. The method of claim 1407, wherein the produced mixture comprises a non-condensable component, wherein the non-condensable component comprises hydrogen, wherein the hydrogen is greater than about 10 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component, and wherein the hydrogen is less than about 80 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component.
1429. The method of claim 1407, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein greater than about 0.05 % by weight ofthe produced mixture is ammonia.
1430. The method of claύn 1407, whereύi the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein the ammonia is used to produce fertilizer.
1431. The method of claim 1407, further comprising controlling a pressure within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation, wherein the controlled pressure is at least about 2.0 bars absolute.
1432. The method of claim 1407, further comprising controlling formation conditions to produce the mixture, wherein a partial pressure of H2 within the mixture is greater than about 0.5 bars.
1433. The method of claύn 1432, whereύi the partial pressure of H2 within the mixture is measured when the mixture is at a production well.
1434. The method of claim 1407, further comprising altering a pressure within the formation to inhibit production of hydrocarbons from the formation having carbon numbers greater than about 25.
1435. The method of claim 1407, further comprising controlling formation conditions by recύculating a portion of hydrogen from the mixture into the formation.
1436. The method of claim 1407, further comprising: providύig hydrogen (H2) to the heated section to hydrogenate hydrocarbons within the section; and heatύig a portion ofthe section with heat from hydrogenation.
1437. The method of claύn 1407, further comprising: producύig hydrogen and condensable hydrocarbons from the formation; and hydrogenating a portion ofthe produced condensable hydrocarbons with at least a portion ofthe produced hydrogen. '
1438. The method of claim 1407, wherein producing the mixture comprises producing the mixture in a production well, wherein at least about 7 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
1439. The method of claim 1438, wherein at least about 20 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
1440. The method of claύn 1407, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, and wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a ttiangular pattern.
1441. The method of claim 1407, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat
sources, whereύi the unit of heat sources comprises a triangular pattern, and wherein a plurality ofthe units are repeated over an area ofthe formation to form a repetitive pattern of units.
1442. A method of treating a relatively permeable fonnation containing heavy hydrocarbons in situ, comprising: providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe fonnation; allowing the heat to fransfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation; wherein at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section have an initial atomic hydrogen weight percentage of greater than about 4.0 %; and producing a mixture from the formation.
1443. The method of claim 1442, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise at least two heat sources, and wherein supeφosition of heat from at least the two heat sources pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section ofthe formation.
1444. The method of claύn 1442, further comprising maintaining a temperature within the selected section within a pyrolysis temperature range.
1445. The method of claim 1442, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise electrical heaters.
1446. The method of claύn 1442, whereύi the one or more heat sources comprise surface burners.
1447. The method of claύn 1442, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise flameless distributed combustors.
1448. The method of claύn 1442, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise natural disfributed combustors.
1449. The method of claύn 1442, further comprising confrolling a pressure and a temperature within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation, wherein the pressure is confrolled as a function of temperatare, or the temperature is controlled as a function of pressure.
1450. The method of claim 1442, further comprising confrolling the heat such that an average heating rate ofthe selected section is less than about 1 °C per day during pyrolysis.
1451. The method of claim 1442, wherein providing heat from the one or more heat sources to at least the portion of formation comprises: heating a selected volume (V) ofthe relatively permeable formation containύig heavy hydrocarbons from the one or more heat sources, wherein the formation has an average heat capacity (Cv), and wherein the heating pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected volume ofthe fonnation; and wherein heating energy /day provided to the volume is equal to or less than Pwr, wherein Pwr is calculated by the equation:
Pwr = h*V*Cv*pB wherein Pwr is the heating energy/day, h is an average heating rate ofthe formation, pB is formation bulk density, and wherein the heating rate is less than about 10 °C/day.
1452. The method of claim 1442, wherein allowύig the heat to ttansfer comprises fransferring heat substantially by conduction.
1453. The method of claim 1442, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons having an API gravity of at least about 25°.
1454. The method of claim 1442, whereύi the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
1455. The method of claim 1442, wherein the produced mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein a molar ratio of ethene to ethane in the non-condensable hydrocarbons ranges from about 0.001 to about
0.15.
1456. The method of claύn 1442, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is nitrogen.
1457. The method of claim 1442, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is oxygen.
1458. The method of claύn 1442, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is sulfur.
1459. The method of claim 1442, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein greater than about 20 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are aromatic compounds.
1460. The method of claim 1442, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises multi-ring aromatics with more than two rings.
1461. The method of claim 1442, whereύi the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 0.3 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are asphaltenes.
1462. The metliod of claύn 1442, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 5 % by weight to about 30 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are cycloalkanes.
1463. The method of claim 1442, wherein the produced mixture comprises a non-condensable component, wherein the non-condensable component comprises hydrogen, wherein the hydrogen is greater than about 10 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component, and wherein the hydrogen is less than about 80 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component.
1464. The method of claim 1442, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein greater than about 0.05 % by weight ofthe produced mixture is ammonia.
1465. The method of claim 1442, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein the ammonia is used to produce fertilizer.
1466. The method of claim 1442, further comprising conttollύig a pressure within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation, wherein the controlled pressure is at least about 2.0 bars absolute.
1467. The method of claim 1442, further comprising controlling formation conditions to produce the mixture, wherein a partial pressure of H2 within the mixture is greater than about 0.5 bars.
1468. The method of claim 1467, wherein the partial pressure of H2 within the mixture is measured when the mixture is at a production well.
1469. The method of claim 1442, further comprising altering a pressure within the formation to inhibit production of hydrocarbons from the formation havύig carbon numbers greater than about 25.
1470. The method of claim 1442, further comprising controlling fonnation conditions by recύculating a portion of hydrogen from the mixture into the formation.
1471. The method of claύn 1442, further comprising: providing hydrogen (H2) to the heated section to hydrogenate hydrocarbons within the section; and heating a portion ofthe section with heat from hydrogenation.
1472. The method of claim 1442, further comprising: producing hydrogen and condensable hydrocarbons from the formation; and hydrogenating a portion ofthe produced condensable hydrocarbons with at least a portion ofthe produced hydrogen.
1473. The method of claύn 1442, whereύi producύig the mixture comprises producύig the mixture in a production well, wherein at least about 7 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
1474. The method of claim 1473, wherein at least about 20 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
1475. The method of claύn 1442, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the fonnation in a unit of heat sources, and wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a triangular pattern.
1476. The method of claύn 1442, further comprismg providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a triangular pattern, and where n a plurality ofthe units are repeated over an area ofthe fonnation to form a repetitive pattern of units.
1477. A method of tteating a relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons in situ, comprising: providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation; allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation; wherein the selected section has been selected for heating using a total organic matter weight percentage of at least a portion ofthe selected section, and wherein at least the portion ofthe selected section comprises a total organic matter weight percentage, of at least about 5.0 %; and producing a mixture from the formation.
1478. The method of claim 1477, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise at least two heat sources, and wherein supeφosition of heat from at least the two heat sources pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section ofthe formation.
1479. The method of claύn 1477, further comprising maintaining a temperatare within the selected section within a pyrolysis temperature range.
1480. The method of claim 1477, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise electrical heaters.
1481. The method of claύn 1477, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise surface burners.
1482. The method of claύn 1477, whereύi the one or more heat sources comprise flameless disttibuted combustors.
1483. The method of claim 1477, whereύi the one or more heat sources comprise natural distributed combustors.
1484. The method of claim 1477, further comprising controllύig a pressure and a temperatare within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation, wherein the pressure is controlled as a function of temperature, or the temperature is controlled as a function of pressure.
1485. The method of claύn 1477, further comprising confrolling the heat such that an average heatύig rate ofthe selected section is less than about 1 °C per day during pyrolysis.
1486. The method of claim 1477, wherein providύig heat from the one or more heat sources to at least the portion of formation comprises: heating a selected volume (V) ofthe relatively permeable formation containύig heavy hydrocarbons from the one or more heat sources, wherein the formation has an average heat capacity (Cv), and wherein the heating pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected volume ofthe formation; and wherein heatύig energy/day provided to the volume is equal to or less than Pwr, wherein Pwr is calculated by the equation: Pwr = h*V*Cv*pB wherein Pwr is the heating energy/day, h is an average heating rate ofthe formation, pB is formation bulk density, and wherein the heating rate is less than about 10 °C/day.
1487. The method of claύn 1477, wherein allowing the heat to transfer comprises transferring heat substantially by conduction.
1488. The method of claim 1477, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons having an API gravity of at least about 25°.
1489. The method of claim 1477, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
1490. The method of claim 1477, wherein the produced mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein a molar ratio of ethene to ethane in the non-condensable hydrocarbons ranges from about 0.001 to about 0.15.
1491. The method of claim 1477, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is nitrogen.
1492. The method of claim 1477, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is oxygen.
1493. The method of claim 1477, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is sulfur.
1494. The method of claύn 1477, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein greater than about 20 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are aromatic compounds.
1495. The method of claύn 1477, wherein the produced mixtare comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises multi-ring aromatics with more than two rings.
1496. The method of claim 1477, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 0.3 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are asphaltenes.
1497. The method of claύn 1477, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 5 % by weight to about 30 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are cycloalkanes.
1498. The method of claύn 1477, wherein the produced mixture comprises a non-condensable component, wherein the non-condensable component comprises hydrogen, wherein the hydrogen is greater than about 10 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component, and wherein the hydrogen is less than about 80 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component.
1499. The method of claύn 1477, whereiα the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein greater than about 0.05 % by weight ofthe produced mixture is ammonia.
1500. The method of claim 1477, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein the ammonia is used to produce fertilizer.
1501. The method of claim 1477, further comprising confrollύig a pressure within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation, wherein the controlled pressure is at least about 2.0 bars absolute.
1502. The method of claim 1477, further comprising controlling formation conditions to produce the mixture, wherein a partial pressure of H2 within the mixture is greater than about 0.5 bars.
1503. The method of claim 1502, wherein the partial pressure of H2 within the mixture is measured when the mixture is at a production well.
1504. The method of claim 1477, further comprising alterύig a pressure within the formation to inhibit production of hydrocarbons from the formation havύig carbon numbers greater than about 25.
1505. The method of claim 1477, further comprising confrolling formation conditions by recύculating a portion of hydrogen from the mixture into the formation.
1506. The method of claim 1477, further comprisύig: providing hydrogen (H2) to the heated section to hydrogenate hydrocarbons within the section; and heating a portion ofthe section with heat from hydrogenation.
1507. The method of claύn 1477, further comprising: producing hydrogen and condensable hydrocarbons from the formation; and hydrogenating a portion ofthe produced condensable hydrocarbons with at least a portion ofthe produced hydrogen.
1508. The method of claim 1477, whereύi producing the mixture comprises producing the mixture in a production well, wherein at least about 7 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
1509. The method of claim 1508, wherein at least about 20 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
1510. The method of claim 1477, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, and wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a triangular pattern.
1511. The method of claim 1477, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a friangular pattern, and wherein a plurality ofthe units are repeated over an area ofthe formation to form a repetitive pattern of units.
1512. A method of treating a relatively penneable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons in sita, comprising: providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation; allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation; wherein at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section have an initial total organic matter weight percentage of at least about 5.0%; and producing a mixture from the formation.
1513. The method of claim 1512, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise at least two heat sources, and wherein supeφosition of heat from at least the two heat sources pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section ofthe formation.
1514. The method of claim 1512, further comprising maintaining a temperature withm the selected section withύi a pyrolysis temperature range.
1515. The method of claim 1512, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise elecfrical heaters.
1516. The method of claim 1512, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise surface burners.
1517. The method of claim 1512, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise flameless distributed combustors.
1518. The method of claim 1512, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise natural distributed combustors.
1519. The method of claim 1512, further comprising controlling a pressure and a temperature within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation, wherein the pressure is controlled as a function of temperature, or the temperature is controlled as a function of pressure.
1520. The method of claim 1512, further comprising controlling the heat such that an average heating rate ofthe selected section is less than about 1 °C per day during pyrolysis.
1521. The method of claύn 1512, whereύi providing heat from the one or more heat sources to at least the portion of formation comprises: heating a selected volume (V) ofthe relatively permeable fonnation containing heavy hydrocarbons from the one or more heat sources, wherein the formation has an average heat capacity (C„), and wherein the heating pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected volume ofthe formation; and wherein heatύig energy/day provided to the volume is equal to or less than Pwr, wherein Pwr is calculated by the equation:
Pwr = h*V*Cv*pB wherein Pwr is the heatύig energy/day, h is an average heating rate ofthe formation, pB is formation bulk density, and wherein the heating rate is less than about 10 °C/day.
1522. The method of claim 1512, wherein allowing the heat to transfer comprises fransfening heat substantially by conduction.
1523. The method of claύn 1512, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons having an API gravity of at least about 25°.
1524. The method of claim 1512, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
1525. The method of claύn 1512, wherein the produced mixtare comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein a molar ratio of ethene to ethane in the non-condensable hydrocarbons ranges from about 0.001 to about 0.15.
1526. The method of claim 1512, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is nifrogen.
1527. The method of claim 1512, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is oxygen.
1528. The method of claύn 1512, whereύi the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is sulfur.
1529. The method of claim 1512, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein greater than about 20 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are aromatic compounds.
1530. The method of claim 1512, wherein the produced mixtare comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises multi-ring aromatics with more than two rings.
1531. The method of claύn 1512, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 0.3 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are asphaltenes.
1 32. The method of claim 1512, whereύi the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 5 % by weight to about 30 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are cycloalkanes.
1533. The method of claim 1512, wherein the produced mixture comprises a non-condensable component, wherein the non-condensable component comprises hydrogen, wherein the hydrogen is greater than about 10 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component, and wherein the hydrogen is less than about 80 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component.
1534. The method of claim 1512, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein greater than about 0.05 % by weight ofthe produced mixture is ammonia.
1535. The method of claim 1512, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein the ammonia is used to produce fertilizer.
1536. The method of claύn 1512, further comprising controlling a pressure within at least a maj ority of the selected section ofthe fonnation, wherein the controlled pressure is at least about 2.0 bars absolute.
1537. The method of claim 1512, further comprising controlling formation conditions to produce the mixture, wherein a partial pressure of H2 within the mixture is greater than about 0.5 bars.
1538. The method of claim 1537, wherein the partial pressure of H2 within the mixture is measured when the mixture is at a production well.
1539. The method of claύn 1512, further comprising altering a pressure within the formation to inhibit production of hydrocarbons from the formation having carbon numbers greater than about 25.
1540. The method of claim 1512, further comprising controlling formation conditions by recύculating a portion of hydrogen from the mixture into the fonnation.
1541. The method of claim 1512, further comprising: , providύig hydrogen (H2) to the heated section to hydrogenate hydrocarbons within the section; and heatύig a portion ofthe section with heat from hydrogenation.
1542. The method of claύn 1512, further comprising: producύig hydrogen and condensable hydrocarbons from the formation; and hydrogenatύig a portion ofthe produced condensable hydrocarbons with at least a portion ofthe produced hydrogen.
1543. The method of claim 1512, wherein producing the mixture comprises producing the mixture in a production well, wherein at least about 7 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
1544. The method of claim 1543, wherein at least about 20 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
1545. The method of claim 1512, further comprising providύig heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, and wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a friangular pattern.
1546. The method of claim 1512, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a ttiangular pattern, and wherein a plurality ofthe units are repeated over an area ofthe formation to form a repetitive pattern of units.
1547. A method of freatύig a relatively permeable formation containύig heavy hydrocarbons in sita, comprisύig: providύig heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe fonnation; allowing the heat to fransfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation; wherein the selected section has been selected for heating using an atomic hydrogen to carbon ratio of at least a portion of hydrocarbons in the selected section, whereύi at least a portion ofthe hydrocarbons in the selected section comprises an atomic hydrogen to carbon ratio greater than about 0.70, and wherein the atomic hydrogen to carbon ratio is less than about 1.65; and producύig a mixture from the formation.
1548. The method of claim 1547, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise at least two heat sources, and wherein supeφosition of heat from at least the two heat sources pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section ofthe formation.
1549. The method of claύn 1547, further comprising maintaining a temperature within the selected section withύi a pyrolysis temperature range.
1550. The method of claim 1547, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise elecfrical heaters.
1551. The method of claim 1547, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise surface burners.
1552. The method of claim 1547, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise flameless distributed combustors.
1553. The method of claύn 1547, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise natural distributed combustors.
1554. The method of claim 1547, further comprising controlling a pressure and a temperature within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation, wherein the pressure is controlled as a function of temperatare, or the temperature is controlled as a function of pressure.
1555. The method of claim 1547, further comprising confrolling the heat such that an average heating rate of the selected section is less than about 1 °C per day during pyrolysis.
1556. The method of claim 1547, wherein providing heat from the one or more heat sources to at least the portion of formation comprises: heating a selected volume (V) ofthe relatively penneable formation contaύiύig heavy hydrocarbons from the one or more heat sources, wherein the formation has an average heat capacity (Cv), and wherein the heating pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected volume ofthe fonnation; and wherein heating energy/day provided to the volume is equal to or less than Pwr, wherein Pwr is calculated by the equation:
Pwr = h*V*Cv*pB wherein Pwr is the heating energy/day, h is an average heating rate ofthe formation, pB is formation bulk density, and wherein the heating rate is less than about 10 °C/day.
1557. The method of claύn 1547, wherein allowing the heat to fransfer comprises transferring heat substantially by conduction.
1558. The method of claύn 1547, wherein the produced mixtare comprises condensable hydrocarbons havύig an API gravity of at least about 25°.
1559. The method of claim 1547, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
1560. The method of claim 1547, wherein the produced mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein a molar ratio of ethene to ethane in the non-condensable hydrocarbons ranges from about 0.001 to about
0.15.
1561. The method of claύn 1547, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is nifrogen.
1562. The method of claim 1547, whereύi the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is oxygen.
1563. The method of claim 1547, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is sulfur.
1564. The method of claim 1547, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein greater than about 20 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are aromatic compounds.
1565. The method of claύn 1547, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises multi-ring aromatics with more than two rings.
1566. The method of claύn 1547, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 0.3 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are asphaltenes.
1567. The method of claim 1547, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 5 % by weight to about 30 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are cycloalkanes.
1568. The method of claim 1547, wherein the produced mixtare comprises a non-condensable component, wherein the non-condensable component comprises hydrogen, wherein the hydrogen is greater than about 10 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component, and wherein the hydrogen is less than about 80 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component.
1569. The method of claύn 1547, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein greater than about 0.05 % by weight ofthe produced mixture is ammonia.
1570. The method of claim 1547, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein the ammonia is used to produce fertilizer.
1571. The method of claim 1547, further comprising controlling a pressure within at least a majority of the selected section ofthe formation, wherein the confrolled pressure is at least about 2.0 bars absolute.
1572. The method of claύn 1547, further comprising controlling formation conditions to produce the mixture, wherein a partial pressure of H2 within the mixture is greater than about 0.5 bars.
1573. The method of claim 1572, wherein the partial pressure of H2 within the mixture is measured when the mixture is at a production well.
1574. The method of claim 1547, further comprising altering a pressure within the formation to inhibit production of hydrocarbons from the formation having carbon numbers greater than about 25.
1575. The method of claim 1547, further comprising controlling formation conditions by recirculating a portion of hydrogen from the mixtare into the fonnation.
1576. The method of claύn 1547, further comprising: providing hydrogen (H2) to the heated section to hydrogenate hydrocarbons within the section; and heatύig a portion ofthe section with heat from hydrogenation.
1577. The method of claim 1547, further comprising: producing hydrogen and condensable hydrocarbons from the formation; and hydrogenating a portion ofthe produced condensable hydrocarbons with at least a portion ofthe produced hydrogen.
1578. The method of claim 1547, wherein producing the mixture comprises producing the mixtare in a production well, wherein at least about 7 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
1579. The method of claim 1578, wherein at least about 20 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
1580. The method of claim 1547, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, and wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a triangular pattern.
1581. The method of claύn 1547, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a ttiangular pattern, and wherein a plurality ofthe units are repeated over an area ofthe formation to form a repetitive pattern of units.
1582. A method of tteating a relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons in sita, comprising: providing heat from one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe fonnation; allowing the heat to fransfer from the one or more heat sources to the selected section ofthe formation to pyrolyze hydrocarbons within the selected section; wherein at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section have an initial atomic hydrogen to carbon ratio greater than about 0.70; wherein the initial atomic hydrogen to carbon ration is less than about 1.65; and producύig a mixture from the formation.
1583. The method of claύn 1582, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise at least two heat sources, and wherein supeφosition of heat from at least the two heat sources pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section ofthe formation.
1584. The method of claύn 1582, further comprising maintaining a temperature within the selected section within a pyrolysis temperature range.
1585. The method of claim 1582, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise electrical heaters.
1586. The method of claύn 1582, whereύi the one or more heat sources comprise surface burners.
1587. The method of claim 1582, whereύi the one or more heat sources comprise flameless disttibuted combustors.
1588. The method of claim 1582, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise natural distributed combustors.
1589. The method of claim 1582, further comprising controlling a pressure and a temperatare within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation, wherein the pressure is controlled as a function of temperature, or the temperature is controlled as a function of pressure.
1590. The method of claim 1582, further comprising controlling the heat such that an average heating rate of the selected section is less than about 1 °C per day during pyrolysis.
1591. The method of claim 1582, whereύi providing heat from the one or more heat sources to at least the portion of formation comprises: heatύig a selected volume (V) ofthe relatively permeable formation containύig heavy hydrocarbons from the one or more heat sources, wherein the formation has an average heat capacity (Cv), and wherein the heating pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected volume ofthe formation; and wherein heating energy/day provided to the volume is equal to or less than Pwr, wherein Pwr is calculated by the equation: Pwr = h*V*Cv*pB wherein Pwr is the heating energy/day, h is an average heatύig rate ofthe formation, pB is formation bulk density, and wherein the heatύig rate is less than about 10 °C/day.
1592. The method of claύn 1582, wherein allowing the heat to transfer comprises transferring heat substantially by conduction.
1593. The method of claim 1582, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons having an API gravity of at least about 25°.
1594. The method of claim 1582, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
1595. The method of claύn 1582, whereύi the produced mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein a molar ratio of ethene to ethane in the non-condensable hydrocarbons ranges from about 0.001 to about 0.15.
1596. The method of clafrn 1582, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, of the condensable hydrocarbons is nifrogen.
1597. The method of claim 1582, whereύi the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is oxygen.
1598. The method of claim 1582, whereύi the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is sulfur.
1599. The method of claύn 1582, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein greater than about 20 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are aromatic compounds.
1600. The method of claim 1582, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises multi-ring aromatics with more than two rings.
1601. The method of claύn 1582, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 0.3 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are asphaltenes.
1602. The method of claim 1582, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 5 % by weight to about 30 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are cycloalkanes.
1603. The method of claύn 1582, wherein the produced mixture comprises a non-condensable component, wherein the non-condensable component comprises hydrogen, wherein the hydrogen is greater than about 10 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component, and wherein the hydrogen is less than about 80 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component.
1604. The method of claim 1582, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein greater than about 0.05 % by weight ofthe produced mixture is ammonia.
1605. The method of claim 1582, wherein the produced mixtare comprises ammonia, and wherein the ammonia is used to produce fertilizer.
1606. The method of claim 1582, further comprising controlling a pressure within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation, wherein the conttolled pressure is at least about 2.0 bars absolute.
1607. The method of claim 1582, further comprising controlling formation conditions to produce the mixture, wherein a partial pressure of H2 within the mixture is greater than about 0.5 bars.
1608. The method of claim 1607, wherein the partial pressure of H2 withύi the mixture is measured when the mixture is at a production well.
1609. The method of claim 1582, further comprising altering a pressure within the formation to ύihibit production of hydrocarbons from the formation havύig carbon numbers greater than about 25.
1610. The method of claim 1582, further comprising controlling formation conditions by recύculating a portion of hydrogen from the mixture into the formation.
161 1. The method of claim 1582, further comprising: providing hydrogen (H2) to the heated section to hydrogenate hydrocarbons within the section; and heating a portion ofthe section with heat from hydrogenation.
1612. The method of claim 1582, further comprising: producing hydrogen and condensable hydrocarbons from the formation; and hydrogenating a portion ofthe produced condensable hydrocarbons with at least a portion ofthe produced hydrogen.
1613. The method of claύn 1582, wherein producing the mixture comprises producing the mixture in a production well, wherein at least about 7 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
1614. The method of claim 1613, wherein at least about 20 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
1615. The method of claύn 1582, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, and wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a triangular pattern.
1616. The method of claim 1582, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a triangular pattern, and wherein a plurality ofthe units are repeated over an area ofthe formation to form a repetitive pattern of units.
1617. A method of treating a relatively penneable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons in sita, comprising: providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation; allowing the heat to fransfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation; wherein the selected section has been selected for heating using a moisture content in the selected section, and whereύi at least a portion ofthe selected section comprises a moisture content of less than about 15 % by weight; and producing a mixture from the formation.
1618. The method of claim 1617, whereύi the one or more heat sources comprise at least two heat sources, and wherein supeφosition of heat from at least the two heat sources pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section ofthe formation.
1619. The method of claun 1617, further comprising maintaining a temperature within the selected section withύi a pyrolysis temperature range.
1620. The method of claim 1617, whereύi the one or more heat sources comprise electrical heaters.
1621. The method of claim 1617, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise surface burners.
1622. The method of claim 1617, where n the one or more heat sources comprise flameless disttibuted combustors.
1623. The method of claim 1617, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise natural distributed combustors.
1624. The method of claim 1617, further comprising confrolling a pressure and a temperature within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation, wherein the pressure is controlled as a function of temperature, or the temperatare is controlled as a function of pressure.
1625. The method of claim 1617, further comprising controlling the heat such that an average heating rate of the selected section is less than about 1 °C per day during pyrolysis.
1626. The method of claim 1617, wherein providύig heat from the one or more heat sources to at least the portion of formation comprises: heating a selected volume ( ) ofthe relatively permeable fonnation containing heavy hydrocarbons from the one or more heat sources, wherein the formation has an average heat capacity (C„), and wherein the heating pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected volume ofthe formation; and wherein heatύig energy/day provided to the volume is equal. to or less than Pwr, wherein Pwr is calculated by the equation:
Pwr = h*V*Cv*pB wherein Pwr is the heating energy/day, h is an average heating rate ofthe formation, pB is formation bulk density, and wherein the heatύig rate is less than about 10 °C/day.
1627. The method of claim 1617, wherein allowing the heat to ttansfer comprises fransfening heat substantially by conduction.
1628. The method of claim 1617, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons having an API gravity of at least about 25°.
1629. The method of claim 1617, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
1630. The method of claim 1617, wherein the produced mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein a molar ratio of ethene to ethane in the non-condensable hydrocarbons ranges from about 0.001 to about 0.15.
1631. The method of claim 1617, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is nitrogen.
1632. The method of claim 1617, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is oxygen.
1633. The method of claim 1617, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is sulfur.
1634. The method of claim 1617, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein greater than about 20 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are aromatic compounds.
1635. The method of claύn 1617, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises multi-ring aromatics with more than two rings.
1636. The method of claim 1617, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 0.3 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are asphaltenes.
1637. The method of claim 1617, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 5 % by weight to about 30 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are cycloalkanes.
1638. The method of claύn 1617, whereύi the produced mixture comprises a non-condensable component, wherein the non-condensable component comprises hydrogen, wherein the hydrogen is greater than about 10 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component, and wherein the hydrogen is less than about 80 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component.
1639. The method of claim 1617, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein greater than about 0.05 % by weight ofthe produced mixture is ammonia.
1640. The method of claύn 1617, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and where n the ammonia is used to produce fertilizer.
1641. The method of claim 1617, further comprising controlling a pressure within at least a maj ority of the selected section ofthe formation, wherein the confrolled pressure is at least about 2.0 bars absolute.
1642. The method of claim 1617, further comprising controlling formation conditions to produce the mixture, wherein a partial pressure of H2 within the mixtare is greater than about 0.5 bars.
1643. The method of claim 1642, wherein the partial pressure of H2 withύi the mixture is measured when the mixture is at a production well.
1644. The method of claύn 1617, further comprising altering a pressure within the formation to ύihibit production of hydrocarbons from the formation having carbon numbers greater than about 25.
1645. The method of claim 1617, further comprising controlling formation conditions by recύculating a portion of hydrogen from the mixture into the formation.
1646. The method of claim 1617, further comprising: providing hydrogen (H2) to the heated section to hydrogenate hydrocarbons within the section; and heating a portion ofthe section with heat from hydrogenation.
1647. The method of claύn 1617, further comprising: producing hydrogen and condensable hydrocarbons from the formation; and hydrogenating a portion ofthe produced condensable hydrocarbons with at least a portion ofthe produced hydrogen.
1648. The method of claim 1617, wherein producing the mixture comprises producing the mixture in a production well, whereύi at least about 7 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
1649. The method of claim 1648, wherein at least about 20 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
1650. The method of claim 1617, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, and wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a friangular pattern.
1651. The method of claim 1617, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion of the formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a triangular pattern, and wherein a plurality ofthe units are repeated over an area ofthe formation to form a repetitive pattern of units.
1652. A method of treating a relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons in situ, comprising: providing heat from one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation; allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heat sources to the selected section ofthe formation; wherein at least a portion ofthe selected section has an initial moisture content of less than about 15 % by weight; and producing a mixture from the formation.
1653. The method of claim 1652, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise at least two heat sources, and wherein supeφosition of heat from at least the two heat sources pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section ofthe formation.
1654. The method of claύn 1652, further comprising maintaining a temperature within the selected section within a pyrolysis temperature range.
1655. The method of claim 1652, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise elecfrical heaters.
1656. The method of claύn 1652, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise surface burners.
1657. The method of claύn 1652, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise flameless disfributed combustors.
1658. The method of claim 1652, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise natural distributed combustors.
1659. The method of claim 1652, further comprising controlling a pressure and a temperature within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation, wherein the pressure is confrolled as a function of temperatare, or the temperature is conttolled as a function of pressure.
1660. The method of claim 1652, further comprising controlling the heat such that an average heating rate ofthe selected section is less than about 1 °C per day during pyrolysis.
1661. The method of claύn 1652, whereύi providing heat from the one or more heat sources to at least the portion of formation comprises: heatύig a selected volume (V) of the relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons from the one or more heat sources, wherein the formation has an average heat capacity (Cv), and wherein the heating pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected volume ofthe formation; and wherein heating energy/day provided to the volume is equal to or less than Pwr, wherein Pwr is calculated by the equation:
Pwr = h*V*Cv*pB
wherein Pwr is the heating energy/day, h is an average heating rate ofthe formation, pB is formation bulk density, and wherein the heating rate is less than about 10 °C/day.
1662. The method of claim 1652, wherein allowing the heat to fransfer comprises transferring heat substantially by conduction.
1663. The method of claim 1652, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons having an API gravity of at least about 25°.
1664. The method of claim 1652, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
1665. The method of claύn 1652, wherein the produced mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein a molar ratio of ethene to ethane in the non-condensable hydrocarbons ranges from about 0.001 to about 0.15.
1666. The method of claim 1652, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is nitrogen.
1667. The method of claim 1652, wherein the produced mixtare comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is oxygen.
1668. The method of claύn 1652, whereύi the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is sulfur.
1669. The method of claim 1652, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein greater than about 20 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are aromatic compounds.
1670. The method of claim 1652, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises multi-ring aromatics with more than two rings.
1671. The method of claύn 1652, whereύi the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 0.3 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are asphaltenes.
1672. The method of claim 1652, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 5 % by weight to about 30 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are cycloalkanes.
1673. The method of claim 1652, wherein the produced mixture comprises a non-condensable component, wherein the non-condensable component comprises hydrogen, wherein the hydrogen is greater than about 10 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component, and wherein the hydrogen is less than about 80 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component.
1674. The method of claύn 1652, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein greater than about 0.05 % by weight ofthe produced mixture is ammonia.
1675. The method of claim 1652, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein the ammonia is used to produce fertilizer.
1676. The method of claύn 1652, further comprising confrolling a pressure within at least a maj ority of the selected section ofthe formation, wherein the conttolled pressure is at least about 2.0 bars absolute.
1677. The method of claim 1652, further comprising controlling formation conditions to produce the mixture, wherein a partial pressure of H2 within the mixture is greater than about 0.5 bars.
1678. The method of claim 1677, wherein the partial pressure of H2 within the mixture is measured when the mixture is at a production well.
1679. The method of claim 1652, further comprising altering a pressure within the formation to inhibit production of hydrocarbons from the formation having carbon numbers greater than about 25.
1680. The method of claύn 1652, further comprising controlling formation conditions by recirculating a portion of hydrogen from the mixture into the formation.
1681. The method of claim 1652, further comprising: providing hydrogen (H2) to the heated section to hydrogenate hydrocarbons withύi the section; and heatύig a portion ofthe section with heat from hydrogenation.
1682. The method of claύn 1652, further comprising: producing hydrogen and condensable hydrocarbons from the formation; and hydrogenating a portion ofthe produced condensable hydrocarbons with at least a portion ofthe produced hydrogen.
1683. The method of claim 1652, wherein producing the mixture comprises producing the mixtare in a production well, wherein at least about 7 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
1684. The method of claim 1683, wherein at least about 20 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
1685. The method of claim 1652, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe fonnation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, and wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a friangular pattern.
1686. The method of claim 1652, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a triangular pattern, and wherein a plurality ofthe units are repeated over an area ofthe formation to form a repetitive pattern of units.
1687. A method of treating a relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons in sita, comprising: providύig heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation; allowing the heat to fransfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation; wherein the selected section is heated in a reducing environment during at least a portion ofthe tune that the selected section is being heated; and producing a mixtare from the formation.
1688. The method of claύn 1687, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise at least two heat sources, and wherein supeφosition of heat from at least the two heat sources pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section ofthe formation.
1689. The method of claύn 1687, further comprising maintaining a temperature within the selected section within a pyrolysis temperature range.
1690. The method of claύn 1687, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise elecfrical heaters.
1691. The method of claim 1687, whereύi the one or more heat sources comprise surface burners.
1692. The method of claim 1687, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise flameless distributed combustors.
1693. The method of claim 1687, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise natural distributed combustors.
1694. The method of claim 1687, further comprising controlling a pressure and a temperature within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation, wherein the pressure is controlled as a function of temperature, or the temperature is controlled as a function of pressure.
1695. The method of claim 1687, further comprising controlling the heat such that an average heating rate of the selected section is less than about 1 °C per day during pyrolysis.
1696. The method of claim 1687, wherein providing heat from the one or more heat sources to at least the portion of formation comprises: heatύig a selected volume (l7) of the relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons from the one or more heat sources, wherein the formation has an average heat capacity (C,,), and wherein the heatύig pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected volume ofthe formation; and wherein heatύig energy/day provided to the volume is equal to or less than Pwr, wherein Pwr is calculated by the equation: Pwr = h*V*Cv*pB wherein Pwr is the heatmg energy/day, /. is an average heating rate ofthe formation, pB is fonnation bulk density, and wherein the heating rate is less than about 10 °C/day.
1697. The method of claim 1687, wherein allowing the heat to ttansfer comprises transferring heat substantially by conduction.
1698. The method of claύn 1687, whereύi the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons having an API gravity of at least about 25°.
1699. The method of claim 1687, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
1700. The method of claύn 1687, whereύi the produced mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein a molar ratio of ethene to ethane in the non-condensable hydrocarbons ranges from about 0.001 to about 0.15.
1701. The method of claύn 1687, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is nifrogen.
1702. The method of claim 1687, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is oxygen.
1703. The method of claim 1687, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is sulfur.
1704. The method of claim 1687, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein greater than about 20 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are aromatic compounds.
1705. The method of claύn 1687, wherein the produced mixtare comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises multi-ring aromatics with more than two rings.
1706, The method of claim 1687, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 0.3 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are asphaltenes.
1707. The method of claύn 1687, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 5 % by weight to about 30 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are cycloalkanes.
1708. The method of claim 1687, wherein the produced mixture comprises a non-condensable component, wherein the non-condensable component comprises hydrogen, wherein the hydrogen is greater than about 10 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component, and whereύi the hydrogen is less than about 80 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component.
1709. The method of claύn 1687, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein greater than about 0.05 % by weight ofthe produced mixture is ammonia.
1710. The method of claim 1687, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein the ammonia is used to produce fertilizer.
1711. The method of claim 1687, further comprising controlling a pressure within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation, wherein the conttolled pressure is at least about 2.0 bars absolute.
1712. The method of claim 1687, further comprising controlling formation conditions to produce the mixture, wherein a partial pressure of H2 within the mixture is greater than about 0.5 bars.
1713. The method of claim 1712, wherein the partial pressure of H2 withύi the mixture is measured when the mixture is at a production well.
1714. The method of claim 1687, further comprisύig altering a pressure within the formation to inhibit production of hydrocarbons from the formation having carbon numbers greater than about 25.
1715. The method of claύn 1687, further comprising controlling formation conditions by recύculating a portion of hydrogen from the mixtare into the formation.
1716. The method of claim 1687, further comprising: providing hydrogen (H2) to the heated section to hydrogenate hydrocarbons within the section; and heating a portion ofthe section with heat from hydrogenation.
1717. The method of claim 1687, further comprising: producing hydrogen and condensable hydrocarbons from the formation; and hydrogenating a portion ofthe produced condensable hydrocarbons with at least a portion ofthe produced hydrogen.
1718. The method of claim 1687, wherein producing the mixture comprises producing the mixture in a production well, wherein at least about 7 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
1719. The method of claim 1718, wherein at least about 20 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
1720. The method of claim 1687, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, and wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a triangular pattern.
1721. The method of claim 1687, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the fonnation in a unit of heat sources, wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a friangular pattern, and wherein a plurality ofthe units are repeated over an area ofthe formation to form a repetitive pattern of units.
1722. A method of freating a relatively penneable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons in situ, comprising: heating a first section ofthe formation to produce a mixture from the formation; heating a second section ofthe fonnation; and recirculating a portion ofthe produced mixture from the first section into the second section ofthe formation to provide a reducing envύonment withύi the second section ofthe formation.
1723. The method of claim 1722, further comprising maintaining a temperature within the first section or the second section within a pyrolysis temperature range.
1724. The method of claim 1722, wherein heating the first or the second section comprises heating with an electrical heater.
1725. The method of claim 1722, wherein heating the first or the second section comprises heating with a surface burner.
1726. The method of claim 1722, wherein heatύig the first or the second section comprises heating with a flameless distributed combustor.
1727. The method of claim 1722, wherein heating the first or the second section comprises heating with a natural disfributed combustor.
1728. The method of claim 1722, further comprising confrolling a pressure and a temperature within at least a majority ofthe first or second section ofthe formation, wherein the pressure is controlled as a function of temperature, or the temperature is controlled as a function of pressure.
1729. The method of claim 1722, further comprising controlling the heat such that an average heating rate ofthe first or the second section is less than about 1 °C per day during pyrolysis.
1730. • The method of claim 1722, wherein heatύig the first or the second section comprises: heating a selected volume (V) ofthe relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons from one or more heat sources, wherein the formation has an average heat capacity (Cv), and wherein the heating pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected volume ofthe formation; and wherein heating energy/day provided to the volume is equal to or less than Pwr, wherein Pwr is calculated by the equation:
Pwr = h*V*Cv*pB wherein Pwr is the heating energy/day, h is an average heating rate ofthe formation, pB is formation bulk density, and wherein the heating rate is less than about 10 °C/day.
1731. The method of claim 1722, wherein heating the first or the second section comprises transferring heat substantially by conduction.
1732. The method of claύn 1722, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons havύig an API gravity of at least about 25°.
1733. The method of claim 1722, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
1734. The method of claύn 1722, whereύi the produced mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein a molar ratio of ethene to ethane in the non-condensable hydrocarbons ranges from about 0.001 to about 0.15.
1735. The method of claim 1722, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is nifrogen.
1736. The method of claim 1722, whereύi the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is oxygen.
1737. The method of claύn 1722, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is sulfur.
1738. The method of claim 1722, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein greater than about 20 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are aromatic compounds.
1739. The method of claim 1722, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises multi-ring aromatics with more than two rings.
1740. The method of claύn 1722, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 0.3 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are asphaltenes.
1741. The method of claim 1722, whereύi the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and whereύi about 5 % by weight to about 30 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are cycloalkanes.
1742. The method of claύn 1722, wherein the produced mixture comprises a non-condensable component, wherein the non-condensable component comprises hydrogen, wherein the hydrogen is greater than about 10 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component, and wherein the hydrogen is less than about 80 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component.
1743. The method of claim 1722, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein greater than about 0.05 % by weight ofthe produced mixture is ammonia.
1744. The method of claύn 1722, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein the ammonia is used to produce fertilizer.
1745. The method of claim 1722, further comprising controlling a pressure within at least a majority ofthe first or second section ofthe formation, wherein the controlled pressure is at least about 2.0 bars absolute.
1746. The method of claim 1722, further comprising controlling formation conditions to produce the mixtare, wherein a partial pressure of H2 within the mixture is greater than about 0.5 bars.
1747. The method of claim 1746, wherein the partial pressure of H2 within the mixture is measured when the mixture is at a production well.
1748. The method of claim 1722, further comprising altering a pressure within the formation to inhibit production of hydrocarbons from the formation having carbon numbers greater than about 25.
1749. The method of claim 1722, further comprising: providing hydrogen (H2) to the first or second section to hydrogenate hydrocarbons within the first or second section; and heating a portion ofthe first or second section with heat from hydrogenation.
1750. The method of claim 1722, further comprising: producύig hydrogen and condensable hydrocarbons from the formation; and hydrogenatύig a portion ofthe produced condensable hydrocarbons with at least a portion ofthe produced hydrogen.
1751. The method of claim 1722, wherein producing the mixture comprises producing the mixture in a production well, wherein at least about 7 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
1752. The method of claύn 1751, wherein at least about 20 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
1753. The method of claim 1722, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, and wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a friangular pattern.
1754. The method of claim 1722, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a friangular pattern, and wherein a plurality ofthe units are repeated over an area ofthe formation to form a repetitive pattern of units.
1755. A method of treating a relatively permeable formation contaύiύig heavy hydrocarbons in sita, comprising: providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation; allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe fonnation; and confrolling the heat to yield at least about 15 % by weight of a total organic carbon content of at least some ofthe relatively permeable formation contaύiύig heavy hydrocarbons into condensable hydrocarbons.
1756. The method of claim 1755, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise at least two heat sources, and wherein supeφosition of heat from at least the two heat sources pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section ofthe formation.
1757. The method of claim 1755, further comprising maintaining a temperature within the selected section withύi a pyrolysis temperature range.
1758. The method of claim 1755, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise electrical heaters.
1759. The method of claim 1755, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise surface burners.
1760. The method of claim 1755, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise flameless distributed combustors.
1761. The method of claim 1755, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise natural disttibuted combustors.
1762. The method of claim 1755, further comprising controlling a pressure and a temperature within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation, wherein the pressure is confrolled as a function of temperatare, or the temperature is conttolled as a function of pressure.
1763. The method of claύn 1755, further comprising controlling the heat such that an average heatύig rate ofthe selected section is less than about 1 °C per day during pyrolysis.
1764. The method of claύn 1755, wherein providing heat from the one or more heat sources to at least the portion of formation comprises: heating a selected volume (V) ofthe relatively penneable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons from the one or more heat sources, wherein the formation has an average heat capacity (C,,), and wherein the heatύig pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected volume ofthe formation; and wherein heating energy/day provided to the volume is equal to or less than Pwr, wherein Pwr is calculated by the equation:
Pwr = h*V*Cv*pB wherein Pwr is the heatύig energy/day, h is an average heating rate ofthe formation, pB is formation bulk density, and wherein the heating rate is less than about 10 °C/day.
1765. The method of claim 1755, wherein allowing the heat to transfer comprises transferring heat substantially by conduction.
1766. The method of claim 1755, further comprising producύig a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixtare comprises condensable hydrocarbons having an API gravity of at least about 25°.
1767. The method of claim 1755, further comprising producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
1768. The method of claim 1755, further comprising producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein a molar ratio of ethene to ethane in the non-condensable hydrocarbons ranges from about 0.001 to about 0.15.
1769. The method of claim 1755, further comprising producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is nitrogen.
1770. The method of claύn 1755, further comprising producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is oxygen.
1771. The method of claύn 1 55, further comprising producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is sulfur.
1772. The method of claim 1755, further comprising producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein greater than about 20 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are aromatic compounds.
1773. The method of claim 1755, further comprising producing a mixture from the formation, whereύi the produced mixtare comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises multi-ring aromatics with more than two rings.
1774. The method of claύn 1755, further comprising producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 0.3 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are asphaltenes.
1775. The method of claύn 1755, further comprising producύig a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 5 % by weight to about 30 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are cycloalkanes.
1776. The method of claim 1755, further comprisύig producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixtare comprises a non-condensable component, wherein the non-condensable component comprises
hydrogen, wherein the hydrogen is greater than about 10 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component, and wherein the hydrogen is less than about 80 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component.
1777. The method of claim 1755, further comprising producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixtare comprises ammonia, and wherein greater than about 0.05 % by weight ofthe produced mixture is ammonia.
1778. The method of claim 1755, further comprising producύig a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein the ammonia is used to produce fertilizer.
1779. The method of claim 1755, further comprising controlling a pressure within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation, wherein the conttolled pressure is at least about 2.0 bars absolute.
1780. The method of claύn 1755, further comprising controlling formation conditions to produce a mixture from the formation, wherein a partial pressure of H2 withύi the mixture is greater than about 0.5 bars.
1781. The method of claim 1755, further comprising producing a mixture from the formation, wherein a partial pressure of H2 within the mixture is measured when the mixture is at a production well.
1782. The method of claim 1755, further comprising altering a pressure within the formation to inhibit production of hydrocarbons from the formation having carbon numbers greater than about 25.
1783. The method of claim 1755, further comprising producing a mixture from the formation and controlling formation conditions by recύculating a portion of hydrogen from the mixture into the formation.
1784. The method of claim 1755, further comprising: providύig hydrogen (H2) to the heated section to hydrogenate hydrocarbons withύi the section; and heatύig a portion ofthe section with heat from hydrogenation.
1785. The method of claim 1755, further comprising: producύig hydrogen and condensable hydrocarbons from the formation; and hydrogenating a portion ofthe produced condensable hydrocarbons with at least a portion ofthe produced hydrogen.
1786. The method of claim 1755, further comprising producύig a mixture in a production well, wherein at least about 7 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
1787. The method of claim 1786, wherein at least about 20 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
1788. The method of claim 1755, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, and wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a triangular pattern.
1789. The metliod of claim 1755, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe fonnation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a triangular pattern, and wherein a plurality ofthe units are repeated over an area ofthe fonnation to form a repetitive pattern of units.
1790. A method of treating a relatively penneable fonnation containing heavy hydrocarbons in situ, comprising: providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation; allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation; and controlling the heat to yield greater than about 60 % by weight of hydrocarbons.
1791. The method of claim 1790, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise at least two heat sources, and wherein supeφosition of heat from at least the two heat sources pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section ofthe formation.
1792. The method of claim 1790, further comprising maintaining a temperature within the selected section within a pyrolysis temperature range.
1793. The method of claύn 1790, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise electtical heaters.
1794. The method of claim 1790, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise surface burners.
1795. The method of claim 1790, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise flameless distributed combustors.
1796. The method of claim 1790, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise natural disfributed combustors.
1797. The method of claim 1790, further comprising controlling a pressure and a temperature within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation, whereύi the pressure is conttolled as a function of temperature, or the temperature is controlled as a function of pressure.
1798. The method of claim 1790, further comprising controlling the heat such that an average heating rate of the selected section is less than about 1 °C per day during pyrolysis.
1799. The method of claim 1790, wherein providing heat from the one or more heat sources to at least the portion of formation comprises:
heating a selected volume (V) ofthe relatively permeable formation containύig heavy hydrocarbons from the one or more heat sources, wherein the fonnation has an average heat capacity (Cv), and wherein the heating pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected volume ofthe fonnation; and wherein heating energy/day provided to the volume is equal to or less than Pwr, whereύi Pwr is calculated by the equation:
Pwr = h*V*Cv*pB wherein Pwr is the heating energy/day, h is an average heating rate ofthe formation, pB is formation bulk density, and wherein the heating rate is less than about 10 °C/day.
1800. The method of claύn 1790, wherein allowing the heat to fransfer comprises fransfening heat substantially by conduction.
1801. The method of claύn 1790, further comprising producύig a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons having an API gravity of at least about 25°.
1802. The method of claim 1790, further comprising producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
1803. The method of claύn 1790, further comprising producύig a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein a molar ratio of ethene to ethane in the non-condensable hydrocarbons ranges from about 0.001 to about 0.15.
1804. The method of claim 1790, further comprising producύig a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is nifrogen.
1805. The method of claim 1790, further comprising producύig a mixture from the fonnation, wherein the produced mixtare comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is oxygen.
1806. The method of claim 1790, further comprising producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is sulfur.
1807. The method of claύn 1790, further comprising producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein greater than about 20 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are aromatic compounds.
1808. The method of claύn 1790, further comprising producύig a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises multi-ring aromatics with more than two rings.
1809. The method of claύn 1790, further comprising producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 0.3 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are asphaltenes.
1810. The method of claim 1790, further comprising producύig a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 5 % by weight to about 30 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are cycloalkanes.
1811. The method of claim 1790, further comprising producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises a non-condensable component, wherein the non-condensable component comprises hydrogen, wherein the hydrogen is greater than about 10 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component, and wherein the hydrogen is less than about 80 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component.
1812. The method of claim 1790, further comprising producύig a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein greater than about 0.05 % by weight ofthe produced mixture is ammonia.
1813. The method of claύn 1790, further comprising producing a mixture from the fonnation, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein the ammonia is used to produce fertilizer.
1814. The method of claim 1790, further comprising controlling a pressure within at least a maj ority of the selected section ofthe formation, wherein the controlled pressure is at least about 2.0 bars absolute.
1815. The method of claim 1790, further comprising controlling formation conditions to produce a mixture from the formation, wherein a partial pressure of H2 within the mixture is greater than about 0.5 bars.
1816. The method of claim 1790, further comprising producing a mixture from the formation, whereiα a partial pressure of H2 within the mixture is measured when the mixture is at a production well.
1817. The method of claύn 1790, further comprising altering a pressure within the formation to inhibit production of hydrocarbons from the formation having carbon numbers greater than about 25.
1818. The method of claim 1790, further comprising producing a mixture from the formation and confrolling formation conditions by recύculating a portion of hydrogen from the mixture into the formation.
1819. The method of claim 1790, further comprising: providing hydrogen (H2) to the heated section to hydrogenate hydrocarbons withύi the section; and heating a portion ofthe section with heat from hydrogenation.
1820. The method of claim 1790, further comprising: producing hydrogen and condensable hydrocarbons from the formation; and hydrogenating a portion ofthe produced condensable hydrocarbons with at least a portion ofthe produced hydrogen.
1821. The method of claim 1790, further comprising producing a mixture in a production well, wherein at least about 7 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
1822. The method of claim 1821, wherein at least about 20 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
1823. The method of claύn 1790, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe fonnation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, and wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a triangular pattern.
1824. The method of claύn 1790, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a friangular pattern, and wherein a plurality ofthe units are repeated over an area ofthe fonnation to form a repetitive pattern of units.
1825. A method of treating a relatively permeable formation containύig heavy hydrocarbons in sita, comprising: heating a first section ofthe formation to pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbons in the first section and produce a first mixture from the formation; heating a second section ofthe formation to pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbons iα the second section and produce a second mixture from the formation; and leaving an unpyrolyzed section between the first section and the second section to inhibit subsidence ofthe formation.
1826. The method of claύn 1825, further comprising maintaining a temperature within the first section or the second section within a pyrolysis temperature range.
1827. The method of claim 1825, wherein heating the first section or heating the second section comprises heating with an elecfrical heater.
1828. The method of claim 1825, wherein heating the first section or heating the second section comprises heating with a surface burner.
1829. The method of claim 1825, wherem heating the first section or heating the second section comprises heating with a flameless distributed combustor.
1830. The method of claύn 1825, whereiα heating the first section or heating the second section comprises heating with a natural disttibuted combustor.
1831. The method of claim 1825, further comprising controlling a pressure and a temperature withύi at least a majority ofthe first or second section ofthe fonnation, wherein the pressure is confrolled as a function of temperature, or the temperature is controlled as a function of pressure.
1832. The method of claim 1825, further comprisύig controlling the heat such that an average heating rate ofthe first or second section is less than about 1 °C per day during pyrolysis.
1833. The method of claim 1825, wherein heating the first section or heating the second section comprises: heating a selected volume (V) ofthe relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons from one or more heat sources, wherein the formation has an average heat capacity (Cv), and wherein the heating pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected volume ofthe formation; and wherein heating energy/day provided to the volume is equal to or less than Pwr, wherein Pwr is calculated by the equation:
Pwr = h*V*Cv*pB wherein Pwr is the heatύig energy/day, h is an average heating rate ofthe formation, pB is formation bulk density, and wherein the heating rate is less than about 10 °C/day.
1834. The method of claim 1825, whereύi heatύig the first section or heating the second section comprises ttansfening heat substantially by conduction.
1835. The method of claύn 1825, wherein the first or second mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons havύig an API gravity of at least about 25°.
1836. The method of claim 1825, wherein the first or second mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and whereiα about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
1837. The method of claim 1825, wherein the first or second mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein a molar ratio of ethene to ethane in the non-condensable hydrocarbons ranges from about 0.001 to about 0.15.
1838. The method of claim 1825, wherein the first or second mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is nifrogen.
1839. The method of claim 1825, wherein the first or second mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is oxygen.
1840. The method of claύn 1825, wherein the first or second mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and whereύi less than about 5 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is sulfur.
1841. The method of claim 1825, whereiα the first or second mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein greater than about 20 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are aromatic compounds.
1842. The method of claim 1825, wherein the first or second mixtare comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises multi-ring aromatics with more than two rings.
1843. The method of claύn 1825, wherein the ffrst or second mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 0.3 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are asphaltenes.
1844. The method of claim 1825, whereύi the first or second mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 5 % by weight to about 30 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are cycloalkanes.
1845. The method of claim 1825, wherein the first or second mixture comprises a non-condensable component, and wherein the non-condensable component comprises hydrogen, and wherein the hydrogen is greater than about 10 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component and whereiα the hydrogen is less than about 80 % by volume of the non-condensable component.
1846. The method of claim 1825, wherein the first or second mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein greater than about 0.05 % by weight ofthe first or second mixture is ammonia.
1847. The method of claim 1825, wherein the ffrst or second mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein the ammonia is used to produce fertilizer.
1848. The method of claύn 1825, further comprising controlling a pressure within at least a majority ofthe first or second section ofthe formation, wherein the confrolled pressure is at least about 2.0 bars absolute.
1849. The method of claim 1825, further comprising controlling formation conditions to produce the first or second mixture, wherein a partial pressure of H2 within the ffrst or second mixture is greater than about 0.5 bars.
1850. The method of claim 1825, whereύi a partial pressure of H2 within the first or second mixture is measured when the first or second mixture is at a production well.
1851. The method of claim 1825, further comprising altering a pressure within the formation to inhibit production of hydrocarbons from the formation having carbon numbers greater than about 25.
1852. The method of claim 1825, further comprising controlling formation conditions by recύculating a portion of hydrogen from the ffrst or second mixture into the formation.
1853. The method of claύn 1825, further comprising: providing hydrogen (H2) to the first or second section to hydrogenate hydrocarbons within the first or second section, respectively; and heating a portion ofthe first or second section, respectively, with heat from hydrogenation.
1854. The method of claim 1825, further comprising: producύig hydrogen and condensable hydrocarbons from the formation; and hydrogenatύig a portion ofthe produced condensable hydrocarbons with at least a portion ofthe produced hydrogen.
1855. The method of claύn 1825, wherein producύig the first or second mixture comprises producύig the first or second mixture in a production well, wherein at least about 7 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
1856. The method of claύn 1855, whereύi at least about 20 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
1857. The method of claύn 1825, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, and wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a friangular pattern.
1858. The method of claύn 1825, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the fonnation in a unit of heat sources, wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a friangular pattern, and wherein a plurality ofthe units are repeated over an area ofthe formation to form a repetitive pattern of units.
1859. A method of treating a relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons in sita, comprising:
providύig heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation; allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation; and producύig a mixture from the formation through one or more production wells, wherein the heating is confrolled such that the mixture can be produced from the fonnation as a vapor, wherein at least about 7 heat sources are disposed in the fonnation for each production well.
1860. The method of claύn 1859, wherein at least about 20 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
1861. The method of claύn 1859, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise at least two heat sources, and wherein supeφosition of heat from at least the two heat sources pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section ofthe formation.
1862. The method of claim 1859, further comprising maintaining a temperature within the selected section withύi a pyrolysis temperature range.
1863. The method of claim 1859, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise electrical heaters.
1864. The method of claim 1859, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise surface burners.
1865. The method of claim 1859, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise flameless disttibuted combustors.
1866. The method of claim 1859, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise natural distributed combustors.
1867. The method of claim 1859, further comprising confrolling a pressure and a temperature within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe fonnation, wherein the pressure is controlled as a function of temperatare, or the temperature is controlled as a function of pressure.
1868. The method of claim 1859, further comprising controlling the heat such that an average heating rate ofthe selected section is less than about 1 °C per day during pyrolysis.
1869. The method of claim 1859, wherein providing heat from the one or more heat sources to at least the portion of formation comprises: heating a selected volume (V) ofthe relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons from the one or more heat sources, wherein the formation has an average heat capacity (C,,), and wherein the heating pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected volume ofthe formation; and wherein heating energy /day provided to the volume is equal to or less than Pwr, wherein Pwr is calculated by the equation:
Pwr = h*V*Cv*pB wherein Pwr is the heating energy/day, h is an average heating rate ofthe formation, pB is formation bulk density, and wherein the heating rate is less than about 10 °C/day.
1870. The method of claim 1859, wherein allowing the heat to fransfer comprises fransferring heat substantially by conduction.
1871. The method of claim 1859, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons having an API gravity of at least about 25°.
1872. The method of claim 1859, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
1873. The method of claim 1859, wherein the produced mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein a molar ratio of ethene to ethane in the non-condensable hydrocarbons ranges from about 0.001 to about
0.15.
1874. The method of claim 1859, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is nifrogen.
1875. The method of claim 1859, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is oxygen.
1876. The method of claύn 1859, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is sulfur.
1877. The method of claim 1859, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein greater than about 20 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are aromatic compounds.
1878. The method of claim 1859, whereύi the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises multi-ring aromatics with more than two rings.
1879. The method of claim 1859, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 0.3 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are asphaltenes.
1880. The method of claim 1859, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 5 % by weight to about 30 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are cycloalkanes.
1881. The method of claύn 1859, wherein the produced mixture comprises a non-condensable component, wherein the non-condensable component comprises hydrogen, wherein the hydrogen is greater than about 10 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component, and wherein the hydrogen is less than about 80 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component.
1882. The method of claim 1859, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein greater than about 0.05 % by weight ofthe produced mixture is ammonia.
1883. The method of claim 1859, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein the ammonia is used to produce fertilizer.
1884. The method of claim 1859, further comprising controlling a pressure within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation, wherein the controlled pressure is at least about 2.0 bars absolute.
1885. The method of claim 1859, further comprising controlling formation conditions to produce the mixture, wherein a partial pressure of H2 within the mixture is greater than about 0.5 bars.
1886. The method of claim 1885, whereύi the partial pressure of H2 within the mixture is measured when the mixture is at a production well.
1887. The method of claύn 1859, further comprising altering a pressure within the formation to inhibit production of hydrocarbons from the formation having carbon numbers greater than about 25.
1888. The method of claim 1859, further comprising controlling formation conditions by recirculating a portion of hydrogen from the mixtare into the formation.
1889. The method of claύn 1859, further comprising: providing hydrogen (H2) to the heated section to hydrogenate hydrocarbons within the section; and heating a portion ofthe section with heat from hydrogenation.
1890. The method of claύn 1859, further comprising: producύig hydrogen and condensable hydrocarbons from the formation; and hydrogenating a portion ofthe produced condensable hydrocarbons with at least a portion ofthe produced hydrogen.
1891. The method of claim 1859, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, and wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a ttiangular pattern.
1892. The method of claim 1859, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe fonnation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a triangular pattern, and wherein a plurality ofthe units are repeated over an area ofthe formation to form a repetitive pattern of units.
1893. A method of freating a relatively penneable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons in situ, comprising: providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein the one or more heat sources are disposed within one or more first wells; allowing the heat to fransfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation; and producing a mixture from the fonnation through one or more second wells, wherein one or more ofthe first or second wells are initially used for a first pinpose and are then used for one or more other proposes.
1894. The method of claim 1893, wherein the first pvupose comprises removing water from the fonnation, and wherein the second ptupose comprises providing heat to the formation.
1895. The method of claim 1893, wherein the first propose comprises removing water from the formation, and wherein the second pmpose comprises producing the mixtare.
1896. The method of claim 1893, wherein the first propose comprises heating, and wherein the second propose comprises removing water from the formation.
1897. The method of claύn 1893, wherein the first propose comprises producing the mixture, and wherein the second pmpose comprises removing water from the formation.
1898. The method of claim 1893, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise electrical heaters.
1899. The method of claim 1893, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise surface burners.
1900. The method of claim 1893 , wherein the one or more heat sources comprise flameless distributed combustors.
1901. The method of claim 1893, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise natural disfributed combustors.
1902. The method of claim 1893, further comprising controlling a pressure and a temperature within at least a majority ofthe selected section o the formation, wherein the pressure is controlled as a function of temperature, or the temperature is confrolled as a function of pressure.
1903. The method of claύn 1893, further comprising confrolling the heat such that an average heating rate of the selected section is less than about 1.0 ° C per day during pyrolysis.
1904. The method of claim 1893 , wherein providing heat from the one or more heat sources to at least the portion ofthe formation comprises: heating a selected volume (V) ofthe relatively permeable formation contaύiύig heavy hydrocarbons from the one or more heat sources, wherein the formation has an average heat capacity (C ), and wherein the heating pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected volume ofthe formation; and wherein heating energy/day provided to the volume is equal to or less than Pwr, wherein Pwr is calculated by the equation: Pwr = h*V*Cv*pB wherein Pwr is the heating energy/day, h is an average heating rate ofthe formation, pB is formation bulk density, and wherein the heatύig rate is less than about 10 °C/day.
1905. The method of claύn 1893, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons having an API gravity of at least about 25°.
1906. The method of claύn 1893, whereiα the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
1907. The method of claύn 1893, wherein the produced mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein a molar ratio of ethene to ethane in the non-condensable hydrocarbons ranges from about 0.001 to about 0.15.
1908. The method of claim 1893, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is nifrogen.
1909. The method of claim 1893, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is oxygen.
1910. The method of claύn 1893, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is sulfur.
191 1. The method of claύn 1893, whereui the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein greater than about 20 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are aromatic compounds.
1912. The method of claim 1893, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises multi-ring aromatics with more than two rings.
1913. The method of claύn 1893, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 0.3 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are asphaltenes.
1914. The method of claim 1893 , wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 5 % by weight to about 30 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are cycloalkanes.
1915. The method of claim 1893 , whereύi the produced mixture comprises a non-condensable component, wherein the non-condensable component comprises hydrogen, wherein the hydrogen is greater than about 10 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component, and wherein the hydrogen is less than about 80 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component.
1916. The method of claim 1893, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein greater than about 0.05 % by weight ofthe produced mixture is ammonia.
1917. The method of claύn 1893, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein the ammonia is used to produce fertilizer.
1918. The method of claim 1893, further comprising controlling a pressure within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation, wherein the controlled pressure is at least about 2.0 bars absolute.
1919. The method of claύn 1893 , further comprising controlling formation conditions to produce a mixture of condensable hydrocarbons and H2, wherein a partial pressure of H2 within the mixture is greater than about 0.5 bars.
1920. The method of claύn 1919, wherein the partial pressure of H2 is measured when the mixture is at a production well.
1921. The method of claim 1893, further comprising altering a pressure within the formation to inhibit production of hydrocarbons from the formation having carbon numbers greater than about 25.
1922. The method of claύn 1893, further comprising confrolling formation conditions, wherein controlling formation conditions comprises recirculating a portion of hydrogen from the mixture into the formation.
1923. The method of claim 1893, further comprising: providing hydrogen (H ) to the heated section to hydrogenate hydrocarbons within the section; and heating a portion ofthe section with heat from hydrogenation.
1924. The method of claim 1893, wherein the produced mixture comprises hydrogen and condensable hydrocarbons, the method further comprising hydrogenating a portion ofthe produced condensable hydrocarbons with at least a portion ofthe produced hydrogen.
1925. The method of claύn 1893, wherein producing the mixture comprises producing the mixture in a production well, wherein at least about 7 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
1926. The method of claύn 1925, wherein at least about 20 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
1927. The method of claύn 1893, further comprising providύig heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe fonnation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, and wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a triangular pattern.
1928. The method of claύn 1893, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a triangular pattern, and wherein a plurality ofthe units are repeated over an area ofthe fonnation to form a repetitive pattern of units.
1929. A method for fonning heater wells in a relatively permeable formation containύig heavy hydrocarbons, comprising: fonning a first wellbore in the formation;
.fonning a second wellbore in the fonnation using magnetic tracking such that the second wellbore is ananged substantially parallel to the first wellbore; and providing at least one heat source within the first wellbore and at least one heat source within the second wellbore such that the heat sources can provide heat to at least a portion ofthe formation.
1930. The method of claim 1929, wherein supeφosition of heat from the at least one heat source within the first wellbore and the at least one heat source within the second wellbore pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within a selected section ofthe formation.
1931. The method of claim 1929, further comprising maintaining a temperature within a selected section within a pyrolysis temperature range.
1932. The method of claim 1929, wherein the heat sources comprise electtical heaters.
1933. The method of claim 1929, whereύi the heat sources comprise surface burners.
1934. The method of claim 1929, wherein the heat sources comprise flameless disfributed combustors.
1935. The method of claim 1929, whereύi the heat sources comprise natural distributed combustors.
1936. The method of claim 1929, further comprising controlling a pressure and a temperature within at least a majority of a selected section ofthe formation, wherein the pressure is confrolled as a function of temperature, or the temperature is controlled as a function of pressure.
1937. The method of claim 1929, further comprising controlling the heat from the heat sources such that heat fransferred from the heat sources to at least the portion ofthe hydrocarbons is less than about 1 °C per day during pyrolysis.
1938. The method of claύn 1929, further comprising: heating a selected volume (V) ofthe relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons from the heat sources, wherein the formation has an average heat capacity (Cv), and wherein the heating pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected volume ofthe fonnation; and wherein heating energy/day provided to the volume is equal to or less than Pwr, wherein Pwr is calculated by the equation:
Pwr = h*V*Cv*pB wherein Pwr is the heating energy/day, h is an average heating rate ofthe formation, pB is formation bulk density, and wherein the heating rate is less than about 10 °C/day.
1939. The method of claim 1929, further comprising allowing the heat to transfer from the heat sources to at least the portion ofthe formation substantially by conduction.
1940. The method of claim 1929, further comprising producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons havύig an API gravity of at least about 25°.
1941. The method of claim 1929, further comprising producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
1942. The method of claύn 1929, further comprising producing a mixture from the formation, whereύi the produced mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein a molar ratio of ethene to ethane in the non-condensable hydrocarbons ranges from about 0.001 to about 0.15.
1943. The method of claύn 1929, further comprising producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is nitrogen.
1944. The method of claim 1929, further comprising producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is oxygen.
1945. The method of claύn 1929, further comprising producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is sulfur.
1946. The method of claim 1929, further comprising producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein greater than about 20 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are aromatic compounds.
1947. The method of claύn 1929, further comprising producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises multi-ring aromatics with more than two rings.
1948. The method of claim 1929, further comprisύig producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 0.3 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are asphaltenes.
1949. The method of claim 1929, further comprising producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 5 % by weight to about 30 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are cycloalkanes.
1950. The method of claύn 1929, further comprising producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises a non-condensable component, wherein the non-condensable component comprises hydrogen, wherein the hydrogen is greater than about 10 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component, and wherein the hydrogen is less than about 80 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component.
1951. The method of claύn 1929, further comprising producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein greater than about 0.05 % by weight ofthe produced mixture is ammonia.
1952. The method of claύn 1929, further comprising producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein the ammonia is used to produce fertilizer.
1953. The method of claim 1929, further comprisύig controlling a pressure within at least a majority of a selected section ofthe formation, wherein the confrolled pressure is at least about 2.0 bars absolute.
1954. The method of claύn 1953, wherein the partial pressure of H2 within the mixture is greater than about 0.5 bars.
1955. The method of claύn 1929, further comprising producing a mixtare from the formation, whereύi a partial pressure of H2 within the mixture is measured when the mixture is at a production well.
1956. The method of claim 1929, further comprising altering a pressure within the formation to inhibit production of hydrocarbons from the formation havύig carbon numbers greater than about 25.
1957. The method of claim 1929, further comprising producύig a mixture from the formation and controlling formation conditions by recύculatύig a portion of hydrogen from the mixture into the formation.
1958. The method of claim 1929, further comprising: providing hydrogen (H2) to the portion to hydrogenate hydrocarbons within the formation; and heating a portion ofthe formation with heat from hydrogenation.
1959. The method of claύn 1929, further comprising: producύig hydrogen and condensable hydrocarbons from the formation; and hydrogenating a portion ofthe produced condensable hydrocarbons with at least a portion ofthe produced hydrogen.
1960. The method of claύn 1929, further comprising producing a mixture in a production well, wherein at least about 7 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
1961. The method of claim 1960, wherein at least about 20 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
1962. The method of claim 1929, further comprising forming a production well in the formation using magnetic tracking such that the production well is substantially parallel to the first wellbore and coupling a wellhead to the thfrd wellbore.
1963. The method of claim 1929, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, and wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a triangular pattern.
1964. The method of claim 1929, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a triangular pattern, and wherein a plurality ofthe units are repeated over an area ofthe formation to form a repetitive pattern of units.
1965. A method for installing a heater well into a relatively permeable fonnation containing heavy hydrocarbons, comprising: forming a bore in the ground using a steerable motor and an accelerometer; and providύig a heat source within the bore such that the heat source can transfer heat to at least a portion ofthe formation.
1966. The method of claim 1965, further comprising installing at least two heater wells, and wherein supeφosition of heat from at least the two heater wells pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within a selected section ofthe formation.
1967. The method of claim 1965, further comprising maintaining a temperature within a selected section withm a pyrolysis temperature range.
1968. The method of claύn 1965, wherein the heat source comprises an electtical heater.
1969. The method of claim 1965, wherein the heat source comprises a surface burner.
1970. The method of claύn 1965, wherein the heat source comprises a flameless distributed combustor.
1971. The method of claim 1965, wherein the heat source comprises a natural disttibuted combustor.
1972. The method of claim 1965, further comprising controlling a pressure and a temperature within at least a majority of a selected section ofthe formation, wherein the pressure is controlled as a function of temperatare, or the temperature is controlled as a function of pressure.
1973. The method of claim 1965, further comprising controlling the heat from the heat source such that heat ttansfened from the heat source to at least the portion ofthe formation is less than about 1 °C per day during pyrolysis.
1974. The method of claύn 1965, further comprising: heating a selected volume (V) ofthe relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons from the heat source, wherein the formation has an average heat capacity (C„), and wherein the heating pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected volume ofthe fonnation; and
wherein heating energy/day provided to the volume is equal to or less than Pwr, wherein Pwr is calculated by the equation:
Pwr = h*V*Cv*pB wherein Pwr is the heating energy/day, h is an average heating rate ofthe formation, pB is formation bulk density, and wherein the heating rate is less than about 10 °C/day.
1975. The method of claim 1965, further comprising allowing the heat to fransfer from the heat source to at least the portion ofthe formation substantially by conduction.
1976. The method of claim 1965, further comprising producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons having an API gravity of at least about 25°.
1977. The method of claim 1965, further comprising producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
1978. The method of claim 1965, further comprising producing a mixture from the formation, whereύi the produced mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein a molar ratio of ethene to ethane in the non-condensable hydrocarbons ranges from about 0.001 to about 0.15.
1979. The method of claim 1965, further comprising producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is nitrogen.
1980. The method of claim 1965, further comprising producύig a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is oxygen.
1981. The method of claύn 1965, further comprising producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixtare comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is sulfur.
1982. The method of claim 1965, further comprising producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein greater than about 20 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are aromatic compounds.
1983. The method of claim 1965, further comprising producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises multi-ring aromatics with more than two rings.
1984. The method of claim 1965, further comprising producύig a mixtare from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 0.3 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are asphaltenes.
1985. The method of claύn 1965, further comprising producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 5 % by weight to about 30 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are cycloalkanes.
1986. The method of claύn 1965, further comprising producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises a non-condensable component, wherein the non-condensable component comprises hydrogen, wherein the hydrogen is greater than about 10 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component, and wherein the hydrogen is less than about 80 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component.
1987. The method of claim 1965, further comprising producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein greater than about 0.05 % by weight ofthe produced mixture is ammonia.
1988. The method of claim 1965, further comprising producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixtare comprises ammonia, and wherein the ammonia is used to produce fertilizer.
1989. The method of claύn 1965, further comprising controlling a pressure within at least a majority of a selected section ofthe formation, wherein the confrolled pressure is at least about 2.0 bars absolute.
1990. The method of claύn 1965, further comprising controlling formation conditions to produce a mixture from the formation, wherein a partial pressure of H2 within the mixture is greater than about 0.5 bars.
1991. The method of claύn 1990, wherein the partial pressure of H2 within the mixture is measured when the mixture is at a production well.
1992. The method of claύn 1965, further comprising altering a pressure within the formation to inhibit production of hydrocarbons from the formation having carbon numbers greater than about 25.
1993. The method of claύn 1965, further comprising producing a mixture from the formation and confrolling formation conditions by recirculating a portion of hydrogen from the mixture into the formation.
1994. The method of claύn 1965, further comprising: providing hydrogen (H2) to the at least the heated portion to hydrogenate hydrocarbons within the formation; and heating a portion ofthe formation with heat from hydrogenation.
1995. The method of claim 1965, further comprising: producύig hydrogen and condensable hydrocarbons from the formation; and hydrogenating a portion ofthe produced condensable hydrocarbons with at least a portion ofthe produced hydrogen.
1996. The method of claim 1965, further comprising producing a mixture in a production well, wherein at least about 7 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
1997. The method of claύn 1996, whereύi at least about 20 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
1998. The method of claim 1965, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, and wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a friangular pattern.
1999. The method of claύn 1965, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a friangular pattern, and wherein a plurality ofthe units are repeated over an area ofthe formation to form a repetitive pattern of units.
2000. A method for installing of wells in a relatively permeable fonnation containing heavy hydrocarbons, comprising: formύig a wellbore in the formation by geosteered drilling; and providing a heat source within the wellbore such that the heat source can transfer heat to at least a portion of the fonnation.
2001. The method of claim 2000, further comprising maintaining a temperature within a selected section withύi a pyrolysis temperature range.
2002. The method of claim 2000, wherein the heat source comprises an electrical heater.
2003. The method of claim 2000, wherein the heat source comprises a surface burner.
2004. The method of claim 2000, wherein the heat source comprises a flameless distributed combustor.
2005. The method of claim 2000, wherein the heat source comprises a natural distributed combustor.
2006. The method of claim 2000, further comprising controlling a pressure and a temperature within at least a majority of a selected section ofthe formation, wherein the pressure is controlled as a function of temperature, or the temperature is controlled as a function of pressure.
2007. The method of claim 2000, further comprising controlling the heat from the heat source such that heat fransferred from the heat source to at least the portion ofthe formation is less than about 1 °C per day during pyrolysis.
2008. The method of claim 2000, further comprising: heatύig a selected volume (V) of the relatively permeable fonnation containύig heavy hydrocarbons from the heat source, wherein the formation has an average heat capacity (Cv), and wherein the heating pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected volume ofthe formation; and wherein heating energy/day provided to the volume is equal to or less than Pwr, wherein Pwr is calculated by the equation: Pwr = h*V*Cv*pB wherein Pwr is the heatύig energy/day, h is an average heating rate ofthe formation, pB is formation bulk density, and wherein the heating rate is less than about 10 °C/day.
2009. The method of claim 2000, further comprising allowing the heat to fransfer from the heat source to at least the portion ofthe formation substantially by conduction.
2010. The method of claim 2000, further comprising producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons havύig an API gravity of at least about 25°.
2011. The method of claim 2000, further comprising producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
2012. The method of claim 2000, further comprising producύig a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixtare comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein a molar ratio of ethene to ethane in the non-condensable hydrocarbons ranges from about 0.001 to about 0.15.
2013. The method of claim 2000, further comprising producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixtare comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is nifrogen.
2014. The method of claim 2000, further comprising producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than .about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is oxygen.
2015. The method of claim 2000, further comprising producing a mixtare from the formation, wherem the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is sulfur.
2016. The method of claim 2000, further comprising producing a mixtare from the formation, whereύi the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein greater than about 20 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are aromatic compounds.
2017. The method of claύn 2000, further comprising producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises multi-ring aromatics with more than two rings.
2018. The method of claim 2000, further comprising producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 0.3 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are asphaltenes.
2019. The method of claim 2000, further comprising producύig a mixture from the fonnation, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 5 % by weight to about 30 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are cycloalkanes.
2020. The method of claim 2000, further comprising producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises a non-condensable component, wherein the non-condensable component comprises hydrogen, wherein the hydrogen is greater than about 10 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component, and wherein the hydrogen is less than about 80 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component.
2021. The method of claim 2000, further comprising producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein greater than about 0.05 % by weight ofthe produced mixture is ammonia.
2022. The method of claύn 2000, further comprising producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein the ammonia is used to produce fertilizer.
2023. The method of claim 2000, further comprising controlling a pressure within at least a majority of a selected section ofthe formation, wherein the controlled pressure is at least about 2.0 bars absolute.
2024. The method of claim 2000, further comprising controlling formation conditions to produce a mixture from the formation, wherein a partial pressure of H2 within the mixture is greater than about 0.5 bars.
2025. The method of claim 2024, wherein the partial pressure of H2 within the mixture is measured when the mixture is at a production well.
2026. The method of claim 2000, further comprising altering a pressure within the formation to inhibit production of hydrocarbons from the fonnation having carbon numbers greater than about 25.
2027. The method of claim 2000, further comprising producing a mixture from the formation and controlling formation conditions by recύculating a portion of hydrogen from the mixtare into the fonnation.
2028. The method of claim 2000, further comprising: providing hydrogen (H2) to at least the heated portion to hydrogenate hydrocarbons withύi the formation; and heatύig a portion o the formation with heat from hydrogenation.
2029. The method of claύn 2000, further comprising: producing hydrogen and condensable hydrocarbons from the formation; and hydrogenatύig a portion ofthe produced condensable hydrocarbons with at least a portion ofthe produced hydrogen.
2030. The method of claim 2000, further comprising producing a mixture in a production well, wherein at least about 7 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
2031. The method of claim 2030, whereύi at least about 20 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
2032. The method of claim 2000, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, and wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a triangular pattern.
2033. The method of claim 2000, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a triangular pattern, and wherein a plurality ofthe units are repeated over an area ofthe formation to form a repetitive pattern of units.
2034. A method of treating a relatively permeable formation containύig heavy hydrocarbons in sita, comprising: heating a selected section ofthe formation with a heating element placed within a wellbore, wherein at least one end ofthe heating element is free to move axially within the wellbore to allow for thennal expansion of the heating element.
2035. The method of claim 2034, further comprising at least two heating elements withύi at least two wellbores, and wherein supeφosition of heat from at least the two heating elements pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within a selected section ofthe formation.
2036. The method of claύn 2034, further comprising maintaining a temperature within the selected section within a pyrolysis temperature range.
2037. The method of claim 2034, wherein the heating element comprises a pipe-in-pipe heater.
2038. The method of claύn 2034, whereύi the heatύig element comprises a flameless disfributed combustor.
2039. The method of claύn 2034, wherein the heatύig element comprises a mineral insulated cable coupled to a support, and wherein the support is free to move within the wellbore.
2040. The method of claύn 2034, wherein the heatύig element comprises a mineral insulated cable suspended from a wellhead.
2041. The method of claim 2034, further comprising controlling a pressure and a temperature within at least a majority of a heated section ofthe formation, wherein the pressure is confrolled as a function of temperature, or the temperature is controlled as a function of pressure.
2042. The method of claim 2034, further comprising confrolling the heat such that an average heating rate ofthe heated section is less than about 1 °C per day during pyrolysis.
2043. The method of claim 2034, whereύi heating the section ofthe fonnation further comprises: heating a selected volume (V) of the relatively penneable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons from the heating element, wherein the formation has an average heat capacity (Cv), and wherein the heating pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected volume ofthe formation; and wherein heating energy/day provided to the volume is equal to or less than Pwr, wherein Pwr is calculated by the equation:
Pwr = h*V*Cv*pB wherein Pwr is the heating energy/day, h is an average heating rate ofthe formation, pB is formation bulk density, and wherein the heating rate is less than about 10 °C/day.
2044. The method of claim 2034, wherein heating the section ofthe formation comprises ttansfening heat substantially by conduction.
2045. The method of claim 2034, further comprising producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons having an API gravity of at least about 25°.
2046. The method of claim 2034, further comprising producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
2047. The method of claim 2034, further comprising producing a mixtare from the fonnation, wherein the produced mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein a molar ratio of ethene to ethane in the non-condensable hydrocarbons ranges from about 0.001 to about 0.15.
2048. The method of clafrn 2034, further comprising producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is nifrogen.
2049. The method of claim 2034, further comprising producύig a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is oxygen.
2050. The method of claim 2034, further comprising producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is sulfur.
2051. The method of claim 2034, further comprising producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein greater than about 20 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are aromatic compounds.
2052. The method of claim 2034, further comprising producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises multi-ring aromatics with more than two rings.
2053. The method of claύn 2034, further comprising producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 0.3 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are asphaltenes.
2054. The method of claύn 2034, further comprising producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 5 % by weight to about 30 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are cycloalkanes.
2055. The method of claim 2034, further comprising producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises a non-condensable component, wherein the non-condensable component comprises
hydrogen, wherein the hydrogen is greater than about 10 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component, and wherein the hydrogen is less than about 80 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component.
2056. The method of claim 2034, further comprising producing a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein greater than about 0.05 % by weight ofthe produced mixture is ammonia.
2057. The method of claim 2034, further comprising producύig a mixture from the formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein the ammonia is used to produce fertilizer.
2058. The method of claύn 2034, further comprising controlling a pressure within the selected section ofthe formation, wherein the controlled pressure is at least about 2.0 bars absolute.
2059. The method of claim 2034, further comprising controlling formation conditions to produce a mixture from the formation, wherein a partial pressure of H2 within the mixtare is greater than about 0.5 bars.
2060. The method of claim 2059, wherein the partial pressure of H2 within the mixture is measured when the mixture is at a production well.
2061. The method of claim 2034, further comprising altering a pressure within the formation to inhibit production of hydrocarbons from the formation having carbon numbers greater than about 25.
2062. The method of claύn 2034, further comprising producύig a mixture from the formation and controlling formation conditions by recύculating a portion of hydrogen from the mixture into the formation.
2063. The method of claim 2034, further comprising: providing hydrogen (H2) to the heated section to hydrogenate hydrocarbons within the heated section; and heatύig a portion ofthe section with heat from hydrogenation.
2064. The method of claim 2034, further comprising: producύig hydrogen and condensable hydrocarbons from the formation; and hydrogenating a portion ofthe produced condensable hydrocarbons with at least a portion ofthe produced hydrogen.
2065. The method of claim 2034, further comprising producύig a mixture in a production well, wherein at least about 7 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
2066. The method of claύn 2065, whereύi at least about 20 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
2067. The method of clafrn 2034, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, and wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a triangular pattern.
2068. The method of claim 2034, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a triangular pattern, and wherein a plurality ofthe units are repeated over an area ofthe formation to form a repetitive pattern of units.
2069. A method of treating a relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons in situ, comprising: providύig heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation; allowing the heat to fransfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation; and producing a mixture from the formation through a production well, wherein the production well is located such that a majority ofthe mixture produced from the formation comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons and a non-condensable component comprising hydrogen.
2070. The method of claύn 2069, whereύi the one or more heat sources comprise at least two heat sources, and wherein supeφosition of heat from at least the two heat sources pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section ofthe formation.
2071. The method of claim 2069, further comprising maintaining a temperature within the selected section within a pyrolysis temperature range.
2072. The method of claim 2069, wherein the production well is less than approximately 6 m from a heat source ofthe one or more heat sources.
2073. The method of claύn 2069, wherein the production well is less than approxύnately 3 m from a heat source ofthe one or more heat sources.
2074. The method of claim 2069, wherein the production well is less than approximately 1.5 m from a heat source ofthe one or more heat sources.
2075. The method of claύn 2069, wherein an additional heat source is positioned within a wellbore ofthe production well.
2076. The method of claύn 2069, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise electrical heaters.
2077. The method of claim 2069, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise surface burners.
2078. The method of claim 2069, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise flameless distributed combustors.
2079. The method of claim 2069, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise natural disfributed combustors.
2080. The method of claim 2069, further comprising controlling a pressure and a temperature within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation, wherein the pressure is conttolled as a function of temperature, or the temperature is confrolled as a function of pressure.
2081. The method of claim 2069, further comprising controlling the heat such that an average heating rate ofthe selected section is less than about 1 °C per day during pyrolysis.
2082. The method of claim 2069, wherein providύig heat from the one or more heat sources to at least the portion of formation comprises: heating a selected volume (V) ofthe relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons from the one or more heat sources, wherein the formation has an average heat capacity (Cv), and wherein the heating pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected volume ofthe formation; and wherein heating energy/day provided to the volume is equal to or less than Pwr, whereύi Pwr is calculated by the equation: Pwr = h*V*Cv*pB wherein Pwr is the heatύig energy/day, h is an average heating rate ofthe formation, pB is formation bulk density, and wherein the heating rate is less than about 10 °C/day.
2083. The method of claim 2069, wherein allowύig the heat to transfer from the one or more heat sources to the selected section comprises transferring heat substantially by conduction.
2084. The method of claim 2069, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons having an API gravity of at least about 25°.
2085. The method of claim 2069, wherein the produced mixtare comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
2086. The method of claύn 2069, wherein a molar ratio of ethene to ethane in the non-condensable hydrocarbons ranges from about 0.001 to about 0.15.
2087. The method of claim 2069, whereύi the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and whereiα less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is nifrogen.
2088. The method of claim 2069, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is oxygen.
2089. The method of claim 2069, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is sulfur.
2090. The method of claύn 2069, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein greater than about 20 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are aromatic compounds.
2091. The method of claim 2069, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises multi-ring aromatics with more than two rings.
2092. The method of claύn 2069, wherein the produced mixtare comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 0.3 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are asphaltenes.
2093. The method of claύn 2069, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 5 % by weight to about 30 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are cycloalkanes.
2094. The method of claim 2069, wherein the produced mixture comprises a non-condensable component, wherein the non-condensable component comprises hydrogen, wherein the hydrogen is greater than about 10 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component, and wherein the hydrogen is less than about 80 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component.
2095. The method of claim 2069, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein greater than about 0.05 % by weight ofthe produced mixture is ammonia.
2096. The method of claim 2069, wherein the produced mixtare comprises ammonia, and wherein the ammonia is used to produce fertilizer.
2097. The method of claim 2069, further comprising controlling a pressure within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation, wherein the controlled pressure is at least about 2.0 bars absolute.
2098. The method of claύn 2069, further comprising controlling formation conditions to produce the mixture, wherein a partial pressure of H2 within the mixture is greater than about 0.5 bars.
2099. The method of claim 2098, wherein the partial pressure of H2 within the mixture is measured when the mixture is at a production well.
2100. The method of claim 2069, further comprising altering a pressure within the formation to inhibit production of hydrocarbons from the formation having carbon numbers greater than about 25.
2101. The method of claim 2069, further comprising controlling formation conditions by recirculating a portion ofthe hydrogen from the mixture into the fomiation.
2102. The method of claim 2069, further comprising: providing hydrogen (H2) to the heated section to hydrogenate hydrocarbons within the section; and heatύig a portion ofthe section with heat from hydrogenation.
2103. The method of claim 2069, further comprising: producύig condensable hydrocarbons from the fonnation; and hydrogenatύig a portion ofthe produced condensable hydrocarbons with at least a portion ofthe produced hydrogen.
2104. The method of claim 2069, wherein producing the mixture comprises producing the mixture in a production well, wherein at least about 7 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
2105. The method of claύn 2104, wherein at least about 20 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
2106. The method of claim 2069, further comprisύig providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, and wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a friangular pattern.
2107. The method of claύn 2069, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a triangular pattern, and wherein a plurality ofthe units are repeated over an area ofthe formation to form a repetitive pattern of units.
2108. A method of treating a relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons in sita, comprising: providing heat to at least a portion ofthe formation from one or more first heat sources placed within a pattern in the formation; allowing the heat to ttansfer from the one or more first heat sources to a first section ofthe formation; heating a second section ofthe fonnation with at least one second heat source, wherein the second section is located within the first section, and wherein at least the one second heat source is configured to raise an average
temperature of a portion ofthe second section to a higher temperature than an average temperature ofthe first section; and producing a mixture from the formation through a production well positioned within the second section, wherein a majority ofthe produced mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons and a non-condensable component comprisύig H2 components.
2109. The method of claύn 2108, wherein the one or more first heat sources comprise at least two heat sources, and wherein supeφosition of heat from at least the two heat sources pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons withύi the first section ofthe formation.
2110. The method of claim 2108, further comprising maintaining a temperature within the first section within a pyrolysis temperature range.
2111. The method of claim 2108, wherem at least the one heat source comprises a heater element positioned withύi the production well.
2112. The method of claim 2108, wherein at least the one second heat source comprises an electrical heater.
2113. The method of claim 2108, wherein at least the one second heat source comprises a surface burner.
2114. The method of claim 2108, wherein at least the one second heat source comprises a flameless distributed combustor.
2115. The method of claim 2108, wherein at least the one second heat source comprises a natural distributed combustor.
2116. The method of clahn 2108, further comprising confrollύig a pressure and a temperature within at least a majority ofthe first or the second section ofthe formation, wherein the pressure is conttolled as a function of temperature, or the temperature is conttolled as a function of pressure.
21 17. The method of claim 2108, further comprising controlling the heat such that an average heating rate of the first section is less than about 1 °C per day during pyrolysis.
2118. The method of claim 2108, wherein providύig heat to the formation further comprises: heating a selected volume (V) ofthe relatively permeable formation containύig heavy hydrocarbons from the one or more first heat sources, wherein the formation has an average heat capacity (C„), and wherein the heating pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected volume ofthe fonnation; and wherein heating energy /day provided to the volume is equal to or less than Pwr, whereύi Pwr is calculated by the equation:
Pwr = h*V*Cv*pB wherein Pwr is the heating energy/day, h is an average heating rate ofthe formation, pB is formation bulk density, and wherein the heating rate is less than about 10 °C/day.
2119. The method of claim 2108, wherein allowing the heat to ttansfer comprises fransfening heat substantially by conduction.
2120. The method of claim 2108, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons having an API gravity of at least about 25°.
2121. The method of claim 2108, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
2122. The method of claim 2108, wherein a molar ratio of ethene to ethane in the non-condensable hydrocarbons ranges from about 0.001 to about 0.15.
2123. The method of claim 2108, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is nitrogen.
2124. The method of claύn 2108, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is oxygen.
2125. The method of claύn 2108, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is sulfur.
2126. The method of claim 2108, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein greater than about 20 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are aromatic compounds.
2127. The method of claύn 2108, whereύi the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises multi-ring aromatics with more than two rings.
2128. The method of claύn 2108, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 0.3 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are asphaltenes.
2129. The method of claim 2108, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 5 % by weight to about 30 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are cycloalkanes.
2130. The method of claim 2108, wherein the produced mixture comprises a non-condensable component, wherein the non-condensable component comprises hydrogen, wherein the hydrogen is greater than about 10 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component, and wherein the hydrogen is less than about 80 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component.
2131. The method of claim 2108, wherein the produced mixtare comprises ammonia, and wherein greater than about 0.05 % by weight ofthe produced mixture is ammonia.
2132. The method of claύn 2108, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein the ammonia is used to produce fertilizer.
2133. The method of claim 2108, further comprising controlling a pressme within at least a majority ofthe first or the second section ofthe formation, wherein the conttolled pressure is at least about 2.0 bars absolute.
2134. The method of claim 2108, further comprising controlling formation conditions to produce the mixture, whereύi a partial pressure of H2 within the mixture is greater than about 0.5 bars.
2135. The method of claim 2134, wherein the partial pressure of H2 within the mixture is measured when the mixture is at a production well.
2136. The method of claim 2108, further comprising altering a pressure within the formation to inhibit production of hydrocarbons from the formation having carbon numbers greater than about 25.
2137. The method of claim 2108, further comprising confrolling formation conditions by recirculating a portion of hydrogen from the mixtare ύito the formation.
2138. The method of claim 2108, further comprising: providing hydrogen (H2) to the first or second section to hydrogenate hydrocarbons within the first or second section, respectively; and heating a portion ofthe first or second section, respectively, with heat from hydrogenation.
2139. The method of claim 2108, further comprising: producing condensable hydrocarbons from the formation; and hydrogenating a portion ofthe produced condensable hydrocarbons with at least a portion ofthe produced hydrogen.
2140. The method of claim 2108, whereύi at least about 7 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
2141. The method of claim 2140, wherein at least about 20 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
2142. The method of claim 2108, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located iα the formation in a unit of heat sources, and wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a triangular pattern.
2143. The method of claim 2108, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation iα a unit of heat sources, wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a triangular pattern, and wherein a plurality ofthe units are repeated over an area ofthe formation to form a repetitive pattern of units.
2144. A method of treating a relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons in situ, comprising: providing heat into the formation from a plurality of heat sources placed in a pattern within the fonnation, wherein a spacing between heat sources is greater than about 6 m; allowing the heat to ttansfer from the plurality of heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation; producύig a mixture from the formation from a plurality of production wells, wherein the plurality of production wells are positioned within the pattern, and wherein a spacing between production wells is greater than about 12 m.
2145. The method of claim 2144, wherein supeφosition of heat from the plurality of heat sources pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section ofthe formation.
2146. The method of claim 2144, further comprising maintaining a temperature within the selected section within a pyrolysis temperature range.
2147. The method of claim 2144, wherein the plurality of heat sources comprises elecfrical heaters.
2148. The method of claύn 2144, wherein the plurality of heat sources comprises surface burners.
2149. The method of claim 2144, wherein the plurality of heat sources comprises flameless distributed combustors.
2150. The method of claim 2144, wherein the plurality of heat sources comprises natural disfributed combustors.
2151. The method of claim 2144, further comprising controlling a pressure and a temperatare within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation, wherein the pressure is controlled as a function of temperature, or the temperature is controlled as a function of pressure.
2152. The method of claim 2144, further comprising controlling the heat such that an average heating rate ofthe selected section is less than about 1 °C per day during pyrolysis.
2153. The method of claim 2144, wherein providύig heat from the plurality of heat sources comprises: heating a selected volume (V) ofthe relatively penneable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons from the plurality of heat sources, wherein the formation has an average heat capacity (Cv), and wherein the heating pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected volume ofthe formation; and wherein heatύig energy/day provided to the volume is equal to or less than Pwr, wherein Pwr is calculated by the equation:
Pwr = h*V*Cv*pB wherein Pwr is the heatύig energy/day, h is an average heating rate ofthe formation, pB is formation bulk density, and wherein the heatύig rate is less than about 10 °C/day.
2154. The method of claim 2144, wherein allowing the heat to transfer comprises transferring heat substantially by conduction.
2155. The method of claύn 2144, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons having an API gravity of at least about 25°.
2156. The method of claim 2144, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and whereiα about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
2157. The method of claim 2144, wherein the produced mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein a molar ratio of ethene to ethane in the non-condensable hydrocarbons ranges from about 0.001 to about 0.15.
2158. The method of claim 2144, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is nitrogen.
2159. The method of claim 2144, whereύi the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is oxygen.
2160. The method of claim 2144, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and whereiα less than about 5 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is sulfur.
2161. The method of claim 2144, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein greater than about 20 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are aromatic compounds.
2162. The method of claim 2144, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and whereύi less than about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises multi-ring aromatics with more than two rings.
2163. The method of claim 2144, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 0.3 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are asphaltenes.
2164. The method of claim 2144, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 5 % by weight to about 30 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are cycloalkanes.
2165. The method of claim 2144, wherein the produced mixture comprises a non-condensable component, wherein the non-condensable component comprises hydrogen, wherein the hydrogen is greater than about 10 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component, and wherein the hydrogen is less than about 80 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component.
2166. The method of claύn 2144, whereύi the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein greater than about 0.05 % by weight ofthe produced mixture is ammonia.
2167. The method of claim 2144, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein the ammonia is used to produce fertilizer.
2168. The method of claim 2144, further comprising controlling a pressure within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation, wherein the confrolled pressure is at least about 2.0 bars absolute.
2169. The method of claim 2144, further comprising controlling formation conditions to produce the mixture, wherein a partial pressure of H2 within the mixture is greater than about 0.5 bars.
2170. The method of claim 2169, whereύi the partial pressure of H2 within the mixture is measured when the mixture is at a production well.
2171. The method of claύn 2144, further comprising altering a pressure withύi the formation to inhibit production of hydrocarbons from the formation having carbon numbers greater than about 25.
2172. The method of claύn 2144, further comprising controlling formation conditions by recύculating a portion of hydrogen from the mixture into the formation.
2173. The method of claim 2144, further comprising: providing hydrogen (H2) to the selected section to hydrogenate hydrocarbons withύi the selected section; and heating a portion ofthe selected section with heat from hydrogenation.
2174. The method of claim 2144, further comprising: producing hydrogen and condensable hydrocarbons from the formation; and hydrogenatύig a portion ofthe produced condensable hydrocarbons with at least a portion ofthe produced hydrogen.
2175. The method of claim 2144, wherein at least about 7 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
2176. The method of claύn 2175, whereύi at least about 20 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
2177. The method of claim 2144, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, and wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a friangular pattern.
2178. The method of claim 2144, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a friangular pattern, and wherein a plurality ofthe units are repeated over an area ofthe formation to form a repetitive pattern of units.
2179. A system configured to heat a relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons, comprising: a heater disposed in an opening in the formation, wherein the heater is configured to provide heat to at least a portion ofthe formation during use; an oxidizmg fluid source; a conduit disposed in the openύig, wherein the conduit is configured to provide an oxidizing fluid from the oxidizing fluid source to a reaction zone in the formation during use, and wherein the oxidizing fluid is selected to oxidize at least some hydrocarbons at the reaction zone during use such that heat is generated at the reaction zone; and wherein the system is configured to allow heat to fransfer substantially by conduction from the reaction zone to a pyrolysis zone ofthe fonnation during use.
2180. The system of claim 2179, whereύi the oxidizing fluid is configured to generate heat in the reaction zone such that the oxidizing fluid is transported tlirough the reaction zone substantially by diffusion.
2181. The system of claim 2179, wherein the conduit comprises orifices, and wherein the orifices are configured to provide the oxidizing fluid into the opening.
2182. The system of claim 2179, whereiα the conduit comprises critical flow orifices, and wherein the critical flow orifices are configured to confrol a flow ofthe oxidizing fluid such that a rate of oxidation in the formation is confrolled.
2183. The system of claim 2179, wherein the conduit is further configured to be cooled with the oxidizing fluid such that the conduit is not substantially heated by oxidation.
2184. The system of claim 2179, wherein the conduit is further configured to remove an oxidation product.
2185. The system of claim 2179, wherein the conduit is further configured to remove an oxidation product such that the oxidation product transfers substantial heat to the oxidizing fluid.
2186. The system of claim 2179, wherein the conduit is further configured to remove an oxidation product, and wherein a flow rate ofthe oxidizing fluid in the conduit is approxύnately equal to a flow rate ofthe oxidation product in the conduit.
2187. The system of claύn 2179, wherein the conduit is further configured to remove an oxidation product, and wherein a pressure ofthe oxidizing fluid in the conduit and a pressure ofthe oxidation product in the conduit are controlled to reduce contamination ofthe oxidation product by the oxidizing fluid.
2188. The system of claim 2179, wherein the conduit is further configured to remove an oxidation product, and wherein the oxidation product is substantially inhibited from flowing into portions ofthe fonnation beyond the reaction zone.
2189. The system of claim 2179, wherein the oxidizing fluid is substantially ύihibited from flowing ύito portions ofthe formation beyond the reaction zone.
2190. The system of claύn 2179, further comprising a center conduit disposed withύi the conduit, wherein the center conduit is configured to provide the oxidizing fluid into the opening during use, and wherein the conduit is further configured to remove an oxidation product during use.
2191. The system of claim 2179, wherein the portion of the formation extends radially from the opening a width of less than approximately 0.2 m.
2192. The system of claim 2179, further comprising a conductor disposed in a second conduit, whereύi the second conduit is disposed withύi the opening, and wherein the conductor is configured to heat at least a portion of the fonnation during application of an electrical cunent to the conductor.
2193. The system of claim 2179, further comprising an insulated conductor disposed withύi the openύig, wherein the insulated conductor is configured to heat at least a portion ofthe fonnation during application of an electrical current to the insulated conductor.
2194. The system of claim 2179, further comprising at least one elongated member disposed within the openύig, wherein the at least the one elongated member is configured to heat at least a portion ofthe formation during application of an electrical current to the at least the one elongated member.
2195. The system of claim 2179, further comprising a heat exchanger disposed external to the formation, wherein the heat exchanger is configured to heat the oxidizing fluid, wherein the conduit is further configured to provide the heated oxidizing fluid into the opening during use, and wherein the heated oxidizmg fluid is configured to heat at least a portion ofthe formation during use.
2196. The system of claim 2179, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation.
2197. The system of claim 2179, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the overburden casing comprises steel.
2198. The system of claim 2179, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the openύig, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the overburden casing is further disposed in cement.
2199. The system of claim 2179, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the openύig.
2200. The system of claim 2179, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, wherein a packύig material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the opening, and wherein the packing material is configured to substantially inhibit a flow of fluid between the opening and the overburden casing during use.
2201. The system of claim 2179, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the openύig, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the opening, and wherein the packing material comprises cement.
2202. The system of claim 2179, wherein the system is further configured such that fransfened heat can pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbons in the pyrolysis zone.
2203. A system configurable to heat a relatively permeable fonnation containing heavy hydrocarbons, comprising: a heater configurable to be disposed in an opening in the fonnation, wherein the heater is further configurable to provide heat to at least a portion ofthe fonnation during use; a conduit configurable to be disposed in the opening, wherein the conduit is configurable to provide an oxidizing fluid from an oxidizmg fluid source to a reaction zone in the formation during use, and wherein the system is configurable to allow the oxidizing fluid to oxidize at least some hydrocarbons at the reaction zone during use such that heat is generated at the reaction zone; and wherein the system is further configurable to allow heat to transfer substantially by conduction from the reaction zone to a pyrolysis zone ofthe formation during use.
2204. The system of claim 2203 , wherein the oxidizing fluid is configurable to generate heat in the reaction zone such that the oxidizing fluid is transported through the reaction zone substantially by diffusion.
2205. The system of claim 2203, whereύi the conduit comprises orifices, and wherein the orifices are configurable to provide the oxidizing fluid into the opening.
2206. The system of claim 2203, wherein the conduit comprises critical flow orifices, and wherein the critical flow orifices are configurable to confrol a flow ofthe oxidizing fluid such that a rate of oxidation in the formation is confrolled.
2207. The system of claim 2203, wherein the conduit is further configurable to be cooled with the oxidizing fluid such that the conduit is not substantially heated by oxidation.
2208. The system of claim 2203 , wherein the conduit is further configurable to remove an oxidation product.
2209. The system of claim 2203, wherein the conduit is further configurable to remove an oxidation product, such that the oxidation product fransfers heat to the oxidizing fluid.
2210. The system of claim 2203, wherein the conduit is further configurable to remove an oxidation product, and wherein a flow rate ofthe oxidizύig fluid in the conduit is approximately equal to a flow rate ofthe oxidation product in the conduit.
2211. The system of claim 2203, wherein the conduit is further configurable to remove an oxidation product, and wherein a pressure ofthe oxidizing fluid in the conduit and a pressure ofthe oxidation product in the conduit are controlled to reduce contamination ofthe oxidation product by the oxidizing fluid.
2212. The system of claύn 2203, wherein the conduit is further configurable to remove an oxidation product, and wherein the oxidation product is substantially inhibited from flowing into portions ofthe formation beyond the reaction zone.
2213. The system of claim 2203 , wherein the oxidizύig fluid is substantially inhibited from flowing into portions ofthe formation beyond the reaction zone.
2214. The system of claim 2203, further comprising a center conduit disposed within the conduit, wherein the center conduit is configurable to provide the oxidizing fluid into the opening during use, and wherein the conduit is further configurable to remove an oxidation product durύig use.
2215. The system of claύn 2203 , wherein the portion of the fonnation extends radially from the opening a width of less than approximately 0.2 m.
2216. The system of claim 2203 , further comprising a conductor disposed in a second conduit, wherein the second conduit is disposed within the opening, and wherein the conductor is configurable to heat at least a portion ofthe formation during application of an elecfrical current to the conductor.
2217. The system of claim 2203, further comprising an insulated conductor disposed within the opening, wherein the insulated conductor is configurable to heat at least a portion ofthe formation during application of an electrical current to the insulated conductor.
2218. The system of claim 2203, further comprising at least one elongated member disposed within the opening, wherein the at least the one elongated member is configurable to heat at least a portion ofthe formation during application of an electrical current to the at least the one elongated member.
2219. The system of claim 2203 , further comprising a heat exchanger disposed external to the formation, wherein the heat exchanger is configurable to heat the oxidizύig fluid, wherein the conduit is further configurable to provide the heated oxidizing fluid into the opening during use, and wherein the heated oxidizύig fluid is configurable to heat at least a portion ofthe formation durύig use.
2220. The system of claύn 2203, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe fonnation.
2221. The system of claύn 2203, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the overburden casing comprises steel.
2222. The system of claim 2203, further comprisύig an overburden casing coupled to the openύig, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the overburden casing is further disposed in cement.
2223. The system of claύn 2203, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the opening.
2224. The system of claim 2203, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe fonnation, wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the opening, and wherein the packing material is configurable to substantially ύihibit a flow of fluid between the opening and the overburden casing during use.
2225. The system of claύn 2203, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the opening, and wherein the packύig material comprises cement.
2226. The system of claim 2203, wherein the system is further configurable such that fransfened heat can pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbons in the pyrolysis zone.
2227. The system of claim 2203, wherein the system is configured to heat a relatively permeable formation containύig heavy hydrocarbons, and wherein the system comprises: a heater disposed in an openύig in the formation, wherein the heater is configured to provide heat to at least a portion ofthe formation during use; an oxidizing fluid source; a conduit disposed in the openύig, wherein the conduit is configured to provide an oxidizing fluid from the oxidizing fluid source to a reaction zone in the formation during use, and wherein the oxidizύig fluid is selected to oxidize at least some hydrocarbons at the reaction zone during use such that heat is generated at the reaction zone; and wherein the system is configured to allow heat to transfer substantially by conduction from the reaction zone to a pyrolysis zone ofthe formation during use.
2228. An in sita method for heating a relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons, comprising: heating a portion ofthe formation to a temperature sufficient to support reaction of hydrocarbons within the portion ofthe formation with an oxidizύig fluid; providύig the oxidizύig fluid to a reaction zone in the fonnation; allowing the oxidizing fluid to react with at least a portion ofthe hydrocarbons at the reaction zone to generate heat at the reaction zone; and
fransfening the generated heat substantially by conduction from the reaction zone to a pyrolysis zone in the formation.
2229. The method of claim 2228, further comprising fransporting the oxidizing fluid tlirough the reaction zone by diffusion.
2230. The method of claim 2228, further comprising directing at least a portion ofthe oxidizing fluid into the opening through orifices of a conduit disposed in the opening.
2231. The method of claim 2228, further comprising controlling a flow ofthe oxidizing fluid with critical flow orifices of a conduit disposed in the opening such that a rate of oxidation is confrolled.
2232. The method of claim 2228, further comprising increasing a flow ofthe oxidizing fluid in the openύig to accommodate an mcrease in a volume ofthe reaction zone such that a rate of oxidation is substantially constant over time within the reaction zone.
2233. The method of claim 2228, wherein a conduit is disposed in the opening, the method further comprising cooling the conduit with the oxidizing fluid to reduce heating ofthe conduit by oxidation.
2234. The method of claim 2228, wherein a conduit is disposed within the opening, the method further comprising removing an oxidation product from the formation through the conduit.
2235. The method of claύn 2228, wherein a conduit is disposed within the opening, the method further comprising removing an oxidation product from the formation through the conduit and fransferring heat from the oxidation product in the conduit to oxidizing fluid in the conduit.
2236. The method of claim 2228, wherein a conduit is disposed within the opening, the method further comprising removing an oxidation product from the fonnation through the conduit, wherein a flow rate ofthe oxidizing fluid in the conduit is approximately equal to a flow rate ofthe oxidation product in the conduit.
2237. The method of claim 2228, wherein a conduit is disposed within the opening, the method further comprising removing an oxidation product from the formation through the conduit and controlling a pressure between the oxidizing fluid and the oxidation product in the conduit to reduce contamination ofthe oxidation product by the oxidizing fluid.
2238. The method of claim 2228, wherein a conduit is disposed withύi the openύig, the method further comprising removing an oxidation product from the fonnation through the conduit and substantially inhibitύig the oxidation product from flowing into portions ofthe formation beyond the reaction zone.
2239. The method of claim 2228, further comprising substantially inhibiting the oxidizing fluid from flowing into portions ofthe fonnation beyond the reaction zone.
2240. The method of claim 2228, wherein a center conduit is disposed within an outer conduit, and wherein the outer conduit is disposed within the opening, the method further comprising providing the oxidizύig fluid into the opening through the center conduit and removing an oxidation product through the outer conduit.
2241. The method of claim 2228, wherein the portion ofthe formation extends radially from the opening a width of less than approximately 0.2 m.
2242. The method of claim 2228, wherein heating the portion comprises applying electrical current to a conductor disposed in a conduit, wherein the conduit is disposed within the opening.
2243. The method of claim 2228, wherein heating the portion comprises applying electrical current to an insulated conductor disposed within the opening.
2244. The method of claim 2228, wherein heating the portion comprises applying elecfrical current to at least one elongated member disposed within the opening.
2245. The method of claim 2228, wherein heating the portion comprises heating the oxidizύig fluid in a heat exchanger disposed external to the formation such that providing the oxidizύig fluid into the openύig comprises transferring heat from the heated oxidizing fluid to the portion.
2246. The method of claύn 2228, further comprising removing water from the fonnation prior to heating the portion.
2247. The method of claύn 2228, further comprising controlling the temperature ofthe fonnation to substantially inhibit production of oxides of nitrogen during oxidation.
2248. The method of claim 2228, further comprisύig coupling an overburden casing to the openύig, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation.
2249. The method of claim 2228, furtlier comprismg coupling an overburden casing to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the overburden casing comprises steel.
2250. The method of claim 2228, further comprising coupling an overburden casing to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the overburden casing is further disposed in cement.
2251. The method of claim 2228, further comprising coupling an overburden casing to the opening, wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the openύig.
2252. The method of claim 2228, wherein the pyrolysis zone is substantially adjacent to the reaction zone.
2253. A system configured to heat a relatively permeable formation containύig heavy hydrocarbons, comprising: a heater disposed in an opening in the formation, wherein the heater is configured to provide heat to at least a portion ofthe fomiation during use; an oxidizing fluid source; a conduit disposed in the opening, wherein the conduit is configured to provide an oxidizing fluid from the oxidizing fluid source to a reaction zone ύi the formation during use, wherein the oxidiz ig fluid is selected to oxidize at least some hydrocarbons at the reaction zone during use such that heat is generated at the reaction zone, and wherein the conduit is further configured to remove an oxidation product from the formation during use; and wherein the system is configured to allow heat to fransfer substantially by conduction from the reaction zone to a pyrolysis zone ofthe formation during use.
2254. The system of claim 2253, wherein the oxidizing fluid is configured to generate heat in the reaction zone such that the oxidizing fluid is transported through the reaction zone substantially by diffusion.
2255. The system of claim 2253, wherein the conduit comprises orifices, and wherein the orifices are configured to provide the oxidizing fluid into the opening.
2256. The system of claim 2253, wherein the conduit comprises critical flow orifices, and wherein the critical flow orifices are configured to control a flow ofthe oxidizύig fluid such that a rate of oxidation in the formation is controlled.
2257. The system of claim 2253, wherein the conduit is further configured to be cooled with the oxidizing fluid such that the conduit is not substantially heated by oxidation.
2258. The system of claim 2253, wherein the conduit is further configured such that the oxidation product fransfers heat to the oxidizing fluid.
2259. The system of claim 2253, wherein a flow rate ofthe oxidizing fluid in the conduit is approximately equal to a flow rate ofthe oxidation product in the conduit.
2260. The system of claύn 2253, wherein a pressure ofthe oxidizing fluid in the conduit and a pressure ofthe oxidation product ύi the conduit are controlled to reduce contamination ofthe oxidation product by the oxidizing fluid.
2261. The system of claim 2253, wherein the oxidation product is substantially inhibited from flowing into portions ofthe fonnation beyond the reaction zone.
2262. The system of claim 2253, wherein the oxidizing fluid is substantially ύihibited from flowing ύito portions of the formation beyond the reaction zone.
2263. The system of claim 2253, further comprising a center conduit disposed within the conduit, wherein the center conduit is configured to provide the oxidizing fluid into the opening during use.
2264. The system of claύn 2253, wherein the portion ofthe fonnation extends radially from the opening a width of less than approximately 0.2 m.
2265. The system of claύn 2253, further comprising a conductor disposed in a second conduit, wherein the second conduit is disposed withύi the opening, and wherein the conductor is configured to heat at least a portion of the formation during application of an electrical current to the conductor.
2266. The system of claim 2253, further comprising an insulated conductor disposed within the opening, wherein the insulated conductor is configured to heat at least a portion ofthe formation during application of an elecfrical current to the insulated conductor.
2267. The system of claim 2253, further comprising at least one elongated member disposed within the openύig, wherein the at least the one elongated member is configured to heat at least a portion ofthe formation during application of an electrical cunent to the at least the one elongated member.
2268. The system of claim 2253, further comprising a heat exchanger disposed external to the formation, whereύi the heat exchanger is configured to heat the oxidizing fluid, wherein the conduit is further configured to provide the heated oxidizing fluid into the opening during use, and wherein the heated oxidizing fluid is configured to heat at least a portion ofthe formation during use.
2269. The system of claim 2253, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation.
2270. The system of claim 2253, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the overburden casing comprises steel.
2271. The system of claim 2253, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the overburden casing is further disposed in cement.
2272. The system of claύn 2253, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the openύig, wherein a packύig material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the opening.
2273. The system of claύn 2253, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the opening, and wherein the packing material is configured to substantially inhibit a flow of fluid between the opening and the overburden casing during use.
2274. The system of claim 2253, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe fonnation, wherein a packύig material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the openύig, and wherein the packing material comprises cement.
2275. The system of claim 2253, wherein the system is further configured such that ttansfened heat can pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbons in the pyrolysis zone.
2276. A system configurable to heat a relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons, comprising: a heater configurable to be disposed in an opening in the formation, wherein the heater is further configurable to provide heat to at least a portion ofthe formation during use; a conduit configurable to be disposed in the opening, wherein the conduit is further configurable to provide an oxidizing fluid from an oxidizing fluid source to a reaction zone in the fomiation during use, wherein the system is configurable to allow the oxidizing fluid to oxidize at least some hydrocarbons at the reaction zone during use such that heat is generated at the reaction zone, and wherein the conduit is further configurable to remove an oxidation product from the formation during use; and wherein the system is further configurable to allow heat to transfer substantially by conduction from the reaction zone to a pyrolysis zone during use.
2277. The system of claύn 2276, wherein the oxidizύig fluid is configurable to generate heat in the reaction zone such that the oxidizing fluid is transported through the reaction zone substantially by diffusion.
2278. The system of claim 2276, wherein the conduit comprises orifices, and wherein the orifices are configurable to provide the oxidizing fluid into the opening.
2279. The system of claim 2276, whereiα the conduit comprises critical flow orifices, and wherein the critical flow orifices are configurable to control a flow ofthe oxidizing fluid such that a rate of oxidation in the formation is confrolled.
2280. The system of claύn 2276, wherein the conduit is further configurable to be cooled with the oxidizing fluid such that the conduit is not substantially heated by oxidation.
2281. The system of claim 2276, wherein the conduit is further configurable such that the oxidation product fransfers heat to the oxidizing fluid.
2282. The system of claim 2276, wherein a flow rate ofthe oxidizing fluid in the conduit is approxύnately equal to a flow rate ofthe oxidation product ύi the conduit.
2283. The system of claim 2276, wherein a pressure ofthe oxidizing fluid in the conduit and a pressure ofthe oxidation product in the conduit are controlled to reduce contamination ofthe oxidation product by the oxidizing fluid.
2284. The system of claύn 2276, whereύi the oxidation product is substantially inhibited from flowing ύito portions ofthe formation beyond the reaction zone.
2285. The system of claim 2276, wherein the oxidizing fluid is substantially inhibited from flowing into portions of the formation beyond the reaction zone.
2286. The system of claύn 2276, further comprising a center conduit disposed within the conduit, whereύi the center conduit is configurable to provide the oxidizing fluid into the opening during use.
2287. The system of claim 2276, wherein the portion ofthe formation extends radially from the opening a width of less than approximately 0.2 m.
2288. The system of claim 2276, further comprising a conductor disposed in a second conduit, wherein the second conduit is disposed within the opening, and wherein the conductor is configurable to heat at least a portion ofthe formation during application of an electrical current to the conductor.
2289. The system of claim 2276, further comprising an insulated conductor disposed within the opening, wherein the insulated conductor is configurable to heat at least a portion ofthe formation during application of an electrical current to the insulated conductor.
2290. The system of claim 2276, further comprising at least one elongated member disposed withύi the opening, whereύi the at least the one elongated member is configurable to heat at least a portion ofthe fonnation durύig application of an electrical current to the at least the one elongated member.
2291. The system of claim 2276, further comprising a heat exchanger disposed external to the formation, wherein the heat exchanger is configurable to heat the oxidizing fluid, wherein the conduit is further configurable to provide the heated oxidizing fluid into the opening during use, and wherein the heated oxidizing fluid is configurable to heat at least a portion ofthe formation during use.
2292. The system of claim 2276, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the openύig, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation.
2293. The system of claim 2276, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the openύig, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the overburden casing comprises steel.
2294. The system of claim 2276, furtlier comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe fonnation, and wherein the overburden casing is further disposed in cement.
2295. The system of claύn 2276, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the openύig, wherein a packύig material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the openύig.
2296. The system of claύn 2276, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the openύig, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, wherein a packύig material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the opening, and wherein the packing material is configurable to substantially inhibit a flow of fluid between the opening and the overburden casing during use.
2297. The system of claim 2276, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe fonnation, wherein a packύig material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the openύig, and wherein the packing material comprises cement.
2298. The system of claim 2276, whereύi the system is further configurable such that fransfened heat can pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbons in the pyrolysis zone.
2299. The system of claim 2276, wherein the system is configured to heat a relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons, and wherein the system comprises: a heater disposed in an opening in the formation, whereύi the heater is configured to provide heat to at least a portion ofthe formation during use; an oxidizύig fluid source; a conduit disposed in the openύig, wherein the conduit is configured to provide an oxidizing fluid from the oxidizing fluid source to a reaction zone in the formation during use, wherein the oxidizing fluid is selected to oxidize at least some hydrocarbons at the reaction zone during use such that heat is generated at the reaction zone, and wherein the conduit is further configured to remove an oxidation product from the formation during use; and wherein the system is configured to allow heat to transfer substantially by conduction from the reaction zone to a pyrolysis zone ofthe formation during use.
2300. An in sita method for heating a relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons, comprisύig: heating a portion ofthe formation to a temperature sufficient to support reaction of hydrocarbons within the portion ofthe formation with an oxidizύig fluid, wherein the portion is located substantially adjacent to an opening in the formation; providing the oxidizing fluid to a reaction zone in the formation; allowing the oxidizing gas to react with at least a portion ofthe hydrocarbons at the reaction zone to generate heat in the reaction zone; removing at least a portion of an oxidation product through the opening; and fransferring the generated heat substantially by conduction from the reaction zone to a pyrolysis zone in the formation.
2301. The method of claim 2300, further comprising transporting the oxidizing fluid through the reaction zone by diffusion.
2302. The method of claύn 2300, further comprising directing at least a portion ofthe oxidizing fluid into the opening tlirough orifices of a conduit disposed in the opening.
2303. The method of claim 2300, further comprising controlling a flow ofthe oxidizing fluid with critical flow orifices of a conduit disposed in the opening such that a rate of oxidation is conttolled.
2304. The method of claim 2300, further comprising increasing a flow ofthe oxidizing fluid in the opening to accommodate an iαcrease in a volume ofthe reaction zone such that a rate of oxidation is substantially maύitaύied within the reaction zone.
2305. The method of claύn 2300, whereui a conduit is disposed in the openύig, the method further comprising cooling the conduit with the oxidizing fluid such that the conduit is not substantially heated by oxidation.
2306. The method of claim 2300, wherein a conduit is disposed within the opening, and wherein removing at least the portion ofthe oxidation product through the opening comprises removing at least the portion ofthe oxidation product through the conduit.
2307. The method of claim 2300, wherein a conduit is disposed within the opening, and wherein removing at least the portion ofthe oxidation product through the opening comprises removing at least the portion ofthe oxidation product through the conduit, the method further comprising transferring substantial heat from the oxidation product in the conduit to the oxidizing fluid in the conduit.
2308. The method of claύn 2300, wherein a conduit is disposed withύi the openύig, wherein removing at least the portion ofthe oxidation product through the opening comprises removing at least the portion ofthe oxidation
product through the conduit, and wherein a flow rate ofthe oxidizing fluid in the conduit is approxύnately equal to a flow rate ofthe oxidation product in the conduit.
2309. The method of claύn 2300, wherein a conduit is disposed within the opening, and wherein removing at least the portion ofthe oxidation product tlirough the opening comprises removing at least the portion ofthe oxidation product through the conduit, the method further comprising confrolling a pressure between the oxidizing fluid and the oxidation product in the conduit to reduce contamination ofthe oxidation product by the oxidizing fluid.
2310. The method of claim 2300, wherein a conduit is disposed within the opening, and wherein removing at least the portion ofthe oxidation product through the opening comprises removing at least the portion ofthe oxidation product through the conduit, the method further comprising substantially inhibiting the oxidation product from flowing ύito portions ofthe formation beyond the reaction zone.
2311. The method of claim 2300, further comprising substantially inhibiting the oxidizing fluid from flowing ύito portions ofthe formation beyond the reaction zone.
2312. The method of claim 2300, wherein a center conduit is disposed within an outer conduit, and wherein the outer conduit is disposed within the opening, the method further comprising providύig the oxidizύig fluid into the opening through the center conduit and removing at least a portion ofthe oxidation product through the outer conduit.
2313. The method of claim 2300, whereύi the portion ofthe formation extends radially from the opening a width of less than approximately 0.2 m.
2314. The method of claύn 2300, whereύi heatύig the portion comprises applying electrical current to a conductor disposed in a conduit, wherein the conduit is disposed within the opening.
2315. The method of claim 2300, wherein heating the portion comprises applying electrical current to an insulated conductor disposed within the openύig.
2316. The method of claim 2300, wherein heating the portion comprises applying elecfrical current to at least one elongated member disposed withύi the opening.
2317. The method of claim 2300, wherein heating the portion comprises heating the oxidizing fluid in a heat exchanger disposed external to the formation such that providing the oxidizing fluid ύito the openύig comprises transferring heat from the heated oxidizύig fluid to the portion.
2318. The method of claim 2300, further comprising removing water from the fonnation prior to heating the portion.
2319. The method of claim 2300, further comprising controlling the temperature ofthe fonnation to substantially inhibit production of oxides of nitrogen during oxidation.
2320. The method of claim 2300, further comprising coupling an overburden casing to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe fonnation.
2321. The method of claim 2300, further comprising coupling an overburden casing to the openύig, whereui the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the overburden casing comprises steel.
2322. The method of claύn 2300, further comprising coupling an overburden casing to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the overburden casing is further disposed in cement.
2323. The method of claim 2300, further comprising coupling an overburden casing to the opening, wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the opening.
2324. The method of claύn 2300, wherein the pyrolysis zone is substantially adjacent to the reaction.
2325. A system configured to heat a relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons, comprising: an electric heater disposed in an opening in the formation, wherein the electric heater is configured to provide heat to at least a portion ofthe formation during use; an oxidizing fluid source; a conduit disposed in the openύig, wherein the conduit is configured to provide an oxidizing fluid from the oxidizύig fluid source to a reaction zone in the formation during use, and wherein the oxidizing fluid is selected to oxidize at least some hydrocarbons at the reaction zone during use such that heat is generated at the reaction zone; and wherein the system is configured to allow heat to ttansfer substantially by conduction from the reaction zone to a pyrolysis zone ofthe formation during use.
2326. The system of claim 2325, wherein the oxidizing fluid is configured to generate heat in the reaction zone such that the oxidizύig fluid is transported through the reaction zone substantially by diffusion.
2327. The system of claim 2325, wherein the conduit comprises orifices, and wherein the orifices are configured to provide the oxidizing fluid into the opening.
2328. The system of claim 2325, wherein the conduit comprises critical flow orifices, and whereiα the critical flow orifices are configured to control a flow ofthe oxidizing fluid such that a rate of oxidation in the formation is controlled.
2329. The system of claim 2325, wherein the conduit is further configured to be cooled with the oxidizing fluid such that the conduit is not substantially heated by oxidation.
2330. The system of claim 2325, wherein the conduit is further configured to remove an oxidation product.
2331. The system of claim 2325, wherein the conduit is further configured to remove an oxidation product, such that the oxidation product fransfers heat to the oxidizing fluid.
2332. The system of claim 2325, wherein the conduit is further configured to remove an oxidation product, and whereiα a flow rate ofthe oxidizύig fluid in the conduit is approximately equal to a flow rate ofthe oxidation product in the conduit.
2333. The system of claim 2325, wherein the conduit is further configured to remove an oxidation product, and wherein a pressure ofthe oxidizing fluid in the conduit and a pressure ofthe oxidation product in the conduit are confrolled to reduce contamination ofthe oxidation product by the oxidizing fluid.
2334. The system of claim 2325, wherein the conduit is further configured to remove an oxidation product, and wherein the oxidation product is substantially inhibited from flowing into portions ofthe formation beyond the reaction zone.
2335. The system of claύn 2325, wherein the oxidizing fluid is substantially inhibited from flowing into portions ofthe fonnation beyond the reaction zone.
2336. The system of claim 2325, further comprising a center conduit disposed within the conduit, wherein the center conduit is configured to provide the oxidizing fluid into the opening during use, and wherein the conduit is further configured to remove an oxidation product during use.
2337. The system of claύn 2325, wherein the portion ofthe formation extends radially from the opening a width of less than approxύnately 0.2 m.
2338. The system of claύn 2325, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation.
2339. The system of claim 2325, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the openύig, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the overburden casing comprises steel.
2340. The system of claim 2325, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the openύig, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the overburden casing is further disposed in cement.
2341. The system of claim 2325, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein a packύig material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the openύig.
2342. The system of claim 2325, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the openύig, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the opening, and wherein the packing material is configured to substantially inhibit a flow of fluid between the opening and the overburden casing during use.
2343. The system of claim 2325, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the openύig, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the opening, and wherein the packing material comprises cement.
2344. The system of claim 2325, wherein the system is further configured such that fransfened heat can pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbons in the pyrolysis zone.
2345. A system configurable to heat a relatively permeable formation containύig heavy hydrocarbons, comprising: an electric heater configurable to be disposed in an opening in the formation, wherein the electric heater is further configurable to provide heat to at least a portion ofthe formation during use, and wherein at least the portion is located substantially adjacent to the opening; a conduit configurable to be disposed in the opening, wherein the conduit is further configurable to provide an oxidizing fluid from an oxidizing fluid source to a reaction zone in the formation during use, and wherein the system is configurable to allow the oxidizing fluid to oxidize at least some hydrocarbons at the reaction zone during use such that heat is generated at the reaction zone; and '' wherein the system is further configurable to allow heat to transfer substantially by conduction from the reaction zone to a pyrolysis zone ofthe formation during use.
2346. The system of claim 2345, wherein the oxidizing fluid is configurable to generate heat in the reaction zone such that the oxidizing fluid is transported through the reaction zone substantially by diffusion.
2347. The system of claύn 2345, wherein the conduit comprises orifices, and wherein the orifices are configurable to provide the oxidizing fluid into the opening.
2348. The system of claim 2345, wherein the conduit comprises critical flow orifices, and wherein the critical flow orifices are configurable to contiOl a flow ofthe oxidizύig fluid such that a rate of oxidation in the fonnation is confrolled.
2349. The system of claim 2345, wherein the conduit is further configurable to be cooled with the oxidizing fluid such that the conduit is not substantially heated by oxidation.
2350. The system of claim 2345, wherein the conduit is further configurable to remove an oxidation product.
2351. The system of claim 2345, wherein the conduit is further configurable to remove an oxidation product such that the oxidation product transfers heat to the oxidizing fluid.
2352. The system of claim 2345, wherein the conduit is further configurable to remove an oxidation product, and wherein a flow rate ofthe oxidizing fluid in the conduit is approximately equal to a flow rate ofthe oxidation product in the conduit.
2353. The system of claim 2345, wherein the conduit is further configurable to remove an oxidation product, and wherein a pressure ofthe oxidizing fluid in the conduit and a pressure ofthe oxidation product in the conduit are controlled to reduce contamination ofthe oxidation product by the oxidizing fluid.
2354. The system of claim 2345, wherein the conduit is further configurable to remove an oxidation product, and wherein the oxidation product is substantially inhibited from flowing into portions ofthe formation beyond the reaction zone.
2355. The system of claim 2345, wherein the oxidizing fluid is substantially inhibited from flowing into portions ofthe fonnation beyond the reaction zone.
2356. The system of claim 2345, further comprising a center conduit disposed within the conduit, wherein the center conduit is configurable to provide the oxidizing fluid into the opening during use, and wherein the conduit is further configurable to remove an oxidation product during use.
2357. The system of claύn 2345, wherein the portion ofthe fonnation extends radially from the opening a width of less than approximately 0.2 m.
2358. The system of claim 2345, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation.
2359. The system of claim 2345, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the openύig, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the overburden casing comprises steel.
2360. The system of claim 2345, further comprising an overburden casύig coupled to the openύig, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the overburden casing is further disposed in cement.
2361. The system of claim 2345, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the openύig.
2362. The system of claύn 2345, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the openύig, whereύi the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe fonnation, wherein a packύig material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casύig and the openύig, and wherein the packing material is configurable to substantially inhibit a flow of fluid between the opening and the overburden casύig during use.
2363. The system of claim 2345, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casύig and the opening, and wherein the packing material comprises cement.
2364. The system of claύn 2345, wherein the system is further configurable such that fransfened heat can pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbons in the pyrolysis zone.
2365. The system of claim 2345, wherein the system is configured to heat a relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons, and wherein the system comprises: an electric heater disposed in an opening in the formation, wherein the electric heater is configured to provide heat to at least a portion ofthe formation during use; an oxidizing fluid source; a conduit disposed in the opening, wherein the conduit is configured to provide an oxidizing fluid from the oxidizing fluid source to a reaction zone in the formation during use, and wherein the oxidizing fluid is selected to oxidize at least some hydrocarbons at the reaction zone during use such that heat is generated at the reaction zone; and wherein the system is configured to allow heat to transfer substantially by conduction from the reaction zone to a pyrolysis zone ofthe formation during use.
2366. A system configured to heat a relatively permeable fonnation contaύiύig heavy hydrocarbons, comprising: a conductor disposed in a first conduit, wherein the first conduit is disposed in an openύig in the formation, and wherein the conductor is configured to provide heat to at least a portion ofthe formation during use; an oxidizύig fluid source;
a second conduit disposed in the openύig, whereύi the second conduit is configured to provide an oxidizing fluid from the oxidizing fluid source to a reaction zone in the formation during use, and wherein the oxidizύig fluid is selected to oxidize at least some hydrocarbons at the reaction zone during use such that heat is generated at the reaction zone; and wherein the system is configured to allow heat to transfer substantially by conduction from the reaction zone to a pyrolysis zone ofthe formation during use.
2367. The system of claim 2366, wherein the oxidizing fluid is configured to generate heat in the reaction zone such that the oxidizing fluid is transported through the reaction zone substantially by diffusion.
2368. The system of claim 2366, wherein the second conduit comprises orifices, and wherein the orifices are configured to provide the oxidizing fluid ύito the openύig.
2369. The system of claim 2366, wherein the second conduit comprises critical flow orifices, and wherein the critical flow orifices are configured to confrol a flow ofthe oxidizing fluid such that a rate of oxidation in the formation is confrolled.
2370. The system of claim 2366, wherein the second conduit is further configured to be cooled with the oxidizing fluid to reduce heating ofthe second conduit by oxidation.
2371. The system of claim 2366, wherein the second conduit is further configured to remove an oxidation product.
2372. The system of claim 2366, wherein the second conduit is further configured to remove an oxidation product such that the oxidation product transfers heat to the oxidizing fluid.
2373. The system of claim 2366, wherein the second conduit is further configured to remove an oxidation product, and wherein a flow rate ofthe oxidizing fluid in the conduit is approximately equal to a flow rate ofthe oxidation product in the second conduit.
2374. The system of claim 2366, wherein the second conduit is further configured to remove an oxidation product, and wherein a pressure ofthe oxidizing fluid in the second conduit and a pressure ofthe oxidation product in the second conduit are confrolled to reduce contamination ofthe oxidation product by the oxidizing fluid.
2375. The system of claim 2366, where n the second conduit is further configured to remove an oxidation product, and wherein the oxidation product is substantially inhibited from flowing ύito portions ofthe formation beyond the reaction zone.
2376. The system of claim 2366, wherein the oxidizing fluid is substantially ύihibited from flowing into portions ofthe formation beyond the reaction zone.
2377. The system of claύn 2366, further comprising a center conduit disposed withύi the second conduit, wherein the center conduit is configured to provide the oxidizing fluid into the opening during use, and wherein the second conduit is further configured to remove an oxidation product during use.
2378. The system of claim 2366, wherein the portion ofthe fonnation extends radially from the opening a width of less than approximately 0.2 m.
2379. The system of claim 2366, further comprising an overburden casύig coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe fonnation.
2380. The system of claim 2366, furtlier comprising an overburden casing coupled to the openύig, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the overburden casing comprises steel.
2381. The system of claim 2366, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the overburden casing is further disposed in cement.
2382. The system of claύn 2366, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein a packύig material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the opening.
2383. The system of claim 2366, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the openύig, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the opening, and wherein the packing material is configured to substantially inhibit a flow of fluid between the opening and the overburden casing during use.
2384. The system of claim 2366, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe fonnation, wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the openύig, and whereύi the packύig material comprises cement.
2385. The system of claύn 2366, wherein the system is further configured such that fransfened heat can pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbons in the pyrolysis zone.
2386. A system configurable to heat a relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons, comprising:
a conductor configurable to be disposed in a first conduit, wherein the first conduit is configurable to be disposed in an opening in the formation, and wherein the conductor is further configurable to provide heat to at least a portion ofthe formation during use; a second conduit configurable to be disposed in the openύig, wherein the second conduit is further configurable to provide an oxidizing fluid from an oxidizing fluid source to a reaction zone in the fonnation during use, and wherein the system is configurable to allow the oxidizing fluid to oxidize at least some hydrocarbons at the reaction zone during use such that heat is generated at the reaction zone; and wherein the system is further configurable to allow heat to fransfer substantially by conduction from the reaction zone to a pyrolysis zone ofthe formation during use.
2387. The system of claim 2386, wherein the oxidizύig fluid is configurable to generate heat in the reaction zone
* such that the oxidizing fluid is transported through the reaction zone substantially by diffusion.
2388. The system of claim 2386, wherein the second conduit comprises orifices, and wherein the orifices are configurable to provide the oxidizύig fluid into the openύig.
2389. The system of claύn 2386, wherein the second conduit comprises critical flow orifices, and wherein the critical flow orifices are configurable to confrol a flow ofthe oxidizing fluid such that a rate of oxidation in the formation is confrolled.
2390. The system of claim 2386, wherein the second conduit is further configurable to be cooled with the oxidizing fluid to reduce heating ofthe second conduit by oxidation.
2391. The system of claύn 2386, wherein the second conduit is further configurable to remove an oxidation product.
2392. The system of claύn 2386, wherein the second conduit is further configurable to remove an oxidation product such that the oxidation product transfers heat to the oxidizing fluid.
2393. The system of claim 2386, wherein the second conduit is further configurable to remove an oxidation product, and wherein a flow rate ofthe oxidizing fluid in the conduit is approximately equal to a flow rate ofthe oxidation product in the second conduit.
2394. The system of claim 2386, wherein the second conduit is further configurable to remove an oxidation product, and wherein a pressure ofthe oxidizing fluid in the second conduit and a pressure ofthe oxidation product in the second conduit are conttolled to reduce contamination ofthe oxidation product by the oxidizing fluid.
2395. The system of claim 2386, wherein the second conduit is further configurable to remove an oxidation product, and wherem the oxidation product is substantially inhibited from flowing into portions ofthe formation beyond the reaction zone.
2396. The system of claim 2386, wherein the oxidizing fluid is substantially inhibited from flowing into portions ofthe formation beyond the reaction zone.
2397. The system of claim 2386, furtlier comprising a center conduit disposed within the second conduit, wherein the center conduit is configurable to provide the oxidizing fluid into the opening during use, and wherein the second conduit is further configurable to remove an oxidation product during use.
2398. The system of claim 2386, wherein the portion ofthe fonnation extends radially from the opening a width of less than approximately 0.2 m.
2399. The system of claim 2386, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casύig is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation.
2400. The system of claim 2386, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the overburden casing comprises steel.
2401. The system of claim 2386, further comprising an overburden casύig coupled to the openύig, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the overburden casύig is further disposed in cement.
2402. The system of claim 2386, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the openύig, wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the opening.
2403. The system of claim 2386, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the openύig, and whereύi the packύig material is configurable to substantially ύihibit a flow of fluid between the opening and the overburden casing during use.
2404. The system of claύn 2386, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe fonnation, wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the opening, and wherein the packing material comprises cement.
2405. The system of claim 2386, wherein the system is further configurable such that fransfened heat can pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbons in the pyrolysis zone.
2406. The system of claim 2386, wherein the system is configured to heat a relatively permeable formation containύig heavy hydrocarbons, and wherein the system comprises: a conductor disposed in a first conduit, wherein the first conduit is disposed in an openύig in the formation, and wherein the conductor is configured to provide heat to at least a portion ofthe formation during use; an oxidizing fluid source; a second conduit disposed in the opening, wherein the second conduit is configured to provide an oxidizing fluid from the oxidizing fluid source to a reaction zone in the foimation during use, and wherein the oxidizing fluid is selected to oxidize at least some hydrocarbons at the reaction zone during use such that heat is generated at the reaction zone; and wherein the system is configured to allow heat to transfer substantially by conduction from the reaction zone to a pyrolysis zone ofthe formation during use.
2407. An in sita method for heating a relatively permeable formation contaύiύig heavy hydrocarbons, comprising: heating a portion ofthe formation to a temperature sufficient to support reaction of hydrocarbons within the portion ofthe formation with an oxidizing fluid, wherein heatύig comprises applying an electrical cunent to a conductor disposed in a first conduit to provide heat to the portion, and wherein the first conduit is disposed within the openύig; providing the oxidizing fluid to a reaction zone in the formation; allowing the oxidizing fluid to react with at least a portion ofthe hydrocarbons at the reaction zone to generate heat at the reaction zone; and ttansfening the generated heat substantially by conduction from the reaction zone to a pyrolysis zone in the formation.
2408. The method of claim 2407, further comprising fransporting the oxidizing fluid through the reaction zone by diffusion.
2409. The method of claim 2407, further comprising dύecting at least a portion ofthe oxidizing fluid into the openύig through orifices of a second conduit disposed in the openύig.
2410. The method of claim 2407, further comprising controlling a flow of the oxidizing fluid with critical flow orifices of a second conduit disposed in the opening such that a rate of oxidation is controlled.
241 1. The method of claim 2407, further comprising increasing a flow ofthe oxidizing fluid in the opening to accommodate an increase in a volume ofthe reaction zone such that a rate of oxidation is substantially constant over time withύi the reaction zone.
2412. The method of claim 2407, whereύi a second conduit is disposed in the openύig, the method further comprising cooling the second conduit with the oxidizύig fluid to reduce heating ofthe second conduit by oxidation.
2413. The method of claim 2407, wherein a second conduit is disposed withύi the opening, the method further comprising removing an oxidation product from the formation through the second conduit.
2414. The method of claim 2407, wherein a second conduit is disposed within the openύig, the method further comprising removing an oxidation product from the formation through the second conduit and transferring heat from the oxidation product in the conduit to the oxidizing fluid in the second conduit.
2415. The method of claύn 2407, whereύi a second conduit is disposed within the opening, the method further comprising removing an oxidation product from the formation through the second conduit, wherein a flow rate of the oxidizing fluid in the second conduit is approximately equal to a flow rate ofthe oxidation product in the second conduit.
2416. The method of claim 2407, wherein a second conduit is disposed within the openύig, the method further comprisύig removing an oxidation product from the fonnation through the second conduit and confrolling a pressure between the oxidizing fluid and the oxidation product in the second conduit to reduce contamination ofthe oxidation product by the oxidizύig fluid.
2417. The method of claύn 2407, whereύi a second conduit is disposed withύi the opening, the method further comprising removing an oxidation product from the formation through the conduit and substantially inhibiting the oxidation product from flowing ύito portions ofthe formation beyond the reaction zone.
2418. The method of claύn 2407, further comprising substantially inhibiting the oxidizing fluid from flowing into portions ofthe fonnation beyond the reaction zone.
2419. The method of claim 2407, wherein a center conduit is disposed within an outer conduit, and wherein the outer conduit is disposed within the opening, the method further comprising providing the oxidizing fluid into the opening through the center conduit and removing an oxidation product through the outer conduit.
2420. The method of claim 2407, wherein the portion ofthe formation extends radially from the opening a width of less than approximately 0.2 m.
2421. The method of claύn 2407, further comprising removing water from the formation prior to heating the portion.
2422. The method of claύn 2407, further comprising confrolling the temperatare ofthe formation to substantially inhibit production of oxides of nittogen during oxidation.
2423. The method of claύn 2407, further comprising coupling an overburden casing to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation.
2424. The method of claim 2407, further comprising coupling an overburden casing to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe fonnation, and wherein the overburden casing comprises steel.
2425. The method of claim 2407, further comprising couplύig an overburden casing to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe fonnation, and wherein the overburden casing is further disposed in cement.
2426. The method of claύn 2407, further comprising coupling an overburden casing to the openύig, wherein a packύig material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the opening.
2427. A system configured to heat a relatively permeable formation containύig heavy hydrocarbons, comprising: an ύisulated conductor disposed in an openύig in the formation, wherein the ύisulated conductor is configured to provide heat to at least a portion ofthe formation during use; an oxidizing fluid source; a conduit disposed in the openύig, wherein the conduit is configured to provide an oxidizύig fluid from the oxidizύig fluid source to a reaction zone in the formation during use, and wherein the oxidizing fluid is selected to oxidize at least some hydrocarbons at the reaction zone during use such that heat is generated at the reaction zone; and wherein the system is configured to allow heat to ttansfer substantially by conduction from the reaction zone to a pyrolysis zone ofthe formation durύig use.
2428. The system of claim 2427, wherein the oxidizing fluid is configured to generate heat in the reaction zone such that the oxidizing fluid is transported through the reaction zone substantially by diffusion.
2429. The system of claim 2427, wherein the conduit comprises orifices, and wherein the orifices are configured to provide the oxidizύig fluid into the opening.
2430. The system of claim 2427, wherein the conduit comprises critical flow orifices, and wherein the critical flow orifices are configured to confrol a flow ofthe oxidizing fluid such that a rate of oxidation in the formation is controlled.
2431. The system of claim 2427, wherein the conduit is configured to be cooled with the oxidizing fluid such that the conduit is not substantially heated by oxidation.
2432. The system of claim 2427, wherein the conduit is further configured to remove an oxidation product.
2433. The system of claim 2427, wherein the conduit is further configured to remove an oxidation product, and wherein the conduit is further configured such that the oxidation product transfers substantial heat to the oxidizing fluid.
2434. The system of claim 2427, wherein the conduit is further configured to remove an oxidation product, and wherein a flow rate ofthe oxidizύig fluid in the conduit is approximately equal to a flow rate ofthe oxidation product in the conduit.
2435. The system of claim 2427, wherein the conduit is further configured to remove an oxidation product, and wherein a pressure ofthe oxidizing fluid in the second conduit and a pressure ofthe oxidation product in the conduit are controlled to reduce contamination ofthe oxidation product by the oxidizing fluid.
2436. The system of claim 2427, whereύi the conduit is further configured to remove an oxidation product, and wherein the oxidation product is substantially inhibited from flowing into portions ofthe formation beyond the reaction zone.
2437. The system of claύn 2427, wherein the oxidizύig fluid is substantially inhibited from flowing ύito portions ofthe formation beyond the reaction zone.
2438. The system of claim 2427, further comprising a center conduit disposed within the conduit, wherein the center conduit is configured to provide the oxidizing fluid into the opening during use, and wherein the conduit is further configured to remove an oxidation product during use.
2439. The system of claim 2427, whereύi the portion ofthe fonnation extends radially from the opening a width of less than approxύnately 0.2 m.
2440. The system of claim 2427, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation.
2441. The system of claim 2427, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the overburden casing comprises steel.
2442. The system of claim 2427, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the overburden casing is further disposed iα cement.
2443. The system of claim 2427, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, whereύi a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the opening.
2444. The system of claim 2427, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe fonnation, wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the openύig, and wherein the packing material is configured to substantially inhibit a flow of fluid between the opening and the overburden casing during use.
2445. The system of claim 2427, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe fonnation, wherein a packύig material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the openύig, and wherein the packing material comprises cement.
2446. The system of claim 2427, whereύi the system is further configured such that fransfened heat can pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbons in the pyrolysis zone.
2447. A system configurable to heat a relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons, comprising: an insulated conductor configurable to be disposed in an opening in the formation, wherein the insulated conductor is further configurable to provide heat to at least a portion ofthe fonnation during use; a conduit configurable to be disposed in the openύig, whereύi the conduit is further configurable to provide an oxidizing fluid from an oxidizing fluid source to a reaction zone in the formation during use, and wherein the system is configurable to allow the oxidizing fluid to oxidize at least some hydrocarbons at the reaction zone during use such that heat is generated at the reaction zone; and wherein the system is further configurable to allow heat to transfer substantially by conduction from the reaction zone to a pyrolysis zone ofthe formation during use.
2448. The system of claim 2447, wherein the oxidizing fluid is configurable to generate heat in the reaction zone such that the oxidizing fluid is transported through the reaction zone substantially by diffusion.
2449. The system of claim 2447, whereύi the conduit comprises orifices, and wherein the orifices are configurable to provide the oxidizύig fluid into the openύig.
2450. The system of claύn 2447, whereύi the conduit comprises critical flow orifices, and wherein the critical flow orifices are configurable to control a flow ofthe oxidizing fluid such that a rate of oxidation in the formation is controlled.
2451. The system of claim 2447, wherein the conduit is fuither configurable to be cooled with the oxidizing fluid such that the conduit is not substantially heated by oxidation.
2452. The system of claim 2447, wherein the conduit is further configurable to remove an oxidation product.
2453. The system of claim 2447, wherein the conduit is further configurable to remove an oxidation product, such that the oxidation product transfers heat to the oxidizing fluid.
2454. The system of claim 2447, wherein the conduit is further configurable to remove an oxidation product, and wherein a flow rate ofthe oxidizing fluid in the conduit is approxύnately equal to a flow rate ofthe oxidation product in the conduit.
2455. The system of claύn 2447, wherein the conduit is further configurable to remove an oxidation product, and whereύi a pressure ofthe oxidizύig fluid in the conduit and a pressure ofthe oxidation product in the conduit are controlled to reduce contamination of the oxidation product by the oxidizing fluid.
2456. The system of claim 2447, wherein the conduit is further configurable to remove an oxidation product, and wherein the oxidation product is substantially inhibited from flowing into portions ofthe formation beyond the reaction zone.
2457. The system of claim 2447, wherem the oxidizing fluid is substantially inhibited from flowing into portions ofthe formation beyond the reaction zone.
2458. The system of claim 2447, further comprising a center conduit disposed within the conduit, wherein the center conduit is configurable to provide the oxidizing fluid into the opening during use, and wherein the conduit is further configurable to remove an oxidation product during use.
2459. The system of claim 2447, wherein the portion ofthe fonnation extends radially from the opening a width of less than approximately 0.2 m.
2460. The system of claύn 2447, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe fonnation.
2461. The system of claim 2447, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the openύig, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the overburden casing comprises steel.
2462. The system of claim 2447, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the openύig, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the overburden casing is further disposed in cement.
2463. The system of claύn 2447, further comprismg an overburden casing coupled to the openύig, wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the opening.
2464. The system of claim 2447, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe fonnation, wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the openύig, and wherein the packύig material is configurable to substantially inhibit a flow of fluid between the opening and the overburden casύig durύig use.
2465. The system of claim 2447, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the opening, and wherein the packing material comprises cement.
2466. The system of claύn 2447, whereύi the system is further configurable such that fransfened heat can pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbons in the pyrolysis zone.
2467. The system of claim 2447, wherein the system is configured to heat a relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons, and wherein the system comprises: an insulated conductor disposed in an opening in the formation, wherein the insulated conductor is configured to provide heat to at least a portion ofthe formation during use; an oxidizing fluid source; a conduit disposed in the openύig, wherein the conduit is configured to provide an oxidizύig fluid from the oxidizύig fluid source to a reaction zone in the formation durύig use, and wherein the oxidizing fluid is selected to oxidize at least some hydrocarbons at the reaction zone during use such that heat is generated at the reaction zone; and wherein the system is configured to allow heat to transfer substantially by conduction from the reaction zone to a pyrolysis zone ofthe formation during use.
2468. An in situ method for heating a relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons, comprismg: heatύig a portion ofthe fomiation to a temperature sufficient to support reaction of hydrocarbons within the portion ofthe formation with an oxidizύig fluid, wherein heatύig comprises applying an electrical current to an insulated conductor to provide heat to the portion, and wherein the insulated conductor is disposed within the openύig; providing the oxidizing fluid to a reaction zone in the formation;
allowing the oxidizing fluid to react with at least a portion ofthe hydrocarbons at the reaction zone to generate heat at the reaction zone; and fransfening the generated heat substantially by conduction from the reaction zone to a pyrolysis zone in the fonnation.
2469. The method of claim 2468, further comprising transporting the oxidizing fluid through the reaction zone by diffusion.
2470. The method of claim 2468, further comprising directing at least a portion ofthe oxidizing fluid into the opening through orifices of a conduit disposed in the opening.
2471. The method of claim 2468, further comprising controlling a flow ofthe oxidizing fluid with critical flow orifices of a conduit disposed in the openύig such that a rate of oxidation is confrolled.
2472. The method of claύn 2468, further comprising increasing a flow ofthe oxidizing fluid in the openύig to accommodate an increase in a volume ofthe reaction zone such that a rate of oxidation is substantially constant over time within the reaction zone.
2473. The method of claim 2468, wherein a conduit is disposed in the opening, the method further comprising cooling the conduit with the oxidizing fluid to reduce heating ofthe conduit by oxidation.
2474. The method of claim 2468, wherein a conduit is disposed within the opening, the method further comprising removing an oxidation product from the formation through the conduit.
2475. The method of claύn 2468, wherein a conduit is disposed within the opening, the method further comprisύig removing an oxidation product from the formation through the conduit and fransfening heat from the oxidation product in the conduit to the oxidizing fluid in the conduit.
2476. The method of claim 2468, whereύi a conduit is disposed within the opening, the method further comprising removing an oxidation product from the formation through the conduit, wherein a flow rate ofthe oxidizing fluid in the conduit is approximately equal to a flow rate ofthe oxidation product in the conduit.
2477. The method of claύn 2468, wherein a conduit is disposed within the openύig, the method further comprising removing an oxidation product from the formation through the conduit and controlling a pressure between the oxidizing fluid and the oxidation product in the conduit to reduce contamination ofthe oxidation product by the oxidizing fluid.
2478. The method of claύn 2468, whereύi a conduit is disposed within the opening, the method further comprising removing an oxidation product from the formation through the conduit and substantially inhibiting the oxidation product from flowing into portions ofthe fonnation beyond the reaction zone.
2479. The method of claύn 2468, further comprising substantially inhibiting the oxidizing fluid from flowing into portions ofthe formation beyond the reaction zone.
2480. The method of claim 2468, wherein a center conduit is disposed within an outer conduit, and wherein the outer conduit is disposed within the opening, the method further comprising providing the oxidizing fluid into the opening through the center conduit and removing an oxidation product through the outer conduit.
2481. The method of claim 2468, wherein the portion ofthe formation extends radially from the opening a width of less than approxύnately 0.2 m.
2482. The method of claim 2468, further comprising removing water from the formation prior to heating the portion.
2483. The method of claim 2468, further comprising confrolling the temperatare ofthe formation to substantially inhibit production of oxides of nifrogen during oxidation.
2484. The method of claim 2468, further comprising coupling an overburden casing to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation.
2485. The method of claύn 2468, further comprising couplύig an overburden casing to the openύig, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the overburden casύig comprises steel.
2486. The method of claim 2468, further comprising coupling an overburden casing to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe fonnation, and wherein the overburden casing is further disposed in cement.
2487. The method of claim 2468, further comprising coupling an overburden casing to the opening, wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the openύig.
2488. The method of claύn 2468, wherein the pyrolysis zone is substantially adjacent to the reaction zone.
2489. An in sita method for heating a relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons, comprising:
heating a portion ofthe formation to a temperature sufficient to support reaction of hydrocarbons withύi the portion ofthe formation with an oxidizing fluid, wherein the portion is located substantially adjacent to an opening in the fonnation, wherein heating comprises applying an electrical current to an insulated conductor to provide heat to the portion, wherein the insulated conductor is coupled to a conduit, wherein the conduit comprises critical flow orifices, and whereύi the conduit is disposed within the opening; providing the oxidizing fluid to a reaction zone in the formation; allowing the oxidizing fluid to react with at least a portion ofthe hydrocarbons at the reaction zone to generate heat at the reaction zone; and transferring the generated heat substantially by conduction from the reaction zone to a pyrolysis zone in the formation.
2490. The method of claim 2489, further comprising transporting the oxidizing fluid through the reaction zone by diffusion.
2491. The method of claim 2489, further comprising controlling a flow of the oxidizing fluid with the critical flow orifices such that a rate of oxidation is controlled.
2492. The method of claύn 2489, further comprising increasing a flow ofthe oxidizing fluid in the openύig to accommodate an increase in a volume ofthe reaction zone such that a rate of oxidation is substantially constant over time within the reaction zone.
2493. The method of claim 2489, further comprising cooling the conduit with the oxidizing fluid to reduce heating ofthe conduit by oxidation.
2494. The method of claim 2489, further comprising removing an oxidation product from the fonnation through the conduit.
2495. The method of claύn 2489, further comprising removing an oxidation product from the formation through the conduit and transferring heat from the oxidation product in the conduit to the oxidizing fluid in the conduit.
2496. The method of claim 2489, further comprising removing an oxidation product from the formation through the conduit, wherein a flow rate ofthe oxidizing fluid in the conduit is approximately equal to a flow rate ofthe oxidation product in the conduit.
2497. The method of claim 2489, further comprising removύig an oxidation product from the formation through the conduit and confrolling a pressure between the oxidizύig fluid and the oxidation product in the conduit to reduce contamination ofthe oxidation product by the oxidizing fluid.
2498. The method of claim 2489, further comprising removing an oxidation product from the formation through the conduit and substantially inhibiting the oxidation product from flowing into portions ofthe fonnation beyond the reaction zone.
2499. The method of claim 2489, further comprising substantially inhibiting the oxidizing fluid from flowing into portions ofthe fonnation beyond the reaction zone.
2500. The method of claim 2489, wherein a center conduit is disposed within the conduit, the method further comprising providing the oxidizing fluid into the opening through the center conduit and removύig an oxidation product through the conduit.
2501. The method of claim 2489, wherein the portion ofthe formation extends radially from the opening a width of less than approximately 0.2 m.
2502. The method of claim 2489, further comprising removing water from the formation prior to heating the portion.
2503. The method of claύn 2489, further comprising controlling the temperature ofthe formation to substantially inhibit production of oxides of nitrogen during oxidation.
2504. The method of claύn 2489, further comprising coupling an overburden casύig to the opening, whereύi the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation.
2505. The method of claim 2489, further comprising coupling an overburden casing to the opening, whereύi the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the overburden casing comprises steel.
2506. The method of claim 2489, further comprising coupling an overburden casing to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe fonnation, and wherein the overburden casing is furtlier disposed in cement.
2507. The method of claim 2489, further comprising coupling an overburden casύig to the openύig, whereύi a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the openύig.
2508. The method of claύn 2489, wherein the pyrolysis zone is substantially adjacent to the reaction zone.
2509. A system configured to heat a relatively penneable fonnation containing heavy hydrocarbons, comprising: at least one elongated member disposed in an opening in the formation, wherein at least the one elongated member is configured to provide heat to at least a portion ofthe fonnation during use;
an oxidizing fluid source; a conduit disposed in the openύig, wherein the conduit is configured to provide an oxidizing fluid from the oxidizing fluid source to a reaction zone in the formation durύig use, and wherein the oxidizing fluid is selected to oxidize at least some hydrocarbons at the reaction zone during use such that heat is generated at the reaction zone; and wherein the system is configured to allow heat to fransfer substantially by conduction from the reaction zone to a pyrolysis zone ofthe formation during use.
2510. The system of claim 2509, wherein the oxidizing fluid is configured to generate heat in the reaction zone such that the oxidizing fluid is transported through the reaction zone substantially by diffusion.
251 1. The system of claim 2509, wherein the conduit comprises orifices, and wherein the orifices are configured to provide the oxidizing fluid into the opening.
2512. The system of claim 2509, wherein the conduit comprises critical flow orifices, and wherein the critical flow orifices are configured to control a flow ofthe oxidizing fluid such that a rate of oxidation in the formation is controlled.
2513. The system of claim 2509, wherein the conduit is further configured to be cooled with the oxidizing fluid such that the conduit is not substantially heated by oxidation.
2514. The system of claim 2509, whereύi the conduit is further configured to remove an oxidation product.
2515. The system of claύn 2509, whereύi the conduit is further configured to remove an oxidation product such that the oxidation product transfers heat to the oxidizing fluid.
2516. The system of claύn 2509, whereύi the conduit is further configured to remove an oxidation product, and wherein a flow rate ofthe oxidizύig fluid in the conduit is approximately equal to a flow rate ofthe oxidation product in the conduit.
2517. The system of claim 2509, wherein the conduit is further configured to remove an oxidation product, and wherein a pressure ofthe oxidizing fluid in the conduit and a pressure ofthe oxidation product in the conduit are controlled to reduce contamination ofthe oxidation product by the oxidizύig fluid.
2518. The system of claim 2509, whereύi the conduit is further configured to remove an oxidation product, and wherein the oxidation product is substantially inhibited from flowing ύito portions ofthe formation beyond the reaction zone.
2519. The system of claύn 2509, whereύi the oxidizύig fluid is substantially inhibited from flowing into portions ofthe formation beyond the reaction zone.
2520. The system of claim 2509, further comprising a center conduit disposed withύi the conduit, wherein the center conduit is configured to provide the oxidizing fluid into the opening during use, and wherein the conduit is further configured to remove an oxidation product durύig use.
2521. The system of claim 2509, whereύi the portion ofthe fonnation extends radially from the opening a width of less than approximately 0.2 m.
2522. The system of claim 2509, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation.
2523. The system of claim 2509, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the openύig, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the overburden casing comprises steel.
2524. The system of claim 2509, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the overburden casing is further disposed in cement.
2525. The system of claύn 2509, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the opening.
2526. The system of claim 2509, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the opening, and wherein the packing material is configured to substantially inhibit a flow of fluid between the opening and the overburden casing during use.
2527. The system of claim 2509, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe fonnation, wherein a packύig material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the openύig, and wherein the packύig material comprises cement.
2528. The system of claim 2509, wherein the system is further configured such that ttansfened heat can pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbons in the pyrolysis zone.
2529. A system configurable to heat a relatively permeable fonnation containing heavy hydrocarbons, , comprising:
at least one elongated member configurable to be disposed in an opening in the formation, wherein at least the one elongated member is further configurable to provide heat to at least a portion ofthe formation during use; a conduit configurable to be disposed in the opening, wherein the conduit is further configurable to provide an oxidizing fluid from the oxidizing fluid source to a reaction zone in the fonnation during use, and wherein the system is configurable to allow the oxidizing fluid to oxidize at least some hydrocarbons at the reaction zone during use such that heat is generated at the reaction zone; and wherein the system is further configurable to allow heat to fransfer substantially by conduction from the reaction zone to a pyrolysis zone ofthe formation during use.
2530. The system of claim 2529, wherein the oxidizing fluid is configurable to generate heat in the reaction zone such that the oxidizing fluid is transported through the reaction zone substantially by diffusion.
2531. The system of claim 2529, wherein the conduit comprises orifices, and wherein the orifices are configurable to provide the oxidizing fluid into the opening.
2532. The system of claύn 2529, wherein the conduit comprises critical flow orifices, and wherein the critical flow orifices are configurable to confrol a flow ofthe oxidizing fluid such that a rate of oxidation in the fonnation is controlled.
2533. The system of claim 2529, whereύi the conduit is further configurable to be cooled with the oxidizing fluid such that the conduit is not substantially heated by oxidation.
2534. The system of claim 2529, wherein the conduit is further configurable to remove an oxidation product.
2535. The system of claim 2529, wherein the conduit is further configurable to remove an oxidation product such that the oxidation product transfers heat to the oxidizing fluid.
2536. The system of claim 2529, wherein the conduit is further configurable to remove an oxidation product, and wherein a flow rate ofthe oxidizing fluid in the conduit is approximately equal to a flow rate ofthe oxidation product in the conduit.
2537. The system of claim 2529, wherein the conduit is further configurable to remove an oxidation product, and wherein a pressure ofthe oxidizing fluid in the conduit and a pressure ofthe oxidation product in the conduit are controlled to reduce contamination ofthe oxidation product by the oxidizing fluid.
2538. The system of claύn 2529, wherein the conduit is further configurable to remove an oxidation product, and wherein the oxidation product is substantially inhibited from flowing into portions ofthe formation beyond the reaction zone.
2539. The system of claim 2529, wherein the oxidizing fluid is substantially inhibited from flowing into portions ofthe formation beyond the reaction zone.
2540. The system of claim 2529, further comprising a center conduit disposed within the conduit, wherein the center conduit is configurable to provide the oxidizing fluid into the opening during use, and wherein the conduit is further configurable to remove an oxidation product during use.
2541. The system of claim 2529, wherein the portion ofthe fonnation extends radially from the opening a width of less than approximately 0.2 m.
2542. The system of claim 2529, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation.
2543. The system of claim 2529, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the overburden casing comprises steel.
2544. The system of claim 2529, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the overburden casing is further disposed in cement.
2545. The system of claύn 2529, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the openύig.
2546. The system of claim 2529, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the opening, and wherein the packing material is configurable to substantially inhibit a flow of fluid between the opening and the overburden casing during use.
2547. The system of claim 2529, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe fonnation, wherein a packύig material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the opening, and wherein the packing material comprises cement.
2548. The system of claim 2529, whereύi the system is further configurable such that fransfened heat can pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbons in the pyrolysis zone.
2549. The system of claim 2529, whereύi the system is configured to heat a relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons, and wherein the system comprises:
at least one elongated member disposed in an openύig in the formation, wherein at least the one elongated member is configured to provide heat to at least a portion ofthe formation during use; an oxidizing fluid source; a conduit disposed in the opening, wherein the conduit is configured to provide an oxidizing fluid from the oxidizύig fluid source to a reaction zone iα the formation during use, and wherein the oxidizύig fluid is selected to oxidize at least some hydrocarbons at the reaction zone during use such that heat is generated at the reaction zone; and wherein the system is configured to allow heat to transfer substantially by conduction from the reaction zone to a pyrolysis zone ofthe formation during use.
2550. An in sita method for heating a relatively permeable fonnation containing heavy hydrocarbons, comprising: heatmg a portion ofthe fonnation to a temperatare sufficient to support reaction of hydrocarbons within the portion ofthe fonnation with an oxidizing fluid, wherein heating comprises applying an electrical current to at least one elongated member to provide heat to the portion, and wherein at least the one elongated member is disposed withύi the opening; providύig the oxidizύig fluid to a reaction zone in the fonnation; allowing the oxidizing fluid to react with at least a portion ofthe hydrocarbons at the reaction zone to generate heat at the reaction zone; and fransfening the generated heat substantially by conduction from the reaction zone to a pyrolysis zone in the foimation.
2551. The method of claim 2550, further comprising fransporting the oxidizing fluid through the reaction zone by diffusion.
2552. The method of claim 2550, further comprising directing at least a portion ofthe oxidizing fluid into the openύig tlirough orifices of a conduit disposed in the openύig.
2553. The method of claύn 2550, further comprising controlling a flow ofthe oxidizύig fluid with critical flow orifices of a conduit disposed in the opening such that a rate of oxidation is controlled.
2554. The method of claim 2550, further comprising increasing a flow ofthe oxidizing fluid in the opening to accommodate an increase in a volume ofthe reaction zone such that a rate of oxidation is substantially constant over time within the reaction zone.
2555. The method of claim 2550, wherein a conduit is disposed in the opening, the method further comprising cooling the conduit with the oxidizing fluid to reduce heating ofthe conduit by oxidation.
2556. The method of claim 2550, whereύi a conduit is disposed withύi the opening, the method further comprising removing an oxidation product from the formation through the conduit.
2557. The method of claύn 2550, wherein a conduit is disposed withύi the opening, the method further comprising removing an oxidation product from the foimation through the conduit and fransfening heat from the oxidation product in the conduit to the oxidizing fluid in the conduit.
2558. The method of claim 2550, wherein a conduit is disposed within the opening, the method further comprising removing an oxidation product from the fonnation through the conduit, wherein a flow rate ofthe oxidizing fluid in the conduit is approxύnately equal to a flow rate ofthe oxidation product in the conduit.
■ 2559. The method of claim 2550, whereύi a conduit is disposed within the openύig, the method further comprising removing an oxidation product from the formation through the conduit and controlling a pressure between the oxidizing fluid and the oxidation product in the conduit to reduce contamination ofthe oxidation product by the oxidizing fluid.
2560. The method of claim 2550, wherein a conduit is disposed within the openύig, the method further comprising removing an oxidation product from the fonnation through the conduit and substantially inhibiting the oxidation product from flowing into portions ofthe formation beyond the reaction zone.
2561. The method of claim 2550, further comprising substantially inhibiting the oxidizύig fluid from flowing into portions ofthe fonnation beyond the reaction zone.
2562. The method of claύn 2550, wherein a center conduit is disposed within an outer conduit, and wherein the outer conduit is disposed within the opening, the method further comprising providύig the oxidizύig fluid into the opening through the center conduit and removing an oxidation product through the outer conduit.
2563. The method of claim 2550, wherein the portion ofthe foimation extends radially from the opening a width of less than approximately 0.2 m.
2564. The method of claim 2550, further comprising removing water from the formation prior to heating the portion.
2565. The method of claim 2550, further comprising controlling the temperature ofthe foimation to substantially inhibit production of oxides of nifrogen during oxidation.
2566. The method of claim 2550, furtlier comprising coupling an overburden casing to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation.
2567. The method of claύn 2550, further comprising coupling an overburden casing to the openύig, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the overburden casing comprises steel.
2568. The method of claύn 2550, further comprising coupling an overburden casing to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the overburden casing is further disposed in cement.
2569. The method of claim 2550, further comprising coupling an overburden casing to the opening, wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the openύig.
2570. The method of claύn 2550, wherein the pyrolysis zone is substantially adjacent to the reaction zone.
2571. A system configured to heat a relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons, comprising: a heat exchanger disposed external to the formation, wherein the heat exchanger is configured to heat an oxidizύig fluid during use; a conduit disposed in the openύig, wherein the conduit is configured to provide the heated oxidizing fluid from the heat exchanger to at least a portion ofthe formation during use, wherein the system is configured to allow heat to fransfer from the heated oxidizing fluid to at least the portion ofthe formation during use, and wherein the oxidizing fluid is selected to oxidize at least some hydrocarbons at a reaction zone in the fonnation during use such that heat is generated at the reaction zone; and wherein the system is configured to allow heat to transfer substantially by conduction from the reaction zone to a pyrolysis zone ofthe formation during use.
2572. The system of claim 2571, wherein the oxidizing fluid is configured to generate heat in the reaction zone such that the oxidizύig fluid is transported tlirough the reaction zone substantially by diffusion.
2573. The system of claim 2571, wherein the conduit comprises orifices, and wherein the orifices are configured to provide the oxidizing fluid into the opening.
2574. The system of claim 2571, wherein the conduit comprises critical flow orifices, and whereύi the critical flow orifices are configured to confrol a flow ofthe oxidizing fluid such that a rate of oxidation in the formation is controlled.
2575. The system of claύn 2571, wherein the conduit is further configured to be cooled with the oxidizing fluid such that the conduit is not substantially heated by oxidation.
2576. The system of claim 2571, wherein the conduit is further configured to remove an oxidation product.
2511. The system of claύn 2571, wherein the conduit is fiother configured to remove an oxidation product, such that the oxidation product fransfers heat to the oxidizύig fluid.
2578. The system of claim 2571, wherein the conduit is further configured to remove an oxidation product, and wherein a flow rate ofthe oxidizing fluid in the conduit is approximately equal to a flow rate ofthe oxidation product in the conduit.
2579. The system of claim 2571, wherein the conduit is further configured to remove an oxidation product, and wherein a pressure ofthe oxidizύig fluid in the conduit and a pressure ofthe oxidation product in the conduit are controlled to reduce contamination ofthe oxidation product by the oxidizing fluid.
2580. The system of claim 2571, wherein the conduit is further configured to remove an oxidation product, and wherein the oxidation product is substantially ύihibited from flowing into portions ofthe formation beyond the reaction zone.
2581. The system of claim 2571, wherein the oxidizing fluid is substantially inhibited from flowing into portions ofthe formation beyond the reaction zone.
2582. The system of claim 2571, further comprising a center conduit disposed within the conduit, wherein the center conduit is configured to provide the oxidizing fluid into the opening during use, and wherein the conduit is further configured to remove an oxidation product during use.
2583. The system of claύn 2571, wherein the portion ofthe formation extends radially from the opening a width of less than approximately 0.2 m.
2584. The system of claim 2571, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation.
2585. The system of claim 2571, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the openύig, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the overburden casing comprises steel.
2586. The system of claim 2571, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the openύig, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the overburden casing is further disposed in cement.
2587. The system of claim 2571, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the opening.
2588. The system of claim 2571, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the openύig, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the opening, and wherein the packing material is configured to substantially ύihibit a flow of fluid between the openύig and the overburden casing during use.
2589. The system of claim 2571, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe fonnation, wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the opening, and wherein the packing material comprises cement.
2590. A system configurable to heat a relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons, comprising: a heat exchanger configurable to be disposed external to the formation, wherein the heat exchanger is further configurable to heat an oxidizing fluid during use; a conduit configurable to be disposed in the opening, wherein the conduit is further configurable to provide the heated oxidizing fluid from the heat exchanger to at least a portion ofthe formation during' use, where n the system is configurable to allow heat to fransfer from the heated oxidizing fluid to at least the portion ofthe formation during use, and wherein the system is further configurable to allow the oxidizing fluid to oxidize at least some hydrocarbons at a reaction zone in the formation during use such that heat is generated at the reaction zone; and wherein the system is further configurable to allow heat to transfer substantially by conduction from the reaction zone to a pyrolysis zone ofthe fonnation during use.
2591. The system of claim 2590, wherein the oxidizing fluid is configurable to generate heat in the reaction zone such that the oxidizing fluid is transported through the reaction zone substantially by diffusion.
2592. The system of claim 2590, wherein the conduit comprises orifices, and wherein the orifices are configurable to provide the oxidizing fluid into the openύig.
2593. The system of claim 2590, wherein the conduit comprises critical flow orifices, and wherein the critical flow orifices are configurable to control a flow ofthe oxidizing fluid such that a rate of oxidation in the fonnation is controlled.
2594. The system of claim 2590, wherein the conduit is further configurable to be cooled with the oxidizing fluid such that the conduit is not substantially heated by oxidation.
2595. The system of claim 2590, wherein the conduit is further configurable to remove an oxidation product.
2596. The system of claim 2590, wherein the conduit is further configurable to remove an oxidation product such that the oxidation product transfers heat to the oxidizing fluid.
2597. The system of claim 2590, whereiα the conduit is further configurable to remove an oxidation product, and wherein a flow rate ofthe oxidizing fluid in the conduit is approxύnately equal to a flow rate ofthe oxidation product in the conduit.
2598. The system of claύn 2590, whereύi the conduit is furtlier configurable to remove an oxidation product, and wherein a pressure ofthe oxidizing fluid in the conduit and a pressure ofthe oxidation product in the conduit are controlled to reduce contamination ofthe oxidation product by the oxidizing fluid.
2599. The system of claim 2590, wherein the conduit is further configurable to remove an oxidation product, and wherein the oxidation product is substantially inhibited from flowing into portions ofthe formation beyond the reaction zone.
2600. The system of claύn 2590, wherein the oxidizing fluid is substantially inhibited from flowing into portions ofthe formation beyond the reaction zone.
2601. The system of claim 2590, further comprising a center conduit disposed within the conduit, wherein the center conduit is configurable to provide the oxidizing fluid into the opening during use, and wherein the second conduit is further configurable to remove an oxidation product during use.
2602. The system of claim 2590, wherein the portion ofthe formation extends radially from the opening a width of less than approximately 0.2 m.
2603. The system of claύn 2590, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe foimation.
2604. The system of claim 2590, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the openύig, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the overburden casing comprises steel.
2605. The system of claim 2590, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the overburden casing is further disposed in cement.
2606. The system of claim 2590, furtlier comprising an overburden casing coupled to the openύig, wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the opening.
2607. The system of claim 2590, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, whereύi a packύig material is disposed at a
junction ofthe overburden casing and the opening, and wherein the packing material is configurable to substantially inhibit a flow of fluid between the opening and the overburden casύig durύig use.
2608. The system of claim 2590, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the opening, and wherein the packing material comprises cement.
2609. The system of claim 2590, whereύi the system is configured to heat a relatively permeable formation containύig heavy hydrocarbons, and wherein the system comprises: a heat exchanger disposed external to the formation, wherein the heat exchanger is configured to heat an oxidizύig fluid during use; a conduit disposed in the openύig, whereύi the conduit is configured to provide the heated oxidizύig fluid from the heat exchanger to at least a portion ofthe formation during use, wherein the system is configured to allow heat to transfer from the heated oxidizύig fluid to at least the portion ofthe formation during use, and wherein the oxidizing fluid is selected to oxidize at least some hydrocarbons at a reaction zone in the fonnation during use such that heat is generated at the reaction zone; and wherein the system is configured to allow heat to transfer substantially by conduction from the reaction zone to a pyrolysis zone ofthe formation during use.
2610. An in situ method for heating a relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons, comprising: heating a portion ofthe formation to a temperature sufficient to support reaction of hydrocarbons within the portion ofthe formation with an oxidizύig fluid, wherein heating comprises: heating the oxidizing fluid with a heat exchanger, wherein the heat exchanger is disposed external to the formation; providing the heated oxidizmg fluid from the heat exchanger to the portion ofthe formation; and allowing heat to fransfer from the heated oxidizing fluid to the portion ofthe formation; providing the oxidizing fluid to a reaction zone in the formation; allowing the oxidizύig fluid to react with at least a portion ofthe hydrocarbons at the reaction zone to generate heat at the reaction zone; and fransferring the generated heat substantially by conduction from the reaction zone to a pyrolysis zone in the fonnation.
2611. The method of claim 2610, further comprising fransporting the oxidizing fluid through the reaction zone by diffusion.
2612. The method of claim 2610, fuither comprising directing at least a portion ofthe oxidizing fluid into the openύig through orifices of a conduit disposed in the openύig.
2613. The method of claim 2610, further comprising controlling a flow ofthe oxidizing fluid with critical flow orifices of a conduit disposed in the openύig such that a rate of oxidation is controlled.
2614. The method of claim 2610, further comprising increasing a flow ofthe oxidizing fluid in the openύig to accommodate an increase in a volume ofthe reaction zone such that a rate of oxidation is substantially constant over time within the reaction zone.
2615. The method of claim 2610, wherein a conduit is disposed in the opening, the method further comprising cooling the conduit with the oxidizing fluid to reduce heating ofthe conduit by oxidation.
2616. The method of claim 2610, wherein a conduit is disposed withύi the opening, the method further comprising removing an oxidation product from the formation through the conduit.
2617. The method of claύn 2610, whereύi a conduit is disposed withύi the openύig, the method further comprising removing an oxidation product from the fonnation through the conduit and transferring heat from the oxidation product in the conduit to the oxidizing fluid in the conduit.
2618. The method of claim 2610, wherein a conduit is disposed within the opening, the method further comprising removing an oxidation product from the fonnation through the conduit, wherein a flow rate ofthe oxidizing fluid in the conduit is approximately equal to a flow rate ofthe oxidation product in the conduit.
2619. The method of claim 2610, wherein a conduit is disposed withύi the opening, the method further comprising removing an oxidation product from the formation through the conduit and controlling a pressure between the oxidizing fluid and the oxidation product in the conduit to reduce contamination ofthe oxidation product by the oxidizύig fluid.
2620. The method of claim 2610, wherein a conduit is disposed within the opening, the method further comprising removing an oxidation product from the formation through the conduit and substantially inhibiting the oxidation product from flowing into portions ofthe formation beyond the reaction zone.
2621. The method of claim 2610, further comprising substantially inhibiting the oxidizing fluid from flowing into portions ofthe formation beyond the reaction zone.
2622. The method of claim 2610, wherein a center conduit is disposed withύi an outer conduit, and whereύi the outer conduit is disposed withύi the opening, the method further comprising providing the oxidizύig fluid into the opening through the center conduit and removing an oxidation product through the outer conduit.
2623. The method of claim 2610, wherein the portion of the fonnation extends radially from the opening a width of less than approximately 0.2 m.
2624. The method of claim 2610, further comprising removing water from the formation prior to heating the portion.
2625. The method of claim 2610, further comprising controlling the temperature ofthe formation to substantially inhibit production of oxides of nitrogen during oxidation.
2626. The method of claim 2610, further comprising coupling an overburden casing to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe fonnation.
2627. The method of claim 2610, further comprising coupling an overburden casing to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the overburden casing comprises steel.
2628. The method of claim 2610, further comprising coupling an overburden casing to the opening, wherein the overburden casύig is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the overburden casing is further disposed in cement.
2629. The method of claim 2610, further comprising coupling an overburden casing to the opening, wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the opening.
2630. The method of claim 2610, wherein the pyrolysis zone is substantially adjacent to the reaction zone.
2631. An in sita method for heating a relatively permeable formation contaύiύig heavy hydrocarbons, comprising: heating a portion ofthe formation to a temperatare sufficient to support reaction of hydrocarbons within the portion ofthe formation with an oxidizing fluid, wherein heating comprises: oxidizing a fuel gas in a heater, wherein the heater is disposed external to the formation; providing the oxidized fuel gas from the heater to the portion ofthe foimation; and allowing heat to transfer from the oxidized fuel gas to the portion ofthe formation; providing the oxidizing fluid to a reaction zone in the fonnation; allowing the oxidizing fluid to react with at least a portion ofthe hydrocarbons at the reaction zone to generate heat at the reaction zone; and fransfening the generated heat substantially by conduction from the reaction zone to a pyrolysis zone in the formation.
2632. The method of claύn 2631, further comprising transporting the oxidizing fluid through the reaction zone by diffusion.
2633. The method of claim 2631, further comprising dύecting at least a portion ofthe oxidizing fluid into the opening through orifices of a conduit disposed in the openύig.
2634. The method of claύn 2631, further comprising controlling a flow ofthe oxidizing fluid with critical flow orifices of a conduit disposed in the opening such that a rate of oxidation is controlled.
2635. The method of claim 2631, further comprising increasing a flow ofthe oxidizing fluid in the opening to accommodate an increase in a volume ofthe reaction zone such that a rate of oxidation is substantially constant over time within the reaction zone.
2636. The method of claim 2631 , wherein a conduit is disposed in the openύig, the method further comprising cooling the conduit with the oxidizύig fluid to reduce heating ofthe conduit by oxidation.
2637. The method of claim 2631, wherein a conduit is disposed within the opening, the method further comprisύig removing an oxidation product from the fonnation tlirough the conduit.
2638. The method of claim 2631, wherein a conduit is disposed within the opening, the method further comprising removing an oxidation product from the fonnation through the conduit and transferring heat from the oxidation product in the conduit to the oxidizing fluid in the conduit.
2639. The method of claύn 2631, whereύi a conduit is disposed withύi the openύig, the method further comprisύig removing an oxidation product from the formation through the conduit, wherein a flow rate ofthe oxidizing fluid in the conduit is approximately equal to a flow rate ofthe oxidation product in the conduit.
2640. The method of claim 2631, wherein a conduit is disposed within the opening, the method further comprising removing an oxidation product from the formation through the conduit and controlling a pressure between the oxidizing fluid and the oxidation product in the conduit to reduce contamination ofthe oxidation product by the oxidizing fluid.
2641. The method of claim 2631 , wherein a conduit is disposed within the opening, the method further comprising removing an oxidation product from the formation through the conduit and substantially inhibiting the oxidation product from flowing into portions ofthe formation beyond the reaction zone.
2642. The method of claim 2631, further comprising substantially inhibiting the oxidizύig fluid from flowing into portions ofthe formation beyond the reaction zone.
2643. The method of claim 2631 , wherein a center conduit is disposed within an outer conduit, and wherein the outer conduit is disposed within the opening, the method further comprising providing the oxidizing fluid into the opening through the center conduit and removing an oxidation product tlirough the outer conduit.
2644. The method of claim 2631, whereύi the portion ofthe formation extends radially from the opening a width of less than approximately 0.2 m.
2645. The method of claim 2631 , further comprising removing water from the formation prior to heating the portion.
2646. The method of claim 2631 , further comprising confrolling the temperature ofthe formation to substantially ύihibit production of oxides of nifrogen durύig oxidation.
2647. The method of claim 2631, further comprising coupling an overburden casing to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe fonnation.
2648. The method of claim 2631, further comprisύig coupling an overburden casύig to the openύig, whereύi the overburden casύig is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the overburden casing comprises steel.
2649. The method of claim 2631, further comprising coupling an overburden casing to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the overburden casύig is further disposed in cement.
2650. The method of claύn 2631, further comprising coupling an overburden casing to the openύig, wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the opening.
2651. The method of claim 2631, wherein the pyrolysis zone is substantially adjacent to the reaction zone.
2652. A system configured to heat a relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons, comprising: an insulated conductor disposed within an open wellbore in the formation, wherein the insulated conductor is configured to provide radiant heat to at least a portion ofthe foimation during use; and wherein the system is configured to allow heat to transfer from the insulated conductor to a selected section ofthe formation during use.
2653. The system of claύn 2652, wherein the insulated conductor is further configured to generate heat during application of an electrical current to the insulated conductor during use.
2654. The system of claύn 2652, further comprising a support member, wherein the support member is configured to support the insulated conductor.
2655. The system of claim 2652, further comprising a support member and a cenfralizer, wherein the support member is configured to support the insulated conductor, and wherein the cenfralizer is configured to maintain a location ofthe insulated conductor on the support member.
2656. The system of claύn 2652, wherein the open wellbore comprises a diameter of at least approximately 5 cm.
2657. The system of claim 2652, further comprising a lead-in conductor coupled to the insulated conductor, wherein the lead-in conductor comprises a low resistance conductor configured to generate substantially no heat.
2658. The system of claim 2652, further comprising a lead-in conductor coupled to the insulated conductor, wherein the lead-in conductor comprises a rubber insulated conductor.
2659. The system of claim 2652, further comprisύig a lead-in conductor coupled to the insulated conductor, wherein the lead-in conductor comprises a copper wύe.
2660. The system of claύn 2652, further comprisύig a lead-in conductor coupled to the insulated conductor with a cold pin transition conductor.
2661. The system of claim 2652, further comprising a lead-in conductor coupled to the insulated conductor with a cold pin fransition conductor, wherein the cold pin transition conductor comprises a substantially low resistance insulated conductor.
2662. The system of claim 2652, wherein the insulated conductor comprises a conductor disposed in an electrically insulating material, and wherein the electrically insulating material is disposed in a sheath.
2663. The system of claim 2652, wherein the insulated conductor comprises a conductor disposed in an electrically insulating material, and wherein the conductor comprises a copper-nickel alloy.
2664. The system of claim 2652, wherein the insulated conductor comprises a conductor disposed in an electrically insulating material, whereiα the conductor comprises a copper-nickel alloy, and whereiα the copper- nickel alloy comprises approximately 7 % nickel by weight to approxύnately 12 % nickel by weight.
2665. The system of claύn 2652, wherein the ύisulated conductor comprises a conductor disposed in an elecfrically insulating material, wherein the conductor comprises a copper-nickel alloy, and wherein the copper- nickel alloy comprises approximately 2 % nickel by weight to approxύnately 6 % nickel by weight.
2666. The system of claim 2652, wherein the insulated conductor comprises a conductor disposed in an electrically insulating material, and wherein the electrically insulating material comprises a thermally conductive material.
2667. The system of claim 2652, whereiα the insulated conductor comprises a conductor disposed in an electrically insulating material, and wherein the elecfrically insulating material comprises magnesium oxide.
2668. The system of claύn 2652, wherein the insulated conductor comprises a conductor disposed in an electrically insulating material, wherein the electrically insulating material comprises magnesium oxide, and wherein the magnesium oxide comprises a thickness of at least approximately 1 mm.
2669. The system of claim 2652, wherein the insulated conductor comprises a conductor disposed in an elecfrically insulating material, and wherein the elecfrically ύisulating material comprises aluminum oxide and magnesium oxide.
2670. The system of claim 2652, wherein the insulated conductor comprises a conductor disposed in an electrically insulating material, wherein the elecfrically insulating material comprises magnesium oxide, wherein the magnesium oxide comprises gram particles, and wherein the grain particles are configured to occupy porous spaces within the magnesium oxide.
2671. The system of claim 2652, whereύi the insulated conductor comprises a conductor disposed in an electtically insulating material, and wherein the electrically insulating material is disposed in a sheath, and wherein the sheath comprises a corrosion-resistant material.
2672. The system of claim 2652, wherein the insulated conductor comprises a conductor disposed in an elecfrically insulating material, and whereiα the electrically insulating material is disposed in a sheath, and wherein the sheath comprises stainless steel.
2673. The system of claύn 2652, further comprising two additional insulated conductors, wherein the insulated conductor and the two additional insulated conductors are configured in a 3-phase Y configuration.
2674. The system of claim 2652, further comprising an additional insulated conductor, whereύi the insulated conductor and the additional insulated conductor are coupled to a support member, and wherein the insulated conductor and the additional insulated conductor are configured in a series electrical configuration.
2675. The system of claim 2652, further comprising an additional insulated conductor, wherein the insulated conductor and the additional insulated conductor are coupled to a support member, and wherein the insulated conductor and the additional insulated conductor are configured in a parallel electrical configuration.
2676. The system of claim 2652, wherein the insulated conductor is configured to generate radiant heat of approxύnately 500 W/m to approximately 1150 W/m during use.
2611. The system of claim 2652, further comprising a support member configured to support the insulated conductor, wherein the support member comprises orifices configured to provide fluid flow through the support member into the open wellbore during use.
2678. The system of claim 2652, further comprising a support member configured to support the insulated conductor, wherein the support member comprises critical flow orifices configured to provide a substantially constant amount of fluid flow through the support member into the open wellbore during use.
2679. The system of claim 2652, further comprising a tube coupled to the insulated conductor, wherein the tabe is configured to provide a flow of fluid into the open wellbore during use.
2680. The system of claim 2652, further comprising a tabe coupled to the insulated conductor, wherein the tabe comprises critical flow orifices configured to provide a substantially constant amount of fluid flow through the support member into the open wellbore during use.
2681. The system of claim 2652, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the open wellbore, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation.
2682. The system of claim 2652, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the open wellbore, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the overburden casύig comprises steel.
2683. The system of claim 2652, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the open wellbore, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the overburden casing is further disposed in cement.
2684. The system of claim 2652, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the open wellbore, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the open wellbore.
2685. The system of claim 2652, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the open wellbore, wherein the overburden casύig is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the open wellbore, and wherein the packing material is configured to substantially inhibit a flow of fluid between the open wellbore and the overburden casύig during use.
2686. The system of claύn 2652, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the open wellbore, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the open wellbore, and wherein the packύig material comprises cement.
2687. The system of claim 2652, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the open wellbore, wherein the overburden casύig is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, the system further comprising a wellhead coupled to the overburden casing and a lead-in conductor coupled to the insulated conductor, wherein the wellhead is disposed external to the overburden, wherein the wellhead comprises at least one sealing flange, and wherein at least the one sealing flange is configured to couple to the lead-in conductor.
2688. The system of claim 2652, wherein the system is further configured to ttansfer heat such that the transferred heat can pyrolyze at least some ofthe hydrocarbons in the selected section.
2689. A system configurable to heat a relatively penneable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons, comprising: an insulated conductor configurable to be disposed within an open wellbore in the formation, wherein the insulated conductor is further configurable to provide radiant heat to at least a portion ofthe formation during use; and wherein the system is configurable to allow heat to transfer from the msulated conductor to a selected section ofthe fonnation durύig use.
2690. The system of claim 2689, wherein the insulated conductor is further configurable to generate heat during application of an electrical current to the insulated conductor during use.
2691. The system of claim 2689, further comprising a support member, wherein the support member is configurable to support the insulated conductor.
2692. The system of claύn 2689, further comprising a support member and a centralizer, wherein the support member is configurable to support the insulated conductor, and wherein the centralizer is configurable to maintaύi a location ofthe insulated conductor on the support member.
2693. The system of claim 2689, wherein the open wellbore comprises a diameter of at least approximately 5 cm.
2694. The system of claim 2689, further comprising a lead-in conductor coupled to the insulated conductor, wherein the lead-in conductor comprises a low resistance conductor configurable to generate substantially no heat.
2695. The system of claύn 2689, further comprising a lead-in conductor coupled to the insulated conductor, wherein the lead-in conductor comprises a rubber insulated conductor.
2696. The system of claύn 2689, further comprising a lead-in conductor coupled to the insulated conductor, wherein the lead-in conductor comprises a copper wire.
2691. The system of claύn 2689, further comprising a lead-in conductor coupled to the insulated conductor with a cold pin transition conductor.
2698. The system of claύn 2689, further comprising a lead-in conductor coupled to the insulated conductor with a cold pin transition conductor, wherein the cold pin ttansition conductor comprises a substantially low resistance insulated conductor.
2699. The system of claim 2689, wherein the insulated conductor comprises a conductor disposed in an elecfrically insulating material, and wherein the elecfrically insulating material is disposed in a sheath.
2700. The system of claim 2689, wherein the insulated conductor comprises a conductor disposed iα an elecfrically insulating material, and wherein the conductor comprises a copper-nickel alloy.
2701. The system of claim 2689, wherein the insulated conductor comprises a conductor disposed in an electrically insulating material, wherein the conductor comprises a copper-nickel alloy, and wherein the copper- nickel alloy comprises approxύnately 7 % nickel by weight to approximately 12 % nickel by weight.
2702. The system of claim 2689, wherein the insulated conductor comprises a conductor disposed in an electrically insulating material, whereύi the conductor comprises a copper-nickel alloy, and wherein the copper- nickel alloy comprises approximately 2 % nickel by weight to approxύnately 6 % nickel by weight.
2703. The system of claύn 2689, wherein the insulated conductor comprises a conductor disposed in an electrically insulating material, and wherein the electrically insulating material comprises a thermally conductive material.
2704. The system of claim 2689, wherein the insulated conductor comprises a conductor disposed in an electrically insulating material, and wherein the electrically insulating material comprises magnesium oxide.
2705. The system of claim 2689, wherein the ύisulated conductor comprises a conductor disposed in an electrically insulating material, wherein the elecfrically insulating material comprises magnesium oxide, and wherein the magnesium oxide comprises a thickness of at least approximately 1 mm.
2706. The system of claim 2689, wherein the insulated conductor comprises a conductor disposed in an electrically insulating material, and wherein the elecfrically insulating material comprises aluminum oxide and magnesium oxide.
2707. The system of claim 2689, wherein the insulated conductor comprises a conductor disposed in an electrically insulating material, wherein the electrically insulating material comprises magnesium oxide, wherein
the magnesium oxide comprises grain particles, and wherein the grain particles are configurable to occupy porous spaces withύi the magnesium oxide.
2708. The system of claim 2689, wherein the msulated conductor comprises a conductor disposed in an electrically insulating material, and wherein the elecfrically insulating material is disposed in a sheath, and wherein the sheath comprises a corrosion-resistant material.
2709. The system of claim 2689, whereύi the insulated conductor comprises a conductor disposed in an electrically insulating material, and whereύi the elecfrically insulating material is disposed in a sheath, and wherein the sheath comprises stainless steel.
2710. The system of claim 2689, further comprising two additional insulated conductors, wherein the insulated conductor and the two additional ύisulated conductors are configurable in a 3-phase Y configuration.
2711. The system of claim 2689, further comprising an additional insulated conductor, wherein the insulated conductor and the additional insulated conductor are coupled to a support member, and wherein the insulated conductor and the additional insulated conductor are configurable in a series elecfrical configuration.
2712. The system of claim 2689, further comprising an additional iαsulated conductor, wherein the msulated conductor and the additional insulated conductor are coupled to a support member, and wherein the insulated conductor and the additional insulated conductor are configurable in a parallel elecfrical configuration.
2713. The system of claim 2689, wherein the insulated conductor is configurable to generate radiant heat of approximately 500 W/m to approximately 1150 W/m during use.
2714. The system of claim 2689, further comprising a support member configurable to support the insulated conductor, wherein the support member comprises orifices configurable to provide fluid flow through the support member into the open wellbore during use.
2715. The system of claim 2689, farther comprising a support member configurable to support the insulated conductor, wherein the support member comprises critical flow orifices configurable to provide a substantially constant amount of fluid flow through the support member into the open wellbore during use.
2716. The system of claim 2689, further comprising a tabe coupled to the insulated conductor, whereύi the tube is configurable to provide a flow of fluid into the open wellbore during use.
2111. The system of claim 2689, further comprising a tabe coupled to the first insulated conductor, wherein the tube comprises critical flow orifices configurable to provide a substantially constant amount of fluid flow through the support member into the open wellbore during use.
2718. The system of claim 2689, further comprising an overburden casύig coupled to the open wellbore, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe fonnation.
2719. The system of claim 2689, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the open wellbore, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the overburden casing comprises steel.
2720. The system of claim 2689, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the open wellbore, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the overburden casing is further disposed in cement.
2721. The system of claim 2689, farther comprising an overburden casing coupled to the open wellbore, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the open wellbore.
2722. The system of claim 2689, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the open wellbore, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casύig and the open wellbore, and wherein the packing material is configurable to substantially inhibit a flow of fluid between the open wellbore and the overburden casing during use.
2723. The system of claim 2689, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the open wellbore, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the open wellbore, and wherein the packύig material comprises cement.
2724. The system of claύn 2689, further comprising an overburden casύig coupled to the open wellbore, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, the system further comprising a wellhead coupled to the overburden casύig and a lead-in conductor coupled to the insulated conductor, wherein the wellhead is disposed external to the overburden, whereύi the wellhead comprises at least one sealing flange, and whereύi at least the one sealing flange is configurable to couple to the lead-in conductor.
2725. The system of claim 2689, wherein the system is further configured to transfer heat such that the transferred heat can pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbons in the selected section.
2726. The system of claim 2689, wherein the system is configured to heat a relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons, and wherein the system comprises: an insulated conductor disposed withύi an open wellbore in the formation, wherein the ύisulated conductor is configured to provide radiant heat to at least a portion ofthe fonnation during use; and wherein the system is configured to allow heat to transfer from the insulated conductor to a selected section ofthe formation during use.
2121. An in situ method for heating a relatively permeable formation containύig heavy hydrocarbons, comprising: applying an electrical cunent to an insulated conductor to provide radiant heat to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein the insulated conductor is disposed within an open wellbore in the fonnation; and allowing the radiant heat to fransfer from the insulated conductor to a selected section ofthe fonnation.
2728. The method of claim 2727, further comprising supporting the insulated conductor on a support member.
2729. The method of claim 2727, further comprising supporting the insulated conductor on a support member and maintaining a location ofthe msulated conductor on the support member with a centralizer.
2730. The method of claύn 2727, wherein the insulated conductor is coupled to two additional insulated conductors, wherein the insulated conductor and the two ύisulated conductors are disposed within the open wellbore, and wherein the three insulated conductors are elecfrically coupled in a 3-phase Y configuration.
2731. The method of claim 2727, wherein an additional insulated conductor is disposed within the open wellbore.
2732. The method of claim 2727, wherein an additional insulated conductor is disposed within the open wellbore, and wherein the msulated conductor and the additional insulated conductor are elecfrically coupled in a series configuration.
2733. The method of claim 2727, wherein an additional insulated conductor is disposed within the open wellbore, and wherein the insulated conductor and the additional insulated conductor are electrically coupled in a parallel configuration.
2734. The method of claύn 2727, wherein the provided heat comprises approximately 500 W/m to approximately 1150 W/m.
2735. The method of claim 2727, wherein the insulated conductor comprises a conductor disposed in an electrically insulating material, and wherein the conductor comprises a copper-nickel alloy.
2736. The method of claim 2727, whereύi the msulated conductor comprises a conductor disposed in an electrically insulating material, wherein the conductor comprises a copper-nickel alloy, and wherein the copper- nickel alloy comprises approximately 7 % nickel by weight to approxύnately 12 % nickel by weight.
2737. The method of claim 2727, wherein the insulated conductor comprises a conductor disposed in an elecfrically insulating material, wherein the conductor comprises a copper-nickel alloy, and wherein the copper- nickel alloy comprises approximately 2 % nickel by weight to approxύnately 6 % nickel by weight.
2738. The method of claύn 2727, whereui the insulated conductor comprises a conductor disposed in an electrically insulating material, and wherein the electrically insulating material comprises magnesium oxide.
2739. The method of claim 2727, whereύi the insulated conductor comprises a conductor disposed in an electtically insulating material, wherein the electrically insulating material comprises magnesium oxide, and where n the magnesium oxide comprises a thickness of at least approximately 1 mm.
2740. The method of claim 2727, wherein the insulated conductor comprises a conductor disposed in an electrically insulating material, and wherein the electrically insulating material comprises aluminum oxide and magnesium oxide.
2741. The method of claim 2727, wherein the insulated conductor comprises a conductor disposed in an elecfrically insulating material, wherein the electtically insulating material comprises magnesium oxide, wherein the magnesium oxide comprises grain particles, and wherein the grain particles are configured to occupy porous spaces within the magnesium oxide.
2742. The method of claim 2727, wherein the insulated conductor comprises a conductor disposed in an electrically insulating material, wherein the insulating material is disposed in a sheath, and wherein the sheath comprises a corrosion-resistant material.
2743. The method of claim 2727, wherein the insulated conductor comprises a conductor disposed in an electtically insulating material, whereύi the insulating material is disposed in a sheath, and wherein the sheath comprises stainless steel.
2744. The method of claύn 2727, further comprising supporting the insulated conductor on a support member and flowing a fluid into the open wellbore through an orifice in the support member.
2745. The method of claim 2727, farther comprising supporting the insulated conductor on a support member and flowing a substantially constant amount of fluid into the open wellbore through critical flow orifices in the support member.
2746. The method of claύn 2727, wherein a perforated tube is disposed in the open wellbore proximate to the insulated conductor, the method further comprising flowing a fluid into the open wellbore tlirough the perforated tube.
2747. The method of claim 2727, wherein a tube is disposed iα the open wellbore proximate to the msulated conductor, the method further comprising flowing a substantially constant amount of fluid into the open wellbore through critical flow orifices in the tabe.
2748. The method of claim 2727, further comprising supporting the insulated conductor on a support member and flowing a conosion inhibitύig fluid into the open wellbore through an orifice in the support member.
2749. The method of claim 2727, whereύi a perforated tube is disposed in the open wellbore proximate to the insulated conductor, the method further comprising flowing a conosion inhibiting fluid into the open wellbore through the perforated tube.
2750. The method of claim 2727, further comprising determining a temperature distribution in the insulated conductor using an electromagnetic signal provided to the insulated conductor.
2751. The method of claim 2727, further comprising monitoring a leakage current ofthe insulated conductor.
2752. The method of claim 2727, further comprising monitoring the applied elecfrical current.
2753. The method of claim 2727, further comprising monitoring a voltage applied to the insulated conductor.
2754. The method of claim 2727, further comprising monitoring a temperature in the insulated conductor with at least one thermocouple.
2755. The method of claim 2727, further comprising electrically coupling a lead-in conductor to the insulated conductor, wherein the lead-in conductor comprises a low resistance conductor configured to generate substantially no heat.
2756. The method of claim 2727, further comprising electrically coupling a lead-in conductor to the insulated conductor using a cold pin ttansition conductor.
2757. The method of claim 2727, tarther comprising elecfrically coupling a lead-in conductor to the insulated conductor using a cold pin transition conductor, wherein the cold pin transition conductor comprises a substantially low resistance insulated conductor.
2758. The method of claύn 2727, further comprising coupling an overburden casing to the open wellbore, wherein the overburden casύig is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation.
2759. The method of claim 2727, further comprising coupling an overburden casing to the open wellbore, wherein the overburden casύig is disposed in an overburden ofthe fonnation, and wherein the overburden casing comprises steel.
2760. The method of claim 2727, further comprising couplύig an overburden casing to the open wellbore, wherein the overburden casύig is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the overburden casing is further disposed in cement.
2761. The method of claim 2727, further comprising coupling an overburden casing to the open wellbore, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the open wellbore.
2762. The method of claim 2727, further comprising coupling an overburden casing to the open wellbore, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the method further comprises inhibitύig a flow of fluid between the open wellbore and the overburden casύig with a packύig material.
2763. The method of claim 2727, further comprising heating at least the portion ofthe formation to pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbons within the formation.
2764. An in situ method for heating a relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons, comprising: applying an electtical current to an insulated conductor to provide heat to at least a portion ofthe fonnation, wherein the insulated conductor is disposed within an opening in the formation; and allowing the heat to fransfer from the insulated conductor to a section ofthe formation.
2765. The method of claύn 2764, further comprising supportmg the insulated conductor on a support member.
2766. The method of claim 2764, further comprising supporting the insulated conductor on a support member and maintaining a location ofthe first insulated conductor on the support member with a centralizer.
2767. The method of claim 2764, wherein the insulated conductor is coupled to two additional insulated conductors, wherein the insulated conductor and the two insulated conductors are disposed within the opening, and wherein the three insulated conductors are elecfrically coupled in a 3-phase Y configuration.
2768. The method of claim 2764, wherein an additional ύisulated conductor is disposed withύi the opening.
2769. The method of claim 2764, wherein an additional insulated conductor is disposed withύi the openύig, and whereύi the msulated conductor and the additional ύisulated conductor are electrically coupled in a series configuration.
2770. The method of claim 2764, wherein an additional insulated conductor is disposed within the opening, and wherein the insulated conductor and the additional insulated conductor are elecfrically coupled in a parallel configuration.
2111. The method of claύn 2764, wherein the provided heat comprises approxύnately 500 W/m to approximately 1150 W/m.
2772. The method of claύn 2764, wherein the insulated conductor comprises a conductor disposed in an electrically insulating material, and wherein the conductor comprises a copper-nickel alloy.
2773. The method of claim 2764, wherein the insulated conductor comprises a conductor disposed in an electrically insulating material, whereύi the conductor comprises a copper-nickel alloy, and wherein the copper- nickel alloy comprises approximately 7 % nickel by weight to approxύnately 12 % nickel by weight.
2774. The method of claύn 2764, wherein the insulated conductor comprises a conductor disposed in an electrically insulating material, wherein the conductor comprises a copper-nickel alloy, and wherein the copper- nickel alloy comprises approximately 2 % nickel by weight to approxύnately 6 % nickel by weight.
2775. The method of claim 2764, wherein the insulated conductor comprises a conductor disposed in an elecfrically insulating material, and wherein the elecfrically insulating material comprises magnesium oxide.
2776. The method of claim 2764, wherein the insulated conductor comprises a conductor disposed in an elecfrically insulating material, wherein the elecfrically insulating material comprises magnesium oxide, and wherein the magnesium oxide comprises a thickness of at least approximately 1 mm.
2777. The method of claim 2764, wherein the insulated conductor comprises a conductor disposed in an elecfrically insulating material, and wherein the elecfrically insulating material comprises aluminum oxide and magnesium oxide.
2778. The method of claim 2764, wherein the insulated conductor comprises a conductor disposed in an electrically insulating material, wherein the elecfrically insulating material comprises magnesium oxide, wherein the magnesium oxide comprises grain particles, and wherein the grain particles are configured to occupy porous spaces within the magnesium oxide.
2779. The method of claim 2764, wherein the insulated conductor comprises a conductor disposed in an electrically insulating material, wherein the insulating material is disposed in a sheath, and wherein the sheath comprises a corrosion-resistant material.
2780. The method of claim 2764, wherein the msulated conductor comprises a conductor disposed in an electrically insulating material, wherein the insulating material is disposed in a sheath, and wherein the sheath comprises stainless steel.
2781. The method of claύn 2764, further comprising supporting the msulated conductor on a support member and flowing a fluid into the openύig through an orifice in the support member.
2782. The method of claim 2764, further comprising supporting the insulated conductor on a support member and flowing a substantially constant amount of fluid into the opening through critical flow orifices in the support member.
2783. The method of claim 2764, wherein a perforated tabe is disposed in the openύig proximate to the insulated conductor, the method further comprising flowing a fluid into the openmg tlirough the perforated tube.
2784. The method of claύn 2764, whereύi a tube is disposed in the openύig proximate to the insulated conductor, the method further comprising flowing a substantially constant amount of fluid into the openύig through critical flow orifices in the tube.
2785. The method of claύn 2764, further comprising supporting the insulated conductor on a support member and flowing a corrosion inhibiting fluid into the opening through an orifice in the support member.
2786. The method of claim 2764, wherein a perforated tabe is disposed in the opening proxύnate to the insulated conductor, the method further comprising flowing a corrosion inhibiting fluid into the openύig through the perforated tabe.
2787. The method of claim 2764, further comprising determining a temperature disttibution in the insulated conductor using an electromagnetic signal provided to the insulated conductor.
2788. The method of claύn 2764, further comprising monitoring a leakage cunent ofthe insulated conductor.
2789. The method of claim 2764, further comprising monitoring the applied electtical current.
2790. The method of claim 2764, further comprising monitoring a voltage applied to the insulated conductor.
2791. The method of claim 2764, further comprising monitoring a temperature in the msulated conductor with at least one thermocouple.
2792. The method of claim 2764, further comprising electrically coupling a lead-in conductor to the insulated conductor, wherein the lead-in conductor comprises a low resistance conductor configured to generate substantially no heat.
2793. The method of claim 2764, further comprising electrically coupling a lead-in conductor to the insulated conductor using a cold pin transition conductor.
2794. The method of claim 2764, farther comprising electtically coupling a lead-in conductor to the insulated conductor using a cold pin ttansition conductor, wherein the cold pin transition conductor comprises a substantially low resistance insulated conductor.
2795. The method of claim 2764, further comprising coupling an overburden casύig to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation.
2796. The method of claim 2764, further comprising coupling an overburden casing to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe fonnation, and wherein the overburden casing comprises steel.
2797. The method of claim 2764, further comprising coupling an overburden casing to the openύig, whereύi the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the overburden casing is further disposed in cement.
2798. The method of claim 2764, farther comprising coupling an overburden casing to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the opening.
2799. The method of claim 2764, further comprising coupling an overburden casύig to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe foimation, and wherein the method further comprises inhibiting a flow of fluid between the opening and the overburden casing with a packing material.
2800. The method of claim 2764, farther comprising heatύig at least the portion ofthe fonnation to substantially pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbons within the fonnation.
2801. A system configured to heat a relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons, comprising: an insulated conductor disposed within an opening in the formation, wherein the insulated conductor is configured to provide heat to at least a portion ofthe formation during use, wherein the insulated conductor comprises a copper-nickel alloy, and wherein the copper-nickel alloy comprises approximately 7 % nickel by weight to approximately 12 % nickel by weight; and wherein the system is configured to allow heat to transfer from the insulated conductor to a selected section ofthe formation during use.
2802. The system of claύn 2801, wherein the insulated conductor is further configured to generate heat during application of an electrical current to the insulated conductor during use.
2803. The system of claim 2801 , further comprising a support member, wherein the support member is configured to support the insulated conductor.
2804. The system of claim 2801, further comprising a support member and a cenfralizer, wherein the support member is configured to support the insulated conductor, and wherein the centralizer is configured to maintaύi a location ofthe insulated conductor on the support member.
2805. The system of claim 2801 , wherein the openύig comprises a diameter of at least approxύnately 5 cm.
2806. The system of claim 2801, farther comprising a lead-in conductor coupled to the msulated conductor, wherein the lead-in conductor comprises a low resistance conductor configured to generate substantially no heat.
2807. The system of claim 2801, farther comprising a lead-in conductor coupled to the insulated conductor, wherein the lead-in conductor comprises a rubber insulated conductor.
2808. The system of claύn 2801, further comprising a lead-in conductor coupled to the msulated conductor, wherein the lead-in conductor comprises a copper wύe.
2809. The system of claim 2801, further comprising a lead-in conductor coupled to the insulated conductor with a cold pin fransition conductor.
2810. The system of claim 2801, further comprising a lead-in conductor coupled to the insulated conductor with a cold pin transition conductor, wherein the cold pin fransition conductor comprises a substantially low resistance insulated conductor.
2811. The system of claim 2801, wherein the copper-nickel alloy is disposed in an electrically insulating material, and wherein the electtically insulating material comprises a thermally conductive material.
2812. The system of claim 2801, wherein the copper-nickel alloy is disposed in an elecfrically insulating material, and wherein the electrically insulating material comprises magnesium oxide.
2813. The system of claim 2801, wherein the copper-nickel alloy is disposed in an elecfrically insulating material, wherein the elecfrically insulating material comprises magnesimn oxide, and wherein the magnesium oxide comprises a thickness of at least approximately 1 mm.
2814. The system of claim 2801, wherein the copper-nickel alloy is disposed in an elecfrically insulating material, and wherein the electtically insulating material comprises aluminum oxide and magnesium oxide.
2815. The system of claim 2801 , wherein the copper-nickel alloy is disposed ύi an elecfrically insulating material, wherein the electrically insulating material comprises magnesium oxide, wherein the magnesimn oxide comprises grain particles, and wherein the grain particles are configured to occupy porous spaces within the magnesium oxide.
2816. The system of claim 2801, wherein the copper-nickel alloy is disposed in an electrically insulating material, wherein the electrically insulating material is disposed in a sheath, and wherein the sheath comprises a conosion-resistant material.
2817. The system of claim 2801 , whereύi the copper-nickel alloy is disposed in an electrically insulating material, wherein the elecfrically insulating material is disposed in a sheath, and wherein the sheath comprises stainless steel.
2818. The system of claim 2801, further comprising two additional insulated conductors, wherein the insulated conductor and the two additional insulated conductors are configured in a 3-phase Y configuration.
2819. The system of claim 2801, farther comprising an additional insulated conductor, wherein the msulated conductor and the additional insulated conductor are coupled to a support member, and wherein the ύisulated conductor and the additional insulated conductor are configured in a series electrical configuration.
2820. The system of claim 2801, further comprising an additional ύisulated conductor, wherein the insulated conductor and the additional insulated conductor are coupled to a support member, and wherein the insulated conductor and the additional insulated conductor are configured in a parallel electtical configuration.
2821. The system of claim 2801 , wherein the msulated conductor is configured to generate radiant heat of approxύnately 500 W/m to approximately 1150 W/m durύig use.
2822. The system of claύn 2801, further comprising a support member configured to support the insulated conductor, wherein the support member comprises orifices configured to provide fluid flow through the support member into the opening during use.
2823. The system of claim 2801, further comprising a support member configured to support the insulated conductor, wherein the support member comprises critical flow orifices configured to provide a substantially constant amount of fluid flow through the support member into the opening during use.
2824. The system of claim 2801 , farther comprising a tabe coupled to the insulated conductor, wherein the tube is configured to provide a flow of fluid into the openύig during use.
2825. The system of claim 2801, further comprising a tube coupled to the insulated conductor, wherein the tabe comprises critical flow orifices configured to provide a substantially constant amount of fluid flow through the support member into the opening durύig use.
2826. The system of claim 2801, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation.
282 '. The system of claύn 2801, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casύig is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the overburden casύig comprises steel.
2828. The system of claim 2801, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe fonnation, and wherein the overburden casing is further disposed in cement.
2829. The system of claim 2801, farther comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe fonnation, and wherein a packύig material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the opening.
2830. The system of claύn 2801, farther comprising an overburden casing coupled to the openύig, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the opening, and wherein the packing material is configured to substantially inhibit a flow of fluid between the opening and the overburden casing during use.
2831. The system of claim 2801, further comprismg an overburden casing coupled to the openύig, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the openύig, and wherein the packing material comprises cement.
2832. The system of claim 2801, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the openύig, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, the system further comprising a wellliead coupled to the overburden casing and a lead-in conductor coupled to the insulated conductor, wherein the wellhead is disposed external to the overburden, wherein the wellhead comprises at least one sealing flange, and wherein at least the one sealing flange is configured to couple to the lead-in conductor.
2833. The system of claim 2801, wherein the system is further configured to transfer heat such that the transferred heat can pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbons in the selected section.
2834. A system configurable to heat a relatively permeable formation containύig heavy hydrocarbons, comprising: an insulated conductor configurable to be disposed within an openύig in the formation, wherein the insulated conductor is further configurable to provide heat to at least a portion ofthe formation durύig use, wherein the msulated conductor comprises a copper-nickel alloy, and whereύi the copper-nickel alloy comprises approxύnately 7 % nickel by weight to approxύnately 12 % nickel by weight; wherein the system is configurable to allow heat to transfer from the insulated conductor to a selected section ofthe fonnation during use.
2835. The system of claim 2834, wherein the insulated conductor is further configurable to generate heat during application of an elecfrical cunent to the insulated conductor during use.
2836. The system of claim 2834, further comprising a support member, wherein the support member is configurable to support the insulated conductor.
2837. The system of claim 2834, farther comprising a support member and a centralizer, wherein the support member is configurable to support the insulated conductor, and wherein the centralizer is configurable to maintain a location ofthe insulated conductor on the support member.
2838. The system of claύn 2834, wherein the opening comprises a diameter of at least approximately 5 cm.
2839. The system of claim 2834, further comprising a lead-in conductor coupled to the insulated conductor, wherein the lead-in conductor comprises a low resistance conductor configurable to generate substantially no heat.
2840. The system of claim 2834, further comprising a lead-in conductor coupled to the insulated conductor, wherein the lead-in conductor comprises a rubber insulated conductor.
2841. The system of claim 2834, further comprising a lead-in conductor coupled to the insulated conductor, wherein the lead-in conductor comprises a copper wύe.
2842. The system of claύn 2834, further comprising a lead-in conductor coupled to the insulated conductor with a cold pin transition conductor.
2843. The system of claim 2834, farther comprising a lead-in conductor coupled to the ύisulated conductor with a cold pin transition conductor, wherein the cold pin ttansition conductor comprises a substantially low resistance insulated conductor.
2844. The system of claim 2834, whereύi the copper-nickel alloy is disposed in an electrically insulating material, and wherein the elecfrically insulating material comprises a thermally conductive material.
2845. The system of claύn 2834, wherein the copper-nickel alloy is disposed in an electrically insulating material, and wherein the electrically insulating material comprises magnesium oxide.
2846. The system of claim 2834, wherein the copper-nickel alloy is disposed in an electrically insulating material, wherein the electtically insulating material comprises magnesium oxide, and wherein the magnesium oxide comprises a thickness of at least approximately 1 mm.
2847. The system of claύn 2834, wherein the copper-nickel alloy is disposed in an elecfrically insulating material, and wherein the elecfrically insulating material comprises aluminum oxide and magnesium oxide.
2848. The system of claim 2834, wherein the copper-nickel alloy is disposed in an electrically insulating material, wherein the elecfrically insulating material comprises magnesium oxide, wherein the magnesium oxide comprises grain particles, and wherein the grain particles are configurable to occupy porous spaces within the magnesium oxide.
2849. The system of claim 2834, whereύi the copper-nickel alloy is disposed in an elecfrically insulating material, wherein the elecfrically insulating material is disposed in a sheath, and whereύi the sheath comprises a corrosion-resistant material.
2850. The system of claύn 2834, whereύi the copper-nickel alloy is disposed in an electrically insulating material, whereύi the electrically insulating material is disposed in a sheath, and wherein the sheath comprises stainless steel.
2851. The system of claim 2834, further comprising two additional msulated conductors, wherein the insulated conductor and the two additional insulated conductors are configurable in a 3-phase Y configuration.
2852. The system of claim 2834, further comprising an additional insulated conductor, wherein the insulated conductor and the additional insulated conductor are coupled to a support member, and whereύi the msulated conductor and the additional insulated conductor are configurable in a series electrical configuration.
2853. The system of claύn 2834, further comprising an additional insulated conductor, whereui the insulated conductor and the additional insulated conductor are coupled to a support member, and wherein the insulated conductor and the additional insulated conductor are configurable in a parallel elecfrical configuration.
2854. The system of claim 2834, wherein the insulated conductor is configurable to generate radiant heat of approxύnately 500 W/m to approximately 1150 W/m during use.
2855. The system of claim 2834, tarther comprising a support member configurable to support the insulated conductor, wherein the support member comprises orifices configurable to provide fluid flow through the support member into the open wellbore during use.
2856. The system of claύn 2834, further comprising a support member configurable to support the insulated conductor, wherein the support member comprises critical flow orifices configurable to provide a substantially constant amount of fluid flow tlirough the support member into the opening during use.
2857. The system of claim 2834, further comprising a tabe coupled to the msulated conductor, wherein the tube is configurable to provide a flow of fluid ύito the opening during use.
2858. The system of claim 2834, further comprising a tabe coupled to the insulated conductor, wherein the tube comprises critical flow orifices configurable to provide a substantially constant amount of fluid flow through the support member into the openύig during use.
2859. The system of claim 2834, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe fonnation.
2860. The system of claύn 2834, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the overburden casύig comprises steel.
2861. The system of claim 2834, furtlier comprising an overburden casing coupled to the openύig, wherein the overburden casύig is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the overburden casing is further disposed in cement.
2862. The system of claim 2834, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casύig is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the openύig.
2863. The system of claύn 2834, further comprising an overburden casύig coupled to the openύig, whereύi the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, wherein a packύig material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the openύig, and wherein the packing material is configurable to substantially inhibit a flow of fluid between the opening and the overburden casing during use.
2864. The system of claim 2834, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the openύig, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe fonnation, wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the opening, and wherein the packing material comprises cement.
2865. The system of claim 2834, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the openύig, whereύi the Overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe fonnation, the system further comprising a wellhead coupled to the overburden casing and a lead-in conductor coupled to the insulated conductor, wherein the wellhead is disposed external to the overburden, wherein the wellhead comprises at least one sealing flange, and wherein at least the one sealing flange is configurable to couple to the lead-in conductor.
2866. The system of claύn 2834, wherein the system is further configured to transfer heat such that the fransferred heat can pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbons in the selected section.
2867. The system of claim 2834, whereύi the system is configured to heat a relatively permeable fonnation containing heavy hydrocarbons, and wherein the system comprises: an insulated conductor disposed within an opening in the formation, wherein the insulated conductor is configured to provide heat to at least a portion ofthe foimation during use, whereύi the insulated conductor comprises a copper-nickel alloy, and wherein the copper-nickel alloy comprises approximately 7 % nickel by weight to approximately 12 % nickel by weight; and wherein the system is configured to allow heat to transfer from the insulated conductor to a selected section ofthe formation during use.
2868. An in sita method for heating a relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons, comprising: applying an electrical current to an insulated conductor to provide heat to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein the insulated conductor is disposed within an openύig in the formation, and wherein the insulated conductor comprises a copper-nickel alloy of approxύnately 7 % nickel by weight to approximately 12 % nickel by weight; and allowing the heat to fransfer from the insulated conductor to a selected section ofthe formation.
2869. The method of claim 2868, further comprising supporting the ύisulated conductor on a support member.
2870. The method of claim 2868, further comprising supporting the insulated conductor on a support member and maintaining a location ofthe first insulated conductor on the support member with a centralizer.
2871. The method of claim 2868, wherein the msulated conductor is coupled to two additional insulated conductors, wherein the insulated conductor and the two insulated conductors are disposed withύi the openύig, and wherein the three insulated conductors are electrically coupled in a 3-phase Y configuration.
2872. The method of claύn 2868, wherein an additional insulated conductor is disposed within the opening.
2873. The method of claim 2868, wherein an additional insulated conductor is disposed within the openύig, and wherein the insulated conductor and the additional insulated conductor are electrically coupled in a series configuration.
2874. The method of claim 2868, wherein an additional insulated conductor is disposed within the opening, and wherein the ύisulated conductor and the additional ύisulated conductor are electrically coupled in a parallel configuration.
2875. The method of claύn 2868, wherein the provided heat comprises approximately 500 W/m to approximately 1150 W/m.
2876. The method of claύn 2868, wherein the copper-nickel alloy is disposed in an elecfrically insulating material.
2877. The method of claim 2868, whereύi the copper-nickel alloy is disposed in an electrically insulating material, and wherein the electrically insulating material comprises magnesium oxide.
2878. The method of claim 2868, wherein the copper-nickel alloy is disposed in an elecfrically insulating material, wherein the electrically insulating material comprises magnesium oxide, and wherein the magnesium oxide comprises a thickness of at least approximately 1 mm.
2879. The method of claim 2868, wherein the copper-nickel alloy is disposed in an elecfrically insulating material, and wherein the electrically insulating material comprises aluminum oxide and magnesium oxide.
2880. The method of claim 2868, wherein the copper-nickel alloy is disposed in an electrically insulating material, wherein the electrically insulating material comprises magnesium oxide, wherein the magnesium oxide comprises grain particles, and wherein the grain particles are configured to occupy porous spaces within the magnesium oxide.
2881. The method of claim 2868, wherein the copper-nickel alloy is disposed in an elecfrically insulating material, wherein the insulating material is disposed in a sheath, and wherein the sheath comprises a corrosion- resistant material.
2882. The method of claύn 2868, wherein the copper-nickel alloy is disposed in an elecfrically insulating material, wherein the insulating material is disposed in a sheath, and wherein the sheath comprises stainless steel.
2883. The method of claim 2868, tarther comprising supporting the insulated conductor on a support member and flowing a fluid into the opening through an orifice in the support member.
2884. The method of claim 2868, farther comprising supporting the insulated conductor on a support member and flowing a substantially constant amount of fluid into the openύig through critical flow orifices in the support member.
2885. The method of claim 2868, wherem a perforated tabe is disposed in the openύig proximate to the ύisulated conductor, the method further comprising flowing a fluid into the opening through the perforated tabe.
2886. The method of claim 2868, wherein a tube is disposed in the opening proximate to the insulated conductor, the method further comprising flowing a substantially constant amount of fluid into the opening tlirough critical flow orifices in the tube.
2887. The method of claim 2868, further comprisύig supportmg the insulated conductor on a support member and flowing a corrosion inhibitύig fluid into the opening through an orifice in the support member.
2888. The method of claim 2868, whereύi a perforated tabe is disposed in the openύig proximate to the insulated conductor, the metliod further comprising flowing a conosion inhibiting fluid into the opening through the perforated tube.
2889. The method of claim 2868, farther comprising determining a temperature disttibution in the insulated conductor using an electromagnetic signal provided to the insulated conductor.
2890. The method of claim 2868, further comprising monitoring a leakage cunent ofthe insulated conductor.
2891. The metliod of claim 2868, further comprising monitoring the applied electrical current.
2892. The method of claim 2868, further comprising monitoring a voltage applied to the insulated conductor.
2893. The method of claim 2868, further comprising monitoring a temperature in the insulated conductor with at least one thermocouple.
2894. The method of claύn 2868, further comprising electrically coupling a lead-in conductor to the ύisulated conductor, wherein the lead-in conductor comprises a low resistance conductor configured to generate substantially no heat.
2895. The method of claim 2868, further comprising electrically coupling a lead-in conductor to the insulated conductor using a cold pin transition conductor.
2896. The method of claim 2868, further comprising elecfrically coupling a lead-in conductor to the insulated conductor using a cold pin fransition conductor, wherein the cold pin transition conductor comprises a substantially low resistance insulated conductor.
2897. The method of claύn 2868, further comprisύig coupling an overburden casing to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation.
2898. The method of claim 2868, further comprising coupling an overburden casing to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the overburden casύig comprises steel.
2899. The method of claim 2868, farther comprising coupling an overburden casing to the opening, wherein the overburden casύig is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the overburden casing is further disposed in cement.
2900. The method of claim 2868, further comprising coupling an overburden casing to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe fonnation, and wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the opening.
2901. The method of claim 2868, further comprising coupling an overburden casing to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe fonnation, and wherein the method further comprises inhibiting a flow of fluid between the opening and the overburden casing with a packing material.
2902. The method of claύn 2868, further comprising heating at least the portion ofthe formation to substantially pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbons within the formation.
2903. A system configured to heat a relatively penneable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons, comprising: at least three insulated conductors disposed within an opening in the formation, wherein at least the three insulated conductors are electtically coupled in a 3-phase Y configuration, and wherein at least the three insulated conductors are configured to provide heat to at least a portion ofthe formation durύig use; and whereui the system is configured to allow heat to transfer from at least the three insulated conductors to a selected section ofthe formation during use.
2904. The system of claύn 2903, wherein at least the three insulated conductors are farther configured to generate heat during application of an elecfrical cunent to at least the three insulated conductors durύig use.
2905. ■ The system of claύn 2903, further comprising a support member, where n the support member is configured to support at least the three insulated conductors.
2906. The system of claim 2903, further comprising a support member and a cenfralizer, wherein the support member is configured to support at least the three insulated conductors, and wherein the centralizer is configured to maintaύi a location of at least the three insulated conductors on the support member.
2907. The system of claim 2903, wherein the opening comprises a diameter of at least approxύnately 5 cm.
2908. The system of claim 2903, further comprising at least one lead-in conductor coupled to at least the three insulated conductors, wherein at least the one lead-in conductor comprises a low resistance conductor configured to generate substantially no heat.
2909. The system of claim 2903, further comprising at least one lead-in conductor coupled to at least the three insulated conductors, whereύi at least the one -lead-in conductor comprises a rubber insulated conductor.
2910. The system of claim 2903, further comprising at least one lead-in conductor coupled to at least the three insulated conductors, wherein at least the one lead-in conductor comprises a copper wire.
2911. The system of claim 2903 , farther comprising at least one lead-in conductor coupled to at least the three insulated conductors with a cold pin ttansition conductor.
2912. The system of claim 2903, farther comprising at least one lead-in conductor coupled to at least the three insulated conductors with a cold pin ttansition conductor, wherein the cold pin transition conductor comprises a substantially low resistance insulated conductor.
2913. The system of claim 2903 , wherein at least the three insulated conductors comprise a conductor disposed in an electtically insulating material, and wherein the electtically insulating material is disposed in a sheath.
2914. The system of claim 2903, wherein at least the three insulated conductors comprise a conductor disposed in an electtically insulating material, and wherein the conductor comprises a copper-nickel alloy.
2915. The system of claim 2903 , wherein at least the three insulated conductors comprise a conductor disposed in an electtically insulating material, wherein the conductor comprises a copper-nickel alloy, and wherein the copper-nickel alloy comprises approximately 7 % nickel by weight to approximately 12 % nickel by weight.
2916. The system of claύn 2903, whereύi at least the three insulated conductors comprise a conductor disposed in an elecfrically insulating material, wherein the conductor comprises a copper-nickel alloy, and wherein the copper-nickel alloy comprises approximately 2 % nickel by weight to approximately 6 % nickel by weight.
2917. The system of claim 2903, wherein at least the three insulated conductors comprise a conductor disposed in an electrically insulating material, and wherein the electrically insulating material comprises a thennally conductive material.
2918. The system of claύn 2903 , whereύi at least the three insulated conductors comprise a conductor disposed in an electrically insulating material, and wherein the electtically insulating material comprises magnesium oxide.
2919. The system of claim 2903 , wherein at least the three insulated conductors comprise a conductor disposed in an electtically insulating material, wherein the electtically insulating material comprises magnesium oxide, and wherein the magnesium oxide comprises a thickness of at least approximately 1 mm.
2920. The system of claim 2903, wherein at least the three insulated conductors comprise a conductor disposed in an electrically insulating material, and wherein the electrically insulating material comprises aluminum oxide and magnesium oxide.
2921. The system of claim 2903 , whereύi the insulated conductor comprises a conductor disposed in an electrically insulating material, wherein the electrically insulating material comprises magnesium oxide, wherein the magnesium oxide comprises grain particles, and wherein the grain particles are configured to occupy porous spaces within the magnesium oxide.
2922. The system of claim 2903, wherein at least the three insulated conductors comprise a conductor disposed in an electrically insulating material, and wherein the elecfrically insulating material is disposed in a sheath, and whereύi the sheath comprises a conosion-resistant material.
2923. The system of claim 2903, wherein at least the three insulated conductors comprise a conductor disposed ύi an electrically insulating material, and wherein the elecfrically insulating material is disposed in a sheath, and wherein the sheath comprises stainless steel.
2924. The system of claim 2903, whereύi at least the three insulated conductors are configured to generate radiant heat of approximately 500 W/m to approximately 1150 W/m of at least the three insulated conductors during use.
2925. The system of claim 2903, further comprising a support member configured to support at least the three insulated conductors, wherein the support member comprises orifices configured to provide fluid flow tlirough the support member into the opening during use.
2926. The system of claim 2903, further comprisύig a support member configured to support at least the three insulated conductors, wherein the support member comprises critical flow orifices configured to provide a substantially constant amount of fluid flow through the support member into the opening during use.
2927. The system of claim 2903, further comprising a tabe coupled to at least the three insulated conductors, wherein the tabe is configured to provide a flow of fluid into the opening during use.
2928. The system of claύn 2903, further comprising a tabe coupled to at least the three insulated conductors, wherein the tabe comprises critical flow orifices configured to provide a substantially constant amount of fluid flow through the support member into the opening during use.
2929. The system of claim 2903, further comprising an overburden casύig coupled to the openύig, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation.
2930. The system of claim 2903, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the overburden casing comprises steel.
2931. The system of claim 2903 , further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the openύig, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the overburden casing is further disposed in cement.
2932. The system of claim 2903, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the opening.
2933. The system of claim 2903, farther comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casύig is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the opening, and whereύi the packύig material is configured to substantially inhibit a flow of fluid between the opening and the overburden casing during use.
2934. The system of claim 2903, further comprising an overburden casύig coupled to the openύig, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the opening, and wherein the packing material comprises cement.
2935. The system of claim 2903, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casύig is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, the system further comprising a wellhead coupled to the overburden casing and a lead-in conductor coupled to the msulated conductor, wherein the wellhead is disposed external to the overburden, wherein the wellhead comprises at least one sealing flange, and wherein at least the one sealing flange is configured to couple to the lead-in conductor.
2936. The system of claim 2903, wherein the system is farther configured to ttansfer heat such that the transferred heat can pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbons in the selected section.
2937. A system configurable to heat a relatively permeable fonnation containing heavy hydrocarbons, comprising: at least three insulated conductors configurable to be disposed within an openύig in the formation, wherein at least the three insulated conductors are electrically coupled in a 3-phase Y configuration, and wherein at least the three insulated conductors are further configurable to provide heat to at least a portion ofthe fonnation during use; and whereύi the system is configurable to allow heat to ttansfer from at least the three insulated conductors to a selected section ofthe formation during use.
2938. The system of claim 2937, wherein at least the three insulated conductors are farther configurable to generate heat during application of an electrical current to at least the three insulated conductors durύig use.
2939. The system of claim 2937, further comprising a support member, wherein the support member is configurable to support at least the three insulated conductors.
2940. The system of claim 2937, further comprising a support member and a centralizer, wherein the support member is configurable to support at least the three insulated conductors, and wherein the cenfralizer is configurable to maintain a location of at least the three insulated conductors on the support member.
2941. The system of claim 2937, wherein the opening comprises a diameter of at least approximately 5 cm.
2942. The system of claim 2937, further comprising at least one lead-in conductor coupled to at least the three insulated conductors, wherein at least the one lead-in conductor comprises a low resistance conductor configurable to generate substantially no heat.
2943. The system of claim 2937, further comprising at least one lead-in conductor coupled to at least the three insulated conductors, wherein at least the one lead-in conductor comprises a mbber insulated conductor.
2944. The system of claim 2937, further comprising at least one lead-in conductor coupled to at least the three insulated conductors, whereύi at least the one lead-in conductor comprises a copper wύe.
2945. The system of claim 2937, further comprising at least one lead-in conductor coupled to at least the three insulated conductors with a cold pin transition conductor.
2946. The system of claim 2937, farther comprising at least one lead-in conductor coupled to at least the three insulated conductors with a cold pin transition conductor, wherein the cold pin transition conductor comprises a substantially low resistance insulated conductor.
2947. The system of claύn 2937, wherein at least the three insulated conductors comprise a conductor disposed in an electrically insulating material, and wherein the elecfrically insulating material is disposed in a sheath.
2948. The system of claύn 2937, wherein at least the three insulated conductors comprise a conductor disposed in an electrically insulating material, and wherein the conductor comprises a copper-nickel alloy.
2949. The system of claim 2937, wherein at least the three insulated conductors comprise a conductor disposed in an electrically insulating material, wherein the conductor comprises a copper-nickel alloy, and wherein the copper-nickel alloy comprises approxύnately 7 % nickel by weight to approximately 12 % nickel by weight.
2950. The system of claim 2937, whereύi at least the three insulated conductors comprise a conductor disposed in an electtically insulating material, whereύi the conductor comprises a copper-nickel alloy, and wherein the copper-nickel alloy comprises approximately 2 % nickel by weight to approximately 6 % nickel by weight.
2951. The system of claim 2937, wherein at least the three insulated conductors comprise a conductor disposed in an electrically insulating material, and wherein the elecfrically insulating material comprises a thennally conductive material.
2952. The system of claim 2937, wherein at least the three insulated conductors comprise a conductor disposed in an electrically insulating material, and wherein the electrically insulatmg material comprises magnesium oxide.
2953. The system of claim 2937, whereύi at least the three insulated conductors comprise a conductor disposed in an electrically insulating material, wherein the electrically insulating material comprises magnesium oxide, and wherein the magnesium oxide comprises a thickness of at least approximately 1 mm.
2954. The system of claim 2937, wherein at least the three insulated conductors comprise a conductor disposed in an electrically insulating material, and wherein the electtically insulating material comprises aluminum oxide and magnesium oxide.
2955. The system of claim 2937, wherein the insulated conductor comprises a conductor disposed in an electrically insulating material, wherein the elecfrically insulatmg material comprises magnesium oxide, wherein the magnesium oxide comprises grain particles, and wherein the grain particles are configurable to occupy porous spaces withύi the magnesium oxide.
2956. The system of claim 2937, wherein at least the three insulated conductors comprise a conductor disposed in an electrically insulating material, and wherein the electrically insulating material is disposed in a sheath, and wherein the sheath comprises a corrosion-resistant material.
2957. The system of claim 2937, wherein at least the three insulated conductors comprise a conductor disposed in an elecfrically insulating material, and wherein the elecfrically insulating material is disposed in a sheath, and wherein the sheath comprises stamless steel.
2958. The system of claim 2937, wherein at least the three insulated conductors are configurable to generate radiant heat of approximately 500 W/m to approxύnately 1150 W/m during use.
2959. The system of claim 2937, further comprising a support member configurable to support at least the three insulated conductors, wherein the support member comprises orifices configurable to provide fluid flow through the support member into the openύig durύig use.
2960. The system of claim 2937, further comprising a support member configurable to support at least the three insulated conductors, wherein the support member comprises critical flow orifices configurable to provide a substantially constant amount of fluid flow through the support member into the openύig during use.
2961. The system of claim 2937, further comprising a tabe coupled to at least the three insulated conductors, wherein the tabe is configurable to provide a flow of fluid into the opening during use.
2962. The system of claim 2937, further comprising a tabe coupled to at least the three insulated conductors, wherein the tabe comprises critical flow orifices configurable to provide a substantially constant amount of fluid flow through the support member into the openύig during use.
2963. The system of claim 2937, farther comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe fonnation.
2964. The system of claim 2937, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the openύig, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the overburden casing comprises steel.
2965. The system of claim 2937, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the openύig, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the overburden casing is further disposed in cement.
2966. The system of claύn 2937, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the openύig, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casύig and the openύig.
2967. The system of claim 2937, farther comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the opening, and wherein the packing material is configurable to substantially inhibit a flow of fluid between the opening and the overburden casing during use.
2968. The system of claύn 2937, farther comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe fonnation, wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the opening, and wherein the packύig material comprises cement.
2969. The system of claim 2937, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe foimation, the system further comprising a wellhead coupled to the overburden casing and a lead-in conductor coupled to the insulated conductor, wherein the wellhead is
disposed external to the overburden, wherein the wellhead comprises at least one sealing flange, and wherein at least the one sealing flange is configurable to couple to the lead-in conductor.
2970. The system of claim 2937, wherein the system is further configured to fransfer heat such that the fransfened heat can pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbons in the selected section.
2971. The system of claim 2937, wherein the system is configured to heat a relatively penneable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons, and wherein the system comprises: at least three insulated conductors disposed within an opening in the fonnation, wherein at least the three insulated conductors are elecfrically coupled in a 3-phase Y configuration, and wherein at least the three insulated conductors are configured to provide heat to at least a portion ofthe formation during use; and wherein the system is configured to allow heat to fransfer from at least the three insulated conductors to a selected section ofthe formation during use.
2972. An in sita method for heating a relatively penneable formation contaύiύig heavy hydrocarbons, comprising: applying an electrical current to at least three insulated conductors to provide heat to at least a portion of the formation, wherein at least the three insulated conductors are disposed within an openύig in the formation; and allowing the heat to fransfer from at least the three insulated conductors to a selected section ofthe formation.
2973. The method of claim 2972, further comprising supporting at least the three insulated conductors on a support member.
2974. The method of claim 2972, further comprising supporting at least the three insulated conductors on a support member and maintaining a location of at least the three insulated conductors on the support member with a centralizer.
2975. The method of claim 2972, wherein the provided heat comprises approximately 500 W/m to approximately 1150 W/m.
2976. The method of claim 2972, wherein at least the three insulated conductors comprise a conductor disposed in an electtically insulating material, and wherein the conductor comprises a copper-nickel alloy.
2977. The method of claύn 2972, whereύi at least the three insulated conductors comprise a conductor disposed in an electtically insulating material, wherein the conductor comprises a copper-nickel alloy, and wherein the copper-nickel alloy comprises approxύnately 7 % nickel by weight to approximately 12 % nickel by weight.
2978. The method of claim 2972, whereύi at least the three insulated conductors comprise a conductor disposed in an electrically insulatmg material, wherein the conductor comprises a copper-nickel alloy, and wherein the copper-nickel alloy comprises approxύnately 2 % nickel by weight to approximately 6 % nickel by weight.
2979. The method of claim 2972, wherein at least the three msulated conductors comprise a conductor disposed in an electrically insulating material, and wherein the elecfrically insulating material comprises magnesium oxide.
2980. The method of claim 2972, wherein at least the three insulated conductors comprise a conductor disposed in an electrically insulating material, wherein the electrically insulating material comprises magnesium oxide, and wherein the magnesium oxide comprises a thickness of at least approximately 1 mm.
2981. The method of claύn 2972, wherein at least the three insulated conductors comprise a conductor disposed in an electrically insulating material, and wherein the elecfrically insulating material comprises aluminum oxide and magnesium oxide.
2982. The method of claim 2972, wherein at least the three insulated conductors comprise a conductor disposed in an elecfrically insulatmg material, wherein the elecfrically insulating material comprises magnesium oxide, wherein the magnesium oxide comprises grain particles, and wherein the grain particles are configured to occupy porous spaces within the magnesimn oxide.
2983. The method of claim 2972, wherein at least the three insulated conductors comprise a conductor disposed in an elecfrically insulating material, wherein the insulating material is disposed in a sheath, and wherein the sheath comprises a conosion-resistant material.
2984. The method of claύn 2972, wherein at least the three insulated conductors comprise a conductor disposed in an electrically insulating material, wherein the insulating material is disposed in a sheath, and wherein the sheath comprises stainless steel.
2985. The method of claim 2972, further comprising supporting at least the three insulated conductors on a support member and flowing a fluid into the opening tlirough an orifice in the support member.
2986. The method of claim 2972, further comprising supporting at least the three insulated conductors on a support member and flowing a substantially constant amount of fluid into the openύig through critical flow orifices in the support member.
2987. The method of claim 2972, wherein a perforated tabe is disposed in the openύig proxύnate to at least the three msulated conductors, the method farther comprising flowing a fluid into the opening through the perforated tabe.
2988. The method of claim 2972, whereύi a tabe is disposed in the openύig proximate to at least the three insulated conductors, the method further comprising flowing a substantially constant amount of fluid into the openύig through critical flow orifices in the tube.
2989. The method of claim 2972, further comprising supporting at least the three insulated conductors on a support member and flowing a conosion inhibiting fluid into the opening through an orifice in the support member.
2990. The method of claim 2972, wherein a perforated tube is disposed in the opening proximate to at least the three insulated conductors, the method further comprising flowing a conosion inhibiting fluid into the opening througli the perforated tabe.
2991. The method of claim 2972, further comprising determining a temperature distribution in at least the three insulated conductors using an electromagnetic signal provided to the insulated conductor.
2992. The method of claim 2972, further comprising monitoring a leakage current of at least the three insulated conductors.
2993. The method of claim 2972, further comprising monitoring the applied elecfrical current.
2994. The method of claύn 2972, further comprising monitoring a voltage applied to at least the three insulated conductors.
2995. The method of claim 2972, further comprising monitoring a temperature in at least the three insulated conductors with at least one thermocouple.
2996. The method of claim 2972, further comprising electrically coupling a lead-in conductor to at least the three insulated conductors, wherein the lead-in conductor comprises a low resistance conductor configured to generate substantially no heat.
2997. The method of claύn 2972, further comprisύig electrically coupling a lead-in conductor to at least the three insulated conductors using a cold pin ttansition conductor.
2998. The method of claim 2972, further comprising electtically coupling a lead-in conductor to at least the three insulated conductors using a cold pin transition conductor, wherein the cold pin transition conductor comprises a substantially low resistance insulated conductor.
2999. The method of claim 2972, farther comprising coupling an overburden casing to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation.
3000. The method of claim 2972, further comprising coupling an overburden casing to the openύig, whereύi the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the overburden casing comprises steel.
J 001. The method of claim 2972, further comprising coupling an overburden casing to the openmg, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the overburden casing is further disposed in cement.
3002. The method of claim 2972, further comprising coupling an overburden casing to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe fonnation, and wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the opening.
3003. The metliod of claim 2972, further comprising couplύig an overburden casing to the opening, whereύi the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the method further comprises inhibitύig a flow of fluid between the opening and the overburden casing with a packύig material.
3004. The method of claim 2972, further comprising heating at least the portion ofthe formation to substantially pyrolyze at least some ofthe hydrocarbons within the fonnation.
3005. A system configured to heat a relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons, comprising: a first conductor disposed in a first conduit, wherein the first conduit is disposed within an opening in the formation, and wherein the first conductor is configured to provide heat to at least a portion ofthe formation during use; and wherein the system is configured to allow heat to transfer from the first conductor to a section ofthe formation durύig use.
3006. The system of claύn 3005, wherein the first conductor is further configured to generate heat during application of an elecfrical current to the first conductor.
3007. The system of claim 3005, wherein the first conductor comprises a pipe.
3008. The system of claύn 3005, wherein the first conductor comprises stainless steel.
3009. The system of claύn 3005, whereύi the first conduit comprises stainless steel.
3010. The system of claim 3005, further comprising a centralizer configured to maintain a location ofthe first conductor within the first conduit.
3011. The system of claim 3005, further comprising a centralizer configured to maintain a location ofthe first conductor within the first conduit, wherein the centralizer comprises ceramic material.
3012. The system of claim 3005, further comprising a centralizer configured to maintain a location ofthe first conductor within the first conduit, wherein the centralizer comprises ceramic material and stainless steel.
3013. The system of claim 3005, wherein the opening comprises a diameter of at least approximately 5 cm.
3014. The system of claim 3005, farther comprising a lead-in conductor coupled to the first conductor, wherein the lead-in conductor comprises a low resistance conductor configured to generate substantially no heat.
3015. The system of claim 3005, further comprising a lead-in conductor coupled to the ffrst conductor, wherein the lead-in conductor comprises copper.
3016. The system of claim 3005, further comprising a sliding electrical connector coupled to the first conductor.
3017. The system of claim 3005, further comprising a sliding electrical connector coupled to the first conductor, wherein the sliding electrical connector is farther coupled to the first conduit.
3018. The system of claim 3005, further comprising a sliding elecfrical connector coupled to the first conductor, wherein the sliding elecfrical connector is further coupled to the first conduit, and wherein the sliding electrical connector is configured to complete an electtical circuit with the first conductor and the first conduit.
3019. The system of claim 3005, further comprising a second conductor disposed within the first conduit and at least one sliding electrical connector coupled to the first conductor and the second conductor, wherein at least the one sliding electrical connector is configured to generate less heat than the first conductor or the second conductor during use.
3020. The system of claim 3005, wherein the first conduit comprises a first section and a second section, wherein a thickness ofthe first section is greater than a thickness ofthe second section such that heat radiated from the first conductor to the section along the first section ofthe conduit is less than heat radiated from the first conductor to the section along the second section ofthe conduit.
3021. The system of claύn 3005, further comprising a fluid disposed within the first conduit, wherein the fluid is configured to maintain a pressure within the first conduit to substantially inhibit deformation ofthe first conduit during use.
3022. The system of claim 3005, further comprising a thermally conductive fluid disposed within the first conduit.
3023. The system of claim 3005, further comprising a thermally conductive fluid disposed within the first conduit, wherein the thermally conductive fluid comprises helium.
3024. The system of claim 3005, further comprising a fluid disposed within the first conduit, wherein the fluid is configured to substantially inhibit arcing between the first conductor and the first conduit during use.
3025. The system of claim 3005, farther comprising a tabe disposed within the opening external to the first conduit, wherein the tube is configured to remove vapor produced from at least the heated portion ofthe formation such that a pressure balance is maintained between the first conduit and the opening to substantially inhibit deformation of the first conduit during use.
3026. The system of claim 3005, whereύi the first conductor is further configured to generate radiant heat of approxύnately 650 W/m to approximately 1650 W/m durύig use.
3027. The system of claim 3005, further comprising a second conductor disposed within a second conduit and a third conductor disposed within a thfrd conduit, wherein the first conduit, the second conduit and the thud conduit are disposed in different openings ofthe formation, wherein the first conductor is elecfrically coupled to the second conductor and the third conductor, and wherein the first, second, and third conductors are configured to operate in a 3-phase Y configuration during use.
3028. The system of claim 3005, further comprising a second conductor disposed within the first conduit, wherein the second conductor is electrically coupled to the first conductor to form an electtical cύcuit.
3029. The system of claim 3005, further comprising a second conductor disposed within the first conduit, whereiα the second conductor is electtically coupled to the first conductor to form an electrical cύcuit with a connector.
3030. The system of claim 3005, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe fonnation.
3031. The system of claim 3005, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the overburden casing comprises steel.
3032. The system of claύn 3005, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the openύig, wherein the overburden casύig is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the overburden casing is further disposed in cement.
3033. The system of claim 3005, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the openύig, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the opening.
3034. The system of claim 3005, further comprisύig an overburden casing coupled to the openύig, whereύi the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the opening, and wherein the packing material is further configured to substantially inhibit a flow of fluid between the openύig and the overburden casing during use.
3035. The system of claim 3005, farther comprising an overburden casing coupled to the openmg and a substantially low resistance conductor disposed within the overburden casing, wherein the substantially low resistance conductor is electrically coupled to the first conductor.
3036. The system of claύn 3005, further comprisύig an overburden casing coupled to the openύig and a substantially low resistance conductor disposed within the overburden casing, wherein the substantially low resistance conductor is electrically coupled to the first conductor, and wherein the substantially low resistance conductor comprises carbon steel.
3037. The system of claim 3005, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening and a substantially low resistance conductor disposed within the overburden casing and a centralizer configured to support the substantially low resistance conductor within the overburden casing.
3038. The system of claim 3005, wherein the heated section ofthe formation is substantially pyrolyzed.
3039. A system configurable to heat a relatively permeable formation contaύiύig heavy hydrocarbons, comprising: a first conductor configurable to be disposed in a first conduit, wherein the first conduit is configurable to be disposed within an openύig in the formation, and wherein the first conductor is farther configurable to provide heat to at least a portion ofthe formation during use; and wherein the system is configurable to allow heat to transfer from the first conductor to a section ofthe formation during use.
3040. The system of claim 3039, whereύi the first conductor is further configurable to generate heat during application of an elecfrical current to the first conductor.
3041. The system of claim 3039, whereύi the first conductor comprises a pipe.
3042. The system of claim 3039, wherein the first conductor comprises stainless steel.
3043. The system of claim 3039, whereύi the first conduit comprises stamless steel.
3044. The system of claim 3039, further comprising a centralizer configurable to maintain a location ofthe first conductor within the first conduit.
3045. The system of claim 3039, farther comprising a cenfralizer configurable to maintain a location ofthe first conductor within the first conduit, wherein the centralizer comprises ceramic material.
3046. The system of claim 3039, further comprising a centralizer configurable to maintain a location ofthe first conductor within the first conduit, wherein the centralizer comprises ceramic material and stainless steel.
3047. The system of claim 3039, whereύi the opening comprises a diameter of at least approxύnately 5 cm.
3048. The system of claim 3039, further comprising a lead-in conductor coupled to the first conductor, wherein the lead-in conductor comprises a low resistance conductor configurable to generate substantially no heat.
3049. The system of claim 3039, further comprising a lead-in conductor coupled to the first conductor, wherein the lead-in conductor comprises copper.
3050. The system of claim 3039, further comprising a sliding electrical connector coupled to the first conductor.
3051. The system of claim 3039, further comprising a sliding electrical connector coupled to the first conductor, wherein the sliding electrical connector is further coupled to the first conduit.
3052. The system of claim 3039, further comprising a sliding electrical connector coupled to the first conductor, wherein the sliding electrical connector is further coupled to the first conduit, and wherein the sliding electrical connector is configurable to complete an elecfrical circuit with the first conductor and the first conduit.
3053. The system of claύn 3039, farther comprising a second conductor disposed within the first conduit and at least one sliding elecfrical connector coupled to the first conductor and the second conductor, wherein at least the one sliding electrical connector is configurable to generate less heat than the first conductor or the second conductor during use.
3054. The system of claύn 3039, whereύi the first conduit comprises a first section and a second section, wherein a thickness ofthe first section is greater than a thickness ofthe second section such that heat radiated from the first conductor to the section along the first section ofthe conduit is less than heat radiated from the first conductor to the section along the second section ofthe conduit.
3055. The system of claim 3039, further comprising a fluid disposed within the first conduit, wherein the fluid is configurable to maintaύi a pressure within the first conduit to substantially inhibit deformation ofthe first conduit • during use.
3056. The system of claim 3039, further comprising a thermally conductive fluid disposed within the first conduit.
3057. The system of claim 3039, further comprising a thennally conductive fluid disposed within the first conduit, wherein the thermally conductive fluid comprises helium.
3058. The system of claύn 3039, farther comprising a fluid disposed withύi the first conduit, wherein the fluid is configurable to substantially ύihibit arcing between the first conductor and the first conduit durύig use.
3059. The system of claim 3039, further comprising a tabe disposed within the openύig external to the first conduit, wherein the tabe is configurable to remove vapor produced from at least the heated portion ofthe formation such that a pressure balance is maintained between the first conduit and the opening to substantially inhibit deformation ofthe first conduit durύig use.
3060. The system of claim 3039, wherein the first conductor is further configurable to generate radiant heat of approximately 650 W/m to approximately 1650 W/m during use.
3061. The system of claim 3039, further comprising a second conductor disposed within a second conduit and a thud conductor disposed within a thfrd conduit, wherein the first conduit, the second conduit and the thud conduit are disposed in different openmgs ofthe formation, wherein the first conductor is electrically coupled to the second conductor and the thud conductor, and wherein the first, second, and thud conductors are configurable to operate in a 3-phase Y configuration during use.
3062. The system of claim 3039, further comprising a second conductor disposed within the first conduit, wherein the second conductor is electrically coupled to the first conductor to fonn an electrical circuit.
3063. The system of claim 3039, further comprising a second conductor disposed within the first conduit, wherein the second conductor is electrically coupled to the first conductor to form an electrical circuit with a connector.
3064. The system of claim 3039, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the openύig, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation.
3065. The system of claim 3039, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the overburden casing comprises steel.
3066. The system of claim 3039, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the overburden casing is further disposed in cement.
3067. The system of claim 3039, farther comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casύig and the opening.
3068. The system of claύn 3039, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the openύig, wherein the overburden casύig is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the opening, and wherein the packing material is further configurable to substantially inhibit a flow of fluid between the opening and the overburden casing during use.
3069. The system of claim 3039, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the openύig and a substantially low resistance conductor disposed within the overburden casing, wherein the substantially low resistance conductor is elecfrically coupled to the first conductor.
3070. The system of claim 3039, further comprising an overburden casύig coupled to the opening and a substantially low resistance conductor disposed within the overburden casing, wherein the substantially low resistance conductor is electtically coupled to the first conductor, and wherein the substantially low resistance conductor comprises carbon steel.
3071. The system of claim 3039, further comprising an overburden casύig coupled to the openύig and a substantially low resistance conductor disposed within the overburden casing and a centralizer configurable to support the substantially low resistance conductor within the overburden casing.
3072. The system of claύn 3039, wherein the heated section ofthe formation is substantially pyrolyzed.
3073. The system of claim 3039, wherein the system is configured to heat a relatively penneable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons, and wherein the system comprises: a first conductor disposed in a first conduit, wherein the first conduit is disposed within an opening in the formation, and wherein the first conductor is configured to provide heat to at least a portion ofthe formation during use; and wherein the system is configured to allow heat to ttansfer from the first conductor to a section ofthe fonnation durύig use.
3074. An in sita method for heating a relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons, comprising: applying an electrical current to a first conductor to provide heat to at least a portion ofthe formation, whereύi the first conductor is disposed in a first conduit, and wherein the first conduit is disposed within an opening in the formation; and allowing the heat to fransfer from the first conductor to a section ofthe fonnation.
3075. The method of claim 3074, wherein the first conductor comprises a pipe.
3076. The method of claim 3074, wherein the first conductor comprises stainless steel.
3077. The method of claim 3074, wherein the first conduit comprises stainless steel.
3078. The method of claύn 3074, furtlier comprisύig maintaining a location ofthe first conductor in the first conduit with a cenfralizer.
3079. The method of claim 3074, further comprising maintaining a location ofthe first conductor in the first conduit with a cenfralizer, wherein the centralizer comprises ceramic material.
3080. The method of claim 3074, further comprisύig maintaining a location ofthe first conductor in the first conduit with a centralizer, wherein the cenfralizer comprises ceramic material and stainless steel.
3081. The method of claim 3074, further comprising coupling a sliding elecfrical connector to the first conductor.
3082. The method of claim 3074, farther comprising electrically coupling a sliding electtical connector to the first conductor and the first conduit, wherein the first conduit comprises an electtical lead configured to complete an electtical circuit with the first conductor.
3083. The method of claim 3074, further comprising coupling a sliding electrical connector to the first conductor and the first conduit, wherein the first conduit comprises an electtical lead configured to complete an electrical cύcuit with the first conductor, and wherein the generated heat comprises approximately 20 percent generated by the first conduit.
3084. The method of claim 3074, wherein the provided heat comprises approxύnately 650 W/m to approxύnately 1650 W/m.
3085. The method of claim 3074, further comprising determining a temperature distribution in the first conduit using an electromagnetic signal provided to the conduit.
3086. The method of claim 3074, further comprising monitoring the applied elecfrical current.
3087. The method of claim 3074, further comprising monitoring a voltage applied to the first conductor.
3088. The method of claim 3074, farther comprising monitoring a temperature in the conduit with at least one thermocouple.
3089. The method of claim 3074, further comprising coupling an overburden casing to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe fonnation.
3090. The method of claim 3074, further comprising coupling an overburden casing to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the overburden casing comprises steel.
3091. The method of claim 3074, further comprising coupling an overburden casύig to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the overburden casύig is further disposed in cement.
3092. The method of claim 3074, further comprising coupling an overburden casύig to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casύig and the opening.
3093. The method of claύn 3074, further comprising coupling an overburden casing to the openύig, whereύi the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the method further comprises inhibiting a flow of fluid between the opening and the overburden casing with a packing material.
3094. The method of claim 3074, further comprising coupling an overburden casing to the opening, wherein a substantially low resistance conductor is disposed within the overburden casing, and wherein the substantially low resistance conductor is electrically coupled to the first conductor.
3095. The method of claim 3074, further comprising coupling an overburden casing to the opening, whereύi a substantially low resistance conductor is disposed within the overburden casing, wherein the substantially low resistance conductor is electtically coupled to the first conductor, and wherein the substantially low resistance conductor comprises carbon steel.
3096. The method of claim 3074, further comprising couplύig an overburden casing to the opening, wherein a substantially low resistance conductor is disposed within the overburden casing, wherein the substantially low resistance conductor is electrically coupled to the first conductor, and wherein the method farther comprises
maintaining a location ofthe substantially low resistance conductor in the overburden casing with a centralizer support.
3097. The method of claim 3074, further comprising electrically coupling a lead-in conductor to the first conductor, wherein the lead-in conductor comprises a low resistance conductor configured to generate substantially no heat.
3098. The method of claim 3074, further comprising electrically coupling a lead-in conductor to the first conductor, wherein the lead-in conductor comprises copper.
3099. The method of claim 3074, further comprising maintaining a sufficient pressure between the first conduit and the formation to substantially inhibit defonnation ofthe first conduit.
3100. The method of claim 3074, further comprising providing a thermally conductive fluid within the' first conduit.
3101. The method of claim 3074, further comprising providing a thermally conductive fluid within the first conduit, wherein the thermally conductive fluid comprises helium.
3102. The method of claim 3074, further comprising inhibiting arcing between the first conductor and the first conduit with a fluid disposed within the first conduit.
3103. The method of claim 3074, farther comprising removing a vapor from the opening using a perforated tabe disposed proximate to the first conduit in the openύig to control a pressure in the openύig.
3104. The method of claim 3074, farther comprising flowing a conosion inhibitύig fluid through a perforated tabe disposed proxύnate to the first conduit in the opening.
3105. The method of claim 3074, wherein a second conductor is disposed within the first conduit, wherein the second conductor is electtically coupled to the first conductor to form an electrical cύcuit.
3106. The method of claim 3074, whereύi a second conductor is disposed within the first conduit, wherein the second conductor is electrically coupled to the first conductor with a connector.
3107. The method of claim 3074, whereύi a second conductor is disposed withύi a second conduit and a thud conductor is disposed within a th d conduit, wherein the second conduit and the th d conduit are disposed in different openings ofthe formation, wherein the first conductor is elecfrically coupled to the second conductor and the thfrd conductor, and wherein the first, second, and thud conductors are configured to operate in a 3-phase Y configuration.
3108. The method of claim 3074, wherein a second conductor is disposed within the first conduit, wherein at least one sliding elecfrical connector is coupled to the first conductor and the second conductor, and wherein heat generated by at least the one sliding elecfrical connector is less than heat generated by the first conductor or the second conductor.
3109. The method of claim 3074, wherein the first conduit comprises a first section and a second section, wherein a thickness ofthe first section is greater than a thickness ofthe second section such that heat radiated from the first conductor to the section along the first section ofthe conduit is less than heat radiated from the first conductor to the section along the second section ofthe conduit.
3110. The method of claim 3074, further comprising flowing an oxidizing fluid through an orifice in the first conduit.
3111. The method of claim 3074, further comprising disposing a perforated tabe proximate to the first conduit and flowing an oxidizing fluid through the perforated tube.
3112. The method of claim 3074, further comprising heating at least the portion ofthe formation to substantially pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbons within the formation.
3113. A system configured to heat a relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons, comprising: a first conductor disposed in a first conduit, wherein the first conduit is disposed within a first openύig in the formation; a second conductor disposed in a second conduit, wherein the second conduit is disposed withύi a second openύig in the formation; a thud conductor disposed in a third conduit, wherein the thfrd conduit is disposed withύi a th d opening in the formation, whereύi the first, second, and thud conductors are elecfrically coupled in a 3-phase Y configuration, and wherein the first, second, and thud conductors are configured to provide heat to at least a portion ofthe formation during use; and whereύi the system is configured to allow heat to fransfer from the first, second, and third conductors to a selected section ofthe formation during use.
3114. The system of claim 3113, wherein the first, second, and third conductors are farther configured to generate heat during application of an elecfrical current to the first conductor.
3115. The system of claim 3113, whereύi the first, second, and thfrd conductors comprise a pipe.
3116. The system of claύn 3113, whereύi the first, second, and thfrd conductors comprise stainless steel.
3117. The system of claύn 3113, whereύi the first, second, and thud openmgs comprise a diameter of at least approximately 5 cm.
3118. The system of claim 3113, further comprising a first sliding elecfrical connector coupled to the first conductor and a second sliding elecfrical connector coupled to the second conductor and a thud sliding elecfrical connector coupled to the third conductor.
3119. The system of claim 3113, farther comprising a first sliding electrical connector coupled to the first conductor, wherein the first sliding electrical connector is further coupled to the first conduit.
3120. The system of claim 3113, farther comprising a second sliding elecfrical connector coupled to the second conductor, wherein the second sliding electrical connector is further coupled to the second conduit.
3121. The system of claim 3113, further comprising a thfrd sliding electrical connector coupled to the third conductor, wherein the third sliding electtical connector is further coupled to the third conduit.
3122. The system of claim 3113, whereύi each ofthe first, second, and thud conduits comprises a first section and a second section, wherein a thickness ofthe first section is greater than a thickness ofthe second section such that heat radiated from each o the first, second, and third conductors to the section along the first section of each of the conduits is less than heat radiated from the first, second, and thud conductors to the section along the second section of each ofthe conduits.
3123. The system of claim 3113, further comprising a fluid disposed within the first, second, and third conduits, wherein the fluid is configured to maintain a pressure within the first conduit to substantially inhibit deformation of the first, second, and thud conduits during use.
3124. The system of claim 3113, farther comprising a thennally conductive fluid disposed within the first, second, and third conduits.
3125. The system of claim 3113, further comprising a thennally conductive fluid disposed within the first, second, and thud conduits, wherein the thermally conductive fluid comprises helium.
3126. The system of claim 3113, farther comprising a fluid disposed within the first, second, and thfrd conduits, wherein the fluid is configured to substantially ύihibit arcing between the first, second, and thud conductors and the first, second, and thud conduits during use.
3127. The system of claim 3113, further comprising at least one tube disposed within the first, second, and thud openings external to the first, second, and third conduits, wherein at least the one tube is configured to remove vapor produced from at least the heated portion ofthe foimation such that a pressure balance is maintained between
the first, second, and thud conduits and the first, second, and thud openmgs to substantially ύihibit deformation of the first, second, and thud conduits during use.
3128. The system of claim 3113, wherein the first, second, and thud conductors are further configured to generate radiant heat of approxύnately 650 W/m to approxύnately 1650 W/m during use.
3129. The system of claim 3113, further comprising at least one overburden casing coupled to the first, second, and third openings, wherein at least the one overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation.
3130. The system of claim 3113, tarther comprising at least one overburden casing coupled to the first, second, and thud openings, wherein at least the one overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein at least the one overburden casing comprises steel.
3131. The system of claim 3113, further comprising at least one overburden casing coupled to the first, second, and thud openmgs, wherein at least the one overburden casύig is disposed in an overburden ofthe fonnation, and wherein at least the one overburden casing is further disposed in cement.
3132. The system of claim 3113, further comprising at least one overburden casing coupled to the first, second, and third openings, wherein at least the one overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction of at least the one overburden casing and the first, second, and thud openings.
3133. The system of claύn 3113, further comprisύig at least one overburden casing coupled to the first, second, and thud openmgs, wherein at least the one overburden casύig is disposed in an overburden ofthe fonnation, wherein a packύig material is disposed at a junction of at least the one overburden casing and the first, second, and thud openmgs, and wherein the packing material is further configured to substantially inhibit a flow of fluid between the first, second, and third openings and at least the one overburden casing during use.
3134. The system of claim 3113, wherein the heated section ofthe formation is substantially pyrolyzed.
3135. A system configurable to heat a relatively permeable fonnation containing heavy hydrocarbons, comprising: a first conductor configurable to be disposed in a first conduit, wherein the first conduit is configurable to be disposed within a first opening in the formation; a second conductor configurable to be disposed in a second conduit, wherein the second conduit is configurable to be disposed within a second opening in the formation; a third conductor configurable to be disposed in a third conduύ, wherein the third conduit is configurable to be disposed within a thfrd opening in the formation, wherein the first, second, and thud conductors are further
configurable to be electrically coupled in a 3-phase Y configuration, and wherein the first, second, and third conductors are further configurable to provide heat to at least a portion ofthe formation during use; and wherein the system is configurable to allow heat to transfer from the first, second, and thud conductors to a selected section ofthe formation during use.
3136. The system of claύn 3135, wherein the first, second, and thud conductors are further configurable to generate heat during application of an electrical cunent to the first conductor.
3137. The system of claim 3135, wherein the first, second, and third conductors comprise a pipe.
3138. The system of claύn 3135, wherein the first, second, and thud conductors comprise stainless steel.
3139. The system of claim 3135, wherein each of the first, second, and third openings comprises a diameter of at least approximately 5 cm.
3140. The system of claim 3135, further comprising a first sliding elecfrical connector coupled to the first conductor and a second sliding elecfrical connector coupled to the second conductor and a third sliding elecfrical connector coupled to the third conductor.
3141. The system of claim 3135, further comprising a first sliding elecfrical connector coupled to the first conductor, wherein the first sliding elecfrical connector is further coupled to the first conduit.
3142. The system of claim 3135, further comprising a second sliding electrical connector coupled to the second conductor, wherein the second sliding elecfrical connector is further coupled to the second conduit.
3143. The system of claim 3135, farther comprising a third sliding electrical connector coupled to the third conductor, wherein the thud sliding electrical connector is further coupled to the third conduit.
3144. The system of claim 3135, whereύi each ofthe first, second, and third conduits comprises a first section and a second section, wherein a thickness ofthe first section is greater than a thickness ofthe second section such that heat radiated from each ofthe first, second, and third conductors to the section along the first section of each of the conduits is less than heat radiated from the first, second, and thud conductors to the section along the second section of each ofthe conduits.
3145. The system of claύn 3135, further comprising a fluid disposed withύi the first, second, and thud conduits, wherein the fluid is configurable to maintain a pressure within the first conduit to substantially inhibit deformation ofthe first, second, and thud conduits durύig use.
3146. The system of claim 3135, fuither comprising a thermally conductive fluid disposed within the first, second, and thud conduits.
3147. The system of claim 3135, further comprising a thermally conductive fluid disposed within the ffrst, second, and third conduits, wherein the thermally conductive fluid comprises helium.
3148. The system of claim 3135, further comprising a fluid disposed within the first, second, and third conduits, wherein the fluid is configurable to substantially ύihibit arcing between the fnst, second, and thud conductors and the first, second, and third conduits during use.
3149. The system of claim 3135, farther comprising at least one tabe disposed within the first, second, and thud openmgs external to the first, second, and th d conduits, wherein at least the one tube is configurable to remove vapor produced from at least the heated portion ofthe formation such that a pressure balance is maintained between the first, second, and thud conduits and the first, second, and third openings to substantially ύihibit deformation of the first, second, and thud conduits during use.
3150. The system of claim 3135, wherein the first, second, and third conductors are further configurable to generate radiant heat of approximately 650 W/m to approxύnately 1650 W/m during use.
3151. The system of claim 3135, further comprising at least one overburden casing coupled to the first, second, and thud openings, wherein at least the one overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation.
3152. The system of claim 3135, further comprising at least one overburden casing coupled to the first, second, and thud openings, wherein at least the one overbmden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein at least the one overburden casing comprises steel.
3153. The system of claim 3135, farther comprising at least one overburden casing coupled to the first, second, and third openings, wherein at least the one overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein at least the one overbmden casing is further disposed in cement.
3154. The system of claim 3135, farther comprising at least one overburden casing coupled to the first, second, and thud openings, wherein at least the one overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein a packύig material is disposed at a junction of at least the one overburden casing and the first, second, and thud openmgs.
3155. The system of claim 3135, further comprising at least one overburden casing coupled to the first, second, and third openings, wherein at least the one overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, whereύi a packing material is disposed at a junction of at least the one overbmden casing and the first, second, and
thud openings, and wherein the packing material is farther configurable to substantially inhibit a flow of fluid between the first, second, and thud openings and at least the one overburden casing during use.
3156. The system of claim 3135, wherein the heated section of the formation is substantially pyrolyzed.
3157. The system of claim 3135, wherein the system is configured to heat a relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons, and wherein the system comprises: a first conductor disposed in a first conduit, wherein the first conduit is disposed within a first opening in the formation; a second conductor disposed in a second conduit, wherein the second conduit is disposed within a second openmg in the formation; a th d conductor disposed in a th d conduit, whereύi the third conduit is disposed within a third openύig in the formation, wherein the first, second, and thud conductors are elecfrically coupled in a 3-phase Y configuration, and wherein the first, second, and thfrd conductors are configured to provide heat to at least a portion ofthe formation during use; and wherein the system is configured to allow heat to transfer from the first, second, and th d conductors to a selected section ofthe formation durύig use.
3158. An in situ method for heating a relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons, comprising: applying an electrical current to a first conductor to provide heat to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein the first conductor is disposed in a first conduit, and wherein the first conduit is disposed within a first opening in the formation; applying an electrical current to a second conductor to provide heat to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein the second conductor is disposed in a second conduit, and whereύi the second conduit is disposed withύi a second openύig in the formation; applying an electrical current to a thud conductor to provide heat to at least a portion ofthe formation, whereύi the thud conductor is disposed in a thud conduit, and wherein the thfrd conduit is disposed within a thud openύig in the foimation; and allowing the heat to ttansfer from the first, second, and third conductors to a selected section ofthe formation.
3159. The method of claim 3158, wherein the first, second, and third conductors comprise a pipe.
3160. The method of claim 3158, wherein the first, second, and third conductors comprise stainless steel.
3161. The method of claim 3158, wherem the first, second, and thud conduits comprise stainless steel.
3162. The method of claim 3158, wherein the provided heat comprises approximately 650 W/m to approximately 1650 W/m.
3163. The method of claim 3158, further comprising detenninύig a temperature disttibution in the first, second, and thud conduits using an electromagnetic signal provided to the first, second, and third conduits.
3164. The method of claim 3158, further comprising monitoring the applied elecfrical cunent.
3165. The method of claim 3158, farther comprising monitoring a voltage applied to the first, second, and third conductors.
3166. The method of claim 3158, further comprising monitoring a temperature in the first, second, and thud conduits with at least one thermocouple.
3167. The method of claim 3158, further comprising maintaining a sufficient pressure between the first, second, and third conduits and the first, second, and third openings to substantially inhibit deformation ofthe first, second, and third conduits.
3168. The method of claim 3158, further comprising providing a thermally conductive fluid within the first, second, and thud conduits.
3169. The method of claύn 3158, further comprising providing a thermally conductive fluid within the first, second, and th d conduits, whereύi the thermally conductive fluid comprises helium.
3170. The method of claim 3158, further comprising inhibiting arcing between the first, second, and third conductors and the first, second, and third conduits with a fluid disposed within the first, second, and thud conduits.
3171. The method of claim 3158, further comprising removing a vapor from the first, second, and third openings usmg at least one perforated tabe disposed proximate to the first, second, and thud conduits in the ffrst, second, and third openmgs to control a pressure in the first, second, and thud openmgs.
3172. The method of claύn 3158, wherein the first, second, and thud conduits comprise a first section and a second section, wherein a thickness ofthe first section is greater than a thickness ofthe second section such that heat radiated from the first, second, and thfrd conductors to the section along the first section ofthe first, second, and third conduits is less than heat radiated from the first, second, and third conductors to the section along the second section ofthe first, second, and thud conduits.
3173. The method of claim 3158, further comprising flowing an oxidizing fluid through an orifice in the first, second, and third conduits.
3174. The method of claύn 3158, further comprising heating at least the portion ofthe formation to substantially pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbons within the fonnation.
3175. A system configured to heat a relatively permeable formation containύig heavy hydrocarbons, comprising: a first conductor disposed in a conduit, wherein the conduit is disposed within an opening in the formation; and a second conductor disposed in the conduit, wherein the second conductor is electrically coupled to the first conductor with a connector, and wherein the first and second conductors are configured to provide heat to at least a portion ofthe foimation during use; and whereύi the system is configured to allow heat to transfer from the first and second conductors to a selected section ofthe formation during use.
3176. The system of claim 3175, wherein the first conductor is further configured to generate heat during application of an electrical current to the first conductor.
3177. The system of claim 3175, wherein the first and second conductors comprise a pipe.
3178. The system of claim 3175, wherein the first and second conductors comprise stainless steel.
3179. The system of claim 3175, whereύi the conduit comprises stainless steel.
3180. The system of claim 3175, farther comprising a centralizer configured to maintain a location ofthe first and second conductors within the conduit.
3181. The system of claim 3175, further comprising a cenfralizer configured to maintaύi a location ofthe first and second conductors within the conduit, wherein the centralizer comprises ceramic material.
3182. The system of claim 3175, farther comprising a centralizer configured to maintain a location of the first and second conductors within the conduit, whereύi the cenfralizer comprises ceramic material and stainless steel.
3183. The system of claim 3175, wherein the openύig comprises a diameter of at least approximately 5 cm.
3184. The system of claύn 3175, further comprising a lead-in conductor coupled to the first and second conductors, wherein the lead-in conductor comprises a low resistance conductor configured to generate substantially no heat.
3185. The system of claim 3175, further comprising a lead-in conductor coupled to the first and second conductors, wherein the lead-in conductor comprises copper.
3186. The system of claύn 3175, wherein the conduit comprises a first section and a second section, wherein a thickness ofthe first section is greater than a thickness ofthe second section such that heat radiated from the first conductor to the section along the first section ofthe conduit is less than heat radiated from the first conductor to the section along the second section ofthe conduit.
3187. The system of claim 3175, tarther comprising a fluid disposed within the conduit, wherein the fluid is configured to maintain a pressure within the conduit to substantially inhibit defoimation ofthe conduit during use.
3188. The system of claim 3175, further comprising a thennally conductive fluid disposed within the conduit.
3189. The system of claύn 3175, further comprising a thermally conductive fluid disposed within the conduit, wherein the thermally conductive fluid comprises helium.
3190. The system of claim 3175, further comprising a fluid disposed within the conduit, wherein the fluid is configured to substantially inhibit arcing between the first and second conductors and the conduit during use.
3191. The system of claim 3175, further comprising a tabe disposed within the opening external to the conduit, wherein the tube is configured to remove vapor produced from at least the heated portion ofthe formation such that a pressure balance is maintained between the conduit and the opening to substantially inhibit defoimation ofthe conduit during use.
3192. The system of claim 3175, wherein the first and second conductors are further configured to generate radiant heat of approximately 650 W/m to approximately 1650 W/m during use.
3193. The system of claύn 3175, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the openύig, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation.
3194. The system of claim 3175, farther comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the overburden casing comprises steel.
3195. The system of claim 3175, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the openύig, wherein the overburden casύig is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and whereύi the overburden casing is further disposed in cement.
3196. The system of claim 3175, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the opening.
3197. The system of claim 3175, fuither comprising an overburden casing coupled to the openύig, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the opening, and wherein the packing material is further configured to substantially inhibit a flow of fluid between the openύig and the overburden casing during use.
3198. The system of claim 3175, wherein the heated section ofthe formation is substantially pyrolyzed.
3199. A system configurable to heat a relatively permeable fonnation containing heavy hydrocarbons, comprising: a first conductor configurable to be disposed in a conduit, where i the conduit is configurable to be disposed within an opening in the formation; and a second conductor configurable to be disposed in the conduit, wherein the second conductor is configurable to be electtically coupled to the first conductor with a connector, and wherein the first and second conductors are further configurable to provide heat to at least a portion ofthe formation during use; and wherein the system is configurable to allow heat to ttansfer from the first and second conductors to a selected section ofthe formation during use.
3200. The system of claim 3199, wherein the first conductor is further configurable to generate heat during application of an electrical cunent to the first conductor.
3201. The system of claim 3199, wherein the first and second conductors comprise a pipe.
3202. The system of claim 3199, wherein the first and second conductors comprise stainless steel.
3203. The system of claύn 3199, wherein the conduit comprises stainless steel.
3204. The system of claim 3199, farther comprising a centralizer configurable to maintain a location ofthe first and second conductors within the conduit.
3205. The system of claim 3199, further comprisύig a centralizer configurable to maintain a location ofthe first and second conductors within the conduit, wherein the cenfralizer comprises ceramic material.
3206. The system of claim 3199, farther comprising a cenfralizer configurable to maintain a location ofthe first and second conductors within the conduit, whereύi the cenfralizer comprises ceramic material and stamless steel.
3207. The system of claim 3199, wherein the opening comprises a diameter of at least approximately 5 cm.
3208. The system of claim 3199, further comprising a lead-in conductor coupled to the ffrst and second conductors, wherein the lead-in conductor comprises a low resistance conductor configurable to generate substantially no heat.
3209. The system of claim 3199, further comprising a lead-in conductor coupled to the first and second conductors, wherein the lead-in conductor comprises copper.
3210. The system of claim 3199, wherein the conduit comprises a first section and a second section, wherein a thickness ofthe first section is greater than a thickness ofthe second section such that heat radiated from the first conductor to the section along the first section ofthe conduit is less than heat radiated from the first conductor to the section along the second section ofthe conduit.
3211. The system of claim 3199, further comprising a fluid disposed withύi the conduit, wherein the fluid is configurable to maintaύi a pressure within the conduit to substantially inhibit deformation ofthe conduit during use.
3212. The system of claim 3199, further comprising a thermally conductive fluid disposed within the conduit.
3213. The system of claim 3199, further comprising a thermally conductive fluid disposed within the conduit, wherein the thermally conductive fluid comprises helium.
3214. The system of claim 3199, further comprising a fluid disposed withύi the conduit, wherein the fluid is configurable to substantially inhibit arcing between the first and second conductors and the conduit during use.
3215. The system of claim 3199, further comprising a tube disposed within the opening external to the conduit, wherein the tabe is configurable to remove vapor produced from at least the heated portion ofthe foimation such that a pressure balance is maintained between the conduit and the opening to substantially inhibit deformation ofthe conduit during use.
3216. The system of claim 3199, wherein the first and second conductors are further configurable to generate radiant heat of approximately 650 W/m to approximately 1650 W/m during use.
3217. The system of claim 3199, farther comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe fonnation.
3218. The system of claim 3199, further comprising an overbmden casing coupled to the openύig, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the overburden casing comprises steel.
3219. The system of claim 3199, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the overburden casing is further disposed in cement.
3220. The system of claύn 3199, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the openύig, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the opening.
3221. The system of claim 3199, farther comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overbmden ofthe formation, wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the opening, and wherein the packing material is further configurable to substantially inhibit a flow of fluid between the opening and the overburden casing during use.
3222. The system of claim 3199, wherein the heated section ofthe formation is substantially pyrolyzed.
3223. The system of claim 3199, wherein the system is configured to heat a relatively permeable foimation containύig heavy hydrocarbons, and wherein the system comprises: a first conductor disposed in a conduit, wherein the conduit is disposed within an opening in the formation; a second conductor disposed in the conduit, wherein the second conductor is electrically coupled to the first conductor with a connector, and wherein the first and second conductors are configured to provide heat to at least a portion ofthe formation during use; and wherein the system is configured to allow heat to transfer from the first and second conductors to a selected section ofthe formation during use.
3224. An in sita method for heating a relatively permeable formation containύig heavy hydrocarbons, comprising: applying an electrical current to at least two conductors to provide heat to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein at least the two conductors are disposed withύi a conduit, wherein the conduit is disposed within an opening in the formation, and wherein at least the two conductors are electtically coupled with a connector; and allowing heat to ttansfer from at least the two conductors to a selected section ofthe foimation.
3225. The method of claim 3224, wherein at least the two conductors comprise a pipe.
3226. The method of claim 3224, wherein at least the two conductors comprise stainless steel.
3227. The method of claim 3224, wherein the conduit comprises stainless steel.
3228. The method of claim 3224, further comprising maintaining a location of at least the two conductors in the conduit with a centralizer.
3229. The method of claim 3224, further comprising maintaining a location of at least the two conductors in the conduit with a centralizer, whereύi the centralizer comprises ceramic material.
3230. The method of claim 3224, farther comprising maintaining a location of at least the two conductors in the conduit with a centralizer, wherein the centralizer comprises ceramic material and stainless steel.
3231. The method of claim 3224, wherein the provided heat comprises approximately 650 W/m to approxύnately 1650 W/m.
3232. The method of claim 3224, further comprising determining a temperature distribution in the conduit using an electromagnetic signal provided to the conduit.
3233. The method of claύn 3224, further comprising monitoring the applied electrical current.
3234. The method of claύn 3224, further comprising monitoring a voltage applied to at least the two conductors.
3235. The method of claim 3224, further comprising monitoring a temperature in the conduit with at least one thermocouple.
3236. The method of claim 3224, further comprising coupling an overburden casing to the openύig, whereύi the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation.
3237. The method of claύn 3224, further comprising coupling an overburden casing to the openύig, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the overbmden casing comprises steel.
3238. The method of claim 3224, further comprising coupling an overburden casing to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe fonnation, and wherein the overburden casing is further disposed in cement.
3239. The method of claύn 3224, further comprising coupling an overburden casing to the openύig, wherein the overburden casύig is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein a packύig material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the opening.
3240. The method of claim 3224, further comprising coupling an overburden casing to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the method further comprises inhibiting a flow of fluid between the opening and the overburden casing with a packing material.
3241. The method of claim 3224, further comprising maintaining a sufficient pressure between the conduit and the fonnation to substantially inhibit deformation ofthe conduit.
3242. The method of claim 3224, further comprising providing a thermally conductive fluid within the conduit.
3243. The method of claim 3224, farther comprising providing a thennally conductive fluid within the conduit, wherein the thermally conductive fluid comprises helium.
3244. The method of claim 3224, farther comprising inhibiting arcing between at least the two conductors and the conduit with a fluid disposed within the conduit.
3245. The method of claύn 3224, further comprising removing a vapor from the opening using a perforated tube disposed proxύnate to the conduit in the opening to control a pressure in the openύig.
3246. The method of claim 3224, further comprising flowing a corrosion inhibitύig fluid through a perforated tabe disposed proximate to the conduit in the opening.
3247. The method of claim 3224, wherein the conduit comprises a first section and a second section, wherein a thickness ofthe first section is greater than a thickness ofthe second section such that heat radiated from the first conductor to the section along the first section ofthe conduit is less than heat radiated from the first conductor to the section along the second section ofthe conduit.
3248. The method of claim 3224, further comprisύig flowing an oxidizing fluid through an orifice in the conduit.
3249. The method of claim 3224, further comprising disposing a perforated tabe proximate to the conduit and flowing an oxidizύig fluid through the perforated tabe.
3250. The method of claim 3224, further comprising heating at least the portion of the formation to substantially pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbons within the formation.
3251. A system configured to heat a relatively permeable formation contaύiύig heavy hydrocarbons, comprising: at least one conductor disposed in a conduit, wherein the conduit is disposed withύi an openύig in the formation, and whereύi at least the one conductor is configured to provide heat to at least a first portion ofthe formation during use; at least one sliding connector, wherein at least the one sliding connector is coupled to at least the one conductor, wherein at least the one sliding connector is configured to provide heat during use, and wherein heat provided by at least the one sliding connector is substantially less than the heat provided by at least the one conductor durύig use; and
whereύi the system is configured to allow heat to fransfer from at least the one conductor to a section of the formation during use.
3252. The system of claim 3251, wherein at least the one conductor is further configured to generate heat during application of an electrical current to at least the one conductor.
3253. The system of claim 3251, wherein at least the one conductor comprises a pipe.
3254. The system of claim 3251 , wherein at least the one conductor comprises stainless steel.
3255. The system of claύn 3251, wherein the conduit comprises stainless steel.
3256. The system of claim 3251, further comprising a centralizer configured to maintain a location of at least the one conductor within the conduit.
3257. The system of claim 3251, further comprising a centralizer configured to maintain a location of at least the one conductor within the conduit, wherein the centralizer comprises ceramic material.
3258. The system of claim 3251, further comprising a cenfralizer configured to maintain a location of at least the one conductor within the conduit, wherein the centralizer comprises ceramic material and stainless steel.
3259. The system of claύn 3251, wherein the opening comprises a diameter of at least approximately 5 cm.
3260. The system of claim 3251, farther comprising a lead-in conductor coupled to at least the one conductor, wherein the lead-in conductor comprises a low resistance conductor configured to generate substantially no heat.
3261. The system of claim 3251, farther comprising a lead-in conductor coupled to at least the one conductor, wherein the lead-in conductor comprises copper.
3262. The system of claim 3251, wherein the conduit comprises a first section and a second section, wherein a thickness ofthe first section is greater than a thickness ofthe second section such that heat radiated from the first conductor to the section along the first section ofthe conduit is less than heat radiated from the first conductor to the section along the second section ofthe conduit.
3263. The system of claim 3251, further comprising a fluid disposed within the conduit, wherein the fluid is configured to maintain a pressure within the conduit to substantially inhibit deformation ofthe conduit during use.
3264. The system of claim 3251, further comprising a thermally conductive fluid disposed within the conduit.
3265. The system of claim 3251, further comprising a thermally conductive fluid disposed within the conduit, wherein the thermally conductive fluid comprises helium.
3266. The system of claim 3251, further comprising a fluid disposed within the conduit, wherein the fluid is configured to substantially inhibit arcing between at least the one conductor and the conduit during use.
3267. The system of claim 3251, further comprising a tube disposed within the opening external to the conduit, wherein the tube is configured to remove vapor produced from at least the heated portion ofthe fonnation such that a pressure balance is maintained between the conduit and the opening to substantially ύihibit defonnation ofthe conduit during use.
3268. The system of claim 3251 , whereύi at least the one conductor is further configured to generate radiant heat of approximately 650 W/m to approximately 1650 W/m during use.
3269. The system of claύn 3251, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation.
3270. The system of claim 3251 , further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the overburden casύig comprises steel.
3271. The system of claim 3251, farther comprising an overburden casing coupled to the openύig, wherein the overburden casύig is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the overburden casing is further disposed in cement.
3272. The system of claim 3251, farther comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overbmden casing and the opening.
327-3. The system of claim 3251, farther comprising an overburden casing coupled to the openύig, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe fonnation, wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the opening, and wherein the packing material is farther configured to substantially inhibit a flow of fluid between the openύig and the overburden casύig during use.
3274. The system of claim 3251, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening and a substantially low resistance conductor disposed within the overburden casing, wherein the substantially low resistance conductor is electtically coupled to at least the one conductor.
3275. The system of claύn 3251, further comprising an overburden casύig coupled to the openύig and a substantially low resistance conductor disposed within the overburden casing, wherein the substantially low resistance conductor is elecfrically coupled to at least the one conductor, and wherein the substantially low resistance conductor comprises carbon steel.
3276. The system of claim 3251, farther comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening and a substantially low resistance conductor disposed within the overburden casing and a centralizer configured to support the substantially low resistance conductor within the overburden casing.
3277. The system of claim 3251, wherein the heated section ofthe formation is substantially pyrolyzed.
3278. A system configurable to heat a relatively permeable formation contaύiύig heavy hydrocarbons, comprising: at least one conductor configurable to be disposed in a conduit, wherein the conduit is configurable to be disposed within an opening ύi the formation, and wherein at least the one conductor is further configurable to provide heat to at least a first portion ofthe formation during use; at least one sliding connector, wherein at least the one sliding connector is configurable to be coupled to at least the one conductor, wherein at least the one sliding connector is farther configurable to provide heat during use, and wherein heat provided by at least the one sliding connector is substantially less than the heat provided by at least the one conductor during use; and wherein the system is configurable to allow heat to ttansfer from at least the one conductor to a section of the formation during use.
3279. The system of claύn 3278, wherein at least the one conductor is further configurable to generate heat during application of an electrical current to at least the one conductor.
3280. The system of claim 3278, wherein at least the one conductor comprises a pipe.
3281. The system of claim 3278, wherein at least the one conductor comprises stainless steel.
3282. The system of claim 3278, whereύi the conduit comprises stainless steel.
3283. The system of claim 3278, farther comprismg a centralizer configurable to maύitaύi a location of at least the one conductor within the conduit.
3284. The system of claim 3278, further comprising a cenfralizer configurable to maintain a location of at least the one conductor within the conduit, wherein the cenfralizer comprises ceramic material.
3285. The system of claim 3278, further comprising a centtalizer configurable to maintaύi a location of at least the one conductor within the conduit, wherein the centralizer comprises ceramic material and stamless steel.
3286. The system of claim 3278, wherein the opening comprises a diameter of at least approximately 5 cm.
3287. The system of claim 3278, farther comprising a lead-in conductor coupled to at least the one conductor, wherein the lead-in conductor comprises a low resistance conductor configurable to generate substantially no heat.
3288. The system of claim 3278, farther comprising a lead-in conductor coupled to at least the one conductor, wherein the lead-in conductor comprises copper.
3289. The system of claύn 3278, whereύi the conduit comprises a first section and a second section, wherein a thickness ofthe first section is greater than a thickness ofthe second section such that heat radiated from the first conductor to the section along the first section ofthe conduit is less than heat radiated from the first conductor to the section along the second section ofthe conduit.
3290. The system of claim 3278, further comprising a fluid disposed within the conduit, wherein the fluid is configurable to maintain a pressure within the conduit to substantially inhibit deformation ofthe conduit during use.
3291. The system of claim 3278, further comprising a thermally conductive fluid disposed within the conduit.
3292. The system of claim 3278, farther comprising a thermally conductive fluid disposed within the conduit, whereύi the thermally conductive fluid comprises helium.
3293. The system of claim 3278, further comprising a fluid disposed within the conduit, wherein the fluid is configurable to substantially inhibit arcing between at least the one conductor and the conduit during use.
3294. The system of claim 3278, further comprising a tabe disposed within the opening external to the conduit, wherein the tabe is configurable to remove vapor produced from at least the heated portion ofthe foimation such that a pressure balance is maintained between the conduit and the openuig to substantially inhibit deformation ofthe conduit during use.
3295. The system of claύn 3278, whereύi at least the one conductor is further configurable to generate radiant heat of approxύnately 650 W/m to approximately 1650 W/m during use.
3296. The system of claim 3278, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overbmden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation.
3297. The system of claim 3278, farther comprising an overburden casing coupled to the openύig, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the overburden casing comprises steel.
3298. The system of claim 3278, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the overburden casing is further disposed in cement.
3299. The system of claim 3278, farther comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the opening.
3300. The system of claim 3278, farther comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the opening, and wherein the packing material is further configurable to substantially inhibit a flow of fluid between the opening and the overburden casing durύig use.
3301. The system of claim 3278, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening and a substantially low resistance conductor disposed within the overburden casing, wherein the substantially low resistance conductor is electrically coupled to at least the one conductor.
3302. The system of claύn 3278, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening and a substantially low resistance conductor disposed within the overburden casing, wherein the substantially low resistance conductor is elecfrically coupled to at least the one conductor, and wherein the substantially low resistance conductor comprises carbon steel.
3303. The system of claim 3278, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the openύig and a substantially low resistance conductor disposed within the overburden casing and a cenfralizer configurable to support the substantially low resistance conductor within the overburden casing.
3304. The system of claύn 3278, wherein the heated section ofthe formation is substantially pyrolyzed.
3305. The system of claύn 3278, wherein the system is configured to heat a relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons, and wherein the system comprises: at least one conductor disposed in a conduit, wherein the conduit is disposed within an openύig in the formation, and wherein at least the one conductor is configured to provide heat to at least a first portion ofthe formation during use; at least one sliding connector, wherein at least the one sliding connector is coupled to at least the one conductor, wherein at least the one sliding connector is configured to provide heat during use, and wherein heat
provided by at least the one sliding connector is substantially less than the heat provided by at least the one conductor during use; and wherein the system is configured to allow heat to transfer from at least the one conductor to a section of the fonnation during use.
3306. An in sita method for heating a relatively permeable fonnation contaύiύig heavy hydrocarbons, comprising: applying an electrical current to at least one conductor and at least one sliding connector to provide heat to at least a portion ofthe foimation, wherein at least the one conductor and at least the one sliding connector are disposed within a conduit, and wherein heat provided by at least the one conductor is substantially greater than heat provided by at least the one sliding connector; and allowing the heat to fransfer from at least the one conductor and at least the one sliding connector to a section ofthe formation.
3307. The method of claύn 3306, wherein at least the one conductor comprises a pipe.
3308. The method of claim 3306, wherein at least the one conductor comprises stainless steel.
3309. The method of claim 3306, wherein the conduit comprises stainless steel.
3310. The method of claim 3306, further comprising maintaining a location of at least the one conductor in the conduit with a centtalizer.
3311. The method of claim 3306, further comprising maintaining a location of at least the one conductor in the conduit with a centralizer, wherein the centtalizer comprises ceramic material.
3312. The method of claύn 3306, further comprising maintaining a location of at least the one conductor in the conduit with a cenfralizer, wherein the cenfralizer comprises ceramic material and stainless steel.
3313. The method of claim 3306, wherein the provided heat comprises approximately 650 W/m to approxύnately 1650 W/m.
3314. The method of claύn 3306, further comprising determining a temperatare disttibution in the conduit usύig an electromagnetic signal provided to the conduit.
3315. The method of claύn 3306, further comprising monitoring the applied electrical current.
3316. The method of claim 3306, further comprising monitoring a voltage applied to at least the one conductor.
3317. The method of claim 3306, further comprising monitoring a temperature in the conduit with at least one thermocouple.
3318. The method of claim 3306, further comprising couplύig an overburden casing to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation.
3319. The method of claim 3306, farther comprising coupling an overburden casing to the opening, wherein the overbmden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe fonnation, and wherein the overburden casing comprises steel.
3320. The method of claim 3306, further comprising coupling an overburden casing to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the overburden casing is further disposed in cement.
3321. The method of claim 3306, further comprising coupling an overburden casing to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the opening.
3322. The method of claim 3306, further comprising coupling an overburden casύig to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the method further comprises inhibiting a flow of fluid between the opening and the overbmden casing with a packing material.
3323. The method of claύn 3306, further comprising coupling an overburden casing to the openύig, wherein a substantially low resistance conductor is disposed withύi the overburden casing, and wherein the substantially low resistance conductor is electrically coupled to at least the one conductor.
3324. The method of claim 3306, further comprising coupling an overburden casing to the opening, wherein a substantially low resistance conductor is disposed within the overburden casing, whereύi the substantially low resistance conductor is elecfrically coupled to at least the one conductor, and wherein the substantially low resistance conductor comprises carbon steel.
3325. The method of claύn 3306, further comprising couplύig an overburden casύig to the opening, wherein a substantially low resistance conductor is disposed within the overburden casύig, wherein the substantially low resistance conductor is electrically coupled to at least the one conductor, and whereύi the method further comprises maintaining a location ofthe substantially low resistance conductor in the overburden casing with a centralizer support.
3326. The method of claύn 3306, further comprismg elecfrically coupling a lead-in conductor to at least the one conductor, wherein the lead-in conductor comprises a low resistance conductor configured to generate substantially no heat.
3327. The method of claim 3306, further comprising electrically couplύig a lead-in conductor to at least the one conductor, wherein the lead-in conductor comprises copper.
3328. The method of claim 3306, farther comprising maintaining a sufficient pressure between the conduit and the fonnation to substantially ύihibit defonnation ofthe conduit.
3329. The method of claύn 3306, further comprising providing a thennally conductive fluid within the conduit.
3330. The method of claim 3306, further comprising providing a thermally conductive fluid within the conduit, wherein the thermally conductive fluid comprises helium.
3331. The method of claim 3306, further comprising inhibiting arcing between the conductor and the conduit with a fluid disposed within the conduit.
3332. The method of claim 3306, further comprising removing a vapor from the opening using a perforated tabe disposed proximate to the conduit in the openύig to confrol a pressure in the openύig.
3333. The method of claύn 3306, further comprising flowing a corrosion inhibitύig fluid through a perforated tabe disposed proximate to the conduit in the opening.
3334. The method of claim 3306, further comprising flowing an oxidizing fluid through an orifice in the conduit.
3335. The method of claim 3306, further comprising disposing a perforated tabe proximate to the conduit and flowing an oxidizύig fluid through the perforated tube.
3336. The method of claim 3306, further comprising heating at least the portion ofthe formation to substantially pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbons within the formation.
3337. A system configured to heat a relatively permeable formation contaύiing heavy hydrocarbons, comprising: at least one elongated member disposed withύi an opening in the formation, wherein at least the one elongated member is configured to provide heat to at least a portion ofthe formation during use; and wherein the system is configured to allow heat to transfer from at least the one elongated member to a section ofthe formation during use.
3338. The system of claim 3337, wherein at least the one elongated member comprises stainless steel.
3339. The system of claύn 3337, whereύi at least the one elongated member is further configured to generate heat during application of an electrical cunent to at least the one elongated member.
3340. The system of claim 3337, further comprising a support member coupled to at least the one elongated member, wherein the support member is configured to support at least the one elongated member.
3341. The system of claim 3337, farther comprising a support member coupled to at least the one elongated member, wherein the support member is configured to support at least the one elongated member, and wherein the support member comprises openings.
3342. The system of claύn 3337, farther comprising a support member coupled to at least the one elongated member, wherein the support member is configured to support at least the one elongated member, wherein the support member comprises openings, wherein the openings are configured to flow a fluid along a length of at least the one elongated member during use, and wherein the fluid is configured to substantially ύihibit carbon deposition on or proxύnate to at least the one elongated member during use.
3343. The system of claim 3337, further comprising a tabe disposed in the opening, wherein the tube comprises openings, wherein the openings are configured to flow a fluid along a length of at least the one elongated member during use, and wherein the fluid is configured to substantially inhibit carbon deposition on or proximate to at least the one elongated member during use.
3344. The system of claύn 3337, further comprising a cenfralizer coupled to at least the one elongated member, wherein the cenfralizer is configured to electrically isolate at least the one elongated member.
3345. The system of claύn 3337, further comprising a cenfralizer coupled to at least the one elongated member and a support member coupled to at least the one elongated member, wherein the centralizer is configured to maintain a location of at least the one elongated member on the support member.
3346. The system of claim 3337, wherein the opening comprises a diameter of at least approximately 5 cm.
3347. The system of claim 3337, further comprising a lead-in conductor coupled to at least the one elongated member, wherein the lead-in conductor comprises a low resistance conductor configured to generate substantially no heat.
3348. The system of claim 3337, further comprising a lead-in conductor coupled to at least the one elongated member, wherein the lead-in conductor comprises a rubber insulated conductor.
3349. The system of claim 3337, further comprising a lead-in conductor coupled to at least the one elongated member, wherein the lead-in conductor comprises copper wire.
3350. The system of claim 3337, further comprising a lead-in conductor coupled to at least the one elongated member with a cold pin fransition conductor.
3351. The system of claim 3337, further comprising a lead-in conductor coupled to at least the one elongated member with a cold pin transition conductor, wherein the cold pin transition conductor comprises a substantially low resistance insulated conductor.
3352. The system of claim 3337, wherein at least the one elongated member is arranged in a series electrical configuration.
3353. The system of claim 3337, wherein at least the one elongated member is arranged in a parallel electrical configuration.
3354. The system of claύn 3337, wherein at least the one elongated member is configured to generate radiant heat of approximately 650 W/m to approximately 1650 W/m during use.
3355. The system bf claim 3337, further comprising a perforated tube disposed in the openύig external to at least the one elongated member, wherein the perforated tube is configured to remove vapor from the opening to confrol a pressure in the opening during use.
3356. The system of claύn 3337, further comprisύig an overburden casing coupled to the openύig, wherein the overburden casύig is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation.
3357. The system of claim 3337, further comprising an overbmden casing coupled to the openύig, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the overburden casing comprises steel.
3358. The system of claim 3337, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overbmden ofthe formation, and wherein the overburden casing is further disposed in cement.
3359. The system of claύn 3337, farther comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overbmden casύig is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the opening.
3360. The system of claim 3337, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overbmden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe foimation, wherein a packύig material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the opening, and wherein the packing material comprises cement.
3361. The system of claim 3337, farther comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the opening, and wherein the packing material is farther configured to substantially inhibit a flow of fluid between the opening and the overburden casing durύig use.
3362. The system of claim 3337, whereύi the heated section ofthe formation is substantially pyrolyzed.
3363. A system configurable to heat a relatively permeable foimation contaύiing heavy hydrocarbons, comprising: at least one elongated member configurable to be disposed within an opening in the foimation, wherein at least the one elongated member is further configurable to provide heat to at least a portion ofthe fonnation during use; and whereύi the system is configurable to allow heat to transfer from at least the one elongated member to a section ofthe fonnation during use.
3364. The system of claim 3363, wherein at least the one elongated member comprises stainless steel.
3365. The system of claim 3363, wherein at least the one elongated member is further configurable to generate heat during application of an elecfrical cunent to at least the one elongated member.
3366. The system of claim 3363, further comprising a support member coupled to at least the one elongated member, wherein the support member is conflgurable to support at least the one elongated member.
3367. The system of claim 3363, further comprising a support member coupled to at least the one elongated member, whereύi the support member is configurable to support at least the one elongated member, and wherein the support member comprises openings.
3368. The system of claim 3363, further comprising a support member coupled to at least the one elongated member, wherein the support member is configurable to support at least the one elongated member, wherein the support member comprises openings, wherein the openings are configurable to flow a fluid along a length of at least the one elongated member during use, and wherein the fluid is configurable to substantially inhibit carbon deposition on or proximate to at least the one elongated member during use.
3369. The system of claim 3363, further comprising a tabe disposed in the opening, whereύi the tube comprises openings, wherein the openmgs are configurable to flow a fluid along a length of at least the one elongated member during use, and wherein the fluid is configurable to substantially inhibit carbon deposition on or proximate to at least the one elongated member during use.
3370. The system of claύn 3363, fuither comprisύig a cenfralizer coupled to at least the one elongated member, wherein the centtalizer is configurable to electrically isolate at least the one elongated member.
3371. The system of claim 3363, further comprising a cenfralizer coupled to at least the one elongated member and a support member coupled to at least the one elongated member, wherein the centralizer is configurable to maintain a location of at least the one elongated member on the support member.
3372. The system of claim 3363, wherein the opening comprises a diameter of at least approximately 5 cm.
3373. The system of claim 3363, farther comprising a lead-in conductor coupled to at least the one elongated member, wherein the lead-in conductor comprises a low resistance conductor configurable to generate substantially no heat.
3374. The system of claύn 3363, further comprising a lead-in conductor coupled to at least the one elongated member, wherein the lead-in conductor comprises a mbber insulated conductor.
3375. The system of claim 3363, further comprising a lead-in conductor coupled to at least the one elongated member, wherein the lead-in conductor comprises copper wire.
3376. The system of claim 3363, further comprising a lead-in conductor coupled to at least the one elongated member with a cold pin fransition conductor.
3377. The system of claim 3363, further comprising a lead-in conductor coupled to at least the one elongated member with a cold pin transition conductor, wherein the cold pin transition conductor comprises a substantially low resistance insulated conductor.
3378. The system of claim 3363, wherein at least the one elongated member is ananged in a series elecfrical configuration.
3379. The system of claim 3363 , wherein at least the one elongated member is ananged in a parallel elecfrical configuration.
3380. The system of claim 3363, wherein at least the one elongated member is conflgurable to generate radiant heat of approxύnately 650 W/m to approximately 1650 W/m during use.
3381. The system of claim 3363, further comprising a perforated tube disposed in the opening external to at least the one elongated member, wherein the perforated tube is configurable to remove vapor from the openύig to control a pressure in the opening during use.
3382. The system of claim 3363, further comprisύig an overburden casing coupled to the openύig, wherein the overbmden casύig is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation.
3383. The system of claim 3363, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the openύig, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the overburden casing comprises steel.
3384. The system of claim 3363, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe fonnation, and wherein the overburden casing is further disposed in cement.
3385. The system of cla n 3363, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the openύig, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein a packύig material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the opening.
3386. The system of claim 3363, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the opening, and wherein the packing material comprises cement.
3387. The system of claim 3363, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the openύig, and wherein the packing material is farther configurable to substantially inhibit a flow of fluid between the opening and the overburden casύig durύig use.
3388. The system of claim 3363, wherein the heated section ofthe formation is substantially pyrolyzed.
3389. The system of claim 3363, wherein the system is configured to heat a relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons, and wherein the system comprises: at least one elongated member disposed withύi an opening in the formation, wherein at least the one elongated member is configured to provide heat to at least a portion ofthe formation during use; and wherein the system is configured to allow heat to transfer from at least the one elongated member to a section ofthe formation during use.
3390. An in sita method for heating a relatively permeable formation containύig heavy hydrocarbons, comprising: applying an electrical current to at least one elongated member to provide heat to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein at least the one elongated member is disposed within an opening ofthe foimation; and allowing heat to transfer from at least the one elongated member to a section ofthe formation.
3391. The method of claim 3390, wherein at least the one elongated member comprises a metal strip.
3392. The method of claim 3390, wherein at least the one elongated member comprises a metal rod.
3393. The method of claim 3390, wherein at least the one elongated member comprises stainless steel.
3394. The method of claim 3390, farther comprising supporting at least the one elongated member on a center support member.
3395. The method of claim 3390, further comprisύig supporting at least the one elongated member on a center support member, wherein the center support member comprises a tabe.
3396. The method of claim 3390, further comprising electrically isolating at least the one elongated member with a centtalizer.
3397. The method of claim 3390, further comprising laterally spacing at least the one elongated member with a cenfralizer.
3398. The method of claim 3390, further comprising elecfrically coupling at least the one elongated member in a series configuration.
3399. The method of claύn 3390, further comprising electrically coupling at least the one elongated member in a parallel configuration.
3400. The method of claim 3390, wherein the provided heat comprises approximately 650 W/m to approximately 1650 W/m.
3401. The method of claim 3390, further comprising determining a temperature disttibution in at least the one elongated member using an electromagnetic signal provided to at least the one elongated member.
3402. The method of claim 3390, further comprising monitoring the applied electrical current.
3403. The method of claim 3390, further comprising monitoring a voltage applied to at least the one elongated member.
3404. The method of claim 3390, further comprising monitoring a temperature in at least the one elongated member with at least one thermocouple.
3405. The method of claύn 3390, further comprising supporting at least the one elongated member on a center support member, wherein the center support member comprises openings, the method further comprising flowing an oxidizing fluid through the openings to substantially inhibit carbon deposition proximate to or on at least the one elongated member.
3406. The method of claim 3390, farther comprising flowing an oxidizing fluid through a tube disposed proximate to at least the one elongated member to substantially inhibit carbon deposition proximate to or on at least the one elongated member.
3407. The method of claim 3390, further comprising flowing an oxidizing fluid through an opening in at least the one elongated member to substantially ύihibit carbon deposition proximate to or on at least the one elongated member.
3408. The method of claim 3390, further comprising electrically coupling a lead-in conductor to at least the one elongated member, wherein the lead-in conductor comprises a low resistance conductor configured to generate substantially no heat.
3409. The method of claim 3390, further comprising elecfrically coupling a lead-in conductor to at least the one elongated member using a cold pin transition conductor.
3410. The method of claim 3390, further comprising electrically coupling a lead-in conductor to at least the one elongated member using a cold pin transition conductor, wherein the cold pin ttansition conductor comprises a substantially low resistance insulated conductor.
3411. The method of claύn 3390, further comprising couplύig an overburden casing to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation.
3412. The method of claim 3390, further comprising coupling an overburden casing to the opening, wherein the overbmden casing comprises steel.
3413. The method of claim 3390, further comprising coupling an overburden casing to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in cement.
3414. The method of claim 3390, further comprising coupling an overburden casing to the opening, whereύi a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casύig and the openύig.
3415. The method of claim 3390, further comprising coupling an overburden casing to the opening, wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the opening, and wherein the method farther comprises inhibiting a flow of fluid between the opening and the overburden casing with the packing material.
3416. The method of claim 3390, further comprising heating at least the portion of the formation to substantially pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbons withύi the fonnation.
3417. A system configured to heat a relatively penneable fonnation contaύiing heavy hydrocarbons, comprising: at least one elongated member disposed within an opening in the formation, wherein at least the one elongated member is configured to provide heat to at least a portion ofthe fonnation during use; an oxidizing fluid source; a conduit disposed within the opening, wherein the conduit is configured to provide an oxidizing fluid from the oxidizing fluid source to the opening during use, and wherein the oxidizing fluid is selected to substantially inhibit carbon deposition on or proximate to at least the one elongated member durύig use; and wherein the system is configured to allow heat to fransfer from at least the one elongated member to a section ofthe formation during use.
3418. The system of claύn 3417, wherein at least the one elongated member comprises stainless steel.
3419. The system of claim 3417, wherein at least the one elongated member is further configured to generate heat during application of an elecfrical current to at least the one elongated member.
3420. The system of claim 3417, whereύi at least the one elongated member is coupled to the conduit, wherein the conduit is further configured to support at least the one elongated member.
3421. The system of claim 3417, wherein at least the one elongated member is coupled to the conduit, wherein the conduit is further configured to support at least the one elongated member, and wherein the conduit comprises openmgs.
3422. The system of claim 3417, further comprisύig a centralizer coupled to at least the one elongated member and the conduit, wherein the cenfralizer is configured to electrically isolate at least the one elongated member from the conduit.
3423. The system of claim 3417, farther comprising a centralizer coupled to at least the one elongated member and the conduit, wherein the centralizer is configured to maintain a location of at least the one elongated member on the conduit.
3424. The system of claύn 3417, wherein the openύig comprises a diameter of at least approxύnately 5 cm.
3425. The system of claύn 3417, furtlier comprisύig a lead-in conductor coupled to at least the one elongated member, wherein the lead-in conductor comprises a low resistance conductor configured to generate substantially no heat.
3426. The system of claim 3417, further comprising a lead-in conductor coupled to at least the one elongated member, wherem the lead-in conductor comprises a rubber insulated conductor.
3427. The system of claim 3417, further comprising a lead-in conductor coupled to at least the one elongated member, wherein the lead-in conductor comprises copper wύe.
3428. The system of claim 3417, farther comprising a lead-in conductor coupled to at least the one elongated member with a cold pin transition conductor.
3429. The system of claύn 3417, farther comprising a lead-in conductor coupled to at least the one elongated member with a cold pin fransition conductor, wherein the cold pin transition conductor comprises a substantially low resistance insulated conductor.
3430. The system of claύn 3417, whereiα at least the one elongated member is arranged in a series electtical configuration.
3431. The system of claim 3417, wherein at least the one elongated member is arranged in a parallel electtical configuration.
3432. The system of claim 3417, wherem at least the one elongated member is configured to generate radiant heat of approximately 650 W/m to approximately 1650 W/m during use.
3433. The system of claύn 3417, further comprising a perforated tabe disposed in the openύig external to at least the one elongated member, wherein the perforated tube is configured to remove vapor from the openύig to control a pressure in the opening during use.
3434. The system of claim 3417, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe fonnation.
3435. The system of claύn 3417, farther comprising an overburden casing coupled to the openύig, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overbmden ofthe fonnation, and whereύi the overburden casύig comprises steel.
3436. The system of claύn 3417, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the openmg, whereύi the overbmden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the overburden casing is further disposed in cement.
3437. The system of claim 3417, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the opening.
3438. The system of claύn 3417, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the openύig, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the opening, and wherein the packing material comprises cement.
3439. The system of claim 3417, farther comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe fonnation, wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overbmden casing and the openύig, and wherein the packing material is further configured to substantially inhibit a flow of fluid between the opening and the overburden casing during use.
3440. The system of claim 3417, wherein the heated section ofthe formation is substantially pyrolyzed.
3441. A system configurable to heat a relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons, comprising: at least one elongated member configurable to be disposed within an opening in the formation, wherein at least the one elongated member is farther configurable to provide heat to at least a portion ofthe formation during use; a conduit configurable to be disposed within the opening, wherein the conduit is further configurable to provide an oxidizing fluid from the oxidizύig fluid source to the opening during use, and whereύi the system is configurable to allow the oxidizing fluid to substantially inhibit carbon deposition on or proxύnate to at least the one elongated member during use; and wherein the system is further configurable to allow heat to transfer from at least the one elongated member to a section ofthe formation during use.
3442. The system of claim 3441, wherein at least the one elongated member comprises stainless steel.
3443. The system of claim 3441, wherein at least the one elongated member is farther configurable to generate heat during application of an elecfrical cunent to at least the one elongated member.
3444. The system of claim 3441, wherein at least the one elongated member is coupled to the conduit, wherein the conduit is further configurable to support at least the one elongated member.
3445. The system of claύn 3441, wherein at least the one elongated member is coupled to the conduit, wherein the conduit is further configurable to support at least the one elongated member, and wherein the conduit comprises openings.
3446. The system of claim 3441, further comprising a cenfralizer coupled to at least the one elongated member and the conduit, wherein the centtalizer is configurable to electrically isolate at least the one elongated member from the conduit.
3447. The system of claim 3441, further comprising a cenfralizer coupled to at least the one elongated member and the conduit, wherein the centtalizer is conflgurable to maintain a location of at least the one elongated member on the conduit.
3448. The system of claim 3441, wherein the openmg comprises a diameter of at least approximately 5 cm.
3449. The system of claim 3441, farther comprising a lead-in conductor coupled to at least the one elongated member, wherein the lead-in conductor comprises a low resistance conductor configurable to generate substantially no heat.
3450. The system of claύn 3441 , further comprising a lead-in conductor coupled to at least the one elongated member, wherein the lead-in conductor comprises a rubber insulated conductor.
3451. The system of claim 3441 , further comprising a lead-in conductor coupled to at least the one elongated member, wherein the lead-in conductor comprises copper wύe.
3452. The system of claim 3441, further comprising a lead-ύi conductor coupled to at least the one elongated member with a cold pin fransition conductor.
3453. The system of claim 3441, further comprising a lead-in conductor coupled to at least the one elongated member with a cold pin fransition conductor, wherein the cold pin transition conductor comprises a substantially low resistance insulated conductor.
3454. The system of claim 3441, wherein at least the one elongated member is ananged in a series electtical configuration.
3455. The system of claύn 3441, wherein at least the one elongated member is ananged in a parallel electrical configuration.
3456. The system of claύn 3441, wherein at least the one elongated member is configurable to generate radiant heat of approximately 650 W/m to approximately 1650 W/m during use.
3457. The system of claim 3441, further comprising a perforated tabe disposed in the opening external to at least the one elongated member, wherein the perforated tube is configurable to remove vapor from the opening to control a pressure in the opening during use.
3458. The system of claim 3441, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the openiαg, wherein the overbmden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation.
3459. The system of claύn 3441, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the overburden casing comprises steel.
3460. The system of claim 3441, farther comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overbmden ofthe fonnation, and wherein the overbmden casύig is further disposed in cement.
3461. The system of claim 3441, farther comprising an overburden casing coupled to the openiαg, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein a packύig material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the opening.
3462. The system of claim 3441, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the opening, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, wherein a packύig material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the opening, and wherein the packing material comprises cement.
3463. The system of claim 3441 , further comprising an overburden casing coupled to the openύig, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe foimation, wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the opening, and wherein the packing material is further configurable to substantially inhibit a flow of fluid between the opening and the overburden casύig durύig use.
3464. The system of claim 3441, wherein the heated section ofthe formation is substantially pyrolyzed.
3465. The system of claim 3441 , wherein the system is configured to heat a relatively permeable foimation contaύiing heavy hydrocarbons, and wherein the system comprises: at least one elongated member disposed within an opening in the formation, wherein at least the one elongated member is configured to provide heat to at least a portion ofthe formation during use; an oxidizύig fluid source; a conduit disposed within the opening, wherein the conduit is configured to provide an oxidizing fluid from the oxidizing fluid source to the opening during use, and wherein the oxidizing fluid is selected to substantially inhibit carbon deposition on or proximate to at least the one elongated member durύig use; and wherein the system is configured to allow heat to transfer from at least the one elongated member to a section ofthe formation during use.
3466. An in situ method for heating a relatively permeable formation containύig heavy hydrocarbons, comprising:
applying an electrical cunent to at least one elongated member to provide heat to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein at least the one elongated member is disposed within an opening in the formation; providing an oxidizing fluid to at least the one elongated member to substantially inhibit carbon deposition on or proxύnate to at least the one elongated member; and allowing heat to fransfer from at least the one elongated member to a section ofthe foimation.
3467. The method of claim 3466, wherein at least the one elongated member comprises a metal strip.
3468. The method of claim 3466, wherein at least the one elongated member comprises a metal rod.
3469. The method of claim 3466, wherein at least the one elongated member comprises stainless steel.
3470. The method of claim 3466, further comprising supporting at least the one elongated member on a center support member.
3471. The method of claim 3466, further comprising supporting at least the one elongated member on a center support member, wherein the center support member comprises a tabe.
3472. The method of claim 3466, further comprising elecfrically isolating at least the one elongated member with a cenfralizer.
3473. The method of claim 3466, further comprising laterally spacing at least the one elongated member with a cenfralizer.
3474. The method of claim 3466, further comprising electrically coupling at least the one elongated member in a series configuration.
3475. The method of claim 3466, farther comprising electrically coupling at least the one elongated member in a parallel configuration.
3476. The method of claύn 3466, wherein the provided heat comprises approxύnately 650 W/m to approximately 1650 W/m.
3477. The method of claim 3466, further comprising determining a temperature disttibution in at least the one elongated member using an electromagnetic signal provided to at least the one elongated member.
3478. The method of claim 3466, further comprising monitoring the applied electrical current.
3479. The method of claύn 3466, further comprisύig monitoring a voltage applied to at least the one elongated member.
3480. The method of claim 3466, further comprising monitoring a temperature in at least the one elongated member with at least one thennocouple.
3481. The method of claim 3466, fuither comprising supportmg at least the one elongated member on a center support member, wherein the center support member comprises openings, wherein providing the oxidizύig fluid to at least the one elongated member comprises flowing the oxidizing fluid through the openings in the center support member.
3482. The method of claim 3466, whereύi providύig the oxidizing fluid to at least the one elongated member comprises flowing the oxidizύig fluid through orifices in a tabe disposed in the openύig proxύnate to at least the one elongated member.
3483. The method of claim 3466, further comprising electtically coupling a lead-in conductor to at least the one elongated member, wherein the lead-in conductor comprises a low resistance conductor configured to generate substantially no heat.
3484. The method of claim 3466, further comprising electrically coupling a lead-in conductor to at least the one elongated member using a cold pin transition conductor.
3485. The method of claύn 3466, further comprising electrically coupling a lead-in conductor to at least the one elongated member using a cold pin transition conductor, wherein the cold pin transition conductor comprises a substantially low resistance ύisulated conductor.
3486. The method of claim 3466, further comprising coupling an overburden casύig to the opening, wherein the overbmden casing is disposed in an overbmden ofthe fonnation.
3487. The method of claim 3466, further comprising coupling an overburden casing to the opening, wherein the overburden casing comprises steel.
3488. The method of claim 3466, further comprising couplύig an overburden casing to the opening, whereiα the overburden casing is disposed in cement.
3489. The method of claim 3466, further comprising coupling an overburden casing to the opening, wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the opening.
3490. The method of claύn 3466, further comprising couplύig an overburden casing to the openύig, wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casύig and the openύig, and wherein the method further comprises inhibitύig a flow of fluid between the opening and the overburden casing with the packing material.
3491. The method of claim 3466, further comprising heating at least the portion ofthe foimation to substantially pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbons within the formation.
3492. An in sita method for heating a relatively permeable formation containύig heavy hydrocarbons, comprising: oxidizύig a fuel fluid in a heater; providing at least a portion ofthe oxidized fuel fluid into a conduit disposed in an openuig ofthe formation; allowing heat to transfer from the oxidized fael fluid to a section ofthe formation; and allowing additional heat to fransfer from an elecfric heater disposed in the opening to the section ofthe formation, wherein heat is allowed to transfer substantially uniformly along a length ofthe openύig.
3493. The method of claύn 3492, whereύi providύig at least the portion ofthe oxidized fael fluid into the opening comprises flowing the oxidized fael fluid through a perforated conduit disposed in the opening.
3494. The method of claim 3492, whereύi providing at least the portion ofthe oxidized fael fluid into the openύig comprises flowing the oxidized fael fluid through a perforated conduit disposed in the opening, the method further comprising removing an exhaust fluid through the opening.
3495. The method of claύn 3492, further comprising initiating oxidation ofthe fael fluid in the heater with a flame.
3496. The method of claim 3492, further comprising removing the oxidized fael fluid through the conduit.
3497. The method of claim 3492, further comprising removing the oxidized fael fluid through the conduit and providing the removed oxidized fael fluid to at least one additional heater disposed in the foimation.
3498. The method of claim 3492, wherein the conduit comprises an insulator disposed on a surface ofthe conduit, the method further comprising tapering a thickness ofthe insulator such that heat is allowed to fransfer substantially uniformly along a length ofthe conduit.
3499. The method of claim 3492, wherein the electric heater is an insulated conductor.
3500. The method of claύn 3492, wherein the elecfric heater is a conductor disposed in the conduit.
3501. The method of claύn 3492, wherein the electric heater is an elongated conductive member.
3502. A system configured to heat a relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons, comprising: one or more heat sources disposed within one or more open wellbores in the formation, wherein the one or more heat sources are configured to provide heat to at least a portion ofthe fonnation during use; and wherein the system is configured to allow heat to fransfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation during use.
3503. The system of claim 3502, wherein the one or more heat somces comprise at least two heat sources, and wherein supeφosition of heat from at least the two heat somces pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section ofthe formation.
3504. The system of claim 3502, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise elecfrical heaters.
3505. The system of claim 3502, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise surface burners.
3506. The system of claim 3502, wherein the one or more heat somces comprise flameless distributed combustors.
3507. The system of claύn 3502, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise natural disfributed combustors.
3508. The system of claύn 3502, wherein the one or more open wellbores comprise a diameter of at least approximately 5 cm.
3509. The system of claim 3502, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to at least one ofthe one or more open wellbores, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation.
3510. The system of claim 3502, farther comprising an overburden casing coupled to at least one ofthe one or more open wellbores, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the overburden casing comprises steel.
3511. The system of claύn 3502, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to at least one ofthe one or more open wellbores, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden of the fonnation, and wherem the overburden casing is farther disposed in cement.
3512. The system of claim 3502, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to at least one ofthe one or more open wellbores, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the at least one ofthe one or more open wellbores.
3513. The system of claim 3502, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to at least one ofthe one or more open wellbores, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casύig and the at least one ofthe one or more open wellbores, and whereύi the packύig material is configured to substantially inhibit a flow of fluid between at least one ofthe one or more open wellbores and the overburden casing during use.
3514. The system of claim 3502, further comprising an overburden casing coupled to at least one ofthe one or more open wellbores, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casing and the at least one ofthe one or more open wellbores, and wherein the packύig material comprises cement.
3515. The system of claim 3502, whereiα the system is further configured to ttansfer heat such that the fransferred heat can pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbons in the selected section.
3516. The system of claim 3502, further comprising a valve coupled to at least one ofthe one or more heat sources configured to control pressure within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation.
3517. The system of claim 3502, further comprising a valve coupled to a production well configured to control a pressure within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation.
3518. A method of tteating a relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons in sita, comprising: providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least one portion ofthe formation, wherein the one or more heat sources are disposed within one or more open wellbores in the formation; allowing the heat to fransfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation; and producing a mixture from the formation.
3519. The method of claim 3518, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise at least two heat sources, and wherein supeφosition of heat from at least the two heat sources pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section ofthe formation.
3520. The method of claύn 3518, whereύi confrolling formation conditions comprises maintaining a temperature within the selected section withύi a pyrolysis temperature range with a lower pyrolysis temperature of about 250 °C and an upper pyrolysis temperature of about 400 °C.
3521. The method of claύn 3518, whereύi the one or more heat sources comprise electrical heaters.
3522. The method of claύn 3518, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise surface burners.
3523. The method of claim 3518, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise flameless distributed combustors.
3524. The method of claim 3518, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise natural distributed combustors.
3525. The method of claύn 3518, wherein the one or more heat somces are suspended withύi the one or more open wellbores.
3526. The method of claim 3518, wherein a tabe is disposed in at least one ofthe one or more open wellbores proximate to the heat source, the method further comprising flowing a substantially constant amount of fluid into at least one ofthe one or more open wellbores through critical flow orifices in the tabe.
3527. The method of claύn 3518, wherein a perforated tabe is disposed in at least one ofthe one or more open wellbores proximate to the heat source, the method farther comprising flowing a corrosion inhibiting fluid into at least one of the open wellbores through the perforated tube.
3528. The method of claim 3518, further comprising coupling an overburden casύig to at least one ofthe one or more open wellbores, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation.
3529. The method of claim 3518, farther comprising couplύig an overburden casing to at least one of the one or more open wellbores, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe foimation, and wherein the overburden casύig comprises steel.
3530. The method of claim 3518, further comprising couplύig an overburden casing to at least one of the one or more open wellbores, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe formation, and wherein the overburden casing is further disposed in cement.
3531. The method of claim 3518, further comprising coupling an overburden casing to at least one ofthe one or more open wellbores, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overburden ofthe foimation, and wherein a packing material is disposed at a junction ofthe overburden casύig and the at least one ofthe one or more open wellbores.
3532. The method of claim 3518, further comprising coupling an overburden casing to at least one ofthe one or more open wellbores, wherein the overburden casing is disposed in an overbmden ofthe fonnation, and wherein the method further comprises inhibitύig a flow of fluid between the at least one ofthe one or more open wellbores and the overburden casing with a packing material.
3533. The method of claim 3518, further comprising heating at least the portion ofthe foimation to substantially pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbons within the formation.
3534. The method of claύn 3518, further comprising controlling a pressure and a temperatare within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation, wherein the pressure is confrolled as a function of temperature, or the temperature is controlled as a function of pressure.
3535. The method of claim 3518, farther comprising controlling a pressure with the wellbore.
3536. The method of claim 3518, further comprising confrollύig a pressure withύi at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation with a valve coupled to at least one ofthe one or more heat sources.
3537. The method of claim 3518, further comprising controlling a pressure withύi at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation with a valve coupled to a production well located in the foimation.
3538. The method of claim 3518, further comprising controlling the heat such that an average heatύig rate ofthe selected section is less than about 1 °C per day during pyrolysis.
3539. The method of claim 3518, wherein providing heat from the one or more heat sources to at least the portion of formation comprises: heating a selected volume (V) ofthe relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons from the one or more heat sources, wherein the formation has an average heat capacity(Cv), and wherein the heating pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons withύi the selected volume ofthe formation; and wherein heating energy/day provided to the volume is equal to or less than Pwr, wherein Pwr is calculated by the equation:
Pwr = h*V*Cv*pB wherein Pwr is the heatύig energy/day, h is an average heating rate ofthe foimation, pB is formation bulk density, and wherein the heatύig rate is less than about 10 °C/day.
3540. The method of claim 3518, wherein allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heat sources to the selected section comprises fransfening heat substantially by conduction.
3541. The method of claim 3518, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons having an API gravity of at least about 25°.
3542. The method of claim 3518, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
3543. The method of claύn 3518, whereiα the produced mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein a molar ratio of ethene to ethane in the non-condensable hydrocarbons ranges from about 0.001 to about 0.15.
3544. The method of claim 3518, where n the produced mixtare comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe non-condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
3545. The method of claim 3518, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is nitrogen.
3546. The method of claim 3518, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, of the condensable hydrocarbons is oxygen.
3547. The method of claim 3518, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is sulfur.
3548. The method of claim 3518, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein greater than about 20 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are aromatic compounds.
3549. The method of claim 3518, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises multi-ring aromatics with more than two rings.
3550. The method of claim 3518, wherein the produced mixtare comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 0.3 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are asphaltenes.
3551. The method of claim 3518, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 5 % by weight to about 30 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are cycloalkanes.
3552. The method of claim 3518, wherein the produced mixture comprises a non-condensable component, wherein the non-condensable component comprises hydrogen, and wherein the hydrogen is greater than about 10 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component and wherein the hydrogen is less than about 80 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component.
3553. The method of claim 3518, whereύi the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein greater than about 0.05 % by weight ofthe produced mixture is ammonia.
3554. The method of claim 3518, wherein the produced mixtare comprises ammonia, and wherein the ammonia is used to produce fertilizer.
3555. The method of claim 3518, further comprising confrolling a pressure withύi at least a maj ority of the selected section ofthe formation.
3556. The method of claim 3518, further comprising controlling a pressure within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation, wherein the controlled pressure is at least about 2.0 bars absolute.
3557. The method of claim 3518, further comprising controlling formation conditions such that the produced mixture comprises a partial pressure of H2 within the mixture greater than about 0.5 bars.
3558. The method of claύn 3557, whereύi the partial pressure of H2 is measured when the mixture is at a production well.
3559. The method of claim 3518, wherein controlling formation conditions comprises recύculating a portion of hydrogen from the mixture into the foimation.
3560. The method of claim 3518, further comprising altering a pressure withύi the formation to inhibit production of hydrocarbons from the foimation having carbon numbers greater than about 25.
3561. The method of claim 3518, farther comprising: providing hydrogen QH2) to the heated section to hydrogenate hydrocarbons within the section; and heatύig a portion ofthe section with heat from hydrogenation.
3562. The method of claim 3518, wherein the produced mixture comprises hydrogen and condensable hydrocarbons, the method further comprising hydrogenating a portion ofthe produced condensable hydrocarbons with at least a portion ofthe produced hydrogen.
3563. The method of claύn 3518, wherein producing the mixture comprises producing the mixture in a production well, wherein at least about 7 heat sources are disposed in the fonnation for the production well.
3564. The method of claim 3563, wherein at least about 20 heat sources are disposed in the formation for each production well.
3565. The method of claim 3518, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe foimation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, and wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a friangular pattern.
3566. The method of claύn 3518, farther comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat
sources, wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a triangular pattern, and wherein a plurality ofthe units are repeated over an area ofthe formation to form a repetitive pattern of units.
3567. The method of claύn 3518, further comprising separating the produced mixture into a gas stream and a liquid stream.
3568. The method of claim 3518, farther comprising separating the produced mixture into a gas stream and a liquid sfream and separating the liquid sfream into an aqueous stream and a non-aqueous stream.
3569. The method of claim 3518, wherein the produced mixture comprises H2S, the method further comprising separating a portion ofthe H2S from non-condensable hydrocarbons.
3570. The method of claύn 3518, wherein the produced mixture comprises C02, the method further comprising separating a portion ofthe C02 from non-condensable hydrocarbons.
3571. The method of claim 3518, wherein the mixtare is produced from a production well, wherein the heatύig is controlled such that the mixture can be produced from the formation as a vapor.
3572. The method of claim 3518, wherein the mixtare is produced from a production well, the method farther comprising heating a wellbore ofthe production well to inhibit condensation ofthe mixture within the wellbore.
3573. The method of claύn 3518, wherein the mixture is produced from a production well, wherein a wellbore of the production well comprises a heater element configured to heat the formation adjacent to the wellbore, and further comprising heating the formation with the heater element to produce the mixture, wherein the mixture comprises a large non-condensable hydrocarbon gas component and H2.
3574. The method of claim 3518, wherein the selected section is heated to a minimum pyrolysis temperatare of about 270 °C.
3575. The method of claim 3518, further comprising maintaining the pressure within the formation above about 2.0 bars absolute to inhibit production of fluids having carbon numbers above 25.
3576. The method of claύn 3518, further comprising controlling pressure within the formation in a range from about atmospheric pressure to about 100 bars, as measured at a wellhead of a production well, to confrol an amount of condensable hydrocarbons within the produced mixture, wherein the pressure is reduced to increase production of condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein the pressure is increased to increase production of non-condensable hydrocarbons.
3577. The method of claim 3518, farther comprising controlling pressure within the formation in a range from about atmospheric pressure to about 100 bars, as measured at a wellhead of a production well, to confrol an API gravity of condensable hydrocarbons within the produced mixture, wherein the pressure is reduced to decrease the API gravity, and wherein the pressure is increased to reduce the API gravity.
3578. A mixture produced from a portion of a relatively penneable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons, the mixture, comprising: non-condensable hydrocarbons comprising hydrocarbons havύig carbon numbers of less than 5; and wherein a weight ratio ofthe hydrocarbons having carbon numbers from 2 through 4, to methane, in the mixture is greater than approximately 1.
3579. The mixture of claim 3578, further comprising condensable hydrocarbons, wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
3580. The mixture of claim 3578, wherein a molar ratio of ethene to ethane in the non-condensable hydrocarbons ranges from about 0.001 to about 0.15.
3581. The mixture of claim 3578, further comprising condensable hydrocarbons, wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is nifrogen.
3582. The mixture of claύn 3578, further comprising condensable hydrocarbons, wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is oxygen.
3583. The mixture of claim 3578, further comprising condensable hydrocarbons, wherein less than about 5 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is sulfur.
3584. The mixture of claύn 3578, further comprising condensable hydrocarbons, wherein greater than about 20 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are aromatic compounds.
3585. The mixture of claim 3578, further comprising condensable hydrocarbons, wherein less than about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises multi-ring aromatics with more than two rings.
3586. The mixture of claim 3578, further comprising condensable hydrocarbons, wherein less than about 0.3 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are asphaltenes.
3587. The mixture of claim 3578, further comprising condensable hydrocarbons, wherein about 5 % by weight to about 30 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprise cycloalkanes.
3588. The mixtare of claim 3578, wherein the non-condensable hydrocarbons further comprise hydrogen, wherein the hydrogen is greater than about 10 % by volume ofthe non-condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein the hydrogen is less than about 80 % by volume ofthe non-condensable hydrocarbons.
3589. The mixture of claim 3578, further comprising ammonia, wherein greater than about 0.05 % by weight of the produced mixture is ammonia.
3590. The mixture of claim 3578, further comprising ammonia, wherein the ammonia is used to produce fertilizer.
3591. The mixture of claim 3578, further comprising condensable hydrocarbons, wherein less than about 15 weight % ofthe condensable hydrocarbons have a carbon number greater than approximately 25.
3592. The mixture of claim 3578, further comprisύig condensable hydrocarbons, wherein the condensable hydrocarbons comprise olefins, and wherein about 0.1 % to about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises olefins.
3593. The mixture of claim 3578, further comprising condensable hydrocarbons, wherein the condensable hydrocarbons comprises olefins, and wherein about 0.1 % to about 2.5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises olefins.
3594. The mixture of claim 3578, further comprisύig non-condensable hydrocarbons, wherein the non- condensable hydrocarbons comprise H2, and wherein greater than about 5 % by weight ofthe non-condensable hydrocarbons comprises H2.
3595. The mixture of claun 3578, further comprising non-condensable hydrocarbons, wherein the non- condensable hydrocarbons comprise H2, and wherein greater than about 15 % by weight ofthe non-condensable hydrocarbons comprises H2.
3596. The mixture of claim 3578, wherein a weight ratio of hydrocarbons having greater than about 2 carbon atoms, to methane, is greater than about 0.3.
3597. A mixture produced from a portion of a relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons, the mixture comprising: non-condensable hydrocarbons comprising hydrocarbons having carbon numbers of less than 5, wherein a weight ratio of hydrocarbons having carbon numbers from 2 through 4, to methane, is greater than approxύnately 1; condensable hydrocarbons; wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises nifrogen;
wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, o the condensable hydrocarbons comprises oxygen; and wherein less than about 5 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises sulfar.
3598. The mixture of claim 3597, farther comprising ammonia, wherein greater than about 0.05 % by weight of the produced mixture is ammonia.
3599. The mixture of claim 3597, wherein less than about 5 weight % ofthe condensable hydrocarbons have a carbon number greater than approximately 25.
3600. The mixture of claim 3597, wherein the condensable hydrocarbons comprise olefins, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
3601. The mixture of claim 3597, wherein a molar ratio of ethene to etaane in the non-condensable hydrocarbons ranges from about 0.001 to about 0.15.
3602. The mixture of claim 3597, wherein greater than about 20 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are aromatic compounds.
3603. The mixtare of claim 3597, wherein less than about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises multi-ring aromatics with more than two rings.
3604. The mixture of claim 3597, whereύi less than about 0.3 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are asphaltenes.
3605. The mixture of claim 3597, wherein about 5 % by weight to about 30 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are cycloalkanes.
3606. The mixture of claim 3597, whereύi the non-condensable hydrocarbons comprises hydrogen, and wherein the hydrogen is greater than about 10 % by volume ofthe non-condensable hydrocarbons and wherein the hydrogen is less than about 80 % by volume ofthe non-condensable hydrocarbons.
3607. The mixture of claim 3597, further comprising ammonia, and wherein greater than about 0.05 % by weight ofthe produced mixture is ammonia.
3608. The mixtare of claim 3597, further comprising ammonia, and wherein the ammonia is used to produce fertilizer.
3609. The mixture of claim 3597, wherein the non-condensable hydrocarbons comprise H2, and wherein greater than about 5 % by weight ofthe non-condensable hydrocarbons comprises H2.
3610. The mixture of claim 3597, wherein the non-condensable hydrocarbons comprise H2, and wherein greater than about 15 % by weight ofthe mixture comprises H2.
3611. The mixtare of claim 3597, wherein a weight ratio of hydrocarbons having greater than about 2 carbon atoms, to methane, is greater, than about 0.3.
3612. A mixture produced from a portion of a relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons, the mixture comprising: non-condensable hydrocarbons comprising hydrocarbons having carbon numbers of less than 5, wherein a weight ratio of hydrocarbons having carbon numbers from 2 through 4, to methane, is greater than approxύnately 1 ; and ammonia, wherein greater than about 0.5 % by weight ofthe mixture comprises ammonia.
3613. The mixture of claim 3612, wherein the condensable hydrocarbons further comprise olefins, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
3614. The mixture of claim 3612, wherein the non-condensable hydrocarbons further comprise ethene and etaane, and wherein a molar ratio of ethene to ethane in the non-condensable hydrocarbons ranges from about 0.001 to about 0.15.
3615. The mixture of claim 3612, wherein the condensable hydrocarbons further comprise nittogen containύig compounds, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is nitrogen.
3616. The mixture of claim 3612, wherein the condensable hydrocarbons further comprise oxygen containing compounds, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is oxygen.
3617. The mixture of claim 3612, wherein the condensable hydrocarbons further comprise sulfar containing compounds, and whereύi less than about 5 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is sulfur.
3618. The mixture of claim 3612, wherein the condensable hydrocarbons further comprise aromatic compounds, and wherein greater than about 20 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are aromatic compounds.
3619. The mixture of claim 3612, wherein the condensable hydrocarbons further comprise multi-aromatic rings, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises multi-ring aromatics with more than two rings.
3620. The mixtare of claim 3612, wherein the condensable hydrocarbons further comprise asphaltenes, and wherein less than about 0.3 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are asphaltenes.
3621. The mixture of claim 3612, wherein the condensable hydrocarbons further comprise cycloalkanes, and wherein about 5 % by weight to about 30 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are cycloalkanes.
3622. The mixture of claim 3612, wherein the non-condensable hydrocarbons further comprise hydrogen, wherein the hydrogen is greater than about 10 % by volume ofthe non-condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein the hydrogen is less than about 80 % by volume ofthe non-condensable hydrocarbons.
3623. The mixture of claim 3612, wherein the produced mixture further comprises ammonia, and wherein greater than about 0.05 % by weight ofthe produced mixture is ammonia.
3624. The mixture of claim 3612, wherein the produced mixture further comprises ammonia, and wherein the ammonia is used to produce fertilizer.
3625. The mixture of claim 3612, wherein the condensable hydrocarbons comprise hydrocarbons having a carbon number of greater than approximately 25, and wherein less than about 15 weight % ofthe hydrocarbons in tae mixture have a carbon number greater than approximately 25.
3626. The mixture of claύn 3612, wherein the non-condensable hydrocarbons further comprise H2, and wherein greater taan about 5 % by weight ofthe mixture comprises H2.
3627. The mixture of claim 3612, wherein the non-condensable hydrocarbons further comprise H2, and wherein greater than about 15 % by weight ofthe mixture comprises H2.
3628. The mixture of claim 3612, wherein the non-condensable hydrocarbons further comprise hydrocarbons having carbon numbers of greater than 2, wherein a weight ratio of hydrocarbons having carbon numbers greater than 2, to methane, is greater than about 0.3.
3629. A mixture produced from a portion of a relatively permeable foimation containing heavy hydrocarbons, the mixture comprising: non-condensable hydrocarbons comprising hydrocarbons having carbon numbers of less than 5, wherein a weight ratio of hydrocarbons having carbon numbers from 2 through 4, to methane, is greater than approximately 1; and
condensable hydrocarbons comprising olefins, wherein less than about 10 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises olefins.
3630. The mixture of claim 3629, wherein the non-condensable hydrocarbons further comprise ethene and ethane, and wherein a molar ratio of ethene to ethane in the non-condensable hydrocarbons ranges from about 0.001 to about 0.15.
3631. The mixture of claim 3629, wherein the condensable hydrocarbons further comprise nitrogen containύig compounds, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is nitrogen.
3632. The mixture of claim 3629, wherein the condensable hydrocarbons further comprise oxygen contaύiύig compounds, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is oxygen.
3633. The mixture of claim 3629, wherein the condensable hydrocarbons further comprise sulfur containing compounds, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is sulfur.
3634. The mixture of claim 3629, wherein the condensable hydrocarbons further comprise aromatic compounds, and wherein greater than about 20 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are aromatic compounds.
3635. The mixture of claim 3629, wherein the condensable hydrocarbons further comprise multi-ring aromatics, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises multi-ring aromatics with more than two rings.
3636. The mixture of claim 3629, wherein the condensable hydrocarbons further comprise asphaltenes, and wherein less than about 0.3 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are asphaltenes.
3637. The mixture of claim 3629, whereύi the condensable hydrocarbons further comprise cycloalkanes, and wherein about 5 % by weight to about 30 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are cycloalkanes.
3638. The mixture of claim 3629, wherein the non-condensable hydrocarbons further comprise hydrogen, and wherein the hydrogen is greater than about 10 % by volume ofthe non-condensable hydrocarbons and wherein the hydrogen is less than about 80 % by volume ofthe non-condensable hydrocarbons.
3639. The mixtare of claim 3629, whereύi the produced mixture further comprises ammonia, and wherein greater than about 0.05 % by weight ofthe produced mixture is ammonia.
3640. The mixture of claύn 3629, wherein the produced mixture further comprises ammonia, and wherein the ammonia is used to produce fertilizer.
3641. The mixture of claim 3629, wherein the condensable hydrocarbons further comprise hydrocarbons having a carbon number of greater than approximately 25, and wherein less than about 15 % by weight ofthe hydrocarbons have a carbon number greater than approximately 25.
3642. The mixture of claim 3629, wherein about 0.1 % to about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable component comprises olefins.
3643. The mixture of claim 3629, wherein about 0.1% to about 2 % by weight ofthe condensable component comprises olefins.
3644. The mixture of claim 3629, whereui the non-condensable hydrocarbons further comprise H2, and wherein greater than about 5 % by weight ofthe non-condensable hydrocarbons comprises H2.
3645. The mixture of claim 3629, wherein the non-condensable hydrocarbons further comprise H2, and wherein greater than about 15 % by weight ofthe non-condensable hydrocarbons comprises H2.
3646. The mixture of claim 3629, wherein a weight ratio of hydrocarbons having greater than about 2 carbon atoms, to methane, is greater than about 0.3.
3647. A mixture produced from a portion of a relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons, comprising: condensable hydrocarbons, wherein less than about 15 weight % ofthe condensable hydrocarbons have a carbon number greater than 25.
3648. The mixture of claim 3647, further comprising non-condensable hydrocarbons, wherein the non- condensable hydrocarbons comprise hydrocarbons having carbon numbers of less than 5, and wherein a weight ratio of hydrocarbons having carbon numbers from 2 through 4, to methane, is greater than approximately 1.
3649. The mixture of claim 3647, wherein the condensable hydrocarbons further comprise olefins, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
3650. The mixture of claim 3647, further comprising non-condensable hydrocarbons, whereύi a molar ratio of ethene to ethane in the non-condensable hydrocarbons ranges from about 0.001 to about 0.15.
3651. The mixture of claim 3647, whereύi the condensable hydrocarbons further comprise nitrogen containing compounds, and wherein less taan about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is nitrogen.
3652. The mixture of claim 3647, wherein the condensable hydrocarbons further comprise oxygen containing compounds, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is oxygen.
3653. The mixture of claim 3647, wherein the condensable hydrocarbons farther comprise sulfur contaύiύig compounds, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is sulfur.
3654. The mixture of claim 3647, wherein the condensable hydrocarbons further comprise aromatic compounds, and wherein greater than about 20 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are aromatic compounds.
3655. The mixture of claύn 3647, whereύi the condensable hydrocarbons farther comprise multi-ring aromatics, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises multi-ring aromatics with more than two rings.
3656. The mixture of claim 3647, whereύi the condensable hydrocarbons farther comprise asphaltenes, and wherein less than about 0.3 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are asphaltenes.
3657. The mixture of claim 3647, wherein the condensable hydrocarbons further comprise cycloalkanes, and wherein about 5 % by weight to about 30 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are cycloalkanes.
3658. The mixture of claim 3647, further comprising non-condensable hydrocarbons, wherein the non- condensable hydrocarbons comprise hydrogen, and wherein the hydrogen is greater than about 10 % by volume of the non-condensable hydrocarbons and wherein the hydrogen is less than about 80 % by volume ofthe non- condensable hydrocarbons.
3659. The mixture of claim 3647, further comprising ammonia, and wherein greater than about 0.05 % by weight ofthe produced mixture is ammonia.
3660. The mixture of claim 3647, further comprising ammonia, and wherein the ammonia is used to produce fertilizer.
3661. The mixture of claim 3647, whereύi the condensable hydrocarbons further comprises olefins, and wherein less than about 10 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises olefins.
3662. The mixture of claim 3647, wherein the condensable hydrocarbons further comprises olefins, and wherein about 0.1 % to about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises olefins.
3663. The mixture of claύn 3647, wherein the condensable hydrocarbons further comprises olefins, and wherein about 0.1 % to about 2 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises olefins.
3664. The mixture of claim 3647, further comprising non-condensable hydrocarbons, wherein the non- condensable hydrocarbons comprise H2, wherein greater than about 5 % by weight ofthe non-condensable hydrocarbons comprises H2.
3665. The mixture of claim 3647, further comprising non-condensable hydrocarbons, wherein the non- condensable hydrocarbons comprise H2, wherein greater than about 15 % by weight ofthe non-condensable hydrocarbons comprises H2.
3666. The mixture of claim 3647, wherein a weight ratio of hydrocarbons having greater than about 2 carbon atoms, to methane, is greater than about 0.3.
3667. A mixture produced from a portion of a relatively permeable formation containύig heavy hydrocarbons, comprising: condensable hydrocarbons, wherein less than about 15 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons have a carbon number greater than about 25; wherein less than about 1 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons, when calculated on an atomic basis, is nitrogen; wherein less than about 1 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons, when calculated on an atomic basis, is oxygen; and wherein less than about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons, when calculated on an atomic basis, is sulfur.
3668. The mixture of claim 3667, further comprising non-condensable hydrocarbons, wherein the non- condensable component comprises hydrocarbons havύig carbon numbers of less than 5, and wherein a weight ratio of hydrocarbons having carbon numbers from 2 through 4, to methane, is greater than approximately 1.
3669. The mixture of claim 3667, wherein the condensable hydrocarbons further comprise olefins, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
3670. The mixture of claim 3667, further comprising non-condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein a molar ratio of etaene to ethane in the non-condensable hydrocarbons ranges from about 0.001 to about 0.15.
3671. The mixture of claim 3667, wherein the condensable hydrocarbons further comprise aromatic compounds, and wherein greater than about 20 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are aromatic compounds.
3672. The mixture of claim 3667, wherein the condensable hydrocarbons further comprise multi-ring aromatics, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises multi-ring aromatics with more than two rings.
3673. The mixture of claim 3667, wherein the condensable hydrocarbons further comprise asphaltenes, and wherein less than about 0.3 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are asphaltenes.
3674. The mixture of claim 3667, wherein the condensable hydrocarbons further comprise cycloalkanes, and wherein about 5 % by weight to about 30 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are cycloalkanes.
3675. The mixture of claim 3667, further comprising non-condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein the non- condensable hydrocarbons comprise hydrogen, and wherein greater than about 10 % by volume and less than about 80 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component comprises hydrogen.
3676. The mixture of claim 3667, further comprising ammonia, and wherein greater than about 0.05 % by weight ofthe produced mixture is ammonia.
3677. The mixture of claim 3667, further comprising ammonia, and wherein the ammonia is used to produce fertilizer.
3678. The mixture of claim 3667, wherein the condensable component further comprises olefins, and wherein about 0.1 % to about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable component comprises olefins.
3679. The mixture of claim 3667, wherein the condensable component further comprises olefins, and wherein about 0.1 % to about 2.5 % by weight ofthe condensable component comprises olefins.
3680. The mixture of claim 3667, further comprisύig non-condensable hydrocarbons, wherein the non- condensable hydrocarbons comprise H2, and wherein greater than about 5 % by weight ofthe non-condensable hydrocarbons comprises H2.
3681. The mixture of claim 3667, further comprising non-condensable hydrocarbons, whereύi the non- condensable hydrocarbons comprise H2, and wherein greater than about 15 % by weight ofthe non-condensable hydrocarbons comprises H2.
3682. The mixture of claύn 3667, further comprising non-condensable hydrocarbons, wherein a weight ratio of compounds within the non-condensable hydrocarbons having greater than about 2 carbon atoms, to methane, is greater than about 0.3.
3683. A mixture produced from a portion of a relatively permeable formation containύig heavy hydrocarbons, comprising: condensable hydrocarbons, wherein less than about 15 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons have a carbon number greater than 20; and wherein the condensable hydrocarbons comprise olefins, wherein an olefin content ofthe condensable component is less than about 10 % by weight ofthe condensable component.
3684. The mixtare of claim 3683, further comprising non-condensable hydrocarbons, wherein the non- condensable hydrocarbons comprise hydrocarbons having carbon numbers of less than 5, and wherein a weight ratio of hydrocarbons havύig carbon numbers from 2 through 4, to methane, is greater than approxύnately 1.
3685. The mixture of claim 3683, wherein the condensable hydrocarbons further comprise olefins, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
3686. The mixture of claim 3683, further comprising non-condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein a molar ratio of ethene to etaane in the non-condensable hydrocarbons ranges from about 0.001 to about 0.15.
3687. The mixture of claim 3683, wherein the condensable hydrocarbons further comprise nitrogen contaύiύig compounds, and wherein less taan about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is nifrogen.
3688. The mixture of claim 3683, wherein the condensable hydrocarbons further comprise oxygen containing compounds, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is oxygen.
3689. The mixttire of claim 3683, wherein the condensable hydrocarbons further comprise sulfur containύig compounds, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is sulfur.
3690. The mixture of claim 3683, wherein the condensable hydrocarbons further comprise aromatic compounds, and wherein greater taan about 20 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are aromatic compounds.
3691. The mixture of claim 3683, wherein the condensable hydrocarbons further comprise multi-ring aromatics, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises multi-ring aromatics with more than two rings.
3692. The mixture of claim 3683, wherein the condensable hydrocarbons further comprise asphaltenes, and wherein less than about 0.3 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are asphaltenes.
3693. The mixture of claim 3683, wherein the condensable hydrocarbons further comprise cycloalkanes, and wherein about 5 % by weight to about 30 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are cycloalkanes.
3694. The mixture of claim 3683, further comprising non-condensable hydrocarbons, wherein the non- condensable hydrocarbons comprises hydrogen, and wherein the hydrogen is about 10 % by volume to about 80 % by volume ofthe non-condensable hydrocarbons.
3695. The mixture of claim 3683, further comprising ammonia, wherein greater than about 0.05 % by weight of the produced mixture is ammonia.
3696. The mixture of claim 3683, further comprising ammonia, and wherein the ammonia is used to produce fertilizer.
3697. The mixture of claύn 3683, wherein about 0.1 % to about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable component comprises olefins.
3698. The mixture of claim 3683, wherein about 0.1 % to about 2 % by weight ofthe condensable component comprises olefins.
3699. The mixture of claύn 3683, further comprisύig non-condensable hydrocarbons, wherein the non- condensable hydrocarbons comprise H2, and wherein greater than about 5 % by weight ofthe non-condensable hydrocarbons comprises H2.
3700. The mixture of claim 3683, further comprising non-condensable hydrocarbons, wherein the non- condensable hydrocarbons comprise H2, and wherein greater than about 15 % by weight ofthe non-condensable hydrocarbons comprises H2.
3701. The mixture of claim 3683, further comprising non-condensable hydrocarbons, wherein the non- condensable hydrocarbons comprise hydrocarbons havύig carbon numbers of less than 5, and wherein a weight ratio of hydrocarbons havύig carbon numbers from 2 through 4, to methane, is greater than approximately 0.3.
3702. A mixture produced from a portion of a relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons, comprising: condensable hydrocarbons, wherein less than about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises hydrocarbons having a carbon number greater than about 25; and
wherein the condensable hydrocarbons further comprise aromatic compounds, wherein more than about 20 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises aromatic compounds.
3703. The mixture of claim 3702, further comprising non-condensable hydrocarbons, whereύi the non- condensable hydrocarbons comprise hydrocarbons havύig carbon numbers of less than 5, and wherein a weight ratio of hydrocarbons havύig carbon numbers from 2 through 4, to methane, is greater than approximately 1.
3704. The mixture of claim 3702, whereύi the condensable hydrocarbons further comprise olefins, and wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
3705. The mixttire of claim 3702, further comprising non-condensable hydrocarbons, wherein a molar ratio of ethene to ethane in the non-condensable hydrocarbons ranges from about 0.001 to about 0.15.
3706. The mixture of claim 3702, wherein the condensable hydrocarbons further comprise nitrogen containύig compounds, and whereύi less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is nitrogen.
3707. The mixture of claim 3702, whereύi the condensable hydrocarbons further comprise oxygen containing compounds, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is oxygen.
3708. The mixture of claim 3702, whereύi the condensable hydrocarbons further comprise sulfur containing compounds, and wherein less taan about 5 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is sulfur.
3709. The mixture of claim 3702, wherein tae condensable hydrocarbons further comprise multi-ring aromatics, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises multi-ring aromatics with more than two rings.
3710. The mixture of claim 3702, wherein the condensable hydrocarbons further comprise asphaltenes, and wherein less than about 0.3 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are asphaltenes.
3711. The mixture of claim 3702, wherein the condensable hydrocarbons comprise cycloalkanes, and wherein about 5 % by weight to about 30 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are cycloalkanes.
3712. The mixture of claim 3702, further comprising non-condensable hydrocarbons, wherein the non- condensable hydrocarbons comprise hydrogen, and wherein the hydrogen is greater taan about 10 % by volume and less than about 80 % by volume ofthe non-condensable hydrocarbons.
3713. The mixture of claim 3702, further comprising ammonia, and wherein greater than about 0.05 % by weight ofthe produced mixture is ammonia.
3714. The mixture of claim 3702, farther comprising ammonia, and wherein the ammonia is used to produce fertilizer.
3715. The mixture of claim 3702, wherein the condensable hydrocarbons further comprise olefins, and wherein about 0.1 % to about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises olefins.
3716. The mixture of claim 3702, whereύi the condensable hydrocarbons further comprises olefins, and wherein about 0.1 % to about 2 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises olefins.
3717. The mixture of claim 3702, whereύi the condensable hydrocarbons further comprises multi-ring aromatic compounds, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises multi-ring aromatic compounds.
3718. The mixtare of claim 3702, further comprising non-condensable hydrocarbons, wherein the non- condensable hydrocarbons comprise H2, and whereύi greater than about 5 % by weight ofthe non-condensable hydrocarbons comprises H2.
3719. The mixture of claim 3702, further comprising non-condensable hydrocarbons, whereύi the non- condensable hydrocarbons comprise H2, and wherein greater taan about 15 % by weight ofthe non-condensable hydrocarbons comprises H2.
3720. The mixture of claim 3702, further comprising non-condensable hydrocarbons, wherein the non- condensable hydrocarbons comprises hydrocarbons having carbon numbers of less than 5, and wherein a weight ratio of hydrocarbons having carbon numbers from 2 tlirough 4, to methane, is greater than approximately 0.3.
3721. A mixture produced from a portion of a relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons, comprising: non-condensable hydrocarbons comprising hydrocarbons having carbon numbers of less than about 5, wherein a weight ratio ofthe hydrocarbons having carbon number from 2 through 4, to methane, in tae mixture is greater than approximately 1; whereύi the non-condensable hydrocarbons further comprise H2, wherein greater than about 15 % by weight ofthe non-condensable hydrocarbons comprises H2; and condensable hydrocarbons, comprising: olefins, wherein less than about 10 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises olefins; and
aromatic compounds, wherein greater than about 20 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises aromatic compounds.
3722. The mixture of claim 3721, wherein the non-condensable hydrocarbons further comprise ethene and ethane, and wherein a molar ratio of ethene to ethane in the non-condensable hydrocarbons ranges from about 0.001 to about 0.15.
3723. The mixture of claim 3721 , wherein the condensable hydrocarbons further comprise nitrogen containing compounds, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is nitrogen.
3724. The mixture of claύn 3721, wherein the condensable hydrocarbons further comprise oxygen contaύiing compounds, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is oxygen.
3725. The mixture of claim 3721, wherein the condensable hydrocarbons further comprise sulfur contaύiύig compounds, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is sulfur.
3726. The mixture of claim 3721, wherein the condensable hydrocarbons comprise multi-ring aromatics, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises multi-ring aromatics with more than two rings.
3727. The mixture of claύn 3721, wherein the condensable hydrocarbons comprise asphaltenes, and wherein less than about 0.3 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are asphaltenes.
3728. The mixture of claim 3721, wherein the condensable hydrocarbons comprise cycloalkanes, and wherein about 5 % by weight to about 30 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are cycloalkanes.
3729. The mixture of claim 3721, wherein the non-condensable hydrocarbons further comprise hydrogen, and wherein the hydrogen is greater than about 10 % by volume and less than about 80 % by volume ofthe non- condensable hydrocarbons.
3730. The mixture of claim 3721, further comprising ammonia, and wherein greater than about 0.05 % by weight ofthe produced mixture is ammonia.
3731. The mixture of claim 3721, further comprising ammonia, and wherein the ammonia is used to produce fertilizer.
3732. The mixtare of claim 3721, wherein the condensable hydrocarbons further comprise hydrocarbons having a carbon number of greater than approximately 25, wherein less than about 15 % by weight ofthe hydrocarbons have a carbon number greater than approximately 25.
3733. The mixtare of claim 3721, wherein about 0.1 % to about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises olefins.
3734. The mixture of claim 3721, whereύi about 0.1 % to about 2 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises olefins.
3735. The mixture of claim 3721, whereύi the mixture comprises hydrocarbons having greater than about 2 carbon atoms, and wherein the weight ratio of hydrocarbons having greater than about 2 carbon atoms to methane is greater than about 0.3.
3736. A mixture produced from a portion of a relatively permeable foimation containing heavy hydrocarbons, comprising: condensable hydrocarbons, wherein less than about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises hydrocarbons having a carbon number greater taan about 25; wherein the condensable hydrocarbons further comprise: olefins, wherein less than about 10 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises olefins; and aromatic compounds, wherein greater than about 30 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises aromatic compounds; and non-condensable hydrocarbons comprising H2, wherein greater than about 15 % by weight ofthe non- condensable hydrocarbons comprises H2.
3737. The mixtare of claim 3736, wherein the non-condensable hydrocarbons further comprises hydrocarbons having carbon numbers of less than 5, and wherein a weight ratio of hydrocarbons having carbon numbers from 2 through 4, to methane, is greater than approxύnately 1.
3738. The mixture of claim 3736, whereύi the non-condensable hydrocarbons comprise ethene and etaane, and wherein a molar ratio of etaene to etaane in the non-condensable hydrocarbons ranges from about 0.001 to about 0.15.
3739. The mixture of claύn 3736, wherein the condensable hydrocarbons further comprise nitrogen containύig compounds, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is nitrogen.
3740. The mixture of claim 3736, wherein the condensable hydrocarbons further comprise oxygen contaύiύig compounds, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is oxygen.
3741. The mixture of claim 3736, wherein the condensable hydrocarbons further comprise sulfur containing compounds, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is sulfur.
3742. The mixture of claim 3736, wherein the condensable hydrocarbons further comprise multi-ring aromatics, and wherein less taan about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises multi-ring aromatics with more than two rings.
3743. The mixture of claύn 3736, wherein the condensable hydrocarbons further comprise asphaltenes, and wherein less than about 0.3 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are asphaltenes.
3744. The mixture of claim 3736, wherein the condensable hydrocarbons comprise cycloalkanes, and wherein about 5 % by weight to about 30 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are cycloalkanes.
3745. The mixture of claim 3736, wherein greater than about 10 % by volume and less than about 80 % by volume ofthe non-condensable hydrocarbons is hydrogen.
3746. The mixture of claim 3736, further comprising ammonia, and wherein greater than about 0.05 % by weight ofthe produced mixture is ammonia.
3747. The mixture of claim 3736, further comprising ammonia, and wherein the ammonia is used to produce fertilizer.
3748. The mixture of claim 3736, wherein about 0.1 % to about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises olefins.
3749. The mixture of claim 3736, wherein about 0.1 % to about 2 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises olefins.
3750. The mixture of claim 3736, wherein the mixture comprises hydrocarbons having greater taan about 2 carbon atoms, and wherein the weight ratio of hydrocarbons havύig greater than about 2 carbon atoms to methane is greater taan about 0.3.
3751. A mixture of condensable hydrocarbons produced from a portion of a relatively permeable foimation contaύiing heavy hydrocarbons, comprising:
olefins, wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 15 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises olefins; and asphaltenes, wherein less than about 0.1 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises asphaltenes.
3752. The mixture of claim 3751, wherein the condensable hydrocarbons further comprises hydrocarbons having a carbon number of greater than approximately 25, and wherein less than about 15 weight % ofthe hydrocarbons in the mixture have a carbon number greater than approximately 25.
3753. The mixttire of claim 3751, wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises olefins.
3754. The mixture of claim 3751, whereύi the condensable hydrocarbons further comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, wherein the non-condensable hydrocarbons comprise ethene and ethane, and wherein a molar ratio of ethene to ethane in the non-condensable hydrocarbons ranges from about 0.001 to about 0.15.
3755. The mixture of claim 3751, wherein the condensable hydrocarbons further comprises nifrogen, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is nitrogen.
3756. The mixture of claύn 3751, wherein the condensable hydrocarbons further comprises oxygen, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is oxygen.
3757. The mixture of claύn 3751, wherein the condensable hydrocarbons further comprises sulfur, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is sulfur.
3758. The mixture of claim 3751, wherein the condensable hydrocarbons further comprises aromatic compounds, and wherein greater than about 20 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are aromatic compounds.
3759. The mixture of claim 3751, wherein the condensable hydrocarbons further comprises multi-ring aromatics, and wherein less taan about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises multi-ring aromatics with more than two rings.
3760. The mixture of claim 3751, wherein the condensable hydrocarbons further comprises cycloalkanes, and wherein about 5 % by weight to about 30 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are cycloalkanes.
3761. The mixture of claim 3751, whereύi the condensable hydrocarbons comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein the non-condensable hydrocarbons comprise hydrogen, and wherein the hydrogen is
greater than about 10 % by volume ofthe non-condensable hydrocarbons and wherein the hydrogen is less than about 80 % by volume ofthe non-condensable hydrocarbons.
3762. The mixture of claim 3751, furtlier comprising ammonia, and wherein greater than about 0.05 % by weight ofthe produced mixture is ammonia.
3763. The mixture of claim 3751, furtlier comprising ammonia, and wherein the ammonia is used to produce fertilizer.
3764. The mixture of claim 3751, wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 2 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises olefins.
3765. A mixture of condensable hydrocarbons produced from a portion of a relatively permeable formation contaύiύig heavy hydrocarbons, comprising: olefins, wherein about 0.1 % by weight to about 2 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises olefins; multi-ring aromatics, wherein less than about 4 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises multi-ring aromatics with more than two rings
3766. The mixture of claim 3765, further comprising hydrocarbons having a carbon number of greater than approximately 25, wherein less than about 5 weight % ofthe hydrocarbons in the mixture have a carbon number greater than approximately 25.
3767. The mixture of claύn 3765, whereύi the condensable hydrocarbons further comprises nittogen, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is nitrogen.
3768. The mixture of claim 3765, wherein the condensable hydrocarbons further comprises oxygen, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is oxygen.
3769. The mixture of claim 3765, whereύi the condensable hydrocarbons further comprises sulfur, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is sulfur.
3770. The mixture of claύn 3765, whereύi the condensable hydrocarbons further comprises aromatic compounds, and wherein greater than about 20 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are aromatic compounds.
3771 • The mixture of claim 3765, wherein the condensable hydrocarbons further comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 0.3 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are asphaltenes.
3772. The mixture of claim 3765, wherein the condensable hydrocarbons further comprises cycloalkanes, and wherein about 5 % by weight to about 30 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are cycloalkanes.
3773. The mixture of claim 3765, further comprisύig ammonia, wherein greater than about 0.05 % by weight of the produced mixture is ammonia.
3774. The mixture of claim 3765, further comprising ammonia, wherein the ammonia is used to produce fertilizer.
3115. A mixture produced from a portion of a relatively permeable formation contaύiing heavy hydrocarbons, comprising: non-condensable hydrocarbons and H2, wherein greater than about 10% by volume ofthe non-condensable hydrocarbons and H2 comprises H2; ammonia and water, wherein greater than about 0.5 % by weight ofthe mixture comprises ammonia; and condensable hydrocarbons.
3776. The mixture of claύn 3775, wherein the non-condensable hydrocarbons further comprise hydrocarbons having carbon numbers of less than 5, and wherein a weight ratio ofthe hydrocarbons havύig carbon numbers from
2 through 4 to methane, in the mixture is greater than approximately 1.
3777. The mixture of claim 3775, wherein greater than about 0.1 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are olefins, and wherein less than about 15 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
3778. The mixture of claim 3775, wherein the non-condensable hydrocarbons further comprise ethene and ethane, wherein a molar ratio of etaene to ethane in the non-condensable hydrocarbons is greater than about 0.001, and wherein a molar ratio of etaene to ethane in the non-condensable hydrocarbons is less than about 0.15.
3779. The mixture of claim 3775, wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, of the condensable hydrocarbons is nifrogen.
3780. The mixture of claim 3775, wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, of the condensable hydrocarbons is oxygen.
3781. The mixture of claύn 3775, wherein less than about 5 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, of tae condensable hydrocarbons is sulfur.
3782. The mixture of claim 3775, wherein greater than about 20 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are aromatic compounds.
3783. The mixture of claim 3775, wherein less than about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises multi-ring aromatics with more than two rings.
3784. The mixture of claim 3775, wherein less than about 0.3 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are asphaltenes.
3785. The mixture of claim 3775, wherein about 5 % by weight to about 30 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are cycloalkanes.
3786. The mixture of claim 3775, wherein the H2 is less than about 80 % by volume ofthe non-condensable hydrocarbons and H2.
3787. The mixture of claim 3775, wherein the condensable hydrocarbons further comprise sulfur containύig compounds.
3788. The mixture of claim 3775, wherein the ammonia is used to produce fertilizer.
3789. The mixture of claim 3775, wherein less than about 5% ofthe condensable hydrocarbons have carbon numbers greater than 25.
3790. The mixture of claim 3775, wherein the condensable hydrocarbons comprise olefins, wherein greater than about about 0.001 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprise olefins, and wherein less than about 15% by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprise olefins.
3791. The mixtare of claim 3775, wherein the condensable hydrocarbons comprise olefins, wherein greater than about about 0.001 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprise olefins, and wherein less than about 10% by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprise olefins.
3792. The mixtare of claim 3775, whereύi the condensable hydrocarbons further comprise nifrogen contaύiing compounds.
3793. A method of freating a relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons in situ comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the foimation in a unit of heat sources, and wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a triangular pattern.
3794. The method of claύn 3793, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a plurality ofthe units, and wherein tae plurality of units are repeated over an area ofthe formation to form a repetitive pattern of units.
3795. The method of claim 3793, whereύi three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a plurality ofthe units, wherein the plurality of units are repeated over an area ofthe foimation to form a repetitive pattern of units, and wherein a ratio of heat sources in the repetitive pattern of units to production wells in the repetitive pattern is less than approxύnately 5.
3796. The method of claim 3793, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a plurality ofthe units, wherein the plurality of units are repeated over an area ofthe formation to fonn a repetitive pattern of units, wherein three or more production wells are located withύi an area defined by the plurality of units, whereύi the three or more production wells are located in the formation in a unit of production wells, and wherein the unit of production wells comprises a triangular pattern.
3797. The method of claύn 3793, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a plurality ofthe units, whereύi tae plurality of units are repeated over an area ofthe formation to form a repetitive pattern of units, wherein three or more injection wells are located within an area defined by the plurality of units, wherein the three or more injection wells are located in the foimation in a unit of ύijection wells, and wherein the unit of injection wells comprises a triangular pattern.
3798. The method of claύn 3793, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a plurality ofthe units, wherein the plurality of units are repeated over an area ofthe foimation to form a repetitive pattern of units, wherein three or more production wells and three or more injection wells are located within an area defined by the plurality of units, wherein the three or more production wells are located in tae fonnation in a unit of production wells, wherein the unit of production wells comprises a first triangular pattern, wherein the three or more injection wells are located in the formation in a unit of injection wells, wherein the unit of injection wells comprises a second ttiangular pattern, and wherein the first triangular pattern is substantially different than the second triangular pattern.
3799. The method of claύn 3793, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a plurality ofthe units, wherein the plurality of units are repeated over an area ofthe foimation to form a repetitive pattern of units, wherein three or more monitoring wells are located within an area defined by the plurality of units, wherein the three or more monitoring wells are located in the formation in a unit of monitoring wells, and wherein the unit of monitoring wells comprises a ttiangular pattern.
3800. The method of claim 3793, wherein a production well is located in an area defined by the unit of heat sources.
3801. The method of claύn 3793, whereύi three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a ffrst unit and a second unit, wherein the first unit is adjacent to the second unit, and wherein the first unit is inverted with respect to the second unit.
3802. The method of claύn 3793, wherein a distance between each ofthe heat sources in the unit of heat sources varies by less than about 20 %.
3803. The method of claim 3793, wherein a distance between each ofthe heat sources in the unit of heat sources is approximately equal.
3804. The method of claύn 3793, wherein providύig heat from three or more heat sources comprises substantially uniformly providing heat to at least the portion ofthe formation.
3805. The method of claim 3793, wherein the heated portion comprises a substantially uniform temperature distribution.
3806. The method of claim 3793, wherein the heated portion comprises a substantially uniform temperature distribution, and wherein a difference between a highest temperature in the heated portion and a lowest temperature in the heated portion comprises less than about 200 °C.
3807. The method of claim 3793, wherein a temperature at an outer lateral boundary ofthe friangular pattern and a temperature at a center ofthe friangular pattern are approximately equal.
3808. The method of claύn 3793, wherein a temperature at an outer lateral boundary ofthe triangular pattern and a temperature at a center ofthe ttiangular pattern increase substantially linearly after an initial period of time, and wherein the initial period of time comprises less than approximately 3 months.
3809. The method of claim 3793, wherein a tune requύed to mcrease an average temperature ofthe heated portion to a selected temperature with the friangular pattern of heat sources is substantially less than a time requύed to mcrease tae average temperature ofthe heated portion to the selected temperature with a hexagonal pattern of heat sources, and wherein a space between each ofthe heat sources in the ttiangular pattern is approximately equal to a space between each ofthe heat sources in the hexagonal pattern.
3810. The method of claύn 3793 , wherein a tune requύed to increase a temperature at a coldest point withύi the heated portion to a selected temperature with the triangular pattern of heat sources is substantially less than a time required to increase a temperature at the coldest point within the heated portion to the selected temperature with a hexagonal pattern of heat sources, and wherein a space between each ofthe heat sources in the triangular pattern is approxύnately equal to a space between each ofthe heat sources in the hexagonal pattern.
381 1. The method of claim 3793, wherein a time required to mcrease a temperature at a coldest point withύi the heated portion to a selected temperature with the triangular pattern of heat sources is substantially less than a time required to increase a temperature at the coldest point within the heated portion to the selected temperature with a
hexagonal pattern of heat sources, and wherein a number of heat somces per unit area in the ttiangular pattern is equal to tae number of heat sources per unit are in tae hexagonal pattern of heat sources.
3812. The method of claim 3793, wherein a time required to increase a temperature at a coldest point within the heated portion to a selected temperatare with the triangular pattern of heat sources is substantially equal to a time requύed to mcrease a temperature at the coldest point within the heated portion to the selected temperature with a hexagonal pattern of heat sources, and wherein a space between each ofthe heat sources in the ttiangular pattern is approxύnately 5 m greater than a space between each ofthe heat sources in the hexagonal pattern.
3813. The method of claim 3793, whereui providing heat from three or more heat somces to at least tae portion of fonnation comprises: heatύig a selected volume (V) ofthe relatively permeable formation contaύiύig heavy hydrocarbons from three or more ofthe heat sources, wherein the foimation has an average heat capacity (C ), and wherein heat from three or more ofthe heat sources pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected volume ofthe formation; and wherein heatύig energy/day provided to tae volume is equal to or less than Pwr, where i Pwr is calculated by the equation:
Pwr = h*V*Cv*pB wherein Pwr is the heating energy/day, h is an average heating rate ofthe foimation, pB is formation bulk density, and wherein the heating rate is less than about 10°C/day.
3814. The method of claim 3793, wherein three or more of the heat sources comprise elecfrical heaters.
3815. The method of claim 3793, whereύi three or more of tae heat sources comprise surface burners.
3816. The method of claim 3793, whereύi three or more of the heat somces comprise flameless distributed combustors.
3817. The method of claim 3793 , wherein three or more of the heat sources comprise natural disttibuted combustors.
3818. The method of claύn 3793, further comprising: allowing the heat to ttansfer from three or more ofthe heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation such that heat from three or more ofthe heat somces pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section ofthe formation; and producing a mixture of fluids from the formation.
3819. The method of claύn 3818, further comprising controlling a temperature within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation, wherein the pressure is confrolled as a function of temperature, or the temperature is confrolled as a function of pressure.
3820. The method of claim 3818, further comprising controlling the heat such that an average heating rate of the selected section is less than about 1.0° C per day during pyrolysis.
3821. The method of claim 3818, wherein allowing the heat to fransfer from three or more ofthe heat sources to the selected section comprises fransfening heat substantially by conduction.
3822. The method of claim 3818, wherein the produced mixture comprises an API gravity of at least 25°.
3823. The method of claim 3818, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 0.1% by weight to about 15% by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are olefins.
3824. The method of claim 3818, wherein the produced mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein a molar ratio of ethene to ethane in the non-condensable hydrocarbons ranges from about 0.001 to about 0.15.
3825. The method of claύn 3818, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is nifrogen.
3826. The method of claim 3818, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is oxygen.
3827. The method of claύn 3818, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and whereύi less than about 5 % by weight, when calculated on an atomic basis, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons is sulfur.
3828. The method of claύn 3818, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein greater than about 20 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are aromatic compounds.
3829. The method of claύn 3818, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons comprises multi-ring aromatics with more taan two rings.
3830. The method of claim 3818, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 0.1% by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are asphaltenes.
3831. The method of claim 3818, wherein tae produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein about 5 % by weight to about 30 % by weight ofthe condensable hydrocarbons are cycloalkanes.
3832. The method of claim 3818, wherein the produced mixture comprises a non-condensable component, wherein the non-condensable component comprises hydrogen, wherein the hydrogen is greater than about 10 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component, and wherein the hydrogen is less than about 80 % by volume ofthe non-condensable component.
3833. The method of claim 3818, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein greater than about 0.05 % by weight ofthe produced mixture is ammonia.
3834. The method of claim 3818, wherein the produced mixture comprises ammonia, and wherein the ammonia is used to produce fertilizer.
3835. The method of claim 3818, further comprising controlling formation conditions to produce a mixture of hydrocarbon fluids and H2, wherein a partial pressure of H2 within the mixture is greater than about 2.0 bars absolute.
3836. The method of claim 3818, farther comprising altering a pressure withm the foimation to ύihibit production of hydrocarbons from the formation havύig carbon numbers greater than about 25.
3837. The method of claύn 3818, further comprising controlling foimation conditions by recύculating a portion of hydrogen from the mixture into the formation.
3838. The method of claim 3818, further comprising: providing hydrogen (H2) to the heated section to hydrogenate hydrocarbons within the section; and heating a portion ofthe section with heat from hydrogenation.
3839. The method of claim 3818, further comprising: producing hydrogen from the formation; and hydrogenat ng a portion ofthe produced condensable hydrocarbons with at least a portion ofthe produced hydrogen.
3840. The method of claύn 3818, whereύi producing the mixture comprises producing the mixture in a production well, whereύi at least about 7 heat sources are disposed in the foimation for each production well.
3841. The method of claύn 3840, wherein at least about 20 heat sources are disposed in tae formation for each production well.
3842. The method of claim 3818, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, and wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a friangular pattern.
3843. The method of claim 3818, farther comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion of the fonnation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a friangular pattern, and whereύi a plurality ofthe units are repeated over an area ofthe formation to form a repetitive pattern of units.
3844. A method for in situ production of synthesis gas from a relatively permeable formation contaύiing heavy hydrocarbons, comprising: heating a section ofthe formation to a temperature sufficient to allow synthesis gas generation, wherein a permeability ofthe section is substantially uniform; providing a synthesis gas generating fluid to the section to generate synthesis gas; and removing synthesis gas from the formation.
3845. The method of claim 3844, wherein the temperature sufficient to allow synthesis gas generation ranges from approximately 400 °C to approximately 1200 °C.
3846. The method of claim 3844, farther comprising heating the section when providing the synthesis gas generatύig fluid to inhibit temperature decrease in the section due to synthesis gas generation.
3847. The method of claύn 3844, whereύi heatύig the section comprises converting an oxidizing fluid into a portion ofthe section, wherein the temperature within the section is above a temperature sufficient to support oxidation of carbon with n the section with the oxidizing fluid, and reacting the oxidizing fluid with carbon in the section to generate heat within the section.
3848. The method of claim 3847, wherein the oxidizing fluid comprises aύ.
3849. The method of claim 3848, wherein an amount ofthe oxidizing fluid convected into the section is configured to ύihibit formation of oxides of nifrogen by maintaining a reaction temperatare below a temperature sufficient to produce oxides of nifrogen compounds.
3850. The method of claύn 3844, wherein heating the section comprises diffusing an oxidizύig fluid to reaction zones adjacent to wellbores within the fonnation, oxidizing carbon within the reaction zone to generate heat, and fransfening the heat to the section.
3851. The method of claim 3844, wherein heating the section comprises heatύig the section by transfer of heat from one or more of elecfrical heaters.
3852. The method of claim 3844, wherein heating the section to a temperature sufficient to allow synthesis gas generation and providing a synthesis gas generating fluid to the section comprises introducing steam into the section to heat the formation and to generate synthesis gas.
3853. The method of claim 3844, farther comprising controlling the heating ofthe section and provision ofthe synthesis gas generating fluid to maintain a temperature within the section above the temperature sufficient to generate synthesis gas.
3854. The method of claύn 3844, further comprising: monitoring a composition ofthe produced synthesis gas; and controlling heating ofthe section and provision ofthe synthesis gas generating fluid to maintain the composition ofthe produced synthesis gas withύi a selected range.
3855. The method of claim 3854, wherein the selected range comprises a ratio ofH2 to CO of about 2:1.
3856. The method of claim 3844, wherein the synthesis gas generating fluid comprises liquid water.
3857. The method of claim 3844, whereύi the synthesis gas generating fluid comprises steam.
3858. The method of claim 3844, wherein the synthesis gas generating fluid comprises water and carbon dioxide, and wherein the carbon dioxide inhibits production of carbon dioxide from hydrocarbon containing material within the section.
3859. The method of claim 3858, wherein a portion ofthe carbon dioxide within the synthesis gas generating fluid comprises carbon dioxide removed from the formation.
3860. The method of claύn 3844, wherein the synthesis gas generating fluid comprises carbon dioxide, and whereύi a portion ofthe carbon dioxide reacts with carbon in the formation to generate carbon monoxide.
3861. The method of claim 3860, wherem a portion ofthe carbon dioxide within the synthesis gas generating fluid comprises carbon dioxide removed from the formation.
3862. The method of claim 3844, wherein providing the synthesis gas generating fluid to the section comprises raising a water table ofthe fonnation to allow water to flow into the section.
3863. The method of claύn 3844, wherein the synthesis gas is removed from a producer well equipped with a heating source, and wherein a portion ofthe heatύig source adjacent to a synthesis gas producing zone operates at a substantially constant temperature to promote production ofthe synthesis gas wherein the synthesis gas has a selected composition.
3864. The method of claim 3863, wherein the substantially constant temperature is about 700 °C, and wherein the selected composition has a H2 to CO ratio of about 2:1.
3865. The method of claim 3844, wherein the synthesis gas generating fluid comprises water and hydrocarbons having carbon numbers less than 5, and wherein at least a portion ofthe hydrocarbons are subjected to a reaction within the section to mcrease a H2 concentration ofthe generated synthesis gas.
3866. The method of claim 3844, wherein the synthesis gas generating fluid comprises water and hydrocarbons having carbon numbers greater than 4, and wherein at least a portion ofthe hydrocarbons react within the section to mcrease an energy content ofthe synthesis gas removed from the fonnation.
3867. The method of claim 3844, farther comprising maintaining a pressure within the formation during synthesis gas generation, and passing produced synthesis gas through a turbine to generate electricity.
3868. The method of claim 3844, further comprising generating electricity from the synthesis gas using a fael cell.
3869. The method of claύn 3844, further comprising generating electricity from the synthesis gas usύig a fael cell, separating carbon dioxide from a fluid exiting the fuel cell, and storing a portion ofthe separated carbon dioxide within a spent section ofthe formation.
3870. The method of claim 3844, further comprising using a portion ofthe synthesis gas as a combustion fael to heat the formation.
3871. The method of claύn 3844, further comprising converting at least a portion ofthe produced synthesis gas to condensable hydrocarbons using a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis process.
3872. The method of claim 3844, further comprising converting at least a portion ofthe produced synthesis gas to methanol.
3873. The method of claim 3844, further comprising converting at least a portion of the produced synthesis gas to gasoline.
3874. The method of claim 3844, further comprising converting at least a portion ofthe synthesis gas to methane using a catalytic methanation process.
3875. The method of claim 3844, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe foimation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, and wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a ttiangular pattern.
3876. The method of claim 3844, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a friangular pattern, and wherein a plurality ofthe units are repeated over an area ofthe formation to form a repetitive pattern of units.
3877. A method of treating a relatively penneable formation contaύiing heavy hydrocarbons in situ, comprising: providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation; allowύig the heat to fransfer from the one or more heat sources to increase a temperature ofthe portion to a temperature sufficient to allow synthesis gas generation; providing a synthesis gas generating fluid to at least tae portion ofthe selected section, wherein tae synthesis gas generating fluid comprises carbon dioxide; obtaining a portion ofthe carbon dioxide ofthe synthesis gas generating fluid from the formation; and producing synthesis gas from the formation.
3878. The method of claim 3877, wherein the temperature sufficient to allow synthesis gas generation is within a range from about 400 °C to about 1200 °C.
3879. The method of claim 3877, further comprising using a second portion ofthe separated carbon dioxide as a flooding agent to produce hydrocarbon bed methane from a relatively permeable formation containύig heavy hydrocarbons.
3880. The method of claύn 3879, wherein the relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons is a deep relatively permeable formation containύig heavy hydrocarbons over 760 m below ground surface.
3881. The method of claύn 3879, wherein the relatively permeable formation contaύiύig heavy hydrocarbons adsorbs some ofthe carbon dioxide to sequester the carbon dioxide.
3882. The method of claύn 3877, furtlier comprising using a second portion ofthe separated carbon dioxide as a flooding agent for enhanced oil recovery.
3883. The metliod of claim 3877, wherein the synthesis gas generating fluid comprises water and hydrocarbons havύig carbon numbers less than 5, and wherein at least a portion ofthe hydrocarbons undergo a reaction within the selected section to mcrease a H2 concenfration within the produced synthesis gas.
3884. The method of claim 3877, wherein the synthesis gas generating fluid comprises water and hydrocarbons having carbon numbers greater than 4, and wherein at least a portion o the hydrocarbons react within the selected section to mcrease an energy content ofthe produced synthesis gas.
3885. The method of claύn 3877, further comprising maintaining a pressure within the formation during synthesis gas generation, and passing produced synthesis gas through a turbine to generate electricity.
3886. The method of claim 3877, further comprising generatύig electricity from the synthesis gas using a fael cell.
3887. The method of claim 3877, further comprising generatύig elecfricity from the synthesis gas using a fael cell, separating carbon dioxide from a fluid exiting the fuel cell, and storing a portion ofthe separated carbon dioxide within a spent portion ofthe formation.
3888. The method of claύn 3877, further comprising using a portion of the synthesis gas as a combustion fael for heating the formation.
3889. The method of claύn 3877, further comprising converting at least a portion ofthe produced synthesis gas to condensable hydrocarbons usύig a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis process.
3890. The method of claim 3877, further comprising converting at least a portion ofthe produced synthesis gas to methanol.
3891. The method of claim 3877, further comprising converting at least a portion ofthe produced synthesis gas to gasoline.
3892. The method of claύn 3877, further comprising converting at least a portion ofthe synthesis gas to methane usύig a catalytic methanation process.
3893. The method of claim 3877, wherein a temperature ofthe one or more heat sources is maintained at a temperature of less than approximately 700 °C to produce a synthesis gas having a ratio of H2 to carbon monoxide of greater than about 2.
3894. The method of claim 3877, wherein a temperature ofthe one or more heat sources is maintained at a temperature of greater than approximately 700 °C to produce a synthesis gas having a ratio of H2 to carbon monoxide of less than about 2.
3895. The method of claim 3877, whereύi a temperature of the one or more heat sources is maintained at a temperature of approximately 700 °C to produce a synthesis gas having a ratio of H2 to carbon monoxide of approximately 2.
3896. The method of claim 3877, wherein a heat source ofthe one or more of heat sources comprises an electrical heater.
3897. The method of claim 3877, wherein a heat source ofthe one or more heat sources comprises a natural distributor heater.
3898. The method of claim 3877, wherein a heat source of the one or more heat sources comprises a flameless distributed combustor (FDC) heater, and wherein fluids are produced from the wellbore ofthe FDC heater through a conduit positioned within the wellbore.
3899. The method of claim 3877, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, and wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a triangular pattern.
3900. The method of claim 3877, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe foimation, whereύi three or more ofthe heat sources are located iα the foimation in a unit of heat sources, wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a triangular pattern, and wherein a plurality ofthe units are repeated over an area ofthe formation to form a repetitive pattern of units.
3901. A method of in sita synthesis gas production, comprising: providing heat from one or more flameless distributed combustor heaters to at least a first portion of a relatively permeable formation containύig heavy hydrocarbons; allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heaters to a selected section ofthe formation to raise a temperature ofthe selected section to a temperature sufficient to generate synthesis gas; introducing a synthesis gas producing fluid into the selected section to generate synthesis gas; and removing synthesis gas from the fonnation.
3902. The method of claim 3901, wherein the one or more heaters comprise at least two heaters, and wherein supeφosition of heat from at least the two heaters raises a temperature ofthe selected section to a temperature sufficient to generate synthesis gas.
3903. The method of claim 3901 , further comprising producύig the synthesis gas from the fonnation under pressure, and generating elecfricity from the produced synthesis gas by passing the produced synthesis gas through a turbine.
3904. The method of claim 3901, further comprising producing pyrolyzation products from the formation when raising the temperature ofthe selected section to the temperature sufficient to generate synthesis gas.
3905. The method of claύn 3901, further comprising separating a portion of carbon dioxide from the removed synthesis gas, and storing the carbon dioxide withύi a spent portion ofthe foimation.
3906. The method of claim 3901, further comprising storing carbon dioxide withύi a spent portion ofthe formation, wherein an amount of carbon dioxide stored within the spent portion ofthe foimation is equal to or greater than an amount of carbon dioxide withύi the removed synthesis gas.
3907. The method of claύn 3901, further comprising separating a portion of H2 from the removed synthesis gas; and using a portion ofthe separated H2 as fael for the one or more heaters.
3908. The method of claim 3907, further comprising usύig a portion of exhaust products from one or more heaters as aportion ofthe synthesis gas producing fluid
3909. The method of claim 3901, further comprising using a portion ofthe removed synthesis gas with a fael cell to generate elecfricity.
3910. The method of claim 3909, wherein the fuel cell produces steam, and wherein a portion ofthe steam is used as a portion ofthe synthesis gas producing fluid.
3911. The method of claύn 3909, wherein the fael cell produces carbon dioxide, and wherein a portion ofthe carbon dioxide is introduced into the formation to react with carbon withύi the formation to produce carbon monoxide.
3912. The method of claύn 3909, whereiα the fael cell produces carbon dioxide, and further comprising storing an amount of carbon dioxide within a spent portion ofthe formation equal or greater to an amount ofthe carbon dioxide produced by the fuel cell.
3913. The method of claύn 3901, further comprising using a portion ofthe removed synthesis gas as a feed product for foimation of hydrocarbons.
3914. The method of claim 3901, wherein tae synthesis gas producύig fluid comprises hydrocarbons havύig carbon numbers less than 5, and wherein the hydrocarbons crack within the formation to increase an amount of H2 within the generated synthesis gas.
3915. The method of claύn 3901, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat somces to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat somces are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, and wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a friangular pattern.
3916. The method of claim 3901, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in tae foimation in a unit of heat sources, wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a triangular pattern, and wherein a plurality ofthe units are repeated over an area ofthe foimation to form a repetitive pattern of units.
3917. A method of treating a relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons, comprising: heatύig a portion ofthe foimation with one or more electrical heaters to a temperature sufficient to pyrolyze hydrocarbons within the portion; producing pyrolyzation fluid from the formation; separating a fael cell feed stream from the pyrolyzation fluid; and directing the fuel cell feed sfream to a fael cell to produce elecfricity.
3918. The method of claim 3917, whereύi the fael cell is a molten carbonate fael cell.
3919. The method of claim 3917, whereύi the fael cell is a solid oxide fael cell.
3920. The method of claim 3917, further comprising using a portion ofthe produced elecfricity to power the electrical heaters.
3921. The method of claύn 3917, wherein the fuel cell feed sfream comprises H2 and hydrocarbons having a carbon number of less than 5.
3922. The method of claim 3917, wherein the fael cell feed stream comprises H2 and hydrocarbons having a carbon number of less than 3.
3923. The method of claim 3917, further comprising hydrogenating the pyrolyzation fluid with a portion of H2 from the pyrolyzation fluid.
3924. The method of claim 3917, whereύi the hydrogenation is done in sita by dύecting the H2 into the formation.
3925. The method of claim 3917, whereύi the hydrogenation is done in a surface unit.
3926. The method of claύn 3917, further comprising dύecting hydrocarbon fluid having carbon numbers less than 5 adjacent to at least one ofthe electrical heaters, cracking a portion ofthe hydrocarbons to produce H2, and producύig a portion of the hydrogen from the formation.
3927. The method of claim 3926, further comprising dύecting an oxidizύig fluid adjacent to at least the one of the elecfrical heaters, oxidizing coke deposited on or near the at least one o the electtical heaters with the oxidizing fluid.
3928. The method of claim 3917, further comprising storing C02 from the fael cell within the formation.
3929. The method of claim 3928, whereύi the C02 is adsorbed to carbon material withύi a spent portion ofthe formation.
3930. The method of claim 3917, further comprising cooling the portion to form a spent portion of formation.
3931. The method of claim 3930, wherein cooling the portion comprises introducing water into the portion to produce steam, and removing steam from the foimation.
3932. The method of claύn 3931, further comprising using a portion ofthe removed steam to heat a second portion ofthe formation.
3933. The method of claύn 3931, further comprising usύig a portion of the removed steam as a synthesis gas producύig fluid in a second portion ofthe formation.
3934. The method of claύn 3917, further comprising: heating the portion to a temperature sufficient to support generation of synthesis gas after production ofthe pyrolyzation fluids; introducing a synthesis gas producing fluid ύito tae portion to generate synthesis gas; and removing a portion ofthe synthesis gas from the formation.
3935. The method of claim 3934, further comprising producing the syntaesis gas from the formation under pressure, and generating electricity from the produced synthesis gas by passing the produced synthesis gas through a turbine.
3936. The method of claim 3934, further comprising using a first portion ofthe removed synthesis gas as fael cell feed.
3937. The method of claim 3934, further comprising producing steam from operation ofthe fael cell, and using the steam as part ofthe synthesis gas producing fluid.
3938. The method of claim 3934, further comprising using carbon dioxide from the fuel cell as a part ofthe synthesis gas producing fluid.
3939. The method of claim 3934, further comprising using a portion ofthe synthesis gas to produce hydrocarbon product.
3940. The method of claim 3934, further comprising cooling the portion to form a spent portion of foimation.
3941. The method of claim 3940, wherein cooling the portion comprises introducing water into the portion to produce steam, and removing steam from the formation.
3942. The method of claim 3941, farther comprising using a portion ofthe removed steam to heat a second portion ofthe foimation.
3943. The method of claύn 3941, further comprising using a portion ofthe removed steam as a synthesis gas producing fluid in a second portion ofthe formation.
3944. The method of claim 3917, farther comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, and wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a friangular pattern.
3945. The method of claim 3917, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe foimation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat somces, wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a ttiangular pattern, and wherein a plurality ofthe units are repeated over an area ofthe formation to form a repetitive pattern of units.
3946. A method for in sita production of synthesis gas from a relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons, comprising: providύig heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation; allowing the heat to fransfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation such taat the heat from the one or more heat somces pyrolyzes at least some ofthe hydrocarbons within the selected section ofthe formation; producing pyrolysis products from the formation; heating at least a portion ofthe selected section to a temperatare sufficient to generate synthesis gas; providing a synthesis gas generating fluid to at least the portion ofthe selected section to generate synthesis gas; and
producing a portion ofthe synthesis gas from the formation.
3947. The method of claim 3946, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise at least two heat somces, and wherein supeφosition of heat from at least the two heat sources pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section ofthe formation.
3948. The method of claύn 3946, further comprising heating at least the portion ofthe selected section when providing the synthesis gas generating fluid to inhibit temperature decrease within the selected section durύig synthesis gas generation.
3949. The method of claim 3946, wherein the temperature sufficient to allow synthesis gas generation is within a range from approximately 400 °C to approximately 1200 °C.
3950. The method of claim 3946, whereiα heating at least the portion ofthe selected section to a temperature sufficient to allow synthesis gas generation comprises: heating zones adjacent to wellbores of one or more heat sources with heaters disposed in the wellbores, wherein the heaters are configured to raise temperatures ofthe zones to temperatures sufficient to support reaction of hydrocarbon containύig material within the zones with an oxidizύig fluid; introducing the oxidizύig fluid to the zones substantially by diffusion; allowing tae oxidizύig fluid to react with at least a portion ofthe hydrocarbon containing material within the zones to produce heat in the zones; and fransferring heat from the zones to the selected section.
3951. The method of claim 3946, wherein heating at least the portion ofthe selected section to a temperature sufficient to allow synthesis gas generation comprises: introducing an oxidizύig fluid into the formation through a wellbore; transporting the oxidizύig fluid substantially by convection ύito the portion ofthe selected section, wherein tae portion ofthe selected section is at a temperature sufficient to support an oxidation reaction with the oxidizing fluid; and reacting the oxidizing fluid within the portion ofthe selected section to generate heat and raise the temperature ofthe portion.
3952. The method of claim 3946, whereύi the one or more heat sources comprise one or more electrical heaters disposed in the formation.
3953. The method of claύn 3946, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise one or more heater wells, wherein at least one heater well comprises a conduit disposed withύi the formation, and further comprising heatύig the conduit by flowing a hot fluid through the conduit.
3954. The method of claim 3946, wherein heating at least the portion ofthe selected section to a temperature sufficient to allow synthesis gas generation and providing a synthesis gas generating fluid to at least the portion of the selected section comprises introducing steam into the portion.
3955. The method of claim 3946, further comprising controlling the heatύig of at least the portion of selected section and provision ofthe synthesis gas generating fluid to maintain a temperature within at least the portion of the selected section above the temperature sufficient to generate synthesis gas.
3956. The method of claim 3946, further comprising: monitoring a composition ofthe produced synthesis gas; and controlling heating of at least the portion of selected section and provision ofthe synthesis gas generating fluid to maintain the composition ofthe produced synthesis gas within a desύed range.
3957. The method of claim 3946, wherein the synthesis gas generating fluid comprises liquid water.
3958. The method of claim 3946, wherein the synthesis gas generating fluid comprises steam.
3959. The method of claim 3946, wherein the synthesis gas generating fluid comprises water and carbon dioxide, wherein the carbon dioxide inhibits production of carbon dioxide from the selected section.
3960. The method of claim 3959, wherein a portion ofthe carbon dioxide withύi the synthesis gas generating fluid comprises carbon dioxide removed from the foimation.
3961. The method of claύn 3946, wherein the synthesis gas generating fluid comprises carbon dioxide, and wherein a portion ofthe carbon dioxide reacts with carbon in the formation to generate carbon monoxide.
3962. The method of claύn 3961, wherein a portion ofthe carbon dioxide withύi the synthesis gas generatύig fluid comprises carbon dioxide removed from the formation.
3963. The method of claim 3946, wherein providing the synthesis gas generating fluid to at least the portion of the selected section comprises raising a water table ofthe formation to allow water to flow into the at least the portion ofthe selected section.
3964. The method of claim 3946, whereύi the synthesis gas generatύig fluid comprises water and hydrocarbons having carbon numbers less than 5, and wherein at least a portion ofthe hydrocarbons are subjected to a reaction within at least the portion ofthe selected section to increase a H2 concentration withύi the produced synthesis gas.
3965. The method of claim 3946, whereύi the synthesis gas generatύig fluid comprises water and hydrocarbons having carbon numbers greater than 4, and wherein at least a portion ofthe hydrocarbons react within at least the portion ofthe selected section to increase an energy content ofthe produced synthesis gas.
3966. The method of claim 3946, further comprising maintaining a pressure within the foimation during synthesis gas generation, and passύig produced synthesis gas through a turbine to generate electricity.
3967. The method of claύn 3946, further comprising generating elecfricity from the synthesis gas using a fael cell.
3968. The method of claim 3946, further comprising generating electricity from the synthesis gas usύig a fael cell, separating carbon dioxide from a fluid exiting the fael cell, and storing a portion ofthe separated carbon dioxide within a spent section ofthe formation.
3969. The method of claύn 3946, further comprising using a portion ofthe synthesis gas as a combustion fael for the one or more heat sources.
3970. The method of claim 3946, further comprising converting at least a portion ofthe produced syntaesis gas to condensable hydrocarbons using a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis process.
3971. The method of claim 3946, further comprising converting at least a portion ofthe produced synthesis gas to methanol.
3972. The method of claύn 3946, further comprising converting at least a portion ofthe produced synthesis gas to gasoline.
3973. The method of claim 3946, further comprising converting at least a portion ofthe synthesis gas to methane using a catalytic methanation process.
3974. The method of claim 3946, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, and wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a triangular pattern.
3975. The method of claim 3946, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a ttiangular pattern, and wherein a plurality ofthe units are repeated over an area ofthe formation to form a repetitive pattern of units.
3976. A method for in situ production of synthesis gas from a relatively permeable fonnation contaύiing heavy hydrocarbons, comprising: heating a first portion ofthe formation to pyrolyze some hydrocarbons withύi the first portion; allowing the heat to fransfer from one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation, pyrolyzing hydrocarbons within the selected section; producing fluid from the first portion, wherein the fluid comprises an aqueous fluid and a hydrocarbon fluid; heatύig a second portion ofthe formation to a temperature sufficient to allow synthesis gas generation; infroducing at least a portion ofthe aqueous fluid to the second section after the section reaches the temperature sufficient to allow synthesis gas generation; and producing synthesis gas from the fonnation.
3977. The metliod of claύn 3976, whereύi the temperature sufficient to allow synthesis gas generation ranges from approximately 400 °C to approximately 1200 °C.
3978. The method of claύn 3976, further comprising separatύig ammonia withύi the aqueous phase from the aqueous phase prior to introduction of at least the portion ofthe aqueous fluid to the second section.
3979. The method of claim 3976, further comprising heatύig the second portion ofthe formation during introduction of at least the portion ofthe aqueous fluid to the second section to inhibit temperature decrease in the second section due to synthesis gas generation.
3980. The method of claim 3976, wherein heating the second portion ofthe formation comprises converting an oxidizύig fluid into a portion ofthe second portion that is above a temperature sufficient to support oxidation of carbon within the portion with the oxidizύig fluid, and reacting the oxidizύig fluid with carbon in the portion to generate heat withύi tae portion.
3981. The method of claim 3976, wherein heatύig the second portion ofthe foimation comprises diffusing an oxidizύig fluid to reaction zones adjacent to wellbores within the formation, oxidizύig carbon within the reaction zones to generate heat, and transferring the heat to the second portion.
3982. The method of claύn 3976, wherein heating the second portion ofthe foimation comprises heating the second section by transfer of heat from one or more elecfrical heaters.
3983. The method of claim 3976, wherein heatύig the second portion ofthe fonnation comprises heatύig the second section with a flameless disfributed combustor.
3984. The method of claim 3976, wherein heatύig the second portion ofthe formation comprises injecting steam into at least the portion ofthe foimation.
3985. The method of claim 3976, wherein at least the portion ofthe aqueous fluid comprises a liquid phase.
3986. The method of claim 3976, wherein at least a portion ofthe aqueous fluid comprises a vapor phase.
3987. The method of claim 3976, further comprising adding carbon dioxide to at least the portion of aqueous fluid to inhibit production of carbon dioxide from carbon within the formation.
3988. The method of claim 3987, wherein a portion ofthe carbon dioxide comprises carbon dioxide removed from the formation.
3989. The method of claim 3976, further comprising addύig hydrocarbons with carbon numbers less than 5 to at least the portion ofthe aqueous fluid to increase a H2 concenfration withύi the produced synthesis gas.
3990. The method of claim 3976, further comprising addύig hydrocarbons with carbon numbers less than 5 to at least the portion ofthe aqueous fluid to mcrease a H2 concentration within the produced synthesis gas, wherein the hydrocarbons are obtained from the produced fluid.
3991. The method of claύn 3976, further comprising addύig hydrocarbons with carbon numbers greater than 4 to at least the portion ofthe aqueous fluid to mcrease energy content ofthe produced synthesis gas.
3992. The method of claim 3976, further comprising addύig hydrocarbons with carbon numbers greater than 4 to at least the portion ofthe aqueous fluid to mcrease energy content ofthe produced synthesis gas, whereύi the hydrocarbons are obtained from the produced fluid.
3993. The method of claim 3976, further comprising maintaύiing a pressure within the fonnation during synthesis gas generation, and passing produced synthesis gas through a turbine to generate electricity.
3994. The method of claύn 3976, further comprising generatύig electricity from the synthesis gas using a fuel cell.
3995. The method of claim 3976, farther comprising generating elecfricity from the synthesis gas using a fuel cell, separating carbon dioxide from a fluid exiting the fuel cell, and storing a portion ofthe separated carbon dioxide within a spent portion ofthe formation.
3996. The method of claim 3976, further comprising using a portion ofthe synthesis gas as a combustion fuel for the one or more heat sources.
3997. The method of claim 3976, farther comprising converting at least a portion ofthe produced synthesis gas to condensable hydrocarbons using a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis process.
3998. The method of claim 3976, further comprising converting at least a portion ofthe produced synthesis gas to methanol.
3999. The method of claύn 3976, further comprisύig converting at least a portion ofthe produced synthesis gas to gasoline.
4000. The method of claim 3976, further comprising converting at least a portion ofthe synthesis gas to methane using a catalytic methanation process.
4001. The method of claim 3976, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, and wherein the unit of heat somces comprises a friangular pattern.
4002. The method of claim 3976, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a triangular pattern, and wherein a plurality ofthe units are repeated over an area ofthe foimation to form a repetitive pattern of units.
4003. A method for in sita production of synthesis gas from a relatively permeable formation contaύiύig heavy hydrocarbons, comprising: heating a portion ofthe foimation with one or more heat sources to raise a temperature withύi the portion to a temperature sufficient to allow synthesis gas generation; providing a synthesis gas generatύig fluid into the portion through at least one injection wellbore to generate synthesis gas from hydrocarbons and the synthesis gas generating fluid; and producύig synthesis gas from at least one wellbore in which is positioned a heat source ofthe one or more heat sources.
4004. The method of claim 4003, wherein the temperature sufficient to allow synthesis gas generation is within a range from about 400° C to about 1200 °C.
4005. The method of claim 4003, wherein heating the portion comprises heating the portion to a temperature within a range sufficient to pyrolyze hydrocarbons withύi the portion, raising the temperature within the portion at a rate of less than about 5 °C per day during pyrolyzation and removing a portion of pyrolyzed fluid from the formation.
4006. The method of claύn 4003, further comprising removing fluid from the foimation through at least the one injection wellbore prior to heating the selected section to the temperature sufficient to allow synthesis gas generation.
4007. The method of claim 4003, wherein the injection wellbore comprises a wellbore of a heat source in which is positioned a heat source ofthe one or more heat sources.
4008. The method of claim 4003, further comprising heating the selected portion during providing ώe synthesis gas generating fluid to inhibit temperature decrease in at least the portion ofthe selected section due to synthesis gas generation.
4009. The method of claim 4003, further comprising providing a portion ofthe heat needed to raise ώe temperature sufficient to allow synthesis gas generation by converting an oxidizing fluid to hydrocarbons within the selected section to oxidize a portion of ώe hydrocarbons and generate heat.
4010. The method of claύn 4003, further comprising controlling the heating ofthe selected section and provision ofthe synthesis gas generating fluid to maintaύi a temperature within the selected section above the temperature sufficient to generate synthesis gas.
4011. The method of claim 4003 , further comprisύig: monitoring a composition ofthe produced synthesis gas; and confrolling heatύig ofthe selected section and provision of ώe synthesis gas generatύig fluid to maintaύi the composition ofthe produced synthesis gas within a desύed range.
4012. The method of claύn 4003, wherein the synthesis gas generating fluid comprises liquid water.
4013. The method of claim 4003 , whereύi the synthesis gas generating fluid comprises steam.
4014. The method of claim 4003, wherein the synthesis gas generating fluid comprises steam to heat ώe selected section and to generate synthesis gas.
4015. The method of claim 4003, wherein the synthesis gas generating fluid comprises water and carbon dioxide, wherein the carbon dioxide inhibits production of carbon dioxide from the selected section.
4016. The method of claύn 4015, wherein a portion ofthe carbon dioxide comprises carbon dioxide removed from the formation.
4017. The method of claim 4003, wherein the synthesis gas generating fluid comprises carbon dioxide, and wherein a portion ofthe carbon dioxide reacts with carbon in ώe formation to generate carbon monoxide.
4018. The method of claim 4017, wherein a portion of the carbon dioxide comprises carbon dioxide removed from the formation.
4019. The method of claim 4003 , wherein providύig the synthesis gas generating fluid to the selected section comprises raising a water table ofthe formation to allow water to enter the selected section.
4020. The method of claim 4003, wherein ώe synthesis gas generating fluid comprises water and hydrocarbons having carbon numbers less ώan 5, and whereύi at least a portion of ώe hydrocarbons undergo a reaction within the selected section to increase a H2 concenfration withύi the produced synthesis gas.
4021. The method of claύn 4003 , wherein the synthesis gas generating fluid comprises water and hydrocarbons having carbon numbers greater ώan 4, and whereύi at least a portion ofthe hydrocarbons react within the selected section to increase an energy content ofthe produced synthesis gas.
4022. The method of claύn 4003, further comprising maintaining a pressure within the formation during synthesis gas generation, and passing produced synthesis gas through a turbine to generate elecfricity.
4023. The method of claύn 4003, further comprising generating electricity from the synthesis gas using a fael cell.
4024. The method of claim 4003, further comprising generatύig electricity from the synthesis gas usύig a fael cell, separating carbon dioxide from a fluid exiting the fael cell, and storing a portion ofthe separated carbon dioxide within a spent portion ofthe formation.
4025. The method of claim 4003, further comprising using a portion ofthe synthesis gas as a combustion fael for heating the formation.
4026. The method of claim 4003, further comprising converting at least a portion ofthe produced synthesis gas to condensable hydrocarbons using a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis process.
4027. The method of claim 4003, further comprising convertύig at least a portion of ώe produced synthesis gas to meώanol.
4028. The method of claim 4003, further comprising convertύig at least a portion of ώe produced synthesis gas to gasoline.
4029. The method of claύn 4003, further comprising converting at least a portion of ώe syntaesis gas to meώane usύig a catalytic methanation process.
4030. The method of claim 4003, wherein a temperature of at least tae one heat source wellbore is maintained at a temperature of less than approximately 700 °C to produce a synthesis gas having a ratio of H2 to carbon monoxide of greater than about 2.
4031. The method of claim 4003, wherein a temperature of at least ώe one heat source wellbore is maintained at a temperature of greater than approxύnately 700 °C to produce a synthesis gas having a ratio of H2 to carbon monoxide of less ώan about 2.
4032. The method of claim 4003, wherein a temperature of at least the one heat source wellbore is maintained at a temperatare of approximately 700 °C to produce a syntaesis gas havύig a ratio of H2 to carbon monoxide of approximately 2.
4033. The method of claim 4003, whereiα a heat source ofthe one or more heat sources comprises an electrical heater.
4034. The method of claim 4003, wherein a heat source ofthe one or more heat sources comprises a natural distributor heater.
4035. The method of claim 4003, wherem a heat source ofthe one or more heat sources comprises a flameless disfributed combustor (FDC) heater, and wherein fluids are produced from the wellbore ofthe FDC heater through a conduit positioned within the wellbore.
4036. The method of claim 4003, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat somces to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat somces, and wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a triangular pattern.
4037. The method of claύn 4003, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the formation in a unit of heat sources, wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a triangular pattern, and whereύi a plurality ofthe units are repeated over an area of ώe formation to form a repetitive pattern of units.
4038. A method of tteating a relatively permeable foimation containing heavy hydrocarbons in sita, comprising: providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation; allowing ώe heat to fransfer from the one or more heat somces to a selected section ofthe formation such that the heat from the one or more heat sources pyrolyzes at least a portion ofthe hydrocarbon containύig material within the selected section ofthe fonnation; producing pyrolysis products from the formation; heating a first portion of a foimation wiώ one or more heat sources to a temperature sufficient to allow generation of synthesis gas; providing a first syntaesis gas generating fluid to ώe first portion to generate a first syntaesis gas; removing a portion ofthe first synthesis gas from the formation; heatύig a second portion of a foimation with one or more heat sources to a temperature sufficient to allow generation of synthesis gas having a H2 to CO ratio greater than a H2 to CO ratio of ώe first synthesis gas;
providύig a second synthesis gas generating component to the second portion to generate a second synώesis gas; removing a portion ofthe second synthesis gas from the formation; and blending a portion of ώe first synthesis gas with a portion ofthe second synthesis gas to produce a blended synthesis gas having a selected H2 to CO ratio.
4039. The method of claim 4038, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise at least two heat sources, and wherein supeφosition of heat from at least the two heat sources pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section ofthe formation.
4040. The method of claύn 4038, wherein the first synώesis gas generating fluid and second synthesis gas generating fluid comprise the same component.
4041. The method of claύn 4038, further comprising controlling the temperature in tae first portion to confrol a composition ofthe first synthesis gas.
4042. The method of claim 4038, further comprising controlling the temperature in the second portion to control a composition ofthe second synthesis gas.
4043. The method of claύn 4038, wherein the selected ratio is controlled to be approximately 2: 1 H2 to CO.
4044. The method of claim 4038, wherein the selected ratio is controlled to range from approxύnately 1.8:1 to approximately 2.2:1 H2to CO.
4045. The method of claim 4038, wherein the selected ratio is controlled to be approximately 3:1 H2to CO.
4046. The meώod of claim 4038, wherein the selected ratio is confrolled to range from approximately 2.8: 1 to approximately 3.2:1 H2to CO.
4047. The method of claim 4038, further comprising providing at least a portion of ώe produced blended synthesis gas to a condensable hydrocarbon synthesis process to produce condensable hydrocarbons.
4048. The method of claim 4047, wherein the condensable hydrocarbon synthesis process comprises a Fischer- Tropsch process.
4049. The method of claim 4048, further comprising cracking at least a portion of ώe condensable hydrocarbons to form middle distillates.
4050. The method of claim 4038, further comprising providing at least a portion of ώe produced blended synthesis gas to a catalytic methanation process to produce methane.
4051. The method of claim 4038, further comprising providing at least a portion of ώe produced blended synthesis gas to a methanol-synthesis process to produce methanol.
4052. The method of claim 4038, further comprising providing at least a portion ofthe produced blended synthesis gas to a gasoline-synthesis process to produce gasoline.
4053. The method of claύn 4038, wherein removing a portion ofthe second synώesis gas comprises withdrawing second synthesis gas through a production well, wherein a temperature of ώe production well adjacent to a second syntheses gas production zone is maintained at a substantially constant temperature configured to produce second synthesis gas havύig the H2 to CO ratio greater ώe first synthesis gas.
4054. The method of claim 4038, wherein the first synώesis gas producing fluid comprises C02 and wherein ώe temperatare ofthe first portion is at a temperature ώat will result in conversion of C02 and carbon from ώe first portion to CO to generate a CO rich first synthesis gas.
4055. The method of claύn 4038, wherein the second synthesis gas producing fluid comprises water and hydrocarbons having carbon numbers less than 5, and wherein at least a portion ofthe hydrocarbons react within the formation to increase a H2 concentration within the produced second synthesis gas.
4056. The method of claim 4038, wherein blending a portion of ώe first synthesis gas with a portion of the second synthesis gas comprises producing an intermediate mixture having a H2 to CO mixture of less than ώe selected ratio, and subjecting the intermediate mixture to a shift reaction to reduce an amount of CO and mcrease an amount of H2 to produce ώe selected ratio of H2 to CO.
4057. The method of claύn 4038, further comprising removing an excess of first synthesis gas from the first portion to have an excess of CO, subjecting the first synthesis gas to a shift reaction to reduce an amount of CO and mcrease an amount of H2 before blending the first synώesis gas with ώe second synώesis gas.
4058. The method of claύn 4038, further comprising removing the first synthesis gas from the formation under pressure, and passing removed first synthesis gas through a turbine to generate electricity.
4059. The method of claim 4038, further comprising removing the second synthesis gas from the formation under pressure, and passing removed second synthesis gas through a turbine to generate electricity.
4060. The method of claύn 4038, further comprising generating electricity from the blended synthesis gas using a fael cell.
4061. The method of claim 4038, further comprising generating electricity from the blended synthesis gas using a fael cell, separating carbon dioxide from a fluid exiting the fael cell, and storing a portion ofthe separated carbon dioxide within a spent portion ofthe foimation.
4062. The method of claim 4038, further comprising using at least a portion ofthe blended synthesis gas as a combustion fuel for heating ώe foimation.
4063. The method of claim 4038, farther comprising heating at least ώe portion ofthe selected section when providing the synthesis gas generating fluid to inhibit temperatare decrease within the selected section during synthesis gas generation.
4064. The method of claim 4038, wherein the temperature sufficient to allow synthesis gas generation is within a range from approxύnately 400 °C to approximately 1200 °C.
4065. The meώod of claύn 4038, wherein heating the first a portion ofthe selected section to a temperature sufficient to allow synthesis gas generation comprises: heatύig zones adjacent to wellbores of one or more heat sources wiώ heaters disposed in ώe wellbores, wherein the heaters are configured to raise temperatures ofthe zones to temperatures sufficient to support reaction of hydrocarbon containing material within the zones with an oxidizύig fluid; introducing the oxidizing fluid to the zones substantially by diffusion; allowing the oxidizing fluid to react with at least a portion ofthe hydrocarbon containing material within ώe zones to produce heat in ώe zones; and fransferring heat from the zones to ώe selected section.
4066. The method of claim 4038, whereύi heatύig the second portion of ώe selected section to a temperature sufficient to allow synthesis gas generation comprises: heating zones adjacent to wellbores of one or more heat sources with heaters disposed in the wellbores, wherein the heaters are configured to raise temperatures ofthe zones to temperatures sufficient to support reaction of hydrocarbon containing material wiώin ώe zones wiώ an oxidizύig fluid; infroducing the oxidizing fluid to ώe zones substantially by diffusion; allowing ώe oxidizing fluid to react with at least a portion of ώe hydrocarbon containing material wiώin ώe zones to produce heat in ώe zones; and transferring heat from the zones to ώe selected section.
4067. The method of claim 4038, whereύi heatύig the first portion of ώe selected section to a temperature sufficient to allow synthesis gas generation comprises: introducing an oxidizύig fluid into the formation through a wellbore;
transporting ώe oxidizing fluid substantially by convection into the first portion ofthe selected section, wherein the first portion ofthe selected section is at a temperature sufficient to support an oxidation reaction with ώe oxidizing fluid; and reacting the oxidizing fluid within the first portion ofthe selected section to generate heat and raise the temperatare ofthe first portion.
4068. The method of claim 4038, wherein heating the second portion ofthe selected section to a temperature sufficient to allow synthesis gas generation comprises: introducing an oxidizing fluid into the formation tlirough a wellbore; fransporting the oxidizing fluid substantially by convection ύ to tae second portion ofthe selected section, wherein the second portion of ώe selected section is at a temperature sufficient to support an oxidation reaction with the oxidizing fluid; and reacting the oxidizing fluid within ώe second portion ofthe selected section to generate heat and raise ώe temperature ofthe second portion.
4069. The method of claύn 4038, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise one or more electrical heaters disposed in the formation.
4070. The method of claim 4038, wherein the one or more heat sources comprises one or more natural disttibuted combustors.
4071. The method of claim 4038, wherein the one or more heat somces comprise one or more heater wells, wherein at least one heater well comprises a conduit disposed withύi the formation, and further comprising heating ώe conduit by flowing a hot fluid through ώe conduit.
4072. The method of claim 4038, wherein heating the first portion of ώe selected section to a temperature sufficient to allow synthesis gas generation and providing a first synthesis gas generating fluid to the first portion of ώe selected section comprises introducing steam ύito ώe first portion.
4073. The method of claim 4038, wherein heating ώe second portion of the selected section to a temperature sufficient to allow synthesis gas generation and providύig a second synthesis gas generating fluid to the second portion ofthe selected section comprises introducing steam into ώe second portion.
4074. The method of claim 4038, farther comprising confrolling the heatύig ofthe first portion of selected section and provision ofthe first synthesis gas generating fluid to maintain a temperature withύi the first portion of ώe selected section above ώe temperature sufficient to generate synώesis gas.
4075. The method of claim 4038, further comprising controlling the heating of ώe second portion of selected section and provision ofthe second synthesis gas generating fluid to maintain a temperature within the second portion ofthe selected section above the temperatare sufficient to generate synthesis gas.
4076. The method of claim 4038, wherein the first synthesis gas generatύig fluid comprises liquid water.
4077. The method of claim 4038, wherein the second synώesis gas generatύig fluid comprises liquid water.
4078. The method of claύn 4038, wherein the first synthesis gas generating fluid comprises steam.
4079. The method of claim 4038, wherein the second synthesis gas generating fluid comprises steam.
4080. The method of claim 4038, wherein the first synthesis gas generating fluid comprises water and carbon dioxide, wherein the carbon dioxide inhibits production of carbon dioxide from the selected section.
4081. The method of claim 4080, wherein a portion ofthe carbon dioxide within the first synthesis gas generatύig fluid comprises carbon dioxide removed from the formation.
4082. The method of claύn 4038, wherein the second synthesis gas generatύig fluid comprises water and carbon dioxide, whereύi the carbon dioxide inhibits production of carbon dioxide from the selected section.
4083. The method of claim 4082, wherein a portion ofthe carbon dioxide within ώe second synthesis gas generating fluid comprises carbon dioxide removed from the foimation.
4084. The method of claim 4038, wherein the first synthesis gas generatύig fluid comprises carbon dioxide, and wherein a portion ofthe carbon dioxide reacts with carbon in ώe formation to generate carbon monoxide.
4085. The method of claύn 4084, wherein a portion ofthe carbon dioxide withύi the first synthesis gas generating fluid comprises carbon dioxide removed from the formation.
4086. The method of claim 4038, wherein the second synthesis gas generating fluid comprises carbon dioxide, and wherein a portion ofthe carbon dioxide reacts with carbon in the foimation to generate carbon monoxide.
4087. The method of claim 4086, wherein a portion ofthe carbon dioxide withύi ώe second synώesis gas generating fluid comprises carbon dioxide removed from the formation.
4088. The method of claύn 4038, wherein providύig the first synthesis gas generating fluid to the first portion of the selected section comprises raising a water table of ώe foimation to allow water to flow into the first portion of the selected section.
4089. The method of claim 4038, whereύi providύig the second synthesis gas generating fluid to ώe second portion ofthe selected section comprises raising a water table ofthe formation to allow water to flow into the second portion of ώe selected section.
4090. The method of claim 4038, wherein the first synthesis gas generatύig fluid comprises water and hydrocarbons having carbon numbers less than 5, and wherein at least a portion ofthe hydrocarbons are subjected to a reaction within the first portion of ώe selected section to mcrease a H2 concenfration wiώin ώe produced first synthesis gas.
4091. The method of claim 4038, wherein the second synthesis gas generatύig fluid comprises water and hydrocarbons havύig carbon numbers less than 5, and wherein at least a portion ofthe hydrocarbons are subjected to a reaction within the second portion ofthe selected section to increase a H2 concenfration within ώe produced second synthesis gas.
4092. The method of claim 4038, whereύi the first synώesis gas generating fluid comprises water and hydrocarbons having carbon numbers greater ώan 4, and wherein at least a portion of ώe hydrocarbons react within ώe first portion ofthe selected section to increase an energy content ofthe produced first synthesis gas.
4093. The method of claύn 4038, whereύi the second synώesis gas generating fluid comprises water and hydrocarbons having carbon numbers greater ώan 4, and wherein at least a portion ofthe hydrocarbons react within at least the second portion ofthe selected section to increase an energy content ofthe second produced synthesis gas.
4094. The method of claim 4038, further comprising maintaining a pressure wiώin the formation during synthesis gas generation, and passύig produced blended synthesis gas through a turbine to generate electricity.
4095. The method of claim 4038, further comprising generating electricity from the blended synthesis gas using a fael cell.
4096. The method of claύn 4038, further comprising generating elecfricity from the blended synthesis gas using a fael cell, separating carbon dioxide from a fluid exiting ώe fael cell, and storing a portion of ώe separated carbon dioxide withύi a spent section ofthe formation.
4097. The method of claύn 4038, further comprising using a portion ofthe blended synthesis gas as a combustion fael for the one or more heat sources.
4098. The method of claim 4038, farther comprising using a portion ofthe first synthesis gas as a combustion fuel for ώe one or more heat sources.
4099. The method of claύn 4038, further comprising using a portion ofthe second synώesis gas as a combustion fael for the one or more heat sources.
4100. The method of claύn 4038, farther comprising using a portion ofthe blended synthesis gas as a combustion fael for the one or more heat sources.
4101. A method of freating a relatively permeable formation contaύiing heavy hydrocarbons in sita, comprisύig: providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation; allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation such that the heat from the one or more heat sources pyrolyzes at least some ofthe hydrocarbons within the selected section ofthe formation; producing pyrolysis products from the foimation; heating at least a portion ofthe selected section to a temperature sufficient to generate synthesis gas; confrolling a temperatare of at least a portion of ώe selected section to generate synthesis gas having a selected H2 to CO ratio; providύig a synthesis gas generating fluid to at least ώe portion ofthe selected section to generate synthesis gas; and producing a portion ofthe synthesis gas from ώe formation.
4102. The method of claim 4101, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise at least two heat sources, and wherein supeφosition of heat from at least ώe two heat sources pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section ofthe foimation.
4103. The method of claim 4101, wherein the selected ratio is confrolled to be approximately 2: 1 H2to CO.
4104. The method of claim 4101, wherein the selected ratio is controlled to range from approximately 1.8:1 to approximately 2.2: 1 H2 to CO.
4105. The method of claim 4101, wherein the selected ratio is confrolled to be approximately 3:1 H2 to CO.
4106. The method of claim 4101, wherein the selected ratio is confrolled to range from approximately 2.8:1 to approximately 3.2: 1 H2 to CO.
4107. The method of claim 4101, further comprising providing at least a portion of ώe produced synthesis gas to a condensable hydrocarbon synώesis process to produce condensable hydrocarbons.
4108. The method of claim 4107, wherein the condensable hydrocarbon synthesis process comprises a Fischer- Tropsch process.
4109. The method of claim 4108, further comprising crackύig at least a portion ofthe condensable hydrocarbons to form middle distillates.
4110. The method of claim 4101, farther comprising providing at least a portion of ώe produced synthesis gas to a catalytic methanation process to produce methane.
41 11. The method of claύn 4101, further comprising providing at least a portion of ώe produced synthesis gas to a methanol-synthesis process to produce methanol.
4112. The method of claύn 4101, further comprising providing at least a portion of tae produced synthesis gas to a gasoline-synthesis process to produce gasoline.
4113. The method of claim 4101, further comprising heating at least tae portion of the selected section when providing the synώesis gas generatύig fluid to inhibit temperature decrease withύi tae selected section durύig synthesis gas generation.
41 14. The method of claim 4101, wherein the temperature sufficient to allow synthesis gas generation is withύi a range from approximately 400 °C to approxύnately 1200 °C.
4115. The method of claύn 4101, wherein heating at least the portion ofthe selected section to a temperature sufficient to allow synthesis gas generation comprises: heating zones adjacent to wellbores of one or more heat sources with heaters disposed in the wellbores, wherein the heaters are configured to raise temperatures ofthe zones to temperatures sufficient to support reaction of hydrocarbon containing material wiώin the zones with an oxidizing fluid; introducing the oxidizύig fluid to the zones substantially by diffusion; allowing ώe oxidizύig fluid to react with at least a portion of ώe hydrocarbon containing material within the zones to produce heat in the zones; and transferring heat from the zones to ώe selected section.
4116. The method of claύn 4101, wherein heating at least the portion of the selected section to a temperature sufficient to allow synthesis gas generation comprises: introducing an oxidizing fluid into ώe foimation through a wellbore; fransporting the oxidizύig fluid substantially by convection into ώe portion ofthe selected section, wherein the portion ofthe selected section is at a temperature sufficient to support an oxidation reaction with ώe oxidizing fluid; and
reactύig the oxidizing fluid within the portion ofthe selected section to generate heat and raise the temperature ofthe portion.
4117. The method of claim 4101, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise one or more elecfrical heaters disposed in ώe formation.
4118. The method of claim 4101, wherein the one or more heat sources comprises one or more natural distributed combustors.
4119. The method of claim 4101, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise one or more heater wells, wherein at least one heater well comprises a conduit disposed withύi the foimation, and further comprising heatmg ώe conduit by flowing a hot fluid through the conduit.
4120. The method of claύn 4101, wherein heating at least ώe portion of the selected section to a temperature sufficient to allow synthesis gas generation and providing a synthesis gas generatύig fluid to at least ώe portion of ώe selected section comprises introducing steam into ώe portion.
4121. The method of claim 4101, further comprising controlling the heating of at least the portion of selected section and provision ofthe synthesis gas generatύig fluid to maintain a temperature within at least ώe portion of ώe selected section above ώe temperature sufficient to generate synthesis gas.
4122. The method of claim 4101, wherein the synthesis gas generatύig fluid comprises liquid water.
4123. The meώod of claim 4101, where n the synthesis gas generatύig fluid comprises steam.
4124. The method of claim 4101, wherein the synthesis gas generating fluid comprises water and carbon dioxide, wherein the carbon dioxide inhibits production of carbon dioxide from the selected section.
4125. The method of claύn 4124, wherein a portion ofthe carbon dioxide wiώin the synthesis gas generating fluid comprises carbon dioxide removed from the formation.
4126. The method of claim 4101, wherein the synώesis gas generating fluid comprises carbon dioxide, and wherein a portion ofthe carbon dioxide reacts with carbon in ώe formation to generate carbon monoxide.
4127. The method of claύn 4126, wherein a portion ofthe carbon dioxide within ώe synthesis gas generating fluid comprises carbon dioxide removed from the formation.
4128. The method of claim 4101, wherein providύig the synthesis gas generating fluid to at least the portion of the selected section comprises raising a water table ofthe foimation to allow water to flow into the at least ώe portion ofthe selected section.
4129. The method of claim 4101, wherein the synthesis gas generatύig fluid comprises water and hydrocarbons having carbon numbers less than 5, and whereύi at least a portion ofthe hydrocarbons are subjected to a reaction within at least ώe portion ofthe selected section to mcrease a H2 concenfration wiώin ώe produced synώesis gas.
4130. The method of claim 4101, whereύi the synthesis gas generatύig fluid comprises water and hydrocarbons havύig carbon numbers greater than 4, and wherein at least a portion ofthe hydrocarbons react within at least the portion ofthe selected section to mcrease an energy content o the produced synthesis gas.
4131. The method of claim 4101, further comprising maintaύiing a pressure within the formation during synthesis gas generation, and passύig produced synthesis gas through a turbine to generate electricity.
4132. The method of claim 4101, further comprising generating elecfricity from the synthesis gas using a fael cell.
4133. The method of claim 4101, further comprising generating electricity from the synthesis gas using a fael cell, separating carbon dioxide from a fluid exiting the fael cell, and storing a portion of ώe separated carbon dioxide within a spent section ofthe foimation.
4134. The method of claύn 4101, further comprising usύig a portion of ώe synthesis gas as a combustion fael for ώe one or more heat sources.
4135. A method of freating a relatively permeable formation contaύiing heavy hydrocarbons in situ, comprising: providύig heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation; allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heat somces to a selected section ofthe formation such that the heat from the one or more heat somces pyrolyzes at least some of ώe hydrocarbons wiώin the selected section of ώe formation; producing pyrolysis products from the formation; heating at least a portion ofthe selected section to a temperature sufficient to generate synthesis gas; confrolling a temperature in or proxύnate to a synthesis gas production well to generate synώesis gas having a selected H2 to CO ratio; providing a synthesis gas generating fluid to at least ώe portion of ώe selected section to generate synthesis gas; and producing synώesis gas from the formation.
4136. The method of claim 4135, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise at least two heat sources, and wherein supeφosition of heat from at least ώe two heat sources pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section ofthe formation.
4137. The method of claim 4135, wherein the selected ratio is confrolled to be approximately 2: 1 H2to CO.
4138. The method of claim 4135, wherein the selected ratio is confrolled to range from approximately 1.8:1 to approximately 2.2:1 H2to CO.
4139. The method of claim 4135, wherein the selected ratio is confrolled to be approximately 3: 1 H2to CO.
4140. The method of claύn 4135, wherein the selected ratio is controlled to range from approximately 2.8:1 to approximately 3.2:1 H2to CO.
4141. The method of claim 4135, further comprising providing at least a portion ofthe produced synthesis gas to a condensable hydrocarbon synώesis process to produce condensable hydrocarbons.
4142. The method of claim 4141, wherein the condensable hydrocarbon synώesis process comprises a Fischer- Tropsch process.
4143. The method of claύn 4142, further comprising cracking at least a portion of ώe condensable hydrocarbons to form middle distillates.
4144. The method of claim 4135, further comprising providing at least a portion ofthe produced synthesis gas to a catalytic methanation process to produce methane.
4145. The method of claim 4135, farther comprising providing at least a portion ofthe produced synώesis gas to a methanol-synthesis process to produce methanol.
4146. The method of claύn 4135, further comprising providing at least a portion of ώe produced synthesis gas to a gasoline-synthesis process to produce gasoline.
4147. The method of claύn 4135, further comprising heating at least ώe portion of ώe selected section when providing ώe synthesis gas generating fluid to ύihibit temperature decrease within the selected section durύig synthesis gas generation.
4148. The method of claim 4135, wherein the temperature sufficient to allow synthesis gas generation is withύi a range from approximately 400 °C to approxύnately 1200 °C.
4149. The method of claύn 4135, wherein heatύig at least the portion ofthe selected section to a temperature sufficient to allow synthesis gas generation comprises: heating zones adjacent to wellbores of one or more heat sources with heaters disposed in the wellbores, wherein the heaters are configured to raise temperatures ofthe zones to temperatures sufficient to support reaction of hydrocarbon contaύiύig material within the zones with an oxidizύig fluid; introducing the oxidizing fluid to the zones substantially by diffusion; allowing the oxidizing fluid to react with at least a portion ofthe hydrocarbon containing material within ώe zones to produce heat in the zones; and transferring heat from the zones to the selected section.
4150. The method of claim 4135, wherein heating at least the portion of the selected section to a temperature sufficient to allow syntaesis gas generation comprises: introducing an oxidizing fluid into the formation through a wellbore; transporting the oxidizing fluid substantially by convection into the portion ofthe selected section, wherein ώe portion of ώe selected section is at a temperature sufficient to support an oxidation reaction with the oxidizύig fluid; and reacting the oxidizing fluid within the portion ofthe selected section to generate heat and raise the temperature ofthe portion.
4151. The method of claim 4135, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise one or more electrical heaters disposed in the formation.
4152. The method of claύn 4135, wherein the one or more heat sources comprises one or more natural distributed combustors.
4153. The method of claim 4135, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise one or more heater wells, wherein at least one heater well comprises a conduit disposed withύi the formation, and further comprising heating ώe conduit by flowing a hot fluid through the conduit.
4154. The method of claύn 4135, whereύi heatύig at least the portion ofthe selected section to a temperature sufficient to allow synthesis gas generation and providing a synthesis gas generatύig fluid to at least the portion of ώe selected section comprises introducing steam into ώe portion.
4155. The method of claύn 4135, further comprising controlling the heating of at least the portion of selected section and provision ofthe synώesis gas generating fluid to maintaύi a temperature withύi at least the portion of the selected section above the temperature sufficient to generate synthesis gas.
4156. The method of claύn 4135, wherein the synthesis gas generating fiuid comprises liquid water.
4157. The method of claim 4135, wherein the synthesis gas generating fluid comprises steam.
4158. The method of claim 4135, wherein the synthesis gas generating fluid comprises water and carbon dioxide, wherein the carbon dioxide inhibits production of carbon dioxide from the selected section.
4159. The method of claύn 4158, whereύi a portion ofthe carbon dioxide within the synthesis gas generating fluid comprises carbon dioxide removed from the formation.
4160. The method of claύn 4135, wherein the synthesis gas generating fluid comprises carbon dioxide, and wherein a portion ofthe carbon dioxide reacts with carbon in the formation to generate carbon monoxide.
4161. The method of claim 4160, wherein a portion of the carbon dioxide withύi the synthesis gas generating fluid comprises carbon dioxide removed from the foimation.
4162. The method of claim 4135, wherein providύig the synthesis gas generating fluid to at least the portion of the selected section comprises raising a water table ofthe formation to allow water to flow into the at least the portion of ώe selected section.
4163. The method of claim 4135, wherein ώe synthesis gas generating fluid comprises water and hydrocarbons having carbon numbers less ώan 5, and wherein at least a portion of ώe hydrocarbons are subjected to a reaction within at least the portion ofthe selected section to increase a H2 concentration wiώin the produced synthesis gas.
4164. The method of claim 4135, wherein the synώesis gas generating fluid comprises water and hydrocarbons having carbon numbers greater ώan 4, and wherein at least a portion ofthe hydrocarbons react within at least the portion ofthe selected section to mcrease an energy content ofthe produced synthesis gas.
4165. The method of claύn 4135, further comprising maintaining a pressure within ώe formation during synώesis gas generation, and passύig produced synthesis gas through a turbine to generate elecfricity.
4166. The method of claim 4135, farther comprising generating elecfricity from the synthesis gas using a fael cell.
4167. The method of claim 4135, farther comprising generating elecfricity from the synthesis gas usύig a fael cell, separating carbon dioxide from a fluid exiting the fael cell, and storing a portion ofthe separated carbon dioxide withύi a spent section of ώe formation.
4168. The method of claύn 4135, further comprising using a portion ofthe synthesis gas as a combustion fael for the one or more heat sources.
4169. A method of freating a relatively permeable fonnation contaύiing heavy hydrocarbons in sita, comprising: providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation; allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section of ώe formation such that the heat from the one or more heat sources pyrolyzes at least some of ώe hydrocarbons within the selected section of ώe formation; producing pyrolysis products from the formation; heating at least a portion ofthe selected section to a temperature sufficient to generate synthesis gas; controlling a temperature of at least a portion ofthe selected section to generate syntaesis gas having a H2 to CO ratio different taan a selected H2 to CO ratio; providing a synthesis gas generating fluid to at least the portion ofthe selected section to generate synthesis gas; and producing synthesis gas from ώe foimation; providing at least a portion of ώe produced synώesis gas to a shift process wherein an amount of carbon monoxide is converted to carbon dioxide; separating at least a portion ofthe carbon dioxide to obtain a gas having a selected H2 to CO ratio.
4170. The method of claύn 4169, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise at least two heat sources, and wherein supeφosition of heat from at least ώe two heat sources pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons wiώin the selected section of ώe formation.
4171. The method of claim 4169, wherein the selected ratio is confrolled to be approximately 2 : 1 H2 to CO.
4172. The method of claύn 4169, wherein the selected ratio is controlled to range from approximately 1.8 : 1 to 2.2:1 H2 to CO.
4173. The method of claim 4169, wherein the selected ratio is controlled to be approximately 3:1 H2to CO.
4174. The method of claim 4169, wherein the selected ratio is controlled to range from approximately 2.8: 1 to 3.2:1 H2 to CO.
4175. The meώod of claim 4169, further comprising providing at least a portion of ώe produced synthesis gas to a condensable hydrocarbon synthesis process to produce condensable hydrocarbons.
4176. The method of claim 4175, wherein the condensable hydrocarbon synώesis process comprises a Fischer- Tropsch process.
4177. The method of claim 4176, further comprising cracking at least a portion of ώe condensable hydrocarbons to form middle distillates.
4178. The method of claim 4169, further comprising providing at least a portion ofthe produced synthesis gas to a catalytic methanation process to produce methane.
4179. The method of claim 4169, further comprising providing at least a portion ofthe produced synthesis gas to a methanol-synthesis process to produce methanol.
4180. The method of claim 4169, further comprising providing at least a portion ofthe produced synthesis gas to a gasoline-synthesis process to produce gasoline.
4181. The method of claύn 4169, farther comprising heating at least the portion ofthe selected section when providing the synthesis gas generating fluid to inhibit temperature decrease wiώin the selected section during synthesis gas generation.
4182. The method of claύn 4169, wherein the temperature sufficient to allow synthesis gas generation is within a range from approximately 400 °C to approximately 1200 °C.
4183. The method of claύn 4169, whereύi heatύig at least the portion ofthe selected section to a temperature sufficient to allow synthesis gas generation comprises: heatύig zones adjacent to wellbores of one or more heat sources with heaters disposed in the wellbores, wherein the heaters are configured to raise temperatures ofthe zones to temperatures sufficient to support reaction of hydrocarbon containing material within the zones wiώ an oxidizύig fluid; introducing the oxidizing fluid to the zones substantially by diffusion; allowing ώe oxidizύig fluid to react with at least a portion of ώe hydrocarbon containύig material wiώin the zones to produce heat in ώe zones; and transferring heat from the zones to ώe selected section.
4184. The method of claύn 4169, wherein heatύig at least the portion of ώe selected section to a temperature sufficient to allow synthesis gas generation comprises: introducing an oxidizύig fluid ύito tae formation through a wellbore; fransporting ώe oxidizύig fluid substantially by convection into ώe portion ofthe selected section, whereύi the portion ofthe selected section is at a temperature sufficient to support an oxidation reaction with the oxidizing fluid; and reacting the oxidizing fluid within ώe portion ofthe selected section to generate heat and raise ώe temperature ofthe portion.
4185. The method of claύn 4169, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise one or more elecfrical heaters disposed in the foimation.
4186. The method of claim 4169, wherein the one or more heat sources comprises one or more natural distributed combustors.
4187. The method of claim 4169, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise one or more heater wells, wherein at least one heater well comprises a conduit disposed within the foimation, and further comprising heatύig the conduit by flowing a hot fluid through the conduit.
4188. The method of claim 4169, wherein heating at least the portion ofthe selected section to a temperature sufficient to allow synώesis gas generation and providing a synthesis gas generating fluid to at least the portion of ώe selected section comprises introducing steam into the portion.
4189. The meώod of claim 4169, further comprising controlling the heating of at least the portion of selected section and provision ofthe synώesis gas generating fluid to maintain a temperature within at least ώe portion of ώe selected section above ώe temperature sufficient to generate synthesis gas.
4190. The method of claύn 4169, whereύi the synώesis gas generatύig fluid comprises liquid water.
4191. The method of claim 4169, wherein ώe synώesis gas generating fluid comprises steam.
4192. The method of claύn 4169, wherein the synώesis gas generatύig fluid comprises water and carbon dioxide, wherein the carbon dioxide inhibits production of carbon dioxide from the selected section.
4193. The method of claim 4192, wherein a portion ofthe carbon dioxide withύi ώe synthesis gas generating fluid comprises carbon dioxide removed from ώe formation.
4194. The method of claim 4169, wherein the synώesis gas generating fluid comprises carbon dioxide, and wherein a portion ofthe carbon dioxide reacts with carbon in the formation to generate carbon monoxide.
4195. The method of claim 4194, wherein a portion of the carbon dioxide within ώe synthesis gas generating fluid comprises carbon dioxide removed from the foimation.
4196. The method of claύn 4169, wherein providing the synώesis gas generatύig fluid to at least the portion of ώe selected section comprises raising a water table ofthe formation to allow water to flow into ώe at least the portion ofthe selected section.
4197. The method of claύn 4169, wherein the synthesis gas generating fluid comprises water and hydrocarbons having carbon numbers less than 5, and wherein at least a portion of ώe hydrocarbons are subjected to a reaction withύi at least the portion ofthe selected section to increase a H2 concentration wiώin the produced synthesis gas.
4198. The method of claim 4169, wherein the synthesis gas generatύig fluid comprises water and hydrocarbons having carbon numbers greater than 4, and wherein at least a portion ofthe hydrocarbons react within at least the portion ofthe selected section to mcrease an energy content ofthe produced synthesis gas.
4199. The method of claύn 4169, further comprising maintaining a pressure within the fonnation during synthesis gas generation, and passύig produced synthesis gas through a turbine to generate electricity.
4200. The method of claim 4169, further comprising generating electricity from the synthesis gas using a fael cell.
4201. The method of claim 4169, farther comprising generating elecfricity from the synthesis gas using a fael cell, separating carbon dioxide from a fluid exiting the fael cell, and storing a portion ofthe separated carbon dioxide withύi a spent section ofthe foimation.
4202. The method of claύn 4169, further comprising usύig a portion ofthe synthesis gas as a combustion fael for ώe one or more heat sources.
4203. A method of forming a spent portion of foimation within a relatively permeable formation containύig heavy hydrocarbons, comprising: heatύig a first portion ofthe foimation to pyrolyze hydrocarbons within ώe first portion; and cooling the first portion.
4204. The method of claύn 4203 , wherein heating the first portion comprises ttansferring heat to the first portion from one or more elecfrical heaters.
4205. The method of claim 4203 , wherein heating the first portion comprises transferring heat to ώe first portion from one or more natural disfributed combustors.
4206. The method of claim 4203, wherein heatύig the first portion comprises fransfening heat to the first portion from one or more flameless distributed combustors.
4207. The method of claύn 4203, wherein heating the first portion comprises transferring heat to ώe first portion from heat fransfer fiuid flowing wiώin one or more wellbores within the formation.
4208. The method of claύn 4207, wherein the heat transfer fluid comprises steam.
4209. The method of claim 4207, wherein the heat ttansfer fluid comprises combustion products from a burner.
4210. The method of claύn 4203, wherein heating the first portion comprises ttansferring heat to the first portion from at least two heater wells positioned within the formation, wherein the at least two heater wells are placed in a substantially regular pattern, wherein the substantially regular pattern comprises repetition of a base heater unit, and wherein the base heater unit is formed of a number of heater wells.
421 1. The method of claim 4210, wherein a spacing between a paύ of adjacent heater wells is within a range from about 6 m to about 15 m.
4212. The meώod of claim 4210, further comprising removing fluid from ώe foimation through one or more production wells.
4213. The method of claim 4212, wherein the one or more production wells are located in a pattern, and wherein the one or more production wells are positioned substantially at centers of base heater units.
4214. The method of claim 4210, wherein the heater unit comprises three heater wells positioned substantially at apexes of an equilateral triangle.
4215. The method of claύn 4210, whereύi the heater unit comprises four heater wells positioned substantially at apexes of a rectangle.
4216. The method of claύn 4210, whereύi the heater unit comprises five heater wells positioned substantially at apexes of a regular pentagon.
4217. The method of claim 4210, wherein the heater unit comprises six heater wells positioned substantially at apexes of a regular hexagon.
4218. The method of claύn 4203 , further comprising introducing water to ώe first portion to cool ώe formation.
4219. The method of claύn 4203, further comprising removing steam from the formation.
4220. The method of claύn 4219, further comprising using a portion ofthe removed steam to heat a second portion of ώe formation.
4221. The method of claim 4203 , further comprising removing pyrolyzation products from the formation.
4222. The method of claύn 4203, farther comprisύig generatύig synώesis gas wiώin the portion by introducing a synthesis gas generating fluid into the portion, and removing synώesis gas from the foimation.
4223. The method of claim 4203, further comprising heating a second section ofthe formation to pyrolyze hydrocarbons withύi the second portion, removing pyrolyzation fluid from ώe second portion, and storing a portion ofthe removed pyrolyzation fluid within the first portion.
4224. The method of claύn 4223, wherein the portion of ώe removed pyrolyzation fluid is stored withύi the first portion when surface facilities ώat process the removed pyrolyzation fluid are not able to process ώe portion ofthe removed pyrolyzation fluid.
4225. The method of claim 4223, further comprising heating the first portion to facilitate removal of ώe stored pyrolyzation fluid from the first portion.
4226. The method of claύn 4203, farther comprising generating synthesis gas withύi a second portion of ώe foimation, removing synthesis gas from the second portion, and storing a portion ofthe removed synthesis gas within the first portion.
4227. The method of claim 4226, whereύi the portion of ώe removed synthesis gas from ώe second portion is stored withύi the first portion when surface facilities that process the removed synthesis gas are not able to process ώe portion of ώe removed synώesis gas.
4228. The method of claύn 4226, farther comprising heatύig the first portion to facilitate removal of ώe stored synthesis gas from the first portion.
4229. The method of claim 4203, farther comprising removing at least a portion of hydrocarbon contaύiύig material in the first portion and, further comprising using at least a portion of ώe hydrocarbon contaύiing material removed from the formation in a metallurgical application.
4230. The method of claim 4229, wherein the metallurgical application comprises steel manufacturing.
4231. A method of sequestering carbon dioxide wiώin a relatively permeable formation contaύiύig heavy hydrocarbons, comprising: heating a portion of ώe foimation; allowing ώe portion to cool; and storing carbon dioxide withύi ώe portion.
4232. The method of claύn 4231, further comprising raising a water level within the portion to inhibit migration ofthe carbon dioxide from the portion.
4233. The method of claim 4231 , farther comprising heatύig the portion to release carbon dioxide, and removing carbon dioxide from the portion.
4234. The method of claim 4231, further comprising pyrolyzing hydrocarbons within the portion during heating ofthe portion, and removing pyrolyzation product from the fonnation.
4235. The method of claim 4231 , further comprising producing synthesis gas from the portion during the heatύig ofthe portion, and removing synthesis gas from the foimation.
4236. The meώod of claύn 4231, wherein heating the portion comprises: heating hydrocarbon containύig material adjacent to one or more wellbores to a temperature sufficient to support oxidation ofthe hydrocarbon containing material with an oxidizing fluid; introducing the oxidizing fluid to hydrocarbon containing material adjacent to ώe one or more wellbores to oxidize the hydrocarbons and produce heat; and conveying produced heat to the portion.
4237. The method of claim 4236, wherein heating hydrocarbon containύig material adjacent to the one or more wellbores comprises elecfrically heatύig ώe hydrocarbon containing material.
4238. The meώod of claύn 4236, wherein ώe temperature sufficient to support oxidation is in a range from approximately 200 °C to approximately 1200 °C.
4239. The method of claim 4231 , wherein heatύig the portion comprises cύculating heat fransfer fluid through one or more heatύig wells withύi the formation.
4240. The method of claim 4239, wherein the heat fransfer fluid comprises combustion products from a burner.
4241. The method of claim 4239, wherein the heat fransfer fluid comprises steam.
4242. The method of claim 4231, further comprising removing fluid from the formation during heating ofthe formation, and combusting a portion of ώe removed fluid to generate heat to heat the formation.
4243. The method of claύn 4231, further comprisύig using at least a portion of ώe carbon dioxide for hydrocarbon bed demeώanation prior to storing ώe carbon dioxide withύi ώe portion.
4244. The method of claim 4231, farther comprising using a portion ofthe carbon dioxide for enhanced oil recovery prior to storing ώe carbon dioxide within the portion.
4245. The method of claim 4231, wherein at least a portion of ώe carbon dioxide comprises carbon dioxide generated in a fael cell.
4246. The method of claim 4231 , wherein at least a portion of ώe carbon dioxide comprises carbon dioxide formed as a combustion product.
4247. The method of claim 4231 , further comprising allowing the portion to cool by infroducing water to the portion; and removing the water from the formation as steam.
4248. The method of claύn 4247, further comprising using the steam as a heat fransfer fluid to heat a second portion ofthe formation.
4249. The method of claim 4231 , whereύi storing carbon dioxide in ώe portion comprises adsorbing carbon dioxide to hydrocarbon containύig material within ώe formation.
4250. The method of claim 4231, wherein storing carbon dioxide comprises passing a first fluid sfream comprising the carbon dioxide and other fluid through the portion; adsorbing carbon dioxide onto hydrocarbon contaύiύig material withύi the foimation; and removing a second fluid stream from the formation, wherein a concenfration ofthe other fluid in the second fluid sfream is greater than concenfration of other fluid in the first sfream due to the absence ofthe adsorbed carbon dioxide in the second sfream.
4251. The method of claim 4231 , whereύi an amount of carbon dioxide stored withύi ώe portion is equal to or greater than an amount of carbon dioxide generated within ώe portion and removed from the formation during heating of ώe portion.
4252. The method of claim 4231 , further comprising providing heat from three or more heat somces to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more of ώe heat sources are located in ώe foimation in a unit of heat sources, and wherein the unit of heat somces comprises a friangular pattern.
4253. The method of claύn 4231 , farther comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion of ώe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in the foimation in a unit of heat sources, wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a ttiangular pattern, and wherein a plurality ofthe units are repeated over an area ofthe formation to form a repetitive pattern of units.
4254. A method of in situ sequestration of carbon dioxide within a relatively permeable formation containing heavy hydrocarbons in situ, comprising: providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least a ffrst portion ofthe formation; allowing the heat to fransfer from one or more sources to a selected section ofthe formation such that the heat from the one or more heat sources pyrolyzes at least some ofthe hydrocarbons within ώe selected section of ώe formation; producing pyrolyzation fluids, wherein the pyrolyzation fluids comprise carbon dioxide; and
storing an amount of carbon dioxide in the formation, wherein the amount of stored carbon dioxide is equal to or greater ώan an amount of carbon dioxide within the pyrolyzation fluids.
4255. The method of claim 4254, where n the one or more heat somces comprise at least two heat somces, and wherein supeφosition of heat from at least the two heat sources pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section ofthe formation.
4256. The method of claύn 4254, wherein the carbon dioxide is stored within a spent portion of ώe formation.
4257. The method of claim 4254, wherein a portion o the carbon dioxide stored wiώin the foimation is carbon dioxide separated from the pyrolyzation fluids.
4258. The method of claim 4254, further comprising separatύig a portion of carbon dioxide from the pyrolyzation fluids, and using the carbon dioxide as a flooding agent in enhanced oil recovery.
4259. The method of claύn 4254, further comprising separating a portion of carbon dioxide from the pyrolyzation fluids, and usύig the carbon dioxide as a synthesis gas generating fluid for tae generation of synthesis gas from a section ofthe formation ώat is heated to a temperature sufficient to generate synthesis gas upon introduction ofthe synthesis gas generating fluid.
4260. The method of claim 4254, further comprising separating a portion of carbon dioxide from ώe pyrolyzation fluids, and using ώe carbon dioxide to displace hydrocarbon bed methane.
4261. The method of claim 4260, wherein the hydrocarbon bed is a deep hydrocarbon bed located over 760 m below ground surface.
4262. The method of claim 4260, farther comprising adsorbing a portion ofthe carbon dioxide wiώin the hydrocarbon bed.
4263. The method of claim 4254, further comprising using at least a portion of ώe pyrolyzation fluids as a feed sfream for a fael cell.
4264. The method of claim 4263, wherein the fael cell generates carbon dioxide, and further comprising storing an amount of carbon dioxide equal to or greater ώan an amount of carbon dioxide generated by the fael cell within the formation.
4265. The method of claim 4254, wherein a spent portion ofthe foimation comprises hydrocarbon containύig material within a section ofthe formation that has been heated and from which condensable hydrocarbons have
been produced, and wherein the spent portion ofthe formation is at a temperature at which carbon dioxide adsorbs onto the hydrocarbon containing material.
4266. The method of claim 4254, further comprising raising a water level withύi the spent portion to ύihibit migration ofthe carbon dioxide from the portion.
4267. The method of claim 4254, wherein producύig fluids from the foimation comprises removing pyrolyzation products from the foimation.
4268. The meώod of claim 4254, wherein producing fluids from the formation comprises heating the selected section to a temperature sufficient to generate synthesis gas; introducing a synthesis gas generatύig fluid into the selected section; and removing synthesis gas from the formation.
4269. The method of claύn 4268, wherein the temperature sufficient to generate synthesis gas ranges from about 400 °C to about 1200 °C.
4270. The method of claim 4268, wherein heatύig the selected section comprises infroducing an oxidizing fluid into the selected section, reacting the oxidizing fluid within the selected section to heat the selected section.
4271. The method of claύn 4268, wherein heating the selected section comprises: heating hydrocarbon containing material adjacent to one or more wellbores to a temperature sufficient to support oxidation ofthe hydrocarbon contaύiing material with an oxidant; introducing ώe oxidant to hydrocarbon contaύiύig material adjacent to ώe one or more wellbores to oxidize the hydrocarbons and produce heat; and conveying produced heat to ώe portion.
4272. The method of claύn 4254, wherein the one or more heat somces comprise electtical heaters.
4273. The method of claύn 4254, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise flameless distributed combustors.
4274. The method of claim 4273, wherein a portion of fuel for the one or more flameless disttibuted combustors is obtained from the formation.
4275. The method of claim 4254, wherein the one or more heat somces comprise heater wells in the formation through which heat fransfer fluid is cfrculated.
4276. The method of claim 4275, wherein the heat fransfer fluid comprises combustion products.
4277. The method of claύn 4275, wherein the heat fransfer fluid comprises steam.
4278. The method of claim 4254, wherein condensable hydrocarbons are produced under pressure, and further comprising generating elecfricity by passing a portion ofthe produced fluids through a turbine.
4279. The method of claim 4254, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein three or more ofthe heat sources are located in ώe formation in a unit of heat sources, and wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a friangular pattern.
4280. The method of claim 4254, further comprising providing heat from three or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation, whereiα three or more ofthe heat sources are located in ώe formation in a unit of heat sources, wherein the unit of heat sources comprises a friangular pattern, and wherein a plurality ofthe units are repeated over an area ofthe formation to form a repetitive pattern of units.
4281. A method for in situ production of energy from a relatively permeable foimation containύig heavy hydrocarbons, comprising: providύig heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation; allowing the heat to fransfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe fonnation such ώat the heat from the one or more heat sources pyrolyzes at least a portion ofthe hydrocarbons withύi the selected section of ώe formation; producύig pyrolysis products from the foimation; providing at least a portion of ώe pyrolysis products to a reformer to generate synthesis gas; producing the synthesis gas from the reformer; providing at least a portion of ώe produced synthesis gas to a fael cell to produce electricity, wherein the fael cell produces a carbon dioxide containing exit sfream; and storing at least a portion ofthe carbon dioxide in the carbon dioxide containing exit stream in a subsurface formation.
4282. The method of claim 4281, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise at least two heat sources, and wherein supeφosition of heat from at least the two heat sources pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons wiώin the selected section of ώe foimation.
4283. The method of claim 4281, wherein at least a portion ofthe pyrolysis products are used as fael in the reformer.
4284. The method of claim 4281, wherein ώe synthesis gas comprises substantially of H2.
4285. The method of claύn 4281, wherein the subsurface formation is a spent portion ofthe formation.
4286. The method of claim 4281 , wherein the subsurface formation is an oil reservoύ.
4287. The method of claύn 4286, wherein at least a portion ofthe carbon dioxide is used as a drive fluid for enhanced oil recovery in the oil reservoύ.
4288. The method of claύn 4281 , wherein the subsurface formation is a coal formation.
4289. The method of claim 4288, wherein at least a portion of ώe carbon dioxide is used to produce methane from the coal foimation.
4290. The method of claύn 4288, wherein the coal formation is located over about 760 m below ground surface.
4291. The method of claim 4289, further comprising sequestering at least a portion ofthe carbon dioxide within ώe coal formation.
4292. The method of claύn 4281 , wherein the reformer produces a reformer carbon dioxide containing exit sfream.
4293. The method of claim 4291 , further comprising storing at least a portion of the carbon dioxide in the reformer carbon dioxide contaύiύig exit sfream in the subsurface formation.
4294. The method of claύn 4293, wherein the subsurface formation is a spent portion of ώe foimation.
4295. The method of claύn 4293, wherein the subsurface formation is an oil reservoύ.
4296. The method of claim 4295, wherein at least a portion ofthe carbon dioxide in ώe reformer carbon dioxide contaύiύig exit sfream is used as a drive fluid for enhanced oil recovery in the oil reservoir.
4297. The method of claύn 4293, wherein the subsurface formation is a coal formation.
4298. The method of claim 4297, wherein at least a portion ofthe carbon dioxide in ώe reformer carbon dioxide containing exit sfream is used to produce methane from the coal formation.
4299. The method of claim 4297, wherein the coal formation is located over about 760 m below ground surface.
4300. The method of claim 4298, farther comprising sequestering at least a portion ofthe carbon dioxide in tae reformer carbon dioxide contaύiύig exit stream within the coal formation.
4301. The method of claim 4281 , wherein the fael cell is a molten carbonate fael cell.
4302. The method of claim 4281, wherein the fael cell is a solid oxide fuel cell.
4303. The method of claim 4281, further comprising using a portion ofthe produced electricity to power electrical heaters within the formation.
4304. The method of claύn 4281, further comprising using a portion ofthe produced pyrolysis products as a feed stteam for the fael cell.
4305. The meώod of claim 4281 , wherein the one or more heat sources comprise one or more electrical heaters disposed in the foimation.
4306. The meώod of claim 4281, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise one or more flameless disttibuted combustors disposed in the foimation.
4307. The method of claύn 4306, wherein a portion of fael for ώe flameless distributed combustors is obtained from ώe formation.
4308. The method of claim 4281 , wherein the one or more heat sources comprise one or more heater wells, wherein at least one heater well comprises a conduit disposed withύi the formation, and further comprising heatύig ώe conduit by flowing a hot fluid through ώe conduit.
4309. The method of claim 4281, further comprising using a portion ofthe synώesis gas as a combustion fael for tae one or more heat sources.
4310. A method for producing ammonia using a relatively permeable formation containύig heavy hydrocarbons, comprising: separatύig aύ to produce an 02 rich stream and a N2 rich stteam; heating a selected section ofthe formation to a temperature sufficient to support reaction of hydrocarbon containing material in the formation to form synthesis gas; providing synthesis gas generating fluid and at least a portion ofthe 02 rich sfream to ώe selected section; allowing ώe synthesis gas generating fluid and 02 in the 02 rich stream to react with at least a portion of ώe hydrocarbon contaύiύig material in the foimation to generate synώesis gas; producing synthesis gas from the fonnation, wherein the synthesis gas comprises H2 and CO; providing at least a portion of ώe H2 in the synthesis gas to an ammonia synthesis process; providing N2 to the ammonia synthesis process; and usύig ώe ammonia synthesis process to generate ammonia.
4311. The method of claim 4310, wherein the ratio ofthe H2 to N2 provided to ώe ammonia synthesis process is approximately 3:1.
4312. The method of claim 4310, whereiα the ratio ofthe H2 to N2 provided to the ammoαia synthesis process ranges from approximately 2.8:1 to approximately 3.2:1.
4313. The method of claim 4310, wherein the temperature sufficient to support reaction of hydrocarbon containing material in the foimation to fonn synthesis gas ranges from approximately 400 °C to approximately 1200 °C.
4314. The method of claim 4310, farther comprising separating at least a portion of carbon dioxide in ώe synthesis gas from at least a portion ofthe synώesis gas.
4315. The method of claim 4314, wherein the carbon dioxide is separated from the synthesis gas by an amine separator.
4316. The method of claύn 4315, further comprising providing at least a portion of ώe carbon dioxide to a urea synthesis process to produce urea.
4317. The method of claim 4310, wherein at least a portion ofthe N2 stream is used to condense hydrocarbons with 4 or more carbon atoms from a pyrolyzation fluid.
4318. The method of claύn 4310, wherein at least a portion of ώe N2 rich stream is provided to the ammonia synthesis process.
4319. The method of claim 4310, wherein the aύ is separated by cryogenic distillation.
4320. The method of claύn 4310, wherein the aύ is separated by membrane separation.
4321. The method of claim 4310, wherein fluids produced during pyrolysis of a relatively penneable formation contaύiing heavy hydrocarbons comprise ammonia and, further comprising addύig at least a portion of such ammonia to the ammonia generated from the ammonia synthesis process.
4322. The method of claύn 4310, wherein fluids produced during pyrolysis of a hydrocarbon formation are hydrotteated and at least some ammonia is produced dming hydrotreating, and, further comprising addύig at least a portion of such ammonia to the ammonia generated from the ammonia synthesis process.
4323. The method of claύn 4310, farther comprising providing at least a portion of ώe ammonia to a urea synthesis process to produce urea.
4324. The method of claύn 4310, further comprising providing at least a portion ofthe ammonia to a urea synthesis process to produce urea and, further comprising providing carbon dioxide from the formation to the urea synthesis process.
4325. The method of claim 4310, farther comprising providing at least a portion ofthe ammonia to a urea synthesis process to produce urea and, further comprising shifting at least a portion ofthe carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide iα a shift process, and further comprising providing at least a portion ofthe carbon dioxide from the shift process to the urea synthesis process.
4326. The method of claim 4310, whereύi heating the selected section ofthe formation to a temperature to support reaction of hydrocarbon containύig material in the formation to form synthesis gas comprises: heatύig zones adjacent to wellbores of one or more heat sources wiώ heaters disposed in the wellbores, wherein the heaters are configured to raise temperatures ofthe zones to temperatures sufficient to support reaction of hydrocarbon containύig material within ώe zones with 02 in the 02rich stream; introducing the 02 to ώe zones substantially by diffusion; allowing 02 ι the 02rich stteam to react with at least a portion ofthe hydrocarbon contaύiύig material within the zones to produce heat in the zones; and ttansferring heat from the zones to the selected section.
4327. The method of claim 4326, wherein temperatures sufficient to support reaction of hydrocarbon containing material within ώe zones with 02 range from approximately 200 °C to approximately 1200 °C.
4328. The meώod of claim 4326, wherein the one or more heat sources comprises one or more elecfrical heaters disposed in ώe formation.
4329. The method of claim 4326, wherein the one or more heat sources comprises one or more natural distributed combustors.
4330. The method of claύn 4326, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise one or more heater wells, wherein at least one heater well comprises a conduit disposed within the formation, and further comprisύig heatύig the conduit by flowing a hot fluid through the conduit.
4331. The method of claύn 4326, further comprising using a portion of the synthesis gas as a combustion fael for the one or more heat sources.
4332. The method of claim 4310, wherein heating the selected section ofthe formation to a temperature to support reaction of hydrocarbon contaύiύig material in the formation to form synthesis gas comprises: introducing the 02 rich stteam into the formation through a wellbore;
transporting 02 in the 02 rich stream substantially by convection into the portion of ώe selected section, wherein the portion of ώe selected section is at a temperature sufficient to support an oxidation reaction with 02 in the 02 rich stream; and reacting the 02 within the portion ofthe selected section to generate heat and raise ώe temperature ofthe portion.
4333. The method of claim 4332, wherein the temperature sufficient to support an oxidation reaction with 02 ranges from approximately 200 °C to approximately 1200 °C.
4334. The method of claim 4332, whereύi ώe one or more heat sources comprises one or more electrical heaters disposed in ώe formation.
4335. The meώod of claύn 4332, whereύi the one or more heat sources comprises one or more natural distributed combustors.
4336. The method of claύn 4332, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise one or more heater wells, wherein at least one heater well comprises a conduit disposed withύi the foimation, and further comprising heating the conduit by flowing a hot fluid through ώe conduit.
4337. The method of claim 4332, further comprising usύig a portion ofthe synthesis gas as a combustion fael for the one or more heat sources.
4338. The meώod of claim 4310, farther comprising controlling the heatύig of at least the portion of the selected section and provision ofthe synώesis gas generating fluid to maintaύi a temperature wiώin at least ώe portion of ώe selected section above the temperature sufficient to generate synthesis gas.
4339. The method of claim 4310, whereύi the synώesis gas generatύig fluid comprises liquid water.
4340. The method of claim 4310, wherein the synώesis gas generating fluid comprises steam.
4341. The method of claim 4310, wherein ώe synthesis gas generating fluid comprises water and carbon dioxide wherein the carbon dioxide inhibits production of carbon dioxide from the selected section.
4342. The meώod of claim 4341, wherein a portion ofthe carbon dioxide withύi ώe synthesis gas generating fluid comprises carbon dioxide removed from the formation.
4343. The method of claim 4310, wherein the synthesis gas generatύig fluid comprises carbon dioxide, and wherein a portion ofthe carbon dioxide reacts with carbon in the formation to generate carbon monoxide.
4344. The method of claim 4343, wherein a portion ofthe carbon dioxide wiώin ώe synthesis gas generating fluid comprises carbon dioxide removed from the formation.
4345. The method of claim 4310, wherein providing the synthesis gas generating fluid to at least the portion of the selected section comprises raisύig a water table ofthe formation to allow water to flow into ώe at least the portion ofthe selected section.
4346. A method for producing ammonia using a relatively permeable foimation containing heavy hydrocarbons, comprising: generating a first ammonia feed stream from a first portion of ώe foimation; generating a second ammonia feed sfream from a second portion ofthe formation, wherein the second ammonia feed stteam has a H2 to N2 ratio greater ώan a H2 to N2 ratio ofthe first ammonia feed stream; blending at least a portion ofthe first ammonia feed sfream with at least a portion ofthe second ammonia feed sfream to produce a blended ammonia feed sfream havύig a selected H2 to N2 ratio; providing the blended ammonia feed sfream to an ammonia synthesis process; and usύig ώe ammonia synthesis process to generate ammonia.
4347. The method of claim 4346, wherein the selected ratio is approxύnately 3:1.
4348. The method of claim 4346, wherein the selected ratio ranges from approximately 2.8: 1 to approximately 3.2:1.
4349. The method of claύn 4346, further comprising separating at least a portion of carbon dioxide in the first ammonia feed sfream from at least a portion ofthe first ammonia feed sfream.
4350. The method of claim 4349, wherein the carbon dioxide is separated from the first ammonia feed sfream by an amine separator.
4351. The method of claύn 4350, further comprising providing at least a portion of ώe carbon dioxide to a urea synthesis process.
4352. The method of claύn 4346, further comprising separatύig at least a portion of carbon dioxide in ώe blended ammonia feed sfream from at least a portion ofthe blended ammonia feed stream.
4353. The method of claim 4352, wherein the carbon dioxide is separated from the blended ammonia feed sfream by an amine separator.
4354. The method of claύn 4353, further comprising providing at least a portion ofthe carbon dioxide to a urea synthesis process
4355. The method of claim 4346, further comprising separatύig at least a portion of carbon dioxide in the second ammonia feed sfream from at least a portion ofthe second ammonia feed stream.
4356. The meώod of claim 4355, wherein the carbon dioxide is separated from the second ammonia feed stream by an amine separator.
4357. The method of claim 4356, further comprising providing at least a portion of ώe carbon dioxide to a urea synthesis process.
4358. The method of claim 4346, wherein fluids produced during pyrolysis of a relatively penneable fonnation contaύiing heavy hydrocarbons comprise ammonia and, farther comprising addύig at least a portion of such ammonia to tae ammonia generated from ώe ammonia synthesis process.
4359. The method of claim 4346, wherein fluids produced during pyrolysis of a hydrocarbon formation are hydrotreated and at least some ammonia is produced during hydrofreating, and farther comprising addύig at least a portion of such ammonia to ώe ammonia generated from the ammonia synώesis process.
4360. The method of claim 4346, further comprising providing at least a portion of ώe ammonia to a urea synthesis process to produce urea.
4361. The method of claim 4346, further comprising providing at least a portion of ώe ammonia to a urea synthesis process to produce urea and, further comprising providύig carbon dioxide from the formation to the urea synthesis process.
4362. The method of claim 4346, further comprising providing at least a portion ofthe ammonia to a urea synthesis process to produce urea and further comprising shifting at least a portion of carbon monoxide in ώe blended ammonia feed sfream to carbon dioxide in a shift process, and further comprising providing at least a portion of ώe carbon dioxide from the shift process to the urea synthesis process.
4363. A method for producing ammonia using a relatively permeable foimation containύig heavy hydrocarbons, comprising: heating a selected section ofthe formation to a temperature sufficient to support reaction of hydrocarbon contaύiύig material in ώe formation to form synthesis gas; providing a synthesis gas generatύig fluid and an 02 rich stream to ώe selected section, whereύi the amount of N2 in the 02 rich sfream is sufficient to generate synthesis gas havύig a selected ratio of H2 to N2; allowing the synthesis gas generating fluid and 02 in ώe 02 rich sfream to react with at least a portion of the hydrocarbon containing material in the foimation to generate synώesis gas havύig a selected ratio of H2 to N2; producing the synthesis gas from the formation; providing at least a portion ofthe H2 and N2 in the synώesis gas to an ammonia synthesis process;
using the ammonia synthesis process to generate ammonia.
4364. The method of claim 4363, further comprising controlling a temperatare of at least a portion ofthe selected section to generate syntaesis gas having the selected H2 to N2 ratio.
4365. The method of claim 4363 , wherein the selected ratio is approximately 3:1.
4366. The method of claim 4363, wherein the selected ratio ranges from approximately 2.8:1 to 3.2:1.
4367. The method of claim 4363, wherein the temperature sufficient to support reaction of hydrocarbon containing material in the formation to form synthesis gas ranges from approximately 400 °C to approximately 1200 °C.
4368. The method of claim 4363, wherein the 02 stream and N2 stteam are obtained by cryogenic separation of aύ.
4369. The method of claim 4363, wherein the 02 stream and N2 sfream are obtained by membrane separation of aύ.
4370. The method of claύn 4363, further comprising separating at least a portion of carbon dioxide in ώe synthesis gas from at least a portion of ώe synthesis gas.
4371. The method of claim 4370, wherein the carbon dioxide is separated from the synthesis gas by an amine separator.
4372. The method of claim 4371, further comprising providing at least a portion of ώe carbon dioxide to a urea synthesis process.
4373. The method of claim 4363 , wherein fluids produced during pyrolysis of a relatively permeable fonnation containing heavy hydrocarbons comprise ammonia and, further comprising addύig at least a portion of such ammonia to the ammonia generated from the ammonia synthesis process.
4374. The method of claim 4363, wherein fluids produced during pyrolysis of a hydrocarbon formation are hydrotreated and at least some ammonia is produced during hydrotreating, and further comprising addύig at least a portion of such ammonia to the ammonia generated from the ammonia synώesis process.
4375. The method of claim 4363, further comprising providing at least a portion of ώe ammonia to a urea synthesis process to produce urea.
4376. The method of claim 4363, further comprising providing at least a portion ofthe ammonia to a urea synthesis process to produce urea and, further comprising providing carbon dioxide from the formation to the urea synthesis process.
4377. The method of claim 4363, farther comprising providing at least a portion ofthe ammonia to a urea synthesis process to produce urea and further comprising shifting at least a portion of carbon monoxide in the synthesis gas to carbon dioxide in a shift process, and further comprising providing at least a portion of ώe carbon dioxide from the shift process to ώe urea synthesis process.
4378. The method of claim 4363, wherein heatύig a selected section of ώe foimation to a temperature to support reaction of hydrocarbon containing material in the formation to fonn synthesis gas comprises: heatύig zones adjacent to wellbores of one or more heat somces with heaters disposed in the wellbores, wherein the heaters are configured to raise temperatures ofthe zones to temperatures sufficient to support reaction of hydrocarbon containύig material withύi the zones wiώ 02 in the 02 rich stteam; introducing the 02to the zones substantially by diffusion; allowing 02 in the 02rich sfream to react with at least a portion of ώe hydrocarbon contaύiing material within the zones to produce heat in the zones; and transferring heat from the zones to the selected section.
4379. The method of claim 4378, whereύi temperatures sufficient to support reaction of hydrocarbon containύig material within the zones with 02 range from approximately 200 °C to approximately 1200 °C.
4380. The method of claim 4378, wherein the one or more heat sources comprises one or more elecfrical heaters disposed in the formation.
4381. The method of claim 4378, wherein the one or more heat sources comprises one or more natural disttibuted combustors.
4382. The method of claim 4378, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise one or more heater wells, wherein at least one heater well comprises a conduit disposed withύi the formation, and further comprising heatύig the conduit by flowing a hot fluid tlirough ώe conduit.
4383. The method of claim 4378, further comprising using a portion ofthe synthesis gas as a combustion fael for the one or more heat sources.
4384. The method of claim 4363, wherein heatύig the selected section ofthe formation to a temperature to support reaction of hydrocarbon containing material in the formation to form synthesis gas comprises: introducing the 02 rich sfream into the formation through a wellbore;
fransporting 02 in ώe 02 rich stream substantially by convection into the portion ofthe selected section, wherein the portion ofthe selected section is at a temperature sufficient to support an oxidation reaction with 02 in the 02 rich sfream; and reacting the 02 wiώin the portion ofthe selected section to generate heat and raise the temperature ofthe portion.
4385. The method of claim 4384, wherein the temperature sufficient to support an oxidation reaction with 02 ranges from approximately 200 °C to approximately 1200 °C.
4386. The method of claim 4384, wherein the one or more heat sources comprises one or more elecfrical heaters disposed in the formation.
4387. The method of claim 4384, wherein the one or more heat sources comprises one or more natural distributed combustors.
4388. The method of claim 4384, whereui the one or more heat sources comprise one or more heater wells, wherein at least one heater well comprises a conduit disposed withύi the foimation, and further comprising heating ώe conduit by flowing a hot fluid through the conduit.
4389. The method of claύn 4384, further comprising usύig a portion ofthe synthesis gas as a combustion fael for ώe one or more heat somces.
4390. The method of claύn 4363, further comprising confrollύig the heating of at least ώe portion ofthe selected section and provision ofthe synthesis gas generating fluid to maύitaύi a temperature within at least the portion, of the selected section above the temperature sufficient to generate synώesis gas.
4391 • The method of claύn 4363, wherein the synthesis gas generating fluid comprises liquid water.
4392. The method of claim 4363, wherein the synthesis gas generating fluid comprises steam.
4393. The method of claim 4363, wherein the synthesis gas generatύig fluid comprises water and carbon dioxide, wherein the carbon dioxide inhibits production of carbon dioxide from the selected section.
4394. The method of claim 4393, whereύi a portion ofthe carbon dioxide wiώin the synώesis gas generatύig fluid comprises carbon dioxide removed from the formation.
4395. The method of claύn 4363, wherein the synώesis gas generating fluid comprises carbon dioxide, and wherein a portion ofthe carbon dioxide reacts with carbon in ώe formation to generate carbon monoxide.
4396. The method of claim 4395, wherein a portion ofthe carbon dioxide withύi ώe synthesis gas generating fluid comprises carbon dioxide removed from the formation.
4397. The method of claim 4363, wherein providing the synώesis gas generating fluid to at least the portion of the selected section comprises raising a water table ofthe formation to allow water to flow into the at least the portion ofthe selected section.
4398. A method for producing ammonia using a relatively permeable fonnation contaύiύig heavy hydrocarbons, comprising: providing a first sfream comprising N2 and carbon dioxide to the foimation; allowing at least a portion ofthe carbon dioxide in the first stream to adsorb in the foimation; producing a second stream from the formation, wherein the second stream comprises a lower percentage of carbon dioxide than the first sfream; providing at least a portion of ώe N2 in the second stream to an ammonia synthesis process.
4399. The method of claύn 4398, wherein the second stream comprises H2 from the formation.
4400. The method of claim 4398, wherein the first sfream is produced from a relatively permeable formation containύig heavy hydrocarbons.
4401. The method of claim 4400, wherein the first sfream is generated by reacting a oxidizύig fluid with hydrocarbon contaύiύig material in the formation.
4402. The method of claim 4398, wherein the second stream comprises H2 from the formation and, further comprising providing such H2 to the ammonia synthesis process.
4403. The method of claim 4398, further comprising usύig the ammonia synthesis process to generate ammonia.
4404. The method of claύn 4403 , whereύi fluids produced during pyrolysis of a relatively permeable formation contaύiύig heavy hydrocarbons comprise ammonia and, farther comprising adding at least a portion of such ammonia to ώe ammonia generated from the ammonia synthesis process.
4405. The method of claim 4403, wherein fluids produced during pyrolysis of a hydrocarbon formation are hydrotreated and at least some ammonia is produced during hydrotreating, and further comprising adding at least a portion of such ammonia to ώe ammonia generated from the ammonia synώesis process.
4406. The method of claim 4403, farther comprising providing at least a portion of ώe ammonia to a urea synώesis process to produce urea.
4407. The method of claim 4403, further comprising providing at least a portion ofthe ammonia to a urea synthesis process to produce urea and, farther comprising providing carbon dioxide from the formation to ώe urea synthesis process.
4408. The method of claύn 4403, further comprising providing at least a portion ofthe ammonia to a urea synthesis process to produce urea and further comprising shifting at least a portion of carbon monoxide in the synthesis gas to carbon dioxide in a shift process, and further comprising providing at least a portion ofthe carbon dioxide from the shift process to the urea synthesis process.
4409. A method of treating a hydrocarbon containing permeable fonnation in sita, comprising: providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least one portion ofthe permeable foimation; allowing ώe heat to transfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected mobilization section ofthe permeable formation such that the heat from the one or more heat sources can mobilize at least some ofthe hydrocarbons within e selected mobilization section ofthe permeable formation; confrolling the heat from the one or more heat sources such that an average temperature withύi at least a majority ofthe selected mobilization section ofthe permeable formation is less ώan about 150°C; allowing the heat to ttansfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected pyrolyzation section ofthe permeable formation such that ώe heat from the one or more heat sources can pyrolyze at least some of ώe hydrocarbons within the selected pyrolyzation section ofthe permeable foimation; controlling ώe heat from the one or more heat sources such that an average temperature within at least a majority ofthe selected pyrolyzation section of ώe permeable formation is less ώan about 375°C; and producing a mixture from the permeable formation.
4410. The method of claύn 4409, whereύi the one or more heat sources comprise at least two heat sources, and wherein supeφosition of heat from the one or more heat sources can mobilize at least some of ώe hydrocarbons wiώin the selected mobilization section of ώe permeable formation.
4411. The method of claim 4409, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise at least two heat sources, and wherein supeφosition of heat from the one or more heat somces can mobilize at least some ofthe hydrocarbons within the selected pyrolyzation section ofthe permeable formation.
4412. The method of claim 4409, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise electrical heaters.
4413. The method of claim 4409, whereύi the one or more heat sources comprise surface burners.
4414. The method of claύn 4409, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise flameless distributed combustors.
4415. The method of claim 4409, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise natural distributed combustors.
4416. The method of claim 4409, further comprising disposing the one or more heat sources horizontally withύi ώe permeable fonnation.
4417. The method of claim 4409, farther comprising controlling a pressure and a temperature withύi at least a majority ofthe permeable fonnation, wherein the pressure is controlled as a function of temperature, or the temperatare is controlled as a function of pressure.
4418. The method of claim 4409, further comprising controlling the heat such that an average heating rate of the selected pyrolyzation section is less than about 15 °C/day during pyrolysis.
4419. The method of claim 4409, wherein providing heat from the one or more heat somces to at least the portion of permeable formation comprises: heating a selected volume (V) ofthe hydrocarbon containing permeable formation from the one or more heat sources, wherein the formation has an average heat capacity(Cv), and wherein the heating pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected volume o the formation; and wherein heating energy/day provided to the volume is equal to or less than Pwr, wherein Pwr is calculated by the equation:
Pwr = h*V*Cv*pB wherein Pwr is ώe heatύig energy/day, h is an average heating rate ofthe foimation, ρB is formation bulk density, and wherein the heating rate is less than about 10 °C/day.
4420. The method of claim 4409, wherein allowing ώe heat to fransfer from the one or more heat sources to the selected mobilization section and or the selected pyrolyzation section comprises transferring heat substantially by conduction.
4421. The method of claύn 4409, wherein producύig the mixture from the permeable foimation further comprises producing mixture having an API gravity of at least about 25°.
4422. The method of claim 4409, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and whereύi less than about 0.5 % by weight, of ώe condensable hydrocarbons, when calculated on an atomic basis, is nitrogen.
4423. The method of claύn 4409, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons, when calculated on an atomic basis, is oxygen.
4424. The method of claim 4409, wherein the produced mixture comprises sulfur, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons, when calculated on an atomic basis, is sulfur.
4425. The method of claim 4409, farther comprising controlling a pressure within at least a majority ofthe permeable formation, wherein the controlled pressure is at least about 2 bars absolute.
4426. The method of claim 4409, further comprising altering a pressure within the penneable formation to inhibit production of hydrocarbons from the permeable fonnation having carbon numbers greater than about 25.
4427. The method of claim 4409, further comprising: providing hydrogen (H2) to ώe heated section to hydrogenate hydrocarbons withύi the section; and heating a portion ofthe section with heat from hydrogenation.
4428. The method of claύn 4409, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons and hydrogen, ώe method further comprising hydrogenating a portion ofthe produced condensable hydrocarbons with at least a portion ofthe produced hydrogen.
4429. The method of claim 4409, wherein producing the mixture from the permeable formation further comprises producing ώe mixture in a production well, wherein the heating is controlled such that the mixture can be produced from the permeable formation, and wherein at least about 4 heat sources are disposed in ώe permeable fonnation for each production well.
4430. The method of claim 4409, wherein producing the mixture from the permeable formation farther comprises producing the mixture in a production well, wherein the heatύig is conttolled such ώat the mixture can be produced from the penneable formation, and wherein the production well is disposed substantially horizontally withύi the permeable formation.
4431. The method of claim 4409, further comprising separating ώe mixture into a gas stream and a liquid sfream.
4432. The method of claim 4409, fiother comprising separating tae mixture into a gas sfream and a liquid stream and separating ώe liquid stteam into an aqueous stream and a non-aqueous stream.-
4433. The method of claύn 4409, wherein ώe mixture is produced from a production well, ώe method further comprising heatύig a wellbore of ώe production well to inhibit condensation of ώe mixture within the wellbore.
4434. The method of claim 4409, whereύi tae mixture is produced from a production well, wherein a wellbore of ώe production well comprises a heater element configured to heat ώe permeable formation adjacent to the wellbore, and further comprising heatύig the penneable foimation with the heater element to produce the mixture, wherein ώe mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons and H .
4435. The method of claim 4409, wherein a minimum mobilization temperature is about 75 °C.
4436. The method of claim 4409, wherein a minimum pyrolysis temperatare is about 270 °C.
4437. The method of claύn 4409, further comprising maintaining the pressure wiώin the permeable fonnation above about 2 bars absolute to inhibit production of fluids having carbon numbers above 25.
4438. The method of claim 4409, further comprising controlling pressure within the permeable formation in a range from about atmospheric pressure to about 100 bars absolute, as measured at a wellhead of a production well, to control an amount of condensable fluids within the mixtare, wherein the pressure is reduced to increase production of condensable fluids, and wherein the pressure is increased to increase production of non-condensable fluids.
4439. The method of claύn 4409, further comprising controlling pressure wiώin the permeable formation in a range from about atmospheric pressure to about 100 bars absolute, as measured at a wellhead of a production well, to confrol an API gravity of condensable fluids withύi the mixture, wherein the pressure is reduced to decrease the API gravity, and wherein the pressure is increased to reduce ώe API gravity.
4440. The method of claim 4409, wherein mobilizing the hydrocarbons within the selected mobilization section comprises reducing a viscosity ofthe hydrocarbons.
4441. The method of claim 4409, further comprising providing a gas to the permeable fonnation, wherein the gas is configured to increase a flow of ώe mobilized hydrocarbons from ώe selected mobilization section of ώe permeable formation to the selected pyrolyzation section ofthe permeable formation.
4442. The method of claim 4409, farther comprising providing a gas to the permeable foimation, wherein the gas is configured to increase a flow ofthe mobilized hydrocarbons from the selected mobilization section of ώe permeable formation to the selected pyrolyzation section ofthe permeable formation, and whereύi the gas comprises carbon dioxide.
4443. The method of claim 4409, fuither comprising providing a gas to the permeable foimation, wherein the gas is configured to increase a flow ofthe mobilized hydrocarbons from the selected mobilization section ofthe permeable formation to the selected pyrolyzation section ofthe permeable foimation, and wherein the gas comprises nifrogen.
4444. The method of claim 4409, further comprising providing a gas to ώe permeable foimation, wherein the gas is configured to mcrease a flow ofthe mobilized hydrocarbons from ώe selected mobilization section of ώe permeable formation to the selected pyrolyzation section ofthe permeable formation, the method further comprising controlling a pressure ofthe provided gas such that the flow of ώe mobilized hydrocarbons is controlled.
4445. The method of claύn 4409, further comprising providing a gas to the permeable foimation, wherein the gas is configured to increase a flow ofthe mobilized hydrocarbons from the selected mobilization section ofthe permeable formation to the selected pyrolyzation section ofthe permeable foimation, the method further comprising confrolling a pressure ofthe provided gas such ώat the flow ofthe mobilized hydrocarbons is controlled, wherein the pressme ofthe provided gas is above about 2 bars absolute.
4446. The method of claim 4409, farther comprising providing a gas to the permeable foimation, wherein the gas ■ is configured to mcrease a flow ofthe mobilized hydrocarbons from the selected mobilization section ofthe permeable formation to the selected pyrolyzation section ofthe permeable foimation, ώe method further comprising controlling a pressme ofthe provided gas such that the flow of ώe mobilized hydrocarbons is controlled, wherein the pressure ofthe provided gas is below about 70 bars absolute.
4447. A method of freatύig a hydrocarbon containing permeable formation in sita, comprising: providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least one portion ofthe penneable foimation; allowing the heat to fransfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected mobilization section ofthe permeable fonnation such that the heat from the one or more heat sources can mobilize at least some ofthe hydrocarbons withύi the selected mobilization section ofthe permeable formation; controlling ώe heat from the one or more heat sources such that an average temperature within at least a majority ofthe selected mobilization section of ώe permeable formation is less than about 150°C; allowing ώe heat to fransfer from ώe one or more heat sources to a selected pyrolyzation section ofthe permeable formation such that ώe heat from the one or more heat sources can pyrolyze at least some ofthe hydrocarbons within the selected pyrolyzation section of ώe permeable formation; controlling ώe heat from ώe one or more heat sources such that an average temperature within at least a majority ofthe selected pyrolyzation section ofthe permeable formation is less ώan about 375°C; allowing at least some ofthe mobilized hydrocarbons to flow from the selected mobilization section ofthe permeable foimation to tae selected pyrolyzation section ofthe permeable foimation; and producing a mixture from the permeable formation.
4448. The method of claύn 4447, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise at least two heat sources, and wherein supeφosition of heat from the one or more heat sources can mobilize at least some ofthe hydrocarbons within the selected mobilization section ofthe permeable formation.
4449. The method of claim 4447, whereύi the one or more heat sources comprise at least two heat sources, and whereiα supeφosition of heat from the one or more heat sources can pyrolyze at least some of ώe hydrocarbons withύi the selected pyrolyzation section ofthe permeable formation.
4450. The method of claύn 4447, whereύi the one or more heat sources comprise elecfrical heaters.
4451. The method of claim 4447, whereύi the one or more heat sources comprise surface burners.
4452. The method of claύn 4447, whereύi the one or more heat sources comprise flameless distributed combustors.
4453. The method of claim 4447, wherein the one or more heat somces comprise natural disttibuted combustors.
4454. The method of claim 4447, farther comprising disposing ώe one or more heat sources horizontally within ώe penneable foimation.
4455. The method of claύn 4447, further comprising controlling a pressure and a temperature within at least a majority of ώe penneable foimation, wherein the pressure is confrolled as a function of temperature, or ώe temperatare is controlled as a function of pressure.
4456. The method of claim 4447, farther comprising controlling the heat such that an average heating rate ofthe selected pyrolyzation section is less than about 15 °C/day during pyrolysis.
4457. The method of claim 4447, wherein providing heat from ώe one or more heat sources to at least the portion of permeable formation comprises: heating a selected volume (V) ofthe hydrocarbon containing permeable formation from the one or more heat sources, whereiα the formation has an average heat capacity(Cv), and wherein the heating pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons wiώin ώe selected volume ofthe formation; and wherein heating energy/day provided to ώe volume is equal to or less than Pwr, whereύi Pwr is calculated by the equation:
Pwr = h*V*Cv*pB wherein Pwr is the heating energy/day, h is an average heating rate ofthe formation, pB is formation bulk density, and wherein the heating rate is less than about 10 °C/day.
4458. The method of claύn 4447, whereύi allowing the heat to ttansfer from ώe one or more heat sources to the selected mobilization section and/or the selected pyrolyzation section comprises transferring heat substantially by conduction.
4459. The method of claύn 4447, whereύi producing the mixture from the permeable fonnation further comprises producing a mixture having an API gravity of at least about 25°.
4460. The method of claύn 4447, wherein ώe produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 0.5 % by weight, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons, when calculated on an atomic basis, is nittogen.
4461. The method of claύn 4447, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons, when calculated on an atomic basis, is oxygen.
4462. The method of claύn 4447, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons, when calculated on an atomic basis, is sulfur.
4463. The method of claύn 4447, further comprising confrolling a pressure within at least a majority ofthe permeable formation, wherein the controlled pressure is at least about 2 bars absolute.
4464. The method of claim 4447, further comprising altering a pressure within the permeable formation to inhibit production of hydrocarbons from the permeable formation havύig carbon numbers greater than about 25.
4465. The method of claim 4447, further comprisύig: providing hydrogen (H2) to the heated section to hydrogenate hydrocarbons wiώin the section; and heatύig a portion ofthe section with heat from hydrogenation.
4466. The meώod of claim 4447, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons and hydrogen, ώe method further comprising hydrogenating a portion of ώe produced condensable hydrocarbons with at least a portion ofthe produced hydrogen.
4467. The method of claim 4447, wherein producύig ώe mixture from ώe permeable foimation further comprises producing mixture in a production well, wherein ώe heatύig is confrolled such that the mixture can be produced from the permeable formation, and wherein at least about 4 heat sources are disposed in the penneable formation for each production well.
4468. The method of claύn 4447, wherein producing the mixture from the permeable formation further comprises producing mixture in a production well, wherein the heating is conttolled such that the mixture can be produced from the permeable fonnation, and wherein the production well is disposed substantially horizontally within the permeable fonnation.
4469. The method of claim 4447, farther comprising separating the mixtare into a gas stream and a liquid stream.
4470. The method of claim 4447, further comprising separating the mixture ύito a gas sfream and a liquid stream and separating the liquid stream into an aqueous stteam and a non-aqueous stream.
4471. The method of claim 4447, wherein the mixture is produced from a production well, the method further comprising heatύig a wellbore ofthe production well to inhibit condensation ofthe mixture within the wellbore.
4472. The method of claύn 4447, whereύi the mixture is produced from a production well, wherein a wellbore of ώe production well comprises a heater element configured to heat the penneable formation adjacent to ώe wellbore, and further comprising heating ώe permeable fonnation with the heater element to produce the mixture, wherein the mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons and H2.
4473. The method of claim 4447, wherein a minimum mobilization temperature is about 75 °C.
4474. The metliod of claim 4447, wherein a minimum pyrolysis temperature is about 270 °C.
4475. The method of claύn 4447, further comprising maintainύig the pressure within the permeable foimation above about 2 bars absolute to inhibit production of fluids having carbon numbers above 25.
4476. The method of claύn 4447, further comprising controlling pressure wiώin the permeable formation in a range from about atmospheric pressure to about 100 bars absolute, as measured at a wellhead of a production well, to confrol an amount of condensable fluids within the mixture, wherein the pressure is reduced to increase production of condensable fluids, and wherein the pressure is increased to increase production of non-condensable fluids.
4477. The method of claim 4447, farther comprising controlling pressure within the permeable formation in a range from about atmospheric pressure to about 100 bars absolute, as measured at a wellhead of a production well, to control an API gravity of condensable fluids within ώe mixture, wherein the pressure is reduced to decrease the API gravity, and wherein the pressure is increased to reduce the API gravity.
4478. The method of claύn 4447, whereύi mobilizing ώe hydrocarbons wiώin ώe selected mobilization section comprises reducing a viscosity ofthe hydrocarbons. ι
4479. The method of claim 4447, further comprising providing a gas to ώe permeable formation, wherein the gas is configured to increase a flow ofthe mobilized hydrocarbons from the selected mobilization section ofthe permeable formation to the selected pyrolyzation section ofthe permeable formation.
4480. The method of claim 4447, further comprising providing a gas to the permeable formation, wherein the gas is configured to increase a flow ofthe mobilized hydrocarbons from ώe selected mobilization section of ώe permeable foimation to ώe selected pyrolyzation section ofthe permeable foimation, and wherein the gas comprises carbon dioxide.
4481. The method of claύn 4447, farther comprising providing a gas to the permeable formation, wherein the gas is configured to increase a flow ofthe mobilized hydrocarbons from the selected mobilization section of ώe permeable foimation to the selected pyrolyzation section ofthe permeable foimation, and wherein the gas comprises nitrogen.
4482. The method of claim 4447, further comprising providing a gas to ώe permeable formation, wherein the gas is configured to increase a flow ofthe mobilized hydrocarbons from the selected mobilization section ofthe permeable foimation to the selected pyrolyzation section ofthe permeable formation, the method further comprising controlling a pressure ofthe provided gas such that the flow ofthe mobilized hydrocarbons is confrolled.
4483. The method of claim 4447, farther comprising providing a gas to the permeable formation, wherein the gas is configured to increase a flow ofthe mobilized hydrocarbons from ώe selected mobilization section of ώe permeable formation to ώe selected pyrolyzation section ofthe permeable formation, ώe method further comprising controlling a pressure of ώe provided gas such ώat the flow of ώe mobilized hydrocarbons is controlled, wherein ώe pressure of ώe provided gas is above about 2 bars absolute.
4484. The method of claύn 4447, further comprisύig providing a gas to the permeable formation, wherein the gas is configured to increase a flow ofthe mobilized hydrocarbons from the selected mobilization section ofthe permeable foimation to the selected pyrolyzation section ofthe permeable fonnation, ώe method further comprising controlling a pressure ofthe provided gas such that the flow of ώe mobilized hydrocarbons is conttolled, wherein ώe pressure ofthe provided gas is below about 100 bars absolute.
4485. A method of tteating a hydrocarbon containing permeable foimation in situ, comprisύig: providύig heat from one or more heat sources to at least one portion ofthe permeable formation; allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected mobilization section ofthe penneable fonnation such that ώe heat from the one or more heat sources can mobilize at least some of ώe hydrocarbons within the selected mobilization section ofthe penneable fonnation; controlling ώe heat from ώe one or more heat sources such that an average temperature wiώin at least a majority ofthe selected mobilization section ofthe permeable formation is less than about 150°C; allowing ώe heat to transfer from ώe one or more heat sources to a selected pyrolyzation section ofthe permeable foimation such that ώe heat from the one or more heat sources can pyrolyze at least some of ώe hydrocarbons withύi the selected pyrolyzation section ofthe permeable formation; controlling the heat from the one or more heat sources such that an average temperature within at least a majority of ώe selected pyrolyzation section of ώe permeable foimation is less than about 375°C; allowing at least some ofthe mobilized hydrocarbons to flow from the selected mobilization section ofthe permeable foimation to the selected pyrolyzation section ofthe permeable formation; providing a gas to ώe permeable formation, wherein the gas is configured to increase a flow ofthe mobilized hydrocarbons from ώe selected mobilization section ofthe permeable formation to ώe selected pyrolyzation section ofthe permeable formation; and producing a mixture from tae permeable foimation.
4486. The method of claύn 4485, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise at least two heat sources, and wherein the heat from the one or more heat sources can mobilize at least some ofthe hydrocarbons withύi the selected mobilization section of ώe permeable formation.
4487. The method of claim 4485, wherein the one or more heat somces comprise at least two heat sources, and wherein the heat from ώe one or more heat sources can pyrolyze at least some ofthe hydrocarbons within the selected pyrolyzation section ofthe penneable formation.
4488. The method of claim 4485, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise elecfrical heaters.
4489. The method of claim 4485, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise surface burners.
4490. The method of claim 4485, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise flameless disfributed combustors.
4491. The method of claύn 4485, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise natural distributed combustors.
4492. The method of claim 4485, farther comprising disposing the one or more heat sources horizontally withύi the permeable formation.
4493. The method of claύn 4485, farther comprising confrolling a pressure and a temperatare within at least a majority ofthe permeable formation, wherein the pressure is controlled as a function of temperature, or ώe temperature is controlled as a function of pressure.
4494. The method of claim 4485, further comprising controlling the heat such ώat an average heating rate ofthe selected pyrolyzation section is less than about 15 °C/day during pyrolysis.
4495. The meώod of claim 4485, wherein providing heat from the one or more heat sources to at least ώe portion of permeable formation comprises: heating a selected volume (V) of ώe hydrocarbon containing permeable formation from the one or more heat sources, wherein the formation has an average heat caρacity(Cv), and wherein the heating pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons wiώin the selected volume ofthe formation; and wherein heatύig energy/day provided to ώe volume is equal to or less ώan Pwr, wherein Pwr is calculated by the equation:
Pwr = h*V*Cv*pB wherein Pwr is ώe heating energy/day, /. is an average heating rate ofthe formation, pB is formation bulk density, and wherein the heating rate is less than about 10 °C/day.
4496. The method of claύn 4485, wherein allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heat sources to ώe selected mobilization section and/or the selected pyrolyzation section comprises fransfening heat substantially by conduction.
4497. The method of claim 4485, wherein producing mixture from the penneable formation further comprises producing mixture having an API gravity of at least about 25°.
4498. The method of claim 4485, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 0.5 % by weight, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons, when calculated on an atomic basis, is nifrogen.
4499. The method of claim 4485, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons, when calculated on an atomic basis, is oxygen.
4500. The method of claύn 4485, whereύi the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons, when calculated on an atomic basis, is sulfur.
4501. The method of claim 4485, further comprising confrolling a pressure within at least a majority ofthe permeable foimation, wherein ώe confrolled pressure is at least about 2 bars absolute.
4502. The method of claim 4485, farther comprising altering a pressure within ώe permeable fonnation to ύihibit production of hydrocarbons from the permeable formation havύig carbon numbers greater ώan about 25.
4503. The method of claύn 4485, further comprising: providing hydrogen (H2) to the heated section to hydrogenate hydrocarbons within the section; and heatύig a portion ofthe section with heat from hydrogenation.
4504. The meώod of claim 4485, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons and hydrogen, the method further comprising hydrogenating a portion ofthe produced condensable hydrocarbons wiώ at least a portion ofthe produced hydrogen.
4505. The method of claim 4485, wherein producing the mixtare from the permeable fonnation further comprises producύig the mixture in a production well, wherein the heating is controlled such ώat the mixture can be produced from the permeable formation, and whereύi at least about 4 heat sources are disposed in the penneable formation for each production well.
4506. The method of claύn 4485, whereύi producing the mixture from the penneable formation further comprises producing the mixture in a production well, wherein the heating is controlled such ώat the mixture can be produced from the permeable foimation, and wherein the production well is disposed substantially horizontally wiώin the permeable formation.
4507. The method of claύn 4485, farther comprising separating the mixture into a gas stream and a liquid sfream.
4508. The meώod of claim 4485, further comprising separating the mixture into a gas stream and a liquid stream and separating ώe liquid stream into an aqueous sfream and a non-aqueous sfream.
4509. The method of claim 4485, wherein the mixture is produced from a production well, the method farther comprising heating a wellbore ofthe production well to inhibit condensation ofthe mixture within the wellbore.
4510. The method of claim 4485, wherein the mixture is produced from a production well, whereύi a wellbore of ώe production well comprises a heater element configured to heat the permeable formation adjacent to the wellbore, and further comprising heatύig ώe permeable formation wiώ the heater element to produce ώe mixture, wherein tae mixture comprise non-condensable hydrocarbons and H2.
4511. The method of claύn 4485, wherein a minimum mobilization temperature is about 75 °C.
4512. The method of claim 4485, wherein a minimum pyrolysis temperature is about 270 °C.
4513. The method of claim 4485, further comprising maintaining the pressure within the penneable fonnation above about 2 bars absolute to inhibit production of fluids having carbon numbers above 25.
4514. The method of claim 4485, further comprising controlling pressure within the permeable formation in a range from about atmospheric pressure to about 100 bars absolute, as measured at a wellhead of a production well, to confrol an amount of condensable fluids within the mixture, wherein the pressure is reduced to increase production of condensable fluids, and wherein the pressure is increased to increase production of non-condensable fluids.
4515. The method of claim 4485, further comprising confrolling pressure within the permeable fonnation in a range from about atmospheric pressure to about 100 bars absolute, as measured at a wellhead of a production well, to confrol an API gravity of condensable fluids within the mixture, wherein the pressure is reduced to decrease ώe API gravity, and wherein the pressure is increased to reduce the API gravity.
4516. The method of claim 4485, whereύi mobilizing the hydrocarbons wiώin the selected mobilization section comprises reducing a viscosity ofthe hydrocarbons.
4517. The method of claύn 4485, wherein the provided gas comprises carbon dioxide.
4518. The method of claim 4485 , wherein the provided gas comprises nitrogen.
4519. The method of claύn 4485, further comprising controlling a pressure ofthe provided gas such that the flow ofthe mobilized hydrocarbons is controlled.
4520. The method of claim 4485, farther comprising controlling a pressure ofthe provided gas such that the flow ofthe mobilized hydrocarbons is conttolled, wherein the pressure ofthe provided gas is above about 2 bars absolute.
4521. The method of claim 4485, further comprising controlling a pressure ofthe provided gas such ώat the flow ofthe mobilized hydrocarbons is controlled, wherein the pressure ofthe provided gas is below about 100 bars absolute.
4522. A method of treating a hydrocarbon contaύiύig permeable formation in sita, comprising: providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least one portion ofthe permeable formation; allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected mobilization section ofthe permeable fonnation such that ώe heat from the one or more heat sources can mobilize at least some ofthe hydrocarbons within the selected mobilization section ofthe permeable formation; confrolling the heat from ώe one or more heat sources such that an average temperature within at least a majority ofthe selected mobilization section ofthe permeable formation is less than about 150°C; allowing the heat to fransfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected pyrolyzation section ofthe permeable foimation such that ώe heat from the one or more heat sources can pyrolyze at least some of ώe hydrocarbons within the selected pyrolyzation section ofthe permeable formation; controlling ώe heat from the one or more heat sources such that an average temperature within at least a majority ofthe selected pyrolyzation section of ώe permeable fonnation is less than about 375°C; allowing at least some of ώe mobilized hydrocarbons to flow from the selected mobilization section ofthe permeable formation to ώe selected pyrolyzation section ofthe permeable formation; providing a gas to ώe permeable formation, wherein the gas is configured to mcrease a flow ofthe mobilized hydrocarbons from ώe selected mobilization section ofthe permeable formation to ώe selected pyrolyzation section ofthe permeable formation; controlling a pressure ofthe provided gas such that the flow of ώe mobilized hydrocarbons is controlled; and producing a mixture from the permeable formation.
4523. The method of claύn 4522, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise at least two heat somces, and wherein supeφosition of heat from the one or more heat sources can mobilize at least some of ώe hydrocarbons within the selected mobilization section of the permeable formation.
4524. The method of claύn 4522, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise at least two heat sources, and wherein supeφosition of heat from the one or more heat sources can pyrolyze at least some ofthe hydrocarbons within the selected pyrolyzation section ofthe penneable fonnation.
4525. The method of claim 4522, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise elecfrical heaters.
4526. The method of claim 4522, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise surface burners.
4527. The method of claim 4522, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise flameless disfributed combustors.
4528. The method of claim 4522, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise natural disttibuted combustors.
4529. The method of claύn 4522, farther comprising disposing the one or more heat sources horizontally within the permeable foimation.
4530. The method of claύn 4522, further comprising controlling a pressure and a temperature withύi at least a majority ofthe permeable formation, wherein the pressure is confrolled as a function of temperature, or ώe temperature is confrolled as a function of pressure.
4531. The method of claim 4522, further comprising controlling the heat such that an average heatύig rate ofthe selected pyrolyzation section is less than about 15 °C/day during pyrolysis.
4532. The method of claύn 4522, whereύi providύig heat from the one or more heat sources to at least the portion of permeable formation comprises: heating a selected volume (V) ofthe hydrocarbon containing permeable fonnation from the one or more heat sources, wherein the formation has an average heat capacity(Cv), and wherein ώe heating pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected volume ofthe foimation; and wherein heating energy/day provided to the volume is equal to or less than Pwr, wherein Pwr is calculated by the equation:
Pwr = h*V*Cv*pB wherein Pwr is ώe heating energy/day, h is an average heating rate ofthe formation, pB is formation bulk density, and wherein the heating rate is less than about 10 °C/day.
4533. The method of claim 4522, wherein allowing the heat to fransfer from the one or more heat sources to the selected mobilization section and/or the selected pyrolyzation section comprises transferring heat substantially by conduction.
4534. The method of claύn 4522, wherein producύig the mixture from ώe penneable formation further comprises producing mixture having an API gravity of at least about 25°.
4535. The method of claim 4522, wherein ώe produced mixtare comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 0.5 % by weight, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons, when calculated on an atomic basis, is nittogen.
4536. The method of claim 4522, wherein ώe produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons, when calculated on an atomic basis, is oxygen.
4537. The method of claim 4522, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons, when calculated on an atomic basis, is sulfur.
4538. The method of claim 4522, further comprising controlling a pressure within at least a maj ority of the permeable formation, wherein the controlled pressure is at least about 2 bars absolute.
4539. The method of claim 4522, further comprising altering a pressure within the permeable fonnation to inhibit production of hydrocarbons from the permeable formation having carbon numbers greater than about 25.
4540. The method of claim 4522, further comprising: providing hydrogen (H2) to the heated section to hydrogenate hydrocarbons wiώin the section; and heatύig a portion ofthe section with heat from hydrogenation.
4541. The method of claim 4522, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons and hydrogen, ώe meώod further comprising hydrogenatύig a portion ofthe produced condensable hydrocarbons with at least a portion ofthe produced hydrogen.
4542. The method of claim 4522, wherein producing ώe mixture from the permeable fonnation further comprises producing the mixture in a production well, wherein the heating is conttolled such that the mixture can be produced from the permeable formation, and wherein at least about 4 heat sources are disposed in the permeable foimation for each production well.
4543. The method of claim 4522, whereύi producύig the mixture from the permeable fonnation further comprises producing the mixture in a production well, wherein the heating is conttolled such ώat the mixtare can be produced from the permeable fonnation, and wherein the production well is disposed substantially horizontally within the penneable formation.
4544. The method of claύn 4522, further comprising separating the mixture into a gas stteam and a liquid stteam.
4545. The method of claim 4522, further comprising separating the mixture into a gas stream and a liquid stream and separating the liquid sfream into an aqueous sfream and a non-aqueous stream.
4546. The meώod of claim 4522, wherein the mixture is produced from a production well, the meώod further comprising heating a wellbore ofthe production well to inhibit condensation ofthe mixtare within the wellbore.
4547. The method of claim 4522, wherein the mixture is produced from a production well, wherein a wellbore of ώe production well comprises a heater element configured to heat the permeable formation adjacent to the wellbore, and further comprising heating ώe permeable fonnation with the heater element to produce the mixtare, wherein ώe mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons and H2.
4548. The method of claim 4522, wherein a minimum mobilization temperature is about 75 °C.
4549. The method of claim 4522, whereύi a minimum pyrolysis temperature is about 270 °C.
4550. The method of claim 4522, further comprising maintaύiing the pressure within ώe permeable formation above about 2 bars absolute to inhibit production of fluids having carbon numbers above 25.
4551. The method of claim 4522, further comprising controlling pressure wiώin the penneable formation in a range from about atmospheric pressure to about 100 bars absolute, as measured at a wellhead of a production well, to control an amount of condensable fluids within the mixture, wherein the pressure is reduced to increase production of condensable fluids, and wherein the pressure is increased to increase production of non-condensable fluids.
4552. The method of claim 4522, further comprising confrollύig pressure within the permeable formation in a range from about atmospheric pressure to about 100 bars absolute, as measured at a wellhead of a production well, to control an API gravity of condensable fluids withύi the mixture, wherein the pressure is reduced to decrease the API gravity, and wherein the pressure is increased to reduce the API gravity.
4553. The method of cla n 4522, wherein mobilizing the hydrocarbons within the selected mobilization section comprises reducing a viscosity ofthe hydrocarbons.
4554. The method of claύn 4522, wherein ώe provided gas comprises carbon dioxide.
4555. The method of claύn 4522, wherein the provided gas comprises nifrogen.
4556. The method of claim 4522, wherein the pressure ofthe provided gas is above about 2 bars absolute.
4557. The method of claim 4522, wherein the pressure ofthe provided gas is below about 70 bars absolute.
4558. A meώod of tteating a hydrocarbon containύig permeable formation in sita, comprising: providύig heat from one or more heat sources to at least one portion ofthe permeable formation; allowing the heat to fransfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected mobilization section ofthe permeable formation such that ώe heat from the one or more heat sources can mobilize at least some ofthe hydrocarbons within the selected mobilization section ofthe penneable foimation; confrolling the heat from the one or more heat sources such that an average temperature within at least a majority of ώe selected mobilization section ofthe permeable formation is less than about 150°C; allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected pyrolyzation section ofthe permeable formation such that the heat from the one or more heat sources can pyrolyze at least some ofthe hydrocarbons withύi the selected pyrolyzation section ofthe permeable formation; controlling the heat from ώe one or more heat sources such that an average temperature within at least a majority ofthe selected pyrolyzation section ofthe permeable formation is less ώan about 375°C; and producing a mixture from the permeable formation in a production well, wherein the production well is disposed substantially horizontally withύi the permeable formation.
4559. The method of claim 4558, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise at least two heat sources, and wherein supeφosition of heat from the one or more heat sources can mobilize at least some of ώe hydrocarbons within the selected mobilization section ofthe permeable foimation.
4560. The method of claim 4558, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise at least two heat sources, and wherein supeφosition of heat from the one or more heat sources can pyrolyze at least some ofthe hydrocarbons withύi the selected pyrolyzation section ofthe permeable formation.
4561. The method of claim 4558, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise elecfrical heaters.
4562. The method of claύn 4558, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise surface burners.
4563. The method of claim 4558, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise flameless disttibuted combustors.
4564. The method of claim 4558, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise natural distributed combustors.
4565. The method of claim 4558, farther comprising disposing the one or more heat sources horizontally within the permeable formation.
4566. The method of claim 4558, farther comprising controlling a pressure and a temperature withύi at least a majority of ώe permeable foimation, wherein ώe pressure is controlled as a function of temperature, or ώe temperature is conttolled as a function of pressure.
4567. The method of claύn 4558, further comprising controlling the heat such that an average heating rate ofthe selected pyrolyzation section is less than about 15 °C/day during pyrolysis.
4568. The method of claim 4558, whereύi providύig heat from the one or more heat sources to at least the portion of permeable formation comprises: heating a selected volume (V) ofthe hydrocarbon containing penneable fonnation from the one or more heat sources, wherein the formation has an average heat capacity(Cv), and wherein the heating pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons wiώin ώe selected volume ofthe formation; and wherein heating energy/day provided to the volume is equal to or less ώan Pwr, wherein Pwr is calculated by ώe equation:
Pwr = h*V*Cv*pB wherein Pwr is ώe heating energy/day, h is an average heating rate ofthe formation, pB is formation bulk density, and wherein ώe heatύig rate is less than about 10 °C/day.
4569. The method of claύn 4558, whereύi allowing the heat to fransfer from the one or more heat sources to ώe selected mobilization section and/or the selected pyrolyzation section comprises transferring heat substantially by conduction.
4570. The method of claim 4558, wherein producing mixture from the permeable formation further comprises producing mixtare having an API gravity of at least about 25°.
4571. The method of claim 4558, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 0.5 % by weight, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons, when calculated on an atomic basis, is nitrogen.
4572. The method of claim 4558, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 1 % by weight, of ώe condensable hydrocarbons, when calculated on an atomic basis, is oxygen.
4573. The method of claim 4558, wherein ώe produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons, and wherein less than about 5 % by weight, ofthe condensable hydrocarbons, when calculated on an atomic basis, is sulfur.
4574. The method of claim 4558, further comprising confrollύig a pressure within at least a majority ofthe permeable formation, wherein the conttolled pressure is at least about 2 bars absolute.
4575. The method of claim 4558, further comprising altering a pressure withύi the permeable formation to inhibit production of hydrocarbons from the permeable formation having carbon numbers greater than about 25.
4576. The method of claύn 4558, farther comprising: providing hydrogen (H2) to ώe heated section to hydrogenate hydrocarbons withύi the section; and heating a portion ofthe section with heat from hydrogenation.
4577. The metliod of claim 4558, wherein the produced mixture comprises condensable hydrocarbons and hydrogen, ώe method farther comprising hydrogenating a portion ofthe produced condensable hydrocarbons with at least a portion ofthe produced hydrogen.
4578. The method of claim 4558, wherein producing the mixtare from the permeable fonnation further comprises producing ώe mixture in a production well, wherein the heatύig is controlled such ώat the mixtare can be produced from the permeable formation, and wherein at least about 4 heat sources are disposed in ώe penneable formation for each production well.
4579. The meώod of claim 4558, further comprising separating the mixtare into a gas stream and a liquid sfream.
4580. The method of claim 4558, farther comprising separatύig ώe mixture into a gas stream and a liquid sfream and separating the liquid stream into an aqueous sfream and a non-aqueous stream.
4581. The method of claim 4558, wherein the mixture is produced from a production well, ώe method further comprising heating a wellbore of ώe production well to ύihibit condensation ofthe mixture wiώin the wellbore.
4582. The method of claim 4558, wherein the mixture is produced from a production well, wherein a wellbore of ώe production well comprises a heater element configured to heat ώe penneable formation adjacent to the wellbore, and further comprising heating the permeable formation wiώ ώe heater element to produce ώe mixture, wherein the mixture comprises non-condensable hydrocarbons and H2.
4583. The meώod of claύn 4558, wherein a minimum mobilization temperature is about 75 °C.
4584. The method of claim 4558, wherein a minimum pyrolysis temperature is about 270 °C.
4585. The method of claim 4558, farther comprising maintaύiing the pressure withύi the permeable formation above about 2 bars absolute to inhibit production of fluids having carbon numbers above 25.
4586. The method of claύn 4558, further comprising controlling pressure wiώin the permeable foimation in a range from about atmospheric pressure to about 100 bars absolute, as measured at a welώead of a production well, to control an amount of condensable fluids within the mixture, wherein the pressure is reduced to increase production of condensable fluids, and wherein the pressure is increased to increase production of non-condensable fluids.
4587. The method of claύn 4558, further comprising controlling pressure within the permeable formation in a range from about atmospheric pressure to about 100 bars absolute, as measured at a wellhead of a production well, to control an API gravity of condensable fluids within ώe mixture, wherein the pressure is reduced to decrease e API gravity, and wherein the pressure is increased to reduce the API gravity.
4588. The method of claim 4558, wherein mobilizing ώe hydrocarbons within the selected mobilization section comprises reducing a viscosity ofthe hydrocarbons.
4589. The method of claim 4558, further comprising providing a gas to the permeable foimation, wherein the gas is configured to increase a flow ofthe mobilized hydrocarbons from the selected mobilization section ofthe permeable foimation to ώe selected pyrolyzation section ofthe permeable formation.
4590. The method of claύn 4558, further comprising providing a gas to the permeable formation, wherein the gas is configured to increase a flow ofthe mobilized hydrocarbons from the selected mobilization section ofthe permeable formation to ώe selected pyrolyzation section ofthe permeable formation, and wherein ώe gas comprises carbon dioxide.
4591. The meώod of claim 4558, further comprising providing a gas to the permeable formation, wherein the gas is configured to increase a flow ofthe mobilized hydrocarbons from the selected mobilization section ofthe permeable formation to the selected pyrolyzation section o the permeable foimation, and wherein the gas comprises nittogen.
4592. The method of claim 4558, farther comprising providing a gas to the permeable formation, wherein the gas is configured to increase a flow ofthe mobilized hydrocarbons from the selected mobilization section of ώe permeable formation to the selected pyrolyzation section ofthe penneable formation, the method further comprising controlling a pressure ofthe provided gas such that the flow of ώe mobilized hydrocarbons is confrolled.
4593. The method of claim 4558, farther comprising providing a gas to the permeable foimation, wherein the gas is configured to increase a flow ofthe mobilized hydrocarbons from ώe selected mobilization section ofthe permeable formation to the selected pyrolyzation section ofthe permeable formation, the method further comprising controlling a pressure ofthe provided gas such that the flow of ώe mobilized hydrocarbons is confrolled, wherein the pressure ofthe provided gas is above about 2 bars absolute.
4594. The meώod of claim 4558, further comprising providing a gas to ώe permeable formation, wherein ώe gas is configured to increase a flow ofthe mobilized hydrocarbons from ώe selected mobilization section of ώe permeable formation to the selected pyrolyzation section ofthe permeable formation, ώe method further comprising controlling a pressure of ώe provided gas such that the flow of ώe mobilized hydrocarbons is controlled, wherein the pressure ofthe provided gas is below about 70 bars absolute.
4595. A method of freating a hydrocarbon containύig permeable formation in sita, comprising: providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least one portion ofthe penneable formation; allowing the heat to fransfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected mobilization section ofthe permeable formation such that ώe heat from ώe one or more heat sources can mobilize at least some ofthe hydrocarbons withύi the selected mobilization section ofthe permeable formation; controlling the heat from the one or more heat sources such that an average temperature within at least a majority of ώe selected mobilization section ofthe permeable formation is less than about 150°C; providing a gas to the permeable foimation, wherein the gas is configured to increase a flow ofthe mobilized hydrocarbons within ώe permeable foimation; and producing a mixture from the permeable formation.
4596. The method of claim 4595, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise at least two heat sources, and wherein supeφosition of heat from ώe one or more heat sources can mobilize at least some ofthe hydrocarbons within ώe selected mobilization section ofthe permeable formation.
4597. The method of claim 4595, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise electrical heaters.
4598. The method of claim 4595, wherein the one or more heat somces comprise surface burners.
4599. The method of claύn 4595, wherein the one or more heat somces comprise flameless disttibuted combustors.
4600. The method of claim 4595, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise natural disfributed combustors.
4601. The method of claύn 4595, further comprising disposing the one or more heat somces horizontally within ώe permeable formation.
4602. The method of claύn 4595, further comprising controlling a pressure and a temperature within at least a majority of ώe penneable formation, wherein the pressure is confrolled as a function of temperature, or ώe temperatare is controlled as a function of pressure.
4603. The method of claim 4595, wherein providing heat from tae one or more heat sources to at least the portion of permeable formation comprises: heating a selected volume (V) of ώe hydrocarbon contaύiing permeable formation from the one or more heat sources, wherein the fonnation has an average heat capacity(C„), and wherein the heating pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons withύi the selected volume ofthe formation; and wherein heating energy/day provided to ώe volume is equal to or less than Pwr, wherein Pwr is calculated by the equation:
Pwr = h*V*Cv*pB
whereύi Pwr is ώe heating energy/day, h is an average heating rate ofthe formation, pB is foimation bulk density, and wherein the heating rate is less than about 10 °C/day.
4604. The method of claim 4595, wherein allowing the heat to fransfer from the one or more heat sources to the selected mobilization section comprises fransfening heat substantially by conduction.
4605. The method of claim 4595, further comprising confrolling a pressure within at least a majority ofthe permeable formation, whereύi the controlled pressure is at least about 2 bars absolute.
4606. The method of claim 4595, wherein producing the mixture from the permeable formation further comprises producing the mixture in a production well, wherein the heating is controlled such ώat the mixtare can be produced from the permeable formation, and wherein at least about 4 heat sources are disposed in the permeable formation for each production well.
4607. The method of claim 4595, wherein producύig the mixture from the permeable fonnation further comprises producύig ώe mixture in a production well, wherein the heating is controlled such ώat the mixture can be produced from the permeable formation, and wherein the production well is disposed substantially horizontally withύi the penneable formation.
4608. The method of claim 4595, further comprising separating the mixture into a gas stream and a liquid stream.
4609. The method of claim 4595, further comprisύig separating ώe mixture into a gas stream and a liquid sfream and separating the liquid sfream into an aqueous stream and a non-aqueous stream.
4610. The method of claύn 4595, wherein the mixture is produced from a production well, the meώod farther comprising heating a wellbore ofthe production well to ύihibit condensation ofthe mixture within the wellbore.
4611. The method of claim 4595, wherein ώe mixttire is produced from a production well, wherein a wellbore of the production well comprises a heater element configured to heat the permeable formation adjacent to the wellbore, and further comprising heating ώe permeable fonnation with the heater element to produce the mixture, wherein ώe mixture comprise non-condensable hydrocarbons and H2.
4612. The method of claim 4595, wherein a minimum mobilization temperatare is about 75 °C.
4613. The method of claim 4595, wherein mobilizing the hydrocarbons within the selected mobilization section comprises reducing a viscosity ofthe hydrocarbons.
4614. The method of claim 4595, wherein the provided gas comprises carbon dioxide.
4615. The method of claim 4595, wherein the provided gas comprises nitrogen.
4616. The method of claim 4595, further comprising controlling a pressure ofthe provided gas such that the flow ofthe mobilized hydrocarbons is conttolled.
4617. The method of claim 4595, farther comprising controlling a pressure ofthe provided gas such that the flow ofthe mobilized hydrocarbons is conttolled, wherein the pressure ofthe provided gas is above about 2 bars absolute.
4618. The method of claim 4595, farther comprising controlling a pressure ofthe provided gas such that the flow ofthe mobilized hydrocarbons is confrolled, wherein the pressure of ώe provided gas is below about 70 bars absolute.
4619. A method of freating a hydrocarbon containing permeable formation in situ, comprising: providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least one portion ofthe penneable formation; allowing the heat to fransfer from ώe one or more heat sources to a selected mobilization section ofthe permeable fonnation such ώat the heat from the one or more heat sources can mobilize at least some ofthe hydrocarbons within the selected mobilization section ofthe permeable fonnation; controlling the heat from the one or more heat sources such that an average temperature within at least a majority ofthe selected mobilization section ofthe permeable formation is less than about 150°C; providing a gas to the permeable formation, wherein the gas is configured to increase a flow ofthe mobilized hydrocarbons withύi ώe permeable foimation; controlling a pressure ofthe provided gas such that the flow of ώe mobilized hydrocarbons is controlled; and producing a mixture from the permeable formation.
4620. The method of claim 4619, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise at least two heat sources, and wherein supeφosition of heat from the one or more heat sources can mobilize at least some ofthe hydrocarbons within the selected mobilization section ofthe permeable foimation.
4621. The method of claύn 4619, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise elecfrical heaters.
4622. The method of claύn 4619, whereύi the one or more heat sources comprise surface burners.
4623. The method of claύn 4619, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise flameless distributed combustors.
4624. The metliod of claim 4619, whereύi the one or more heat sources comprise natural disfributed combustors.
4625. The method of claύn 4619, further comprising disposing the one or more heat sources horizontally wiώin ώe permeable fonnation.
4626. The method of claim 4619, further comprising controlling a pressure and a temperature wiώin at least a majority of ώe permeable formation, wherein the pressure is controlled as a function of temperature, or the temperatare is controlled as a function of pressure.
4627. The method of claim 4619, wherein providing heat from tae one or more heat somces to at least the portion of permeable foimation comprises: heating a selected volume (V) ofthe hydrocarbon contaύiing permeable foimation from the one or more heat sources, wherein ώe foimation has an average heat capacity(Cv), and wherein the heatuig pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within ώe selected volume ofthe formation; and wherein heating energy/day provided to the volume is equal to or less ώan Pwr, whereύi Pwr is calculated by the equation: Pwr = h*V*Cv*pB wherein Pwr is ώe heating energy/day, h is an average heating rate ofthe formation, pB is formation bulk density, and wherein the heating rate is less than about 10 °C/day.
4628. The method of claim 4619, wherein allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heat sources to the selected mobilization section comprises transferring heat substantially by conduction.
4629. The method of claim 4619, farther comprising confrollύig a pressure withύi at least a majority ofthe permeable formation, wherein ώe conttolled pressure is at least about 2 bars absolute.
4630. The meώod of claim 4619, wherein producing the mixture from the permeable formation farther comprises producing the mixture in a production well, wherein the heatύig is confrolled such ώat the mixture can be produced from the permeable formation, and wherein at least about 4 heat sources are disposed in ώe permeable formation for each production well.
4631. The method of claim 4619, wherein producing the mixture from ώe permeable formation further comprises producing the mixture in a production well, wherein the heating is confrolled such that ώe mixtare can be produced from the permeable formation, and wherein the production well is disposed substantially horizontally within the permeable formation.
4632. The method of claim 4619, farther comprising separating the mixtare into a gas sfream and a liquid sfream.
4633. The method of claim 4619, further comprising separating the mixture into a gas stream and a liquid sfream and separating the liquid stream into an aqueous sfream and a non-aqueous stream.
4634. The method of claim 4619, wherein the mixtare is produced from a production well, ώe method farther comprising heatύig a wellbore ofthe production well to ύihibit condensation of ώe mixture within the wellbore.
4635. The method of claim 4619, wherein the mixture is produced from a production well, wherein a wellbore of ώe production well comprises a heater element configured to heat the penneable foimation adjacent to the wellbore, and further comprising heating ώe permeable formation with the heater element to produce ώe mixture, wherein the mixture comprise non-condensable hydrocarbons and H2.
4636. The method of claim 4619, wherein a minimum mobilization temperatare is about 75 °C.
4637. The method of claim 4619, wherein mobilizing the hydrocarbons within the selected mobilization section comprises reducing a viscosity ofthe hydrocarbons.
4638. The method of claύn 4619, wherein the provided gas comprises carbon dioxide.
4639. The method of claim 4619, where n ώe provided gas comprises nitrogen.
4640. The method of claim 4619, wherein the pressure of ώe provided gas is above about 2 bars absolute.
4641. The method of claύn 4619, whereύi the pressure of the provided gas is below about 70 bars absolute.
4642. A system configurable to heat a relatively permeable formation, comprising: a conduit configurable to be placed withύi an opening in the formation; a conductor conflgurable to be placed within the conduit, whereύi the conductor is further configurable to provide heat to at least a portion ofthe formation durύig use; at least one centralizer configurable to be coupled to ώe conductor, wherein at least one cenfralizer inhibits movement ofthe conductor wiώin the conduit durύig use; and wherein the system is configurable to allow heat to fransfer from the conductor to a section ofthe formation during use.
4643. The system of claim 4642, wherein at least one cenfralizer comprises electrically-insulating material.
4644. The system of claim 4642, wherein at least one centralizer is configurable to inhibit arcing between ώe conductor and ώe conduit.
4645. The system of claim 4642, wherein at least one centralizer comprises ceramic material.
4646. The system of claύn 4642, wherein at least one centralizer comprises at least one recess, wherein at least one recess is placed at a junction of at least one centtalizer and the first conductor, wherein at least one protmsion is fonned on ώe first conductor at ώe junction to maintain a location of at least one centralizer on the first conductor, and wherein at least one protrusion resides substantially withύi at least one recess.
4647. The system of claim 4646, wherein at least one protrusion comprises a weld.
4648. The system of claim 4646, wherein an elecfrically-insulating material substantially covers at least one recess.
4649. The system of claύn 4646, whereύi a thermal plasma applied coating substantially covers at least one recess.
4650. The system of claim 4646, wherein a thermal plasma applied coatύig comprises alumina.
4651. The system of claύn 4642, wherein ώe system is further configurable to allow at least some hydrocarbons to pyrolyze in the heated section of ώe formation during use.
4652. The system of claύn 4642, further comprising an ύisulation layer configurable to be coupled to at least a portion ofthe conductor or at least one centralizer.
4653. The system of claim 4642, wherein at least one cenfralizer comprises a neck portion.
4654. The system of claim 4642, wherein at least one centralizer comprises one or more grooves.
4655. The system of claim 4642, wherein at least one centralizer comprises at least two portions, and wherein the portions are configurable to be coupled to the conductor to form at least one centralizer placed on the conductor.
4656. The system of claim 4642, whereύi a thickness ofthe conductor is greater adjacent to a lean zone in the formation ώan a thickness ofthe conductor adjacent to a rich zone in the formation such that more heat is provided to ώe rich zone.
4657. The system of claim 4642, wherein the system is configured to heat a relatively permeable formation, and wherein the system comprises: a conduit configured to be placed within an openύig in the fonnation; a conductor configured to be placed within the conduit, whereύi ώe conductor is further configured to provide heat to at least a portion ofthe formation during use; at least one centtalizer configured to be coupled to the conductor, wherein at least one cenfralizer inhibits movement ofthe conductor wiώin e conduit during use; and wherein the system is configured to allow heat to fransfer from ώe conductor to a section of ώe formation during use.
4658. The system of claim 4642, wherein ώe system heats a relatively permeable foimation, and wherein the system comprises: a conduit placed withύi an openύig in the formation; a conductor placed wiώin the conduit, wherein the conductor provides heat to at least aportion ofthe formation; at least one centralizer coupled to the conductor, wherein at least one centralizer inhibits movement ofthe conductor wiώin ώe conduit; and wherein ώe system allows heat to ttansfer from the conductor to a section ofthe formation.
4659. The system of claim 4642, wherein the system is configurable to be removed from the openύig in the formation.
4660. The system of claim 4642, further comprising a moveable thermocouple.
4661. The system of claim 4642, further comprising an isolation block.
4662. A system configurable to heat a relatively permeable formation, comprising: a conduit configurable to be placed withύi an openύig in the foimation; a conductor configurable to be placed wiώin the conduit, wherein ώe conductor is farther configurable to provide heat to at least a portion ofthe formation during use;
at least one cenfralizer configurable to be coupled to ώe conductor, wherein at least one centralizer inhibits movement ofthe conductor within ώe conduit during use whereύi the system is configurable to allow heat to fransfer from the conductor to a section of ώe formation during use; and wherein the system is configurable to be removed from the openύig in the formation.
4663. An in situ method for heating a relatively permeable formation, comprising: applying an electtical cunent to a conductor to provide heat to at least a portion ofthe foimation, wherein ώe conductor is placed within a conduit, wherein at least one centralizer is coupled to the conductor to inhibit movement ofthe conductor within the conduit, and wherein the conduit is placed within an openύig in the formation; and allowing the heat to ttansfer from the first conductor to a section ofthe formation.
4664. The method of claύn 4663, further comprisύig pyrolyzing at least some hydrocarbons in ώe section ofthe formation.
4665. The method of claύn 4663, further comprising inhibitύig arcing between ώe conductor and ώe conduit.
4666. A system configurable to heat a relatively permeable formation, comprising: a conduit configurable to be placed wiώin an openύig in the foimation; a conductor configurable to be placed within a conduit, wherein ώe conductor is further configurable to provide heat to at least a portion ofthe foimation during use; an insulation layer coupled to at least a portion ofthe conductor, wherein ώe insulation layer electrically insulates at least a portion ofthe conductor from the conduit durύig use; and whereύi the system is configurable to allow heat to transfer from the conductor to a section of ώe foimation during use
4667. The system of claim 4666, wherein the ύisulation layer comprises a spύal ύisulation layer.
4668. The system of claύn 4666, wherein the insulation layer comprises at least one metal oxide.
4669. The system of claim 4666, wherein the insulation layer comprises at least one alumina oxide.
4670. The system of claύn 4666, wherein the msulation layer is configmable to be fastened to ώe conductor with a high temperature glue.
4671. The system of claim 4666, wherein ώe system is further configurable to allow at least some hydrocarbons to pyrolyze in the heated section ofthe formation during use.
4672. The system of claύn 4666, wherein the system is configured to heat a relatively permeable formation, and wherein the system comprises: a conduit configured to be placed within an opening in the formation; a conductor configured to be placed within a conduit, wherein the conductor is further configured to provide heat to at least a portion ofthe formation during use; an insulation layer coupled to at least a portion ofthe conductor, wherein the insulation layer electtically insulates at least a portion ofthe conductor from ώe conduit during use; and wherein the system is configured to allow heat to transfer from ώe conductor to a section of ώe formation during use.
4673. The system of claim 4666, wherein ώe system heats a relatively permeable formation, and wherein the system comprises: a conduit placed within an openύig in the formation; a conductor placed wiώin a conduit, wherein the conductor provides heat to at least a portion ofthe formation; an msulation layer coupled to at least a portion of ώe conductor, wherein ώe insulation layer electrically insulates at least a portion of ώe conductor from ώe conduit; and wherein the system allows heat to ttansfer from the conductor to a section ofthe formation.
4674. An in situ method for heating a relatively permeable formation, comprising: applying an elecfrical cunent to a conductor to provide heat to at least a portion of ώe formation, whereύi ώe conductor is placed withύi a conduit, wherein an insulation layer is coupled to at least a portion ofthe conductor to electrically insulate at least a portion ofthe conductor from ώe conduit, and wherein the conduit is placed withύi an openuig in ώe formation; and allowing the heat to transfer from the first conductor to a section ofthe formation.
4675. The method of claim 4674, further comprisύig pyrolyzing at least some hydrocarbons in ώe section ofthe formation.
4676. The method of claύn 4674, fiother comprising inhibitύig arcing between ώe conductor and the conduit.
4677. A method for making a conductor-in-conduit heat source for a relatively permeable formation, comprising: placing at least one protrusion on a conductor; placing at least one centralizer on the conductor; and placing the conductor within a conduit to form a conductor-in-conduit heat source, wherein at least one centralizer maintains a location ofthe conductor within the conduit.
4678. The method of claύn 4677, wherein at least one cenfralizer comprises at least two portions, and wherein the portions are coupled to the conductor to form at least one centralizer placed on ώe conductor.
4679. The method of claim 4677, further comprising placing ώe conductor-in-conduit heat source in an openύig in a relatively permeable formation.
4680. The method of claim 4677, further comprising coupling an insulation layer on the conductor, wherein the insulation layer is configured to elecfrically insulate at least a portion ofthe conductor from the conduit.
4681. The method of claim 4677, farther comprising providing heat from the conductor-in-conduit heat source to at least a portion ofthe foimation.
4682. The method of claim 4677, further comprising pyrolyzing at least some hydrocarbons in a selected section ofthe formation.
4683. The method of claim 4677, further comprising producing a mixture from a selected section ofthe formation.
4684. The method of claim 4677, wherein the conductor-in-conduit heat source is configurable to provide heat to ώe relatively permeable formation.
4685. The meώod of claim 4677, wherein at least one cenfralizer comprises at least one recess placed at a junction of at least one cenfralizer on ώe conductor, and wherein at least one protrusion resides substantially within at least one recess.
4686. The method of claim 4685, further comprising at least partially covering at least one recess with an electrically-insulating material.
4687. The method of claim 4685, further comprising spraying an electrically-insulating material to at least partially cover at least one recess.
4688. The method of claim 4677, wherein placing at least one protrusion on ώe conductor comprises welding at least one protrusion on the conductor.
4689. The method of claim 4677, further comprising coiling the conductor-in-conduit heat source on a spool after forming the heat source.
4690. The method of claim 4677, further comprising uncoiling the heat source from the spool while placing the heat source in an openύig ύi the formation.
4691. The method of claim 4677, wherein placing the conductor within a conduit comprises placing the conductor withύi a conduit that has been placed in an openύig in the formation.
4692. The method of claim 4677, further comprising coupling the conductor-in-conduit heat source to at least one additional conductor-in-conduit heat source.
4693. The method of claύn 4677, wherein the conductor-in-conduit heat source is configurable to be installed ύito an opening in a relatively permeable formation.
4694. The method of claim 4677, wherein the conductor-in-conduit heat source is configurable to be removed from an opening in a relatively permeable formation.
4695. The method of claim 4677, wherein the conductor-in-conduit heat source is configurable to heat to a section ofthe relatively permeable formation, and wherein the heat pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons in ώe section ofthe foimation during use.
4696. The method of claim 4677, wherein a thickness ofthe conductor configurable to be placed adjacent to a lean zone in the formation is greater than a thickness ofthe conductor configmable to be placed adjacent to a rich zone in the formation such that more heat is provided to the rich zone durύig use.
4697. A method for forming an openύig in a relatively permeable fonnation, comprising: forming a first opening in the formation; providing a series of magnetic fields from a plurality of magnets positioned along a portion ofthe first opening; and forming a second openύig in ώe formation usύig magnetic tracking such that the second opening is positioned a selected distance from ώe first opening.
4698. The method of claim 4697, further comprising providing a magnetic string to a portion ofthe first opening.
4699. The method of claύn 4697, wherein the plurality of magnets is positioned wiώin a casing.
4700. The method of claύn 4697, whereύi the plurality of magnets is positioned withύi a heater casing.
4701. The method of claύn 4697, wherein ώe plurality of magnets is positioned within a perforated casing.
4702. The method of claim 4697, further comprising providing a magnetic sfring to a portion ofthe first openύig, wherein the magnetic string comprises two or more magnetic segments, and wherein the two or more segments are positioned such ώat ώe polarity of adjacent segments is reversed.
4703. The method of claύn 4697, further comprising moving the magnetic fields within the first openύig.
4704. The metliod of claim 4697, further comprising moving the magnetic fields within the first openύig such ώat the magnetic fields vary with time.
4705. The method of claim 4697, further comprising adjusting a position ofthe magnetic fields within the first openύig to increase a length of ώe second openύig.
4706. The method of claύn 4697, farther comprising forming a plmality of openings adjacent to ώe first openύig.
4707. The method of claύn 4697, wherein the first opening comprises a non-metallic casing.
4708. The method of claim 4697, wherein the series ofthe magnetic fields comprises a first magnetic field and a second magnetic field and wherein a strength ofthe first magnetic differs from a strength ofthe second magnetic field.
4709. The method of claim 4697, wherein the series of ώe magnetic fields comprises a first magnetic field and a second magnetic field and wherein a strength ofthe first magnetic is about a strength ofthe second magnetic field.
4710. The method of claύn 4697, wherein the first openύig comprises a center opening in a pattern of openmgs, and further comprising formύig a plurality of openings adjacent to ώe first opening.
4711. The method of claύn 4697, wherein the first opening comprises a center openύig in a pattern of openmgs, and further comprising forming a plurality of openings adjacent to ώe first openύig, wherein each ofthe plmality of openmgs is positioned at ώe selected distance from ώe first opening.
4712. The method of claim 4697, further comprising providing at least one heatύig mechanism wiώin ώe first opening and at least one heating mechanism withύi ώe second openύig such that the heating mechanisms can provide heat to at least a portion of ώe formation.
4713. A method for forming an opening in a relatively permeable formation, comprising: forming a first opening in the foimation; providing a magnetic sfring to ώe first openύig, wherein the magnetic string comprises two or more magnetic segments, and wherein ώe magnetic segments are positioned such ώat the polarities ofthe segments are reversed; and forming a second openύig in the formation using magnetic tracking such that the second opening is positioned a selected distance from the first openύig.
4714. The meώod of claim 4713, further comprising providing at least one heating mechanism within the first opening and at least one heatύig mechanism within the second openύig such that the heating mechanisms can provide heat to at least a portion of ώe formation.
4715. The method of claim 4713, wherein the two or more segments comprise a plurality of magnets.
4716. The method of claύn 4713, farther comprising providing a series of magnetic fields along a portion ofthe first openύig.
4717. The method of claύn 4713 , wherein a lengώ of a segment corresponds to a distance between the first opening and the second openύig.
4718. The meώod of claim 4713, further comprising moving the magnetic fields wiώin the first opening.
4719. The method of claύn 4713, further comprising moving the magnetic fields within the first opening such ώat the magnetic fields vary with tune.
4720. The method of claim 4713, further comprising adjusting a position ofthe magnetic fields within the first openύig to increase a length ofthe second openύig.
4721. The method of claύn 4713 , further comprising forming a plmality of openmgs adj acent to ώe first openύig.
4722. The method of claύn 4713, wherein the first openύig comprises a non-metallic casύig.
4723. The method of claim 4713, whereύi the series of ώe magnetic fields comprises a first magnetic field and a second magnetic field and wherein a strength ofthe first magnetic field differs from a sttength ofthe second magnetic field.
4724. The meώod of claim 4713, wherein the series of the magnetic fields comprises a first magnetic field and a second magnetic field and wherein a sttength ofthe first magnetic field is about a strength ofthe second magnetic field.
4725. The method of claim 4713, wherein the first opening comprises a center opening in a pattern of openmgs, and further comprising forming a plurality of openmgs adj acent to ώe first openύig.
4726. The meώod of claim 4713 , wherein the first openύig comprises a center openύig in a pattern of openings, and further comprising forming a plurality of openings adjacent to the first openύig, wherein each ofthe plurality of openings is positioned at ώe selected distance from the first openύig.
4727. The method of claim 4713, farther comprising providing at least one heatύig mechanism wiώin the first openύig and at least one heating mechanism withύi ώe second opening such that the heating mechanisms can provide heat to at least a portion ofthe formation.
4728. The method of claim 4713, whereύi the magnetic string is positioned wiώin a casing.
4729. The method of claim 4713, whereύi the magnetic string is positioned withύi a heater casing.
4730. A system for drilling openings in a relatively permeable formation, comprising: a drilling apparatus; a magnetic string, comprisύig: a conduit; and two or more magnetic segments positionable in the conduit, wherein the magnetic segments comprise a plmality of magnets ; and a sensor conflgurable to detect a magnetic field withύi ώe formation.
4731. The system of claim 4730, wherein the magnetic string further comprises one or more members configurable to inhibit movement of ώe magnetic segments relative to the conduit.
4732. The system of claim 4730, wherein ώe one or more magnetic segments are positioned such that a polarity of adjacent segments is reversed.
4733. The system of claim 4730, whereύi ώe magnetic string is positionable within a first opening in the formation.
4734. The system of claim 4730, wherein ώe magnetic sfring is positionable withύi a first opening in the formation and wherein the magnetic sfring induces a magnetic field in a portion ofthe first openύig.
4735. The system of claim 4730, further comprising at least one heatύig mechanism within a first openύig.
4736. The system of claim 4730, further comprising at least one heating mechanism within a first opening and at least one heatύig mechanism within a second opening such that the heatύig mechanisms can provide heat to at least a portion ofthe foimation.
4737. The system of claim 4730, further comprising providing a series of magnetic fields along a portion of a first opening.
4738. The system of claύn 4730, wherein a length of a segment corresponds to a distance between the first openύig and the second opening.
4739. The system of claim 4730, wherein the magnetic string is movable in a first opening.
4740. The system of claύn 4730, whereύi a position ofthe magnetic string in the first opening can be adjusted to increase a length of a second opening.
4741. The system of claim 4730, further comprising a first opening positioned in ώe formation and wherein the magnetic string is positionable in the first opening.
4742. The system of claim 4730, farther comprising a non-metallic casύig.
4743. The system of claim 4730, wherein the magnetic segments comprises a first magnetic segment and a second magnetic segment and wherein a length ofthe first magnetic segment differs from a length ofthe second magnetic segment.
4744. The system of claim 4730, wherein the magnetic segments comprises a first magnetic segment and a second magnetic segment and wherein a lengώ ofthe first magnetic segment is about the same as a length ofthe second magnetic segment.
4745. The system of claim 4730, farther comprising a casing and wherein the magnetic sfrύig is positioned withύi the casing.
4746. A method of installing a conductor-in-conduit heat source of a desfred lengώ in a relatively permeable foimation, comprising: assembling a conductor-in-conduit heat source of a desύed length, comprising: placing a conductor within a conduit to form a conductor-in-conduit heat source; and coupling the conductor-in-conduit heat source to at least one additional conductor-in-conduit heat source to form a conductor-in-conduit heat source ofthe desύed length, wherein ώe conductor is elecfrically coupled to ώe conductor of at least one additional conductor-in-conduit heat source and the conduit is elecfrically coupled to the conduit of at least one additional conductor-in-conduit heat source; coiling the conductor-in-conduit heat source ofthe desύed length after forming the heat source; and placing the conductor-in-conduit heat source ofthe desύed length in an openύig n a relatively permeable formation.
4747. The method of claim 4746, wherein the conductor-in-conduit heat source is configurable to provide heat to ώe relatively permeable foimation.
4748. The method of claύn 4746, wherein the conductor-in-conduit heat source ofthe desύed length is removable from ώe opening in ώe relatively permeable fonnation.
4749. The method of claύn 4746, further comprising uncoiling the conductor-in-conduit heat source ofthe desύed length while placing the heat source in ώe opening.
4750. The method of claim 4746, further comprising placing at least one centtalizer on the conductor.
4751. The method of claim 4746, further comprising placing at least one centtalizer on e conductor, wherein at least one centralizer inhibits movement ofthe conductor within the conduit.
4752. The method of claύn 4746, further comprising placing an insulation layer on at least a portion ofthe conductor.
4753. The method of claim 4746, further comprising coiling the conductor-in-conduit heat source.
4754. The method of claim 4746, farther comprising testing the conductor-in-conduit heat source and coiling the heat source.
4755. The method of claim 4746, wherein coupling the conductor-in-conduit heat source to at least one additional conductor-in-conduit heat source comprises welding the conductor-in-conduit heat source to at least one additional conductor-in-conduit heat source.
4756. The method of claim 4746, wherein coupling the conductor-in-conduit heat source to at least one additional conductor-in-conduit heat source comprises shielded active gas welding the conductor-in-conduit heat source to at least one additional conductor-in-conduit heat source.
4757. The method of claim 4746, whereύi coupling the conductor-in-conduit heat source to at least one additional conductor-in-conduit heat source comprises shielded active gas welding the conductor-in-conduit heat source to at least one additional conductor-in-conduit heat source, and wherein usύig shielded active gas welding inhibits changes in the grain structure ofthe conductor or conduit during coupling.
4758. The method of claύn 4746, whereύi the assembling ofthe conductor-in-conduit heat source ofthe desύed length is performed at a location proximate the relatively permeable foimation.
4759. The method of claim 4746, whereύi the assembling ofthe conductor-in-conduit heat source of ώe desfred lengώ takes place sufficiently proximate the relatively permeable foimation such that the conductor-in-conduit heat source can be placed dύectly in an openύig of ώe foimation after the heat source is assembled.
4760. The method of claim 4746, further comprising coupling at least one substantially low resistance conductor to ώe conductor-in-conduit heat source ofthe desfred length, wherein at least one substantially low resistance conductor is configured to be placed in an overburden ofthe foimation.
4761. The method of claim 4760, further comprising couplύig at least one additional substantially low resistance conductor to at least one substantially low resistance conductor.
4762. The method of claim 4760, farther comprising coupling at least one additional substantially low resistance conductor to at least one substantially low resistance conductor, wherein couplmg at least one additional substantially low resistance conductor to at least one substantially low resistance conductor comprises coupling a threaded end of at least one additional substantially low resistance conductor to a threaded end of at least one substantially low resistance conductor.
4763. The method of claim 4760, farther comprisύig couplύig at least one additional substantially low resistance conductor to at least one substantially low resistance conductor, wherein coupling at least one additional substantially low resistance conductor to at least one substantially low resistance conductor comprises welding at least one additional substantially low resistance conductor to at least one substantially low resistance conductor.
4764. The method of claim 4760, wherein at least one substantially low resistance conductor is coupled to the conductor-in-conduit heat source of ώe desύed length during assembling ofthe heat source ofthe desired length.
4765. The method of claim 4760, wherein at least one substantially low resistance conductor is coupled to the conductor-in-conduit heat source of ώe desύed lengώ after assembling ofthe heat source ofthe desύed length.
4766. The method of claim 4746, further comprising fransporting the coiled conductor-in-conduit heat source of the desfred length on a cart or train from an assembly location to the openύig in the relatively permeable formation.
4767. The meώod of claim 4766, whereύi the cart or train can be farther used to transport more than one conductor-in-conduit heat source ofthe desύed length to more ώan one opening in the relatively permeable formation.
4768. The method of claim 4746, wherein the desύed length comprises a lengώ determined for using the conductor-in-conduit heat source in a selected openύig in the relatively permeable formation.
4769. The method of claim 4746, further comprising freatύig ώe conductor to increase an emissivity ofthe conductor.
4770. The method of claύn 4769, wherein treating ώe conductor comprises roughening the surface of ώe conductor.
4771. The method of claim 4769, wherein tteating ώe conductor comprises heating the conductor to a temperature above about 750 °C in an oxidizing fluid atmosphere. ,
4772. The meώod of claim 4746, further comprising treating the conduit to increase an emissivity ofthe conduit.
4773. The method of claim 4746, farther comprising coating at least a portion ofthe conductor or at least a portion ofthe conduit during assembly ofthe conductor-in-conduit heat source.
4774. The method of claim 4746, further comprising placing an insulation layer on at least a portion ofthe conductor-in-conduit heat source prior to placing the heat source in the openύig in the relatively permeable foimation.
4775. The method of claύn 4774, wherein the insulation layer comprises a spύal ύisulation layer.
4776. The method of claim 4774, wherein the ύisulation layer comprises at least one metal oxide.
4777. The method of claύn 4774, further comprising fastening at least a portion ofthe insulation layer to at least a portion ofthe conductor-in-conduit heat source with a high temperature glue.
4778. The method of claim 4746, further comprising providing heat from tae conductor-in-conduit heat source of tae desύed lengώ to at least a portion of ώe formation.
4779. The method of claύn 4746, wherein a thickness ofthe conductor configurable to be placed adjacent to a lean zone in ώe fonnation is greater than a thickness ofthe conductor configurable to be placed adjacent to a rich zone in the formation such that more heat is provided to the rich zone during use
4780. The method of claύn 4746, further comprising pyrolyzing at least some hydrocarbons in a selected section ofthe formation.
4781. The method of claύn 4746, further comprising producing a mixture from a selected section ofthe formation.
4782. A method for making a conductor-in-conduit heat source configurable to be used to heat a relatively permeable formation, comprising: placing a conductor wiώin a conduit to form a conductor-in-conduit heat source; and shielded active gas welding the conductor-in-conduit heat source to at least one additional conductor-in- conduit heat source to form a conductor-in-conduit heat source of a desfred length, wherein ώe conductor is electtically coupled to the conductor of at least one additional conductor-in-conduit heat source and ώe conduit is electrically coupled to ώe conduit of at least one additional conductor-in-conduit heat source; and whereύi the conductor-in-conduit heat source is configurable to be placed in an openuig in the relatively permeable formation, and wherein the conductor-in-conduit heat source is further configurable to heat a section of ώe relatively permeable foimation during use.
4783. The method of claim 4782, farther comprising providing heat from the conductor-in-conduit heat source of the desύed length to at least a portion ofthe formation.
4784. The method of claim 4782, further comprising pyrolyzing at least some hydrocarbons in a selected section ofthe formation.
4785. The method of claim 4782, farther comprising producύig a mixture from a selected section ofthe formation.
4786. The method of claim 4782, wherein the conductor and ώe conduit comprise stainless steel.
4787. The method of claύn 4782, wherein the conduit comprises stainless steel.
4788. The method of claύn 4782, wherein the heat source is configurable to be removed from the formation.
4789. The method of claim 4782, further comprising providing a reducing gas during welding.
4790. The method of claim 4782, wherein the reducing gas comprises molecular hydrogen.
4791. The meώod of claim 4782, further comprising providing a reducing gas during welding such ώat welding occurs in an envύonment comprising less than about 25 % reducing gas by volume.
4792. The method of claύn 4782, further comprising providing a reducing gas during welding such that welding occurs in an envύonment comprising about 10 % reducing gas by volume.
4793. A system configurable to heat a relatively permeable fonnation, comprisύig: a conduit configurable to be placed within an opening in the formation; a conductor configurable to be placed within the conduit, wherein ώe conductor is further configurable to provide heat to at least a portion ofthe formation during use, and wherein the conductor comprises at least two conductor sections coupled by shielded active gas welding; and wherein the system is configurable to allow heat to fransfer from the conductor to a section of ώe formation during use.
4794. The system of claun 4793 , wherein the conduit comprises at least two conduit sections coupled by shielded active gas welding.
4795. The system of claύn 4793, wherein the system is further configurable to allow at least some hydrocarbons to pyrolyze in the heated section of ώe formation during use.
4796. The system of claύn 4793, wherein the system is configured to heat a relatively permeable fonnation, and wherein the system comprises: a conduit configured to be placed withύi an opening in the formation; a conductor configured to be placed within the conduit, wherein the conductor is further configured to provide heat to at least a portion ofthe formation during use, and wherein the conductor comprises at least two conductor sections coupled by shielded active gas welding; and wherein the system is configured to allow heat to transfer from the conductor to a section ofthe formation during use.
4797. The system of claim 4793 , wherein the system heats a relatively permeable formation, and wherein the system comprises: a conduit placed withύi an opening in the formation; a conductor placed wiώin the conduit, wherein the conductor provides heat to at least a portion ofthe fonnation during use, and wherein the conductor comprises at least two conductor sections coupled by shielded active gas welding; and wherein the system allows heat to transfer from the conductor to a section ofthe formation during use.
4798. The system of claim 4793, wherein ώe conductor-in-conduit heat source is configurable to be removed from ώe formation.
4799. A method for installύig a heat source of a desύed lengώ in a relatively permeable formation, comprising: assembling a heat source of a desύed length, wherein the assembling of ώe heat source ofthe desύed length is performed at a location proximate ώe relatively permeable formation; coiling the heat source ofthe desfred length after forming ώe heat source; and placing the heat source ofthe desύed length in an openύig in a relatively permeable formation, wherein placing the heat source in ώe openύig comprises uncoiling the heat source while placing the heat source in the opening.
4800. The method of claύn 4799, whereύi the heat source is configurable to heat a section ofthe relatively penneable formation.
4801. The method of claim.4800, wherein the heat pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons in the section of ώe formation during use.
4802. The method of claim 4799, further comprising couplύig at least one substantially low resistance conductor to ώe heat source ofthe desfred length, wherein at least one substantially low resistance conductor is configured to be placed in an overburden of ώe foimation.
4803. The method of claύn 4802, farther comprising coupling at least one additional substantially low resistance conductor to at least one substantially low resistance conductor.
4804. The method of claim 4802, further comprising coupling at least one additional substantially low resistance conductor to at least one substantially low resistance conductor, wherein coupling at least one additional substantially low resistance conductor to at least one substantially low resistance conductor comprises coupling a threaded end of at least one additional substantially low resistance conductor to a threaded end of at least one substantially low resistance conductor.
4805. The method of claim 4802, further comprising coupling at least one additional substantially low resistance conductor to at least one substantially low resistance conductor, wherein couplmg at least one additional substantially low resistance conductor to at least one substantially low resistance conductor comprises welding at least one additional substantially low resistance conductor to at least one substantially low resistance conductor.
4806. The method of claim 4799, further comprising transporting the heat source ofthe desύed length on a cart or train from an assembly location to the openύig in the relatively permeable foimation.
4807. The method of claύn 4806, wherein the cart or frain can be further used to fransport more than one heat source to more ώan one opening in the relatively permeable foimation.
4808. The method of claim 4806, wherein the heat source is configurable to removable from the openύig.
4809. A meώod for installing a heat source of a desired length in a relatively permeable fonnation, comprising: assembling a heat source of a desύed length, wherein the assembling of ώe heat source ofthe desύed length is performed at a location proximate the relatively permeable formation; coiling the heat source ofthe desύed length after forming ώe heat source; placing the heat source ofthe desύed length in an openύig in a relatively permeable formation, wherein placing the heat source in ώe openύig comprises uncoiling ώe heat source while placing the heat source in the openύig; and wherein the heat source is configurable to be removed from ώe opening.
4810. The method of claim 4809, whereύi the heat source is configurable to heat a section ofthe relatively permeable foimation.
4811. The method of claim 4810, wherein the heat pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons in the section ofthe formation during use.
4812. The meώod of claim 4809, further comprising coupling at least one substantially low resistance conductor to ώe heat source ofthe desύed length, wherein at least one substantially low resistance conductor is configured to be placed in an overburden of ώe fonnation.
4813. The method of claim 4812, further comprising coupling at least one additional substantially low resistance conductor to at least one substantially low resistance conductor.
4814. The method of claύn 4812, farther comprising coupling at least one additional substantially low resistance conductor to at least one substantially low resistance conductor, wherein coupling at least one additional substantially low resistance conductor to at least one substantially low resistance conductor comprises coupling a threaded end of at least one additional substantially low resistance conductor to a threaded end of at least one substantially low resistance conductor.
4815. The method of claim 4812, further comprising coupling at least one additional substantially low resistance conductor to at least one substantially low resistance conductor, wherein coupling at least one additional substantially low resistance conductor to at least one substantially low resistance conductor comprises welding at least one additional substantially low resistance conductor to at least one substantially low resistance conductor.
4816. The method of claim 4809, farther comprising fransporting the heat source ofthe desύed length on a cart or train from an assembly location to ώe openύig in the relatively permeable fonnation.
4817. The method of claim 4809, wherein removing the heat source comprises recoiling the heat source.
4818. The method of claim 4809, wherein the heat source can be removed from ώe opening and installed in an alternate opening in the formation.
4819. A system configurable to heat a relatively permeable formation, comprising: a conduit configurable to be placed within an openύig in the formation; a conductor configurable to be placed wiώin a conduit, whereύi ώe conductor is further configurable to provide heat to at least a portion of ώe formation during use; an electtically conductive material configurable to be coupled to at least a portion ofthe conductor, wherein the electrically conductive material is configurable to lower an electrical resistance ofthe conductor in the overburden durύig use; and wherein the system is conflgurable to allow heat to fransfer from the conductor to a section ofthe formation during use.
4820. The system of claim 4819, farther comprising an electrically conductive material configmable to be coupled to at least a portion of an inside surface ofthe conduit.
4821. The system of claim 4819, farther comprising a substantially low resistance conductor configurable to be electrically coupled to ώe conductor and the electrically conductive material during use, wherein the substantially low resistance conductor is further configurable to be placed withύi an overbmden ofthe formation.
4822. The system of claim 4821, whereύi the low resistance conductor comprises carbon steel.
4823. The system of claim 4819, wherein ώe electtically conductive material comprises metal tubing configurable to be clad to the conductor.
4824. The system of claim 4819, wherein the electtically conductive material comprises an elecfrically conductive coatύig configurable to be applied to ώe conductor.
4825. The system of claim 4819, wherein the electrically conductive material comprises a thermal plasma applied coatύig.
4826. The system of claim 4819, wherein tae electrically conductive material is conflgurable to be sprayed on the conductor.
4827. The system of claim 4819, wherein ώe electtically conductive material comprises aluminum.
4828. The system of claim 4819, wherein the electtically conductive material comprises copper.
4829. The system of claim 4819, wherein ώe electrically conductive material is configurable to reduce the elecfrical resistance ofthe conductor in tae overburden by a factor of greater than about 3.
4830. The system of claim 4819, wherein the elecfrically conductive material is configurable to reduce ώe electrical resistance ofthe conductor in ώe overburden by a factor of greater than about 15.
4831. The system of claim 4819, wherein the system is further configurable to allow at least some hydrocarbons to pyrolyze in the heated section ofthe formation during use.
4832. The system of claim 4819, wherein ώe system is configured to heat a relatively permeable formation, and wherein the system comprises: a conduit configured to be placed withύi an openmg in the formation; a conductor configured to be placed within a conduit, wherein the conductor is further configured to provide heat to at least a portion of ώe formation during use; an elecfrically conductive material configured to be coupled to ώe conductor, wherein ώe elecfrically conductive material is further configured to lower an elecfrical resistance ofthe conductor in the overburden during use; and wherein the system is configured to allow heat to fransfer from the conductor to a section ofthe formation during use.
4833. The system of claim 4819, wherein the system heats a relatively permeable formation, and wherein the system comprises: a conduit placed withύi an openύig in ώe foimation; a conductor placed within a conduit, wherein the conductor is provides heat to at least a portion ofthe formation during use; an elecfrically conductive material coupled to the conductor, wherein the electrically conductive material lowers an electrical resistance ofthe conductor in ώe overburden during use; and wherein the system allows heat to transfer from the conductor to a section ofthe formation during use.
4834. An in sita method for heating a relatively permeable foimation, comprising: applying an electrical current to a conductor to provide heat to at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein the conductor is placed in a conduit, and whereύi the conduit is placed in an openύig in the formation, and wherein the conductor is coupled to an elecfrically conductive material; and allowing ώe heat to transfer from the conductor to a section ofthe foimation.
4835. The method of claύn 4834, wherein the electrically conductive material comprises copper.
4836. The method of claim 4834, farther comprising coupling an electrically conductive material to an inside surface of ώe conduit.
4837. The method of claύn 4834, wherein the electrically conductive material comprises metal tabing clad to the substantially low resistance conductor.
4838. The method of claim 4834, wherein the electrically conductive material reduces an elecfrical resistance of the substantially low resistance conductor in the overburden.
4839. The method of claύn 4834, further comprising pyrolyzing at least some hydrocarbons withύi the formation.
4840. A system configurable to heat a relatively permeable formation, comprising: a conduit configurable to be placed withύi an openύig in the formation; a conductor configurable to be placed wiώin a conduit, wherein the conductor is further configurable to provide heat to at least a portion of ώe formation during use, and wherein the conductor has been freated to increase an emissivity of at least a portion of a surface ofthe conductor; and wherein the system is configurable to allow heat to fransfer from the conductor to a section ofthe formation during use.
4841. The system of claύn 4840, wherein at least a portion of ώe surface ofthe conductor has been roughened to increase the emissivity ofthe conductor.
4842. The system of claim 4840, whereύi the conductor has been heated to a temperature above about 750 °C in an oxidizing fluid atmosphere to increase the emissivity of at least a portion ofthe surface ofthe conductor.
4843. The system of claύn 4840, wherein the conduit has been freated to increase an emissivity of at least a portion ofthe surface ofthe conduit.
4844. The system of claim 4840, further comprising an electrically insulative, thennally conductive coatύig coupled to the conductor.
4845. The system of claim 4844, wherein ώe electrically insulative, ώermally conductive coating is configurable to electtically insulate the conductor from ώe conduit.
4846. The system of claim 4844, wherein the electrically insulative, thermally conductive coating inhibits emissivity ofthe conductor from decreasing.
4847. The system of claύn 4844, wherein the elecfrically insulative, ώermally conductive coatύig substantially increases an emissivity ofthe conductor.
4848. The system of claim 4844, wherein the electrically insulative, thermally conductive coating comprises silicon oxide.
4849. The system of claim 4844, wherein ώe electtically insulative, thermally conductive coating comprises aluminum oxide.
4850. The system of claim 4844, wherein ώe electrically insulative, ώermally conductive coatύig comprises refractive cement.
4851. The system of claim 4844, wherein the electrically insulative, ώermally conductive coatύig is sprayed on ώe conductor.
4852. The system of claύn 4840, wherein the system is further configurable to allow at least some hydrocarbons to pyrolyze in the heated section of ώe formation durύig use.
4853. The system of claim 4840, wherein ώe system is configured to heat a relatively permeable formation, and wherein the system comprises : a conduit configured to be placed within an openύig in the formation; a conductor configured to be placed within a conduit, wherein ώe conductor is further configured to provide heat to at least a portion ofthe formation during use, and wherein the conductor has been treated to increase an emissivity of at least a portion of a surface ofthe conductor; and
wherein the system is configured to allow heat to fransfer from the conductor to a section ofthe formation durύig use.
4854. The system of claύn 4840, wherein the system heats a relatively permeable formation, and wherein the system comprises: a conduit placed within an openύig in the formation; a conductor placed withύi a conduit, wherein the conductor provides heat to at least a portion ofthe fonnation dming use, and wherein the conductor has been treated to increase an emissivity of at least a portion of a surface ofthe conductor; and wherein the system allows heat to transfer from the conductor to a section of ώe formation during use.
4855. A heat source conflgurable to heat a relatively permeable formation, comprising: a conduit configurable to be placed within an opening hi the formation; and a conductor configurable to be placed wiώin a conduit, wherein ώe conductor is further configurable to provide heat to at least a portion ofthe formation during use, and wherein the conductor has been freated to increase an emissivity of at least a portion of a surface ofthe conductor.
4856. The heat source of claim 4855, wherein at least a portion ofthe surface ofthe conductor has been roughened to increase the emissivity ώe conductor.
4857. The heat source of claim 4855, wherein the conductor has been heated to a temperature above about 750 °C in an oxidizing fluid atmosphere to increase tae emissivity of at least at least a portion ofthe surface ofthe conductor.
4858. The heat source of claim 4855, whereiα the conduit has been treated to increase an emissivity of at least a portion ofthe surface ofthe conduit.
4859. The heat source of claim 4855, further comprising an elecfrically insulative, thermally conductive coating placed on the conductor.
4860. The heat source of claim 4859, where n the electrically insulative, ώermally conductive coatύig is configurable to electrically insulate the conductor from the conduit.
4861. The heat source of claim 4859, wherein the electrically insulative, ώermally conductive coating substantially maintains an emissivity ofthe conductor.
4862. The heat source of claim 4859, wherein the electrically insulative, ώermally conductive coatύig substantially increases an emissivity ofthe conductor.
4863. The heat source of claim 4859, wherein the elecfrically insulative, thermally conductive coating comprises silicon oxide.
4864. The heat source of claim 4859, wherein the electrically insulative, thermally conductive coating comprises aluminum oxide.
4865. The heat source of claim 4859, wherein the electrically insulative, thermally conductive coatύig comprises refractive cement.
4866. The heat source of claim 4859, wherein the electrically insulative, thermally conductive coating is sprayed on the conductor.
4867. The heat source of claim 4855, wherein the conductor is further configurable to provide heat to at least a portion ofthe fonnation dming use such that at least some hydrocarbons pyrolyze in the heated section ofthe formation durύig use.
4868. The heat source of claim 4855, whereύi the heat source is configured to heat a relatively permeable formation, and wherein the system comprises: a conduit configured to be placed withύi an opening in the formation; a conductor configured to be placed withύi a conduit, wherein ώe conductor is further configured to provide heat to at least a portion of ώe formation during use, and wherein the conductor has been freated to increase an emissivity of at least a portion of a surface ofthe conductor.
4869. The heat source of claim 4855, wherein the heat source heats a relatively permeable formation, and wherein the system comprises: a conduit placed within an openύig in the formation; a conductor placed withύi a conduit, wherein ώe conductor provides heat to at least aportion ofthe foimation, and wherein the conductor has been freated to increase an emissivity of at least a portion of a surface of ώe conductor.
4870. A method for formmg an increased emissivity conductor-in-conduit heat source, comprising: treating a surface of a conductor to increase an emissivity of at least the surface ofthe conductor; placing the conductor within a conduit to form a conductor-in-conduit heat source; and wherein the conductor-in-conduit heat source is configurable to heat a relatively permeable formation.
4871. The method of claim 4870, wherein freatύig the surface ofthe conductor comprises roughening at least a portion of ώe surface ofthe conductor.
4872. The method of claύn 4870, wherein treating the surface ofthe conductor comprises heating the conductor to a temperature above about 750 °C in an oxidizing fluid atmosphere.
4873. The method of claim 4870, further comprising treating a surface ofthe conduit to increase an emissivity of at least a portion ofthe surface ofthe conduit.
4874. The method of claim 4870, farther comprising placing ώe conductor-in-conduit heat source of ώe desύed length in an openύig in a relatively permeable formation.
4875. The method of claύn 4870, further comprising assembling a conductor-in-conduit heat source of a desύed lengώ, the assembling comprising: coupling the conductor-in-conduit heat source to at least one additional conductor-in-conduit heat source to form a conductor-in-conduit heat source of a desύed length, wherein the conductor is electrically coupled to the conductor of at least one additional conductor-in-conduit heat source and the conduit is elecfrically coupled to ώe conduit of at least one additional conductor-in-conduit heat source; coiling the conductor-in-conduit heat source ofthe desύed length after forming the heat source; and placing the conductor-in-conduit heat source ofthe desfred length in an opening in a relatively permeable foimation.
4876. The method of claim 4870, wherein ώe conductor-in-conduit heat source is configurable to heat to a section ofthe relatively permeable foimation, and wherein the heat pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons in the section ofthe foimation during use.
4877. A system configurable to heat a relatively permeable foimation, comprising: a heat source configurable to be placed in an opening in the formation, wherein ώe heat source is further configurable to provide heat to at least a portion ofthe formation during use; an expansion mechanism configurable to be coupled to the heat source, wherein the expansion mechanism is configurable to allow for movement ofthe heat source during use; and wherein the system is configurable to allow heat to transfer to a section of ώe foimation during use.
4878. The system of claύn 4877, wherein ώe expansion mechanism is configurable to allow for expansion ofthe heat source during use.
4879. The system of claύn 4877, wherein the expansion mechanism is configurable to allow for contraction of the heat source during use.
4880. The system of claύn 4877, wherein the expansion mechanism is configurable to allow for expansion of at least one component ofthe heat source during use.
4881. The system of claim 4877, wherein the expansion mechanism is conflgurable to allow for expansion and contraction ofthe heat source within a wellbore during use.
4882. The system of claim 4877, wherein the expansion mechanism comprises spring loading.
4883. The system of claim 4877, whereύi ώe expansion mechanism comprises an accordion mechanism.
4884. The system of claim 4877, whereiα the expansion mechanism is configurable to be coupled to a bottom of the heat source.
4885. The system of claim 4877, wherein the heat source is configurable to allow at least some hydrocarbons to pyrolyze in the heated section ofthe formation during use.
4886. The system of claύn 4877, wherein the system is configured to heat.a relatively permeable formation, and wherein the system comprises : a heat source configured to be placed in an openύig in ώe foimation, wherein ώe heat source is further configured to provide heat to at least a portion ofthe fonnation during use; an expansion mechanism configured to be coupled to ώe heat source, wherein the expansion mechanism is configured to allow for movement ofthe heat source during use; and whereiα the system is configured to allow heat to transfer to a section ofthe foimation during use.
4887. The system of claim 4877, wherein ώe system heats a relatively permeable formation, and wherein the system comprises: a heat source placed in an opening in the formation, wherein the heat source provides heat to at least a portion of ώe formation during use; an expansion mechanism coupled to ώe heat source, wherein the expansion mechanism allows for movement ofthe heat source during use; and wherein the system allows heat to transfer to a section ofthe formation during use.
4888. The system of claim 4877, wherein the heat source is removable.
4889. A system configurable to provide heat to a relatively permeable formation, comprisύig: a conduit positionable in at least a portion of an openύig in the foimation, wherein a first end of ώe openύig contacts an earth surface at a first location, and wherein a second end ofthe opening contacts the earth surface at a second location; and an oxidizer configurable to provide heat to a selected section ofthe formation by fransfening heat through ώe conduit.
4890. The system of claim 4889, wherein heat from the oxidizer pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons in the selected section.
4891. The system of claim 4889, wherein the conduit is positioned in the opening.
4892. The system of claim 4889, wherein ώe oxidizer is positionable in the conduit.
4893. The system of claim 4889, wherein the oxidizer is positioned in the conduit, and wherein the oxidizer is configured to heat the selected section.
4894. The system of claim 4889, wherein the oxidizer comprises a ring burner.
4895. The system of claim 4889, wherein ώe oxidizer comprises an inline burner.
4896. The system of claim 4889, wherein the oxidizer is configurable to provide heat in the conduit.
4897. The system of claim 4889, further comprising an annulus formed between a wall ofthe conduit and a wall ofthe opening.
4898. The system of claύn 4889, whereύi the oxidizer comprises a first oxidizer and a second oxidizer, and further comprising an annulus formed between a wall ofthe conduit and a wall of ώe openύig, wherein the second oxidizer is positionable in the annulus.
4899. The system of claim 4898, wherein the first oxidizer is configurable to provide heat in the conduit, and wherein the second oxidizer is configurable to provide heat outside ofthe conduit.
4900. The system of claim 4898, wherein heat provided by the first oxidizer transfers in the first conduit in a dύection opposite of heat provided by the second oxidizer.
4901. The system of claim 4898, wherein heat provided by the first oxidizer fransfers in the first conduit in a same dύection as heat provided by the second oxidizer.
4902. The system of claύn 4889, whereύi the oxidizer is configurable to oxidize fael to generate heat, and further comprising a recycle conduit configurable to recycle at least some ofthe fael in the conduit to a fael source.
4903. The system of claim 4889, wherein ώe oxidizer comprises a first oxidizer positioned in ώe conduit and a second oxidizer positioned in an annulus formed between a wall of ώe conduit and a wall of ώe opening, wherein the oxidizers are configmable to oxidize fael to generate heat, and further comprising:
a first recycle conduit configurable to recycle at least some ofthe fael in ώe conduit to the second oxidizer; and a second recycle conduit conflgurable to recycle at least some ofthe fael in the annulus to the first oxidizer.
4904. The system of claim 4889, further comprising insulation positionable proximate the oxidizer.
4905. An in situ method for heating a relatively permeable formation, comprisύig: providύig heat to a conduit positioned in an opening in the formation, wherein a first end of ώe opening contacts an earth surface at a first location, and wherein a second end of ώe opening contacts ώe earth surface at a second location; and allowing ώe heat in the conduit to transfer through the openύig and to a surrounding portion ofthe formation.
4906. The method of claim 4905, further comprising: providing fael to an oxidizer; oxidizing at least some ofthe fael; and allowing oxidation products to migrate through the opening, wherein the oxidation products comprise heat.
4907. The method of claύn 4906, wherein the fael is provided to ώe oxidizer proxύnate the first location, and wherein the oxidation products migrate towards ώe second location.
4908. The method of claim 4905, wherein the oxidizer comprises a ring burner.
4909. The method of claim 4905, wherein the oxidizer comprises an inline burner.
4910. The method of claύn 4905, further comprising recycling at least some fael in the conduit.
4911. A system configurable to provide heat to a relatively permeable fonnation, comprising: a conduit positionable in an openύig in the foimation, wherein a first end ofthe opening contacts an earth surface at a first location, wherein a second end ofthe opening contacts the earth surface at a second location; an annulus formed between a wall of ώe conduit and a wall ofthe openύig; and a oxidizer configurable to provide heat to a selected section ofthe formation by transferring heat through the annulus.
4912. The system of claύn 4911 , whereύi heat from the oxidizer pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons in the selected section.
4913. The system of claim 4911 , whereύi the conduit is positioned in the openύig.
4914. The system of claim 4911, wherein the oxidizer comprises a first oxidizer and a second oxidizer, wherein ώe second oxidizer is positioned in the conduit, and wherein the second oxidizer is configured to heat ώe selected section.
4915. The system of claim 4911 , wherein the oxidizer comprises a ring burner.
4916. The system of claύn 4911 , wherein the oxidizer comprises an inline burner.
4917. The system of claim 4914, wherein heat provided by the first oxidizer transfers in the first conduit in a dύection opposite of heat provided by the second oxidizer.
4918. The system of claim 4911 , wherein the oxidizer is configurable to oxidize fael to generate heat, and further comprising a recycle conduit configmable to recycle at least some ofthe fuel in the conduit to a fael source.
4919. The system of claim 4911 , further comprising insulation positionable proximate the oxidizer.
4920. The system of claύn 4911 , wherein the conduit is positioned in ώe opening.
4921. The system of claύn 4911 , wherein the oxidizer is positioned in the annulus, and whereύi the oxidizer is configured to heat ώe selected section.
4922. The system of claim 4911 , whereύi the oxidizer comprises a first oxidizer and a second oxidizer.
4923. The system of claim 4922, whereύi heat provided by the first oxidizer ttansfers through the opening in a dύection opposite of heat provided by ώe second oxidizer.
4924. The system of claim 4911, wherein the oxidizer is configurable to oxidize fael to generate heat, and farther comprising a recycle conduit configmable to recycle at least some ofthe fael in the annulus to a fael source.
4925. The system of claim 4911 , further comprising insulation positionable proximate ώe oxidizer.
4926. The system of claim 4922, wherein ώe first oxidizer and the second oxidizer comprise oxidizers, and wherein a first mixture of oxidation products generated by the first oxidizer flows countercunent to a second mixture of oxidation products generated by the second heater.
4927. The system of claim 4922, wherein ώe first heater and ώe second heater comprise oxidizers, wherein fael is oxidized by the oxidizers to generate heat, and further comprising a first recycle conduit to recycle fuel in the first conduit proximate the second location to ώe second conduit.
4928. The system of claim 4922, whereύi the first oxidizer and the second oxidizer comprise oxidizers, wherein fael is oxidized by the oxidizers to generate heat, and farther comprising a second recycle conduit to recycle fael in the second conduit proximate the first location to the first conduit.
4929. The system of claim 4911, further comprising a casing, wherein ώe conduit is positionable in the casύig.
4930. The system of claύn 4911, wherein the oxidizer comprises a first oxidizer positioned in the annulus and a second oxidizer positioned in the conduit, wherein ώe oxidizers are configurable to oxidize fael to generate heat, and further comprising: a first recycle conduit conflgurable to recycle at least some of ώe fael in the annulus to the second oxidizer; and a second recycle conduit configurable to recycle at least some ofthe fael in the conduit to the first oxidizer.
4931. An in sita meώod for heating a relatively permeable formation, comprisύig: providing heat to an annulus formed between a wall of an openύig in the formation and a wall of a conduit in the opening, wherein a first end ofthe opening contacts an earth surface at a first location, and wherein a second end of ώe opening contacts the earth surface at a second location; and allowing the heat in the annulus to transfer through the opening and to a surrounding portion ofthe formation.
4932. The method of claύn 4931, further comprising: providing fael to an oxidizer; oxidizing at least some ofthe fael; and allowing oxidation products to migrate through the opening, wherein the oxidation products comprise heat.
4933. The method of claim 4932, wherein the fael is provided ώe oxidizer proximate the first location, and wherein the oxidation products migrate towards ώe second location.
4934. The method of claim 4931, wherein the oxidizer comprises a ring burner.
4935. The method of claim 4931 , wherem the oxidizer comprises an inline burner.
4936. The method of claύn 4931 , farther comprising recycling at least some fael in the conduit.
4937. A system configurable to provide heat to a relatively permeable formation, comprising: a first conduit positionable in an opening in the formation, wherein a first end of ώe opening contacts an earth surface at a first location, wherein a second end ofthe opening contacts ώe earth surface at a second location; a second conduit positionable in ώe openύig;
a first oxidizer configurable to provide heat to a selected section ofthe formation by transferring heat through the first conduit; and a second oxidizer configurable to provide heat to the selected section ofthe formation by fransfening heat through the second conduit..
4938. The system of claύn 4937, wherein the first oxidizer is positionable in the first conduit.
4939. The system of claim 4937, wherein ώe second oxidizer is positionable in the second conduit.
4940. The system of claim 4937, further comprising a casing positionable in the openύig.
4941. The system of claim 4937, wherein at least a portion ofthe second conduit is positionable in the first conduit, and further comprising an annulus formed between a wall of ώe first conduit and a wall ofthe second conduit.
4942. The system of claύn 4937, wherein a portion of ώe second conduit is positionable proxύnate a portion of ώe ffrst conduit.
4943. The system of claim 4937, whereύi the first oxidizer or ώe second oxidizer provide heat to at least a portion ofthe fonnation.
4944. The system of claύn 4937, wherein the first oxidizer and ώe second oxidizer provide heat to at least a portion ofthe formation concunently.
4945. The system of claim 4937, wherein the first oxidizer is positioned in ώe first conduit, whereύi the second oxidizer is positioned in the second conduit, wherein the first oxidizer and ώe second oxidizer comprise oxidizers, and wherein a first flow of oxidation products from the first oxidizer flows in a dύection opposite of a second flow of oxidation products from ώe second oxidizer.
4946. The system of claim 4937, further comprising: a first recycle conduit configurable to recycle at least some ofthe fael in the first conduit to the second oxidizer; and a second recycle conduit configurable to recycle at least some of ώe fael in the second conduit to the first oxidizer.
4947. An in sita method for heating a relatively permeable foimation, comprising: providing heat to a first conduit positioned in an openύig in tae formation, wherein a first end ofthe opening contacts an earth surface at a first location, and wherein a second end ofthe openύig contacts the earth surface at a second location;
providing heat to a second conduit positioned in the opening in the foimation; allowing the heat in the first conduit to fransfer through the opening and to a surrounding portion ofthe formation; and allowing ώe heat in ώe second conduit to fransfer through the opening and to a surrounding portion ofthe formation;
4948. The method of claim 4947, whereύi providing heat to the first conduit comprises providing fuel to an oxidizer.
4949. The method of claim 4947, wherein providύig heat to the second conduit comprises providύig fael to an oxidizer.
4950. The method of claim 4947, wherein the first fael is provided to ώe first conduit proximate the first location, and wherein ώe second fael is provided to the second conduit proximate the second location.
4951. The method of claύn 4947, wherein the first oxidizer or the second oxidizer comprises a ring burner.
4952. The method of claim 4947, wherein the first oxidizer or ώe second oxidizer an inline burner.
4953. The method of claim 4947, farther comprising:
ttansferring heat tlirough the first conduit in a first dύection; and ttansferring heat in ώe second conduit in a second direction.
4954. The method of claim 4947, farther comprising recycling at least some fuel in the first conduit to ώe second conduit; and recycling at least some fael in the second conduit to the first conduit.
4955. A system configurable to provide heat to a relatively permeable formation, comprising: a first conduit positionable in an opening in the formation, wherein a first end of ώe opening contacts an earth surface at a first location, wherein a second end of ώe openύig contacts the earth surface at a second location; a second conduit positionable in ώe first conduit; and at least one surface unit configurable to provide heat to the first conduit.
4956. The system of claim 4955, wherein the surface unit comprises a furnace.
4957. The system of claim 4955, wherein the surface unit comprises a burner.
4958. The system of claim 4955, wherein at least one surface unit is configurable to provide heat to the second conduit.
4959. The system of claύn 4958, whereύi ώe first conduit and the second conduit provide heat to at least a portion ofthe foimation.
4960. The system of claim 4958, wherein the first conduit provides heat to at least a portion ofthe formation.
4961. The system of claim 4958, wherein ώe second conduit provides heat to at least a portion of ώe foimation.
4962. The system of claim 4955, further comprising a casύig positionable in the openύig.
4963. The method of claύn 4955, wherein the ffrst conduit and the second conduit are concentric.
4964. An in sita method for heating a relatively permeable formation, comprising: heating a fluid usύig at least one surface unit; providing the heated fluid to a first conduit wherein a portion ofthe first conduit is positioned in an openύig in the formation, wherein a first end ofthe opening contacts an earth smface at a first location, and wherein a second end ofthe openύig contacts the earth surface at a second location; allowing ώe heated fluid to flow into a second conduit, wherein ώe ffrst conduit is positioned wiώin the second conduit; and allowing heat from the first and second conduit to transfer to a portion ofthe formation.
4965. The meώod of claύn 4964, further comprising providing additional heat to ώe heated fluid using at least one surface unit proxύnate the second location.
4966. The method of claύn 4964, wherein ώe fluid comprises an oxidizing fluid.
4967. The method of claim 4964, wherein the fluid comprises aύ.
4968. The method of claim 4964, wherein ώe fluid comprises flue gas.
4969. The method of claim 4964, wherem the fluid comprises steam.
4970. The method of claim 4964, wherein the fluid comprises fael.
4971. The method of claim 4964, further comprising compressing the fluid prior to heating.
4972. The method of claύn 4964, whereύi tae surface unit comprises a furnace.
4973. The method of claim 4964, wherein the surface unit comprises an indύect furnace.
4974. The method of claύn 4964, whereύi the surface unit comprises a burner.
4975. The method of claim 4964, whereύi the first conduit and the second conduit are concentric.
4976. A system configurable to provide heat to a relatively permeable formation, comprising: a conduit positionable in at least a portion of an opening in the fonnation, wherein a first end ofthe opening contacts an earth surface at a first location, and wherein a second end ofthe opening contacts the earth surface at a second location; and at least two oxidizers configurable to provide heat to a portion ofthe foimation.
4977. The system of claim 4976, wherein heat from the oxidizers pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons in the selected section.
4978. The system of claim 4976, wherein ώe conduit comprises a fael conduit.
4979. The system of claim 4976, wherein at least one oxidizer is positionable proximate the conduit.
4980. The system of claim 4976, whereύi at least one oxidizer comprises a ring burner.
4981. The system of claim 4976, wherein at least one oxidizer comprises an inline burner.
4982. The system of claim 4976, farther comprising insulation positionable proximate at least one oxidizer.
4983. The system of claim 4976, further comprising a casing comprising ύisulation proxύnate at least one oxidizer.
4984. An in situ method for heating a relatively permeable formation, comprising: providing fael to a conduit positioned in an opening in the formation, wherein a first end of ώe opening contacts an earth surface at a first location, and wherein a second end ofthe openύig contacts the earth surface at a second location; providing an oxidizing fluid to the openύig; oxidizύig fael in at least one oxidizer positioned proximate the conduit; and allowing heat to fransfer to a portion of ώe formation.
4985. The method of claύn 4984, further comprising providing steam to the conduit.
4986. The method of claim 4984, further comprising inhibiting coking wiώin the conduit.
4987. The method of claύn 4984, wherein the oxidizing fluid comprises aύ.
4988. The meώod of claim 4984, wherein the oxidizing fluid comprises oxygen.
4989. The method of claim 4984, further comprising allowing oxidation products to exit the opening proximate the second location.
4990. The method of claim 4984, wherein the fael is provided to proximate the first location, and wherein the oxidation products migrate towards the second location.
4991. The method of claim 4984, wherein the oxidizer comprises a ring burner.
4992. The method of claim 4984, wherein the oxidizer comprises an inline burner.
4993. The method of claim 4984, further comprising recycling at least some fael in the conduit.
4994. The method of claim 4984, wherein the openύig comprises a casing and further comprising insulating a portion ofthe casύig proximate at least one oxidizer.
4995. The method of claim 4984, further comprising at least two oxidizers, wherein the oxidizers are positioned about 30 m apart.
4996. A system configurable to provide heat to a relatively permeable formation, comprising: a conduit positionable in at least a portion of an openύig in the foimation, whereiα a first end ofthe openύig contacts an earth surface at a first location, and wherein a second end ofthe opening contacts the earth smface at a second location; and an oxidizύig fluid source configurable to provide an oxidizύig fluid to a reaction zone ofthe formation.
4997. The system of claim 4996, wherein ώe conduit comprises a conductor and wherein the conductor is configured to generate heat during application of an electrical current to ώe conduit.
4998. The system of claύn 4996, wherein ώe conduit comprises a low resistance conductor and whereύi at least some ofthe low resistance conductor is positionable in an overburden.
4999. The system of claim 4996, wherein the oxidizing fluid source is configurable to provide at least some oxidiz ig fluid to ώe conduit at ώe first location and at ώe second location.
5000. The system of claύn 4996, wherein ώe openύig is configurable to allow products of oxidation to be produced from the foimation.
5001. The system of claim 4996, wherein the oxidizing fluid reacts with at least some hydrocarbons and wherein the oxidizing fluid source is conflgurable to provide at least some oxidizing fluid to ώe first location and to ώe second location.
5002. The system of claύn 4996, wherein ώe heat source is configurable to heat a reaction zone ofthe selected section to a temperature sufficient to support reaction of hydrocarbons in the selected section with an oxidizing fluid.
5003. The system of claim 5002, wherein the heat source is configurable to provide an oxidizing fluid to tae selected section of ώe foimation to generate heat durύig use.
5004. The system of claim 5002, whereύi ώe generated heat ttansfers to a pyrolysis zone of ώe formation.
5005. The system of claim 4996, further comprising an oxidizύig fluid source configurable to provide an oxidizing fluid to the heat source, and wherein the conduit is configurable to provide the oxidizύig fluid to ώe selected section of ώe foimation during use.
5006. The system of claύn 4996, wherein ώe conduit comprises a low resistance conductor and a conductor, and wherein the conductor is further configured to generate heat durύig application of an electrical cunent to ώe conduit.
5007. An in sita metaod for heating a relatively permeable formation, comprising: providing an electrical current to a conduit positioned in an openύig in ώe formation; allowing heat to fransfer from ώe conduit to a reaction zone of ώe formation; providing at least some oxidizύig fluid to the conduit; allowing the oxidizύig fluid to ttansfer from the conduit to the reaction zone in the formation; allowing the oxidizύig fluid to oxidize at least some hydrocarbons in the reaction zone to generate heat; and allowing at least some ofthe generated heat to fransfer to a pyrolysis zone in the formation.
5008. The method of claύn 5007, wherein at least a portion of ώe conduit is configured to generate heat during application ofthe elecfrical current to the conduit.
5009. The method of claim 5007, farther comprising: providing at least some oxidizing fluid to ώe conduit proximate a first end ofthe conduit; providing at least some oxidizing fluid to the conduit proximate a second end ofthe conduit; and wherein the first end ofthe conduit is positioned at a first location on a surface ofthe formation and wherein the second end ofthe conduit is positioned at a second location on the surface.
5010. The metliod of claim 5007, further comprising allowing the oxidizύig fluid to move out ofthe conduit through orifices positioned on the conduit.
5011. The method of claim 5007, further comprising removing products of oxidation through the opening during use.
5012. The method of claim 5007, wherein a first end ofthe opening is positioned at a first location on a smface ofthe foimation and wherein a second end ofthe opening is positioned at a second location on the surface.
5013. The method of claim 5007, further comprising heatύig the reaction zone to a temperature sufficient to support reaction of hydrocarbons wiώ an oxidizing fluid.
5014. The method of claύn 5007, further comprising controlling a flow rate ofthe oxidizing fluid into tae foimation.
5015. The method of claύn 5007, further comprising confrolling a temperature in the pyrolysis zone.
5016. The method of claim 5007, further comprising removύig products from oxidation through an openύig in tae formation during use.
5017. A method for freating a relatively permeable foimation in sita, comprisύig: providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation; allowing the heat to fransfer from the one or more heat sources to a first section ofthe foimation such that ώe heat from the one or more heat somces pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons withύi the first section; and producing a mixture through a second section ofthe formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises at least some pyrolyzed hydrocarbons from the first section, and wherein the second section comprises a higher permeability than ώe first section.
5018. The method of claim 5017, wherein the heat provided from at least one heat source is fransferred to ώe foimation substantially by conduction.
5019. The method of claύn 5017, wherein the mixture is produced from the formation when a partial pressure of hydrogen in at least a portion ώe formation is at least about 0.5 bars absolute.
5020. The method of claim 5017, whereύi at least one heat source comprises a heater.
5021. The method of claim 5017, further comprising increasing permeability withύi the second section by allowing heat to transfer from the one or more heat sources to the second section.
5022. The method of claim 5017, wherein the second section has a higher permeability than ώe first section before providing heat to the formation.
5023. The method of claim 5017, wherein the second section comprises an average permeability thickness product of greater than about 100 millidarcy feet.
5024. The method of claim 5017, wherein the ffrst section comprises an initial average permeability thickness product of less than about 10 millidarcy feet.
5025. The method of claim 5017, wherein the second section comprises an average permeability thickness product that is at least twice an initial average permeability thickness product of ώe first section.
5026. The method of claim 5017, wherein the second section comprises an average permeability thickness product ώat is at least ten tunes an initial average penneability thickness product of ώe first section.
5027. The method of claύn 5017, wherein the one or more heat sources are placed within at least one uncased wellbore in the formation.
5028. The method of claim 5027, further comprising allowing at least some hydrocarbons from the first section to propagate tlirough at least one uncased wellbore into ώe second section.
5029. The method of claim 5027, farther comprising producing at least some hydrocarbons through at least one uncased wellbore.
5030. The method of claim 5017, further comprising forming one or more fractures that propagate between the first section and the second section.
5031. The method of claim 5030, further comprising allowύig at least some hydrocarbons from the first section to propagate through the one or more fractures into ώe second section.
5032. The method of claύn 5017, farther comprising producing the mixture from the formation tlirough a production well placed in the second section.
5033. The method of claim 5017, further comprising producing the mixture from the formation through a production well placed in the first section and the second section.
5034. The method of claim 5017, farther comprising inhibiting fracturing of a section ofthe formation that is substantially adjacent to an envύonmentally sensitive area.
5035. The method of claim 5017, further comprising producing at least some hydrocarbons through the second section to maintaύi a pressure in the formation below a lithostatic pressure ofthe foimation.
5036. The method of claim 5017, further comprising producing at least some hydrocarbons through a production well placed in the first section.
5037. The method of claύn 5017, farther comprising pyrolyzing at least some hydrocarbons within the second section.
5038. The method of claύn 5017, wherein the first section and ώe second section are substantially adj acent.
5039. The method of claύn 5017, farther comprising allowing migration of fluids between the first second and the second section.
5040. The method of claim 5017, wherein at least one heat source has a thickness of a conductor that is adjusted to provide more heat to the first section than the second section.
5041. A method for treating a relatively permeable formation in situ, comprising: providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion of ώe foimation, wherein one or more of such heat sources is placed within at least one uncased wellbore in ώe formation; allowύig ώe heat to transfer from the one or more heat sources to a first section ofthe formation such that ώe heat from the one or more heat sources pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons wiώin the first section; and producing a mixture through a second section ofthe formation, wherein the produced mixture comprises at least some pyrolyzed hydrocarbons from the first section, and whereύi the second section comprises a higher permeability than the first section.
5042. The method of claim 5041, farther comprising allowύig at least some hydrocarbons from the first section to propagate tlirough at least one uncased wellbore into the second section.
5043. The method of claim 5041, farther comprising producing at least some hydrocarbons through at least one uncased wellbore.
5044. A method of using a computer system for modeling an in sita process for freating a relatively permeable formation, comprising: providing at least one property ofthe formation to the computer system; providing at least one operatmg condition ofthe process to the computer system, wherein the in sita process comprises providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least one portion ofthe formation, and wherein the in sita process comprises allowing the heat to ttansfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe fonnation; and
assessing at least one process characteristic ofthe in situ process using a sύnulation method on the computer system, and using at least one property ofthe formation and at least one operating condition.
5045. The method of claύn 5044, wherein at least one process characteristic is assessed as function of time.
5046. The method of claim 5044, wherein the simulation method is a body-fitted finite difference simulation method.
5047. The method of claim 5044, whereύi the simulation method is a space-fitted finite difference simulation method.
5048. The method of claύn 5044, wherein the simulation meώod is a reservoύ sύnulation method.
5049. The method of claim 5044, wherein the sύnulation method simulates heat ttansfer by conduction.
5050. The meώod of claim 5044, wherein ώe simulation method simulates heat ttansfer by convection.
5051. The method of claύn 5044, wherein the simulation method simulates heat transfer by radiation.
5052. The meώod of claύn 5044, wherein the simulation method simulates heat fransfer in a near wellbore region.
5053. The method of claim 5044, whereύi the simulation method assesses a temperature distribution in the fonnation.
5054. The method of claim 5044, wherein at least one property ofthe formation comprises one or more materials from the formation.
5055. The method of claύn 5054, wherein one material comprises mineral matter.
5056. The method of claim 5054, wherein one material comprises organic matter.
5057. The method of claύn 5044, whereύi at least one property ofthe formation comprises one or more phases.
5058. The meώod of claύn 5057, whereύi one phase comprises a water phase.
5059. The method of claim 5057, whereύi one phase comprises an oil phase.
5060. The method of claύn 5059, whereύi the oil phase comprises one or more components.
5061. The method of claim 5057, wherein one phase comprises a gas phase.
5062. The method of claim 5061, wherein the gas phase comprises one or more components.
5063. The method of claim 5044, wherein at least one property ofthe foimation comprises a porosity ofthe formation.
5064. The method of claim 5044, wherein at least one property of ώe foimation comprises a permeability ofthe formation.
5065. The method of claim 5064, wherein the permeability depends on ώe composition of ώe foimation.
5066. The method of claύn 5044, wherein at least one property ofthe formation comprises a saturation of ώe formation.
5067. The method of claim 5044, wherein at least one property ofthe formation comprises a density of ώe formation.
5068. The method of claim 5044, wherein at least one property of ώe formation comprises a thermal conductivity ofthe formation.
5069. The method of claim 5044, wherein at least one property of ώe fonnation comprises a volumetric heat capacity ofthe foimation.
5070. The method of claύn 5044, wherein at least one property of ώe foimation comprises a compressibility of ώe formation.
5071. The method of claύn 5044, wherein at least one property of ώe foimation comprises a composition of ώe formation.
5072. The method of claύn 5044, wherein at least one property of ώe foimation comprises a thickness ofthe formation.
5073. The method of claύn 5044, wherein at least one property of ώe formation comprises a depth ofthe formation.
5074. The method of claim 5044, wherein at least one property comprises one or more chemical components.
5075. The method of claim 5074, wherein one component comprises a pseudo-component.
5076. The method of claim 5044, wherein at least property comprises one or more kinetic parameters.
5077. The method of claim 5044, wherein at least one property comprises one or more chemical reactions.
5078. The method of claim 5077, wherein a rate of at least one chemical reaction depends on a pressure ofthe formation.
5079. The method of claim 5077, wherein a rate of at least one chemical reaction depends on a temperature ofthe fonnation.
5080. The method of claύn 5077, whereύi at least one chemical reaction comprises a pre-pyrolysis water generation reaction.
5081. The method of claύn 5077, wherein at least one chemical reaction comprises a hydrocarbon generating reaction.
5082. The method of claύn 5077, whereύi at least one chemical reaction comprises a coking reaction.
5083. The method of claim 5077, wherein at least one chemical reaction comprise a cracking reaction.
5084. The method of claύn 5077, whereύi at least one chemical reaction comprises a synthesis gas reaction.
5085. The method of claim 5044, wherein at least one process characteristic comprises an API gravity of produced fluids.
5086. The method of claim 5044, whereύi at least one process characteristic comprises an olefin content of produced fluids.
5087. The method of claύn 5044, whereύi at least one process characteristic comprises a carbon number disttibution of produced fluids.
5088. The method of claim 5044, wherein at least one process characteristic comprises an ethene to ethane ratio of produced fluids.
5089. The method of claim 5044, wherein at least one process characteristic comprises an atomic carbon to hydrogen ratio of produced fluids.
5090. The method of claύn 5044, wherein at least one process characteristic comprises a ratio of non- condensable hydrocarbons to condensable hydrocarbons of produced fluids.
5091. The method of claim 5044, wherein at least one process characteristic comprises a pressure in the formation
5092. The method of claim 5044, wherein at least one process characteristic comprises total mass recovery from the formation.
5093. The method of claim 5044, wherein at least one process characteristic comprises a production rate of fluid produced from the formation.
5094. The method of claύn 5044, whereύi at least one operating condition comprises a pressure.
5095. The method of claim 5044, wherein at least one operating condition comprises a temperature.
5096. The method of claim 5044, wherein at least one operating condition comprises a heatύig rate.
5097. The method of claύn 5044, wherein at least one operating condition comprises a process time.
5098. The method of claim 5044, wherein at least one operating condition comprises a location of producer wells.
5099. The method of claim 5044, wherein at least one operatmg condition comprises an orientation of producer wells.
5100. The method of claύn 5044, wherein at least one operating condition comprises a ratio of producer wells to heater wells.
5101. The method of claim 5044, wherein at least one operating condition comprises a spacing between heater wells.
5102. The method of claim 5044, wherein at least one operating condition comprises a distance between an overburden and horizontal heater wells.
5103. The method of claύn 5044, wherein at least one operating condition comprises a pattern of heater wells.
5104. The method of claύn 5044, wherein at least one operating condition comprises an orientation of heater wells.
5105. A method of using a computer system for modeling an in sita process for tteating a relatively permeable foimation, comprising:
simulating a heat input rate to the formation from two or more heat sources on the computer system, wherein heat is allowed to transfer from the heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation; providing at least one desύed parameter ofthe in sita process to the computer system; and confrolling the heat input rate from ώe heat somces to achieve at least one desired parameter.
5106. The method of claim 5105, wherein the heat is allowed to ttansfer from the heat sources substantially by conduction.
5107. The method of claim 5105, wherein the heat input rate is simulated with a body-fitted finite difference sύnulation meώod.
5108. The method of claim 5105, wherein simulating the heat input rate from two or more heat sources comprises simulating a model of one or more heat sources with symmetry boundary conditions.
5109. The method of claύn 5105, wherein supeφosition of heat from the two or more heat sources pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within ώe selected section of ώe formation.
5110. The method of claim 5105, wherein at least one desύed parameter comprises a selected process characteristic.
5111. The method of claim 5105, wherein at least one desύed parameter comprises a selected temperature.
5112. The method of claim 5105, wherein at least one desύed parameter comprises a selected heatύig rate.
5113. The method of claim 5105, wherein at least one desfred parameter comprises a desired product mixture produced from the foimation.
5114. The method of claύn 5105, wherein at least one desfred parameter comprises a desύed product mixture produced from the foimation, and wherein ώe desired product mixture comprises a selected composition.
5115. The meώod of claim 5105, wherein at least one desύed parameter comprises a selected pressure.
5116. The meώod of claim 5105, wherein at least one desfred parameter comprises a selected heating tune.
5117. The method of claύn 5105, whereύi at least one desfred parameter comprises a market parameter.
5118. The method of claύn 5105, whereύi at least one desfred parameter comprises a price of cmde oil.
5119. The method of claim 5105, wherein at least one desfred parameter comprises an energy cost.
5120. The method of claύn 5105, wherein at least one desύed parameter comprises a selected molecular hydrogen to carbon monoxide volume ratio.
5121. A meώod of using a computer system for modeling an ύi sita process for freating a relatively permeable formation, comprising: providing at least one heat input property to the computer system; assessing heat injection rate data for ώe formation using a first simulation method on the computer system; providing at least one property of ώe formation to the computer system; assessing at least one process characteristic ofthe in sita process from ώe heat ύijection rate data and at least one property ofthe formation using a second sύnulation method; and wherein the in sita process comprises providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least one portion ofthe formation, and wherein the in sita process comprises allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section of ώe formation
5122. The method of clahn 5121, wherein at least one process characteristic is assessed as a function of time.
5123. The method of claim 5121, wherein assessing heat injection rate data comprises simulating heating ofthe foimation.
5124. The method of claim 5121, wherein the heating is controlled to obtain a desfred parameter.
5125. The method of claύn 5121, wherein determining at least one process characteristic comprises simulating heatύig ofthe formation.
5126. The method of claim 5125, wherein ώe heating is controlled to obtain a desired parameter.
5127. The method of claύn 5121, wherein the first simulation method is a body-fitted finite difference simulation method.
5128. The method of claύn 5121, wherein the second simulation method is a space-fitted finite difference simulation meώod.
5129. The method of claύn 5121, whereύi ώe second sύnulation method is a reservoir simulation method.
5130. The meώod of claim 5121, wherein the first simulation method simulates heat transfer by conduction.
5131. The method of claύn 5121, whereύi the first simulation meώod simulates heat fransfer by convection.
5132. The method of claύn 5121, wherein the first simulation method simulates heat ttansfer by radiation.
5133. The method of claύn 5121, wherein the second simulation method simulates heat transfer by conduction.
5134. The method of claim 5121, wherein the second sύnulation method simulates heat transfer by convection.
5135. The method of claύn 5121, wherein the first simulation method simulates heat fransfer in a near wellbore region.
5136. The method of claim 5121, wherein the first simulation method detennύies a temperature distribution in ώe formation.
5137. The method of claim 5121, wherein at least one heat input property comprises a property of tae foimation.
5138. The meώod of claim 5121, wherein at least one heat input property comprises a heat ttansfer property.
5139. The method of claim 5121, wherein at least one heat input property comprises an initial property ofthe formation.
5140. The method of claύn 5121, whereύi at least one heat input property comprises a heat capacity.
5141. The method of claim 5121, wherein at least one heat input property comprises a thermal conductivity.
5142. The method of claim 5121, wherein the heat ύijection rate data comprises a temperature disttibution withύi the formation.
5143. The method of claim 5121, wherein the heat ύij ection rate data comprises a heat input rate.
5144. The method of claim 5143, where n the heat input rate is controlled to maintaύi a specified maximum temperature at a point in the formation.
5145. The method of claύn 5121, wherein the heat ύijection rate data comprises heat flux data.
5146. The method of claim 5121, wherein at least one property of ώe formation comprises one or more materials in ώe foimation.
5147. The method of claim 5146, wherein one material comprises mineral matter.
5148. The method of claim 5146, wherein one material comprises organic matter.
5149. The method of claim 5121, wherein at least one property ofthe foimation comprises one or more phases.
5150. The method of claim 5149, whereύi one phase comprises a water phase.
5151. The method of claύn 5149, wherein one phase comprises an oil phase.
5152. The method of claim 5151, whereύi the oil phase comprises one or more components.
5153. The method of claim 5149, whereύi one phase comprises a gas phase.
5154. The method of claim 5153, wherein the gas phase comprises one or more components.
5155. The method of claim 5121, whereύi at least one property of ώe formation comprises a porosity of ώe foimation.
5156. The method of claim 5121, wherein at least one property ofthe formation comprises a permeability ofthe foimation.
5157. The method of claim 5156, wherein the permeability depends on ώe composition ofthe formation.
5158. The method of claim 5121, whereύi at least one property of ώe fonnation comprises a saturation of ώe foimation.
5159. The method of claύn 5121, whereύi at least one property of ώe foimation comprises a density ofthe foimation.
5160. The method of claim 5121, wherein at least one property ofthe formation comprises a thermal conductivity ofthe formation.
5161. The method of claim 5121, wherein at least one property of the foimation comprises a volumetric heat capacity ofthe formation.
5162. The method of claim 5121, wherein at least one property ofthe formation comprises a compressibility of the formation.
5163. The meώod of claim 5121, wherein at least one property ofthe formation comprises a composition ofthe formation.
5164. The method of claύn 5121, wherein at least one property ofthe formation comprises athickness ofthe formation.
5165. The method of claim 5121, wherein at least one property of the foimation comprises a depώ of the formation.
5166. The method of claim 5121, wherein at least one property ofthe formation comprises one or more chemical components.
5167. The method of claim 5166, wherein at least one chemical component comprises a pseudo-component.
5168. The method of claim 5121, whereύi at least one property of ώe formation comprises one or more kinetic parameters.
5169. The method of claim 5121, whereύi at least one property of ώe formation comprises one or more chemical reactions.
5170. The method of claim 5169, wherein a rate of at least one chemical reaction depends on a pressure ofthe formation.
5171. The method of claim 5169, wherein a rate of at least one chemical reaction depends on a temperature of ώe formation.
5172. The method of claim 5169, whereύi at least one chemical reaction comprises a pre-pyrolysis water generation reaction.
5173. The method of claim 5169, wherein at least one chemical reaction comprises a hydrocarbon generating reaction.
5174. The method of claim 5169, whereύi at least one chemical reaction comprises a coking reaction.
5175. The method of claim 5169, wherein at least one chemical reaction comprises a crackύig reaction.
5176. The method of claim 5169, wherein at least one chemical reaction comprises a synthesis gas reaction.
5177. The method of claύn 5121, wherein at least one process characteristic comprises an API gravity of produced fluids.
5178. The method of clahn 5121, whereύi at least one process characteristic comprises an olefin content of produced fluids.
5179. The method of claim 5121, wherein at least one process characteristic comprises a carbon number distribution of produced fluids.
5180. The method of claim 5121, wherein at least one process characteristic comprises an ethene to ethane ratio of produced fluids.
5181. The method of claim 5121, wherein at least one process characteristic comprises an atomic carbon to hydrogen ratio of produced fluids.
5182. The method of claim 5121, wherein at least one process characteristic comprises a ratio of non- condensable hydrocarbons to condensable hydrocarbons of produced fluids.
5183. The method of claim 5121, wherein at least one process characteristic comprises a pressure in ώe formation.
5184. The method of claim 5121, wherein at least one process characteristic comprises a total mass recovery from ώe formation.
5185. The method of claim 5121, wherein at least one process characteristic comprises a production rate of fluid produced from the formation.
5186. The meώod of claim 5121, further comprising: assessing modified heat injection rate data using the first simulation meώod at a specified time ofthe second sύnulation method based on at least one heat input property ofthe formation at the specified time; assessing at least one process characteristic ofthe in situ process as a function of time from ώe modified heat injection rate data and at least one property ofthe formation at the specified time usmg the second sύnulation method.
5187. A method of usύig a computer system for modeling an in sita process for treating a relatively permeable formation, comprising: providing one or more model parameters for the in sita process to the computer system; assessing one or more simulated process characteristics based on one or more model parameters using a sύnulation method; modifying one or more model parameters such that at least one simulated process characteristic matches or approximates at least one real process characteristic; assessing one or more modified simulated process characteristics based on the modified model parameters; and
wherein the in sita process comprises providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least one portion ofthe formation, and wherein the in situ process comprises allowing the heat to fransfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation.
5188. The method of claύn 5187, further comprising using the simulation method wiώ the modified model parameters to determine at least one operating condition ofthe in sita process to achieve a desύed parameter.
5189. The method of claim 5187, wherein the simulation method comprises a body-fitted finite difference simulation meώod.
5190. The method of claύn 5187, wherein the simulation method comprises a space-fitted finite difference simulation method.
5191. The method of claim 5187, whereύi the sύnulation meώod comprises a reservoύ simulation method.
5192. The method of claύn 5187, whereύi the real process characteristics comprise process characteristics obtained from laboratory experiments ofthe in sita process.
5193. The meώod of claύn 5187, whereύi the real process characteristics comprise process characteristics obtained from field test experiments ofthe in sita process.
5194. The method of claim 5187, further comprising comparing the simulated process characteristics to the real process characteristics as a function of time.
5195. The method of claim 5187, further comprising associating differences between the simulated process characteristics and the real process characteristics wiώ one or more model parameters.
5196. The method of claim 5187, whereύi at least one model parameter comprises a chemical component.
5197. The method of claim 5187, wherein at least one model parameter comprises a kinetic parameter.
5198. The method of claim 5197, whereύi the kinetic parameter comprises an order of a reaction.
5199. The method of claύn 5197, wherein the kinetic parameter comprises an activation energy.
5200. The method of claim 5197, wherein ώe kinetic parameter comprises a reaction enώalpy.
5201. The method of claύn 5197, whereύi the kinetic parameter comprises a frequency factor.
5202. The method of claim 5187, whereύi at least one model parameter comprises a chemical reaction.
5203. The method of claύn 5202, whereύi at least one chemical reaction comprises a pre-pyrolysis water generation reaction.
5204. The method of claim 5202, wherein at least one chemical reaction comprises a hydrocarbon generating reaction.
5205. The method of claim 5202, wherein at least one chemical reaction comprises a coking reaction.
5206. The method of claim 5202, where i at least one chemical reaction comprises a crackύig reaction.
5207. The method of claim 5202, wherein at least one chemical reaction comprises a synthesis gas reaction.
5208. The method of claύn 5187, whereύi one or more model parameters comprise one or more properties.
5209. The method of claύn 5187, whereύi at least one model parameter comprises a relationship for ώe dependence of a property on a change in conditions in the foimation.
5210. The method of claim 5187, wherein at least one model parameter comprises an expression for the dependence of porosity on pressure in the formation.
5211. The method of claim 5187, wherein at least one model parameter comprises an expression for the dependence of permeability on porosity.
5212. The method of claim 5187, wherein at least one model parameter comprises an expression for ώe dependence of thermal conductivity on composition ofthe formation.
5213. A meώod of using a computer system for modeling an in sita process for tteating a relatively permeable formation, comprising: assessing at least one operating condition ofthe in sita process using a sύnulation method based on one or more model parameter; modifying at least one model parameter such that at least one simulated process characteristic ofthe in sita process matches or approximates at least one real process characteristic of ώe in sita process; assessing one or more modified simulated process characteristics based on the modified model parameters; and wherein the in sita process comprises providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least one portion ofthe formation, and wherein the in sita process comprises allowing the heat to ttansfer from the one or more heat somces to a selected section ofthe formation
5214. The method of claim 5213, whereui at least one operating condition is assessed to achieve at least one desύed parameter.
5215. The meώod of claim 5213 , whereύi the real process characteristic comprises a process characteristic from a field test ofthe in situ process.
5216. The method of claim 5213, wherein the simulation method comprises a body-fitted finite difference simulation meώod.
5217. The meώod of claim 5213, whereύi the sύnulation method comprises a space-fitted finite difference simulation method.
5218. The method of claύn 5213 , wherein the simulation method comprises a reservofr sύnulation method.
5219. A method of modeling a process of treating a relatively permeable formation in sita using a computer system, comprisύig: providύig one or more model parameters to ώe computer system; assessing one or more first process characteristics based on the one or more model parameters using a first simulation method on the computer system; assessing one or more second process characteristics based on one or more model parameters using a second simulation method on ώe computer system; modifying one or more model parameters such that at least one first process characteristic matches or approximates at least one second process characteristic; and wherein the in sita process comprises providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least one portion of ώe formation, and wherein the in sita process comprises allowing the heat to fransfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section of ώe formation.
5220. The method of claim 5219, further comprising assessing one or more ώύd process characteristics based on the one or more modified model parameters using the second sύnulation method.
5221. The method of claύn 5219, whereύi modifying one or more model parameters such that at least one first process characteristic matches or approximates at least one second process characteristic further comprises: assessing at least one set of first process characteristics based on at least one set of modified model parameters using ώe first sύnulation method; and assessing the set of modified model parameters ώat results in at least one first process characteristic ώat matches or approximates at least one second process characteristic.
5222. The method of claim 5219, wherein the first sύnulation method comprises a body-fitted finite difference simulation method.
5223. The method of claim 5219, wherein the second simulation method comprises a space-fitted finite difference simulation method.
5224. The method of claim 5219, wherein at least one first process characteristic comprises a process characteristic at a shaφ interface in ώe formation.
5225. The method of claim 5219, wherein at least one first process characteristic comprises a process characteristic at a combustion front in the formation.
5226. The method of claim 5219, wherein modifying the one or more model parameters comprises changing the order of a chemical reaction.
5227. The method of claim 5219, wherein modifyύig the one or more model parameters comprises adding one or more chemical reactions.
5228. The method of claύn 5219, wherein modifyύig the one or more model parameters comprises changing an activation energy.
5229. The method of claim 5219, wherein modifying the one or more model parameters comprises changing a frequency factor.
5230. A method of using a computer system for modeling an in sita process for freating a relatively permeable formation, comprising: providing to the computer system one or more values of at least one operating condition ofthe in sita process, wherein the in situ process comprises providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least one portion ofthe formation, and wherein the in situ process comprises allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section of ώe formation; assessing one or more values of at least one process characteristic conesponding to one or more values of at least one operating condition using a simulation method; providύig a desired value of at least one process characteristic for the in situ process to ώe computer system; and assessing a desired value of at least one operating condition to achieve the desύed value of at least one process characteristic from the assessed values of at least one process characteristic and the provided values of at least one operating condition.
5231. The method of claύn 5230, farther comprising operating the in situ system using the desύed value of at least one operating condition.
5232. The method of claim 5230, wherein the process comprises providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least one portion of ώe fonnation.
5233. The method of claim 5230, wherein the process comprises allowing heat to fransfer from one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation.
5234. The method of claim 5230, wherein a value of at least one process characteristic comprises the process characteristic as a function of tune.
5235. The method of claim 5230, further comprising determining a value of at least one process characteristic based on ώe desύed value of at least one operating condition using the sύnulation method.
5236. The method of claim 5230, wherein determining the desfred value of at least one operating condition comprises inteφolatύig ώe desύed value from the determined values of at least one process characteristic and ώe provided values of at least one operating condition.
5237. A method of usύig a computer system for modeling an in sita process for tteating a relatively permeable formation, comprising: providing a desύed value of at least one process characteristic for the in sita process to the computer system, wherein the in sita process comprises providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least one portion o the foimation, and wherein the in sita process comprises allowing tae heat to fransfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section of ώe foimation; and assessing a value of at least one operating condition to achieve the desύed value of at least one process characteristic, wherein such assessing comprises using a relationship between at least one process characteristic and at least one operating condition for ώe in sita process, wherein such relationship is stored on a database accessible by the computer system.
5238. The method of claim 5237, farther comprising operatmg the in sita system usύig the desύed value of at least one operating condition.
5239. The method of claύn 5237, wherein the process comprises providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least one portion of ώe formation.
5240. The method of claύn 5237, wherein the process comprises providing heat to transfer from one or more heat sources to a selected section of ώe formation.
5241. The meώod of claύn 5237, wherein the relationship is determined from one or more simulations ofthe in situ process using a sύnulation method.
5242. The method of claim 5237, wherein the relationship comprises one or more values of at least one process characteristic and corresponding values of at least one operating condition.
5243. The method of claim 5237, wherein the relationship comprises an analytical function.
5244. The method of claim 5237, wherein determining ώe value of at least one operating condition comprises inteφolating the value of at least one operating condition from the relationship.
5245. The meώod of claim 5237, wherein at least one process characteristic comprises a selected composition of produced fluids.
5246. The method of claim 5237, wherein at least one operating condition comprises a pressure.
5247. The method of claim 5237, wherein at least one operating condition comprises a heat input rate.
5248. A system, comprising: a CPU; a data memory coupled to ώe CPU; and a system memory coupled to the CPU, wherein ώe system memory is configured to store one or more computer programs executable by ώe CPU, and wherein the computer programs are executable to implement a method of usύig a computer system for modeling an in sita process for freating a relatively penneable formation, the method comprising: providing at least one property of ώe foimation to the computer system; providing at least one operating condition of ώe process to the computer system, wherein the in situ process comprises providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least one portion of ώe formation, and wherein the in sita process comprises allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe foimation; and assessing at least one process characteristic ofthe in situ process using a simulation method on the computer system, and usύig at least one property ofthe formation and at least one operating condition.
5249. A canier medium comprising program instructions, wherein ώe program instructions are computer- executable to implement a method comprisύig: providύig at least one property of ώe formation to ώe computer system; providing at least one operating condition of ώe process to the computer system, wherein the in sita process comprises providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least one portion ofthe formation, and wherein the in situ process comprises allowing tae heat to transfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation; and assessing at least one process characteristic ofthe in sita process using a simulation method on the computer system, and using at least one property of ώe formation and at least one operating condition.
5250, A system, comprising: a CPU; a data memory coupled to the CPU; and a system memory coupled to the CPU, wherein the system memory is configured to store one or more computer programs executable by the CPU, and wherein the computer programs are executable to implement a meώod of using a computer system for modeling an in sita process for treating a relatively permeable formation, the method comprising: simulating a heat input rate to the formation from two or more heat sources on the computer system, wherein heat is allowed to ttansfer from ώe heat somces to a selected section ofthe formation; providing at least one desύed parameter ofthe in situ process to the computer system; and controlling ώe heat input rate from the heat sources to achieve at least one desired parameter.
5251. A carrier medium comprising program instructions, wherein the program instructions are computer- executable to implement a method comprising: simulating a heat input rate to ώe formation from two or more heat somces on the computer system, wherein heat is allowed to fransfer from the heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation; providing at least one desύed parameter ofthe in situ process to the computer system; and controlling the heat input rate from the heat sources to achieve at least one desfred parameter.
5252. A system, comprisύig: a CPU; a data memory coupled to ώe CPU; and a system memory coupled to the CPU, wherein the system memory is configured to store one or more computer programs executable by the CPU, and wherein the computer programs are executable to implement a method of using a computer system for modeling an in situ process for treating a relatively permeable formation, ώe meώod comprising: providing at least one heat input property to ώe computer system; assessing heat injection rate data for the formation usύig a first simulation method on the computer system; providing at least one property of ώe foimation to the computer system; assessing at least one process characteristic ofthe in sita process from tae heat ύijection rate data and at least one property ofthe formation using a second sύnulation method; and wherein the in sita process comprises providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least one portion ofthe formation, and wherein the in situ process comprises allowing the heat to ttansfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section of ώe formation
5253. A carrier medium comprising program instructions, wherein ώe program instructions are computer- executable to implement a method comprising: providing at least one heat input property to ώe computer system; assessing heat injection rate data for the formation using a first simulation method on the computer system; providing at least one property of ώe foimation to the computer system;
assessing at least one process characteristic ofthe in sita process from tae heat injection rate data and at least one property ofthe formation using a second sύnulation method; and wherein the in situ process comprises providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least one portion of ώe formation, and wherein the in situ process comprises allowing the heat to transfer from ώe one or more heat sources to a selected section of ώe foimation
5254. A system, comprising: a CPU; a data memory coupled to ώe CPU; and a system memory coupled to the CPU, wherein ώe system memory is configured to store one or more computer programs executable by the CPU, and wherein the computer programs are executable to implement a meώod of using a computer system for modeling an in sita process for tteating a relatively permeable formation, the method comprising: providing one or more model parameters for the in situ process to ώe computer system; assessing one or more simulated process characteristics based on one or more model parameters using a simulation method; modifyύig one or more model parameters such that at least one simulated process characteristic matches or approximates at least one real process characteristic; assessing one or more modified simulated process characteristics based on the modified model parameters; and wherein the in sita process comprises providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least one portion of ώe formation, and wherein ώe in sita process comprises allowing tae heat to transfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation.
5255. A carrier medium comprising program instructions, wherein ώe program instructions are computer- executable to implement a method comprising: providing one or more model parameters for ώe in situ process to ώe computer system; assessing one or more simulated process characteristics based on one or more model parameters using a simulation method; modifying one or more model parameters such that at least one simulated process characteristic matches or approximates at least one real process characteristic; assessing one or more modified simulated process characteristics based on the modified model parameters; and wherein the in situ process comprises providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least one portion of ώe foimation, and wherein ώe in situ process comprises allowing the heat to fransfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation.
5256. A system, comprising: a CPU; a data memory coupled to ώe CPU; and
a system memory coupled to ώe CPU, wherein the system memory is configured to store one or more computer programs executable by ώe CPU, and wherein ώe computer programs are executable to implement a meώod of using a computer system for modeling an in sita process for freating a relatively permeable formation, the method comprising: assessing at least one operating condition ofthe in sita process using a simulation method based on one or more model parameter; modifying at least one model parameter such that at least one simulated process characteristic ofthe in sita process matches or approximates at least one real process characteristic ofthe in situ process; assessing one or more modified simulated process characteristics based on the modified model parameters; and wherein the in situ process comprises providing heat from one or more heat somces to at least one portion ofthe formation, and wherein the in situ process comprises allowing tae heat to transfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section of ώe formation simulated process characteristics based on the modified model parameters.
5257. A carrier medium comprising program instructions, wherein ώe program instructions are computer- executable to implement a method comprising: assessing at least one operating condition ofthe in sita process using a sύnulation meώod based on one or more model parameter; modifying at least one model parameter such ώat at least one simulated process characteristic of ώe in situ process matches or approximates at least one real process characteristic ofthe in situ process; assessing one or more modified simulated process characteristics based on ώe modified model parameters; and wherein the in sita process comprises providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least one portion ofthe formation, and wherein the in situ process comprises allowing ώe heat to transfer from ώe one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe foimation
5258. A system, comprising: a CPU; a data memory coupled to ώe CPU; and a system memory coupled to ώe CPU, wherein ώe system memory is configured to store one or more computer programs executable by ώe CPU, and wherein ώe computer programs are executable to implement a method of usύig a computer system for modeling an in sita process for treating a relatively permeable formation, ώe method comprising: providing one or more model parameters to ώe computer system; assessing one or more first process characteristics based on one or more model parameters using a first simulation meώod on the computer system; assessing one or more second process characteristics based on one or more model parameters using a second simulation method on ώe computer system;
modifymg one or more model parameters such that at least one first process characteristic matches or approximates at least one second process characteristic; and wherem the in situ process comprises providing heat from one or more heat somces to at least one portion ofthe formation, and wherein the in sita process comprises allowing the heat to fransfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section of ώe formation
5259. A carrier medium comprising program instructions, wherein the program instructions are computer- executable to implement a method comprising: providing one or more model parameters to ώe computer system; assessing one or more first process characteristics based on one or more model parameters usύig a first simulation method on the computer system; assessing one or more second process characteristics based on one or more model parameters using a second simulation method on the computer system; modifying one or more model parameters such that at least one first process characteristic matches at least one second process characteristic; and wherein the in sita process comprises providing heat from one or more heat somces to at least one portion ofthe formation, and wherein ώe in situ process comprises allowing the heat to ttansfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation.
5260. A system, comprising: a CPU; a data memory coupled to ώe CPU; and a system memory coupled to the CPU, wherein the system memory is configured to store one or more computer programs executable by the CPU, and wherein the computer programs are executable to implement a meώod of using a computer system for modeling an in sita process for tteating a relatively permeable foimation, ώe method comprising: providing to the computer system one or more values of at least one operating condition of ώe in sita process, wherein the in sita process comprises providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least one portion ofthe foimation, and wherein the in sita process comprises allowing tae heat to fransfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section of ώe formation; assessing one or more values of at least one process characteristic conesponding to one or more values of at least one operating condition using a sύnulation method; providύig a desύed value of at least one process characteristic for the in sita process to the computer system; and assessing a desύed value of at least one operatmg condition to achieve the desired value of at least one process characteristic from the assessed values of at least one process characteristic and the provided values of at least one operatmg condition.
5261. A carrier medium comprising program instructions, wherein the program instructions are computer- executable to implement a method comprising:
providύig to ώe computer system one or more values of at least one operating condition ofthe in sita process, wherein the in sita process comprises providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least one portion of ώe formation, and wherem the in sita process comprises allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation; assessing one or more values of at least one process characteristic conespondύig to one or more values of at least one operating condition using a sύnulation method; providing a desύed value of at least one process characteristic for ώe in situ process to the computer system; and assessing a desύed value of at least one operating condition to achieve the desύed value of at least one process characteristic from e assessed values of at least one process characteristic and the provided values of at least one operating condition.
5262. A system, comprising: a CPU; a data memory coupled to the CPU; and a system memory coupled to the CPU, wherein ώe system memory is configured to store one or more computer programs executable by the CPU, and wherein ώe computer programs are executable to implement a method of usύig a computer system for modeling an in sita process for freating a relatively permeable foimation, the meώod comprising: providing a desired value of at least one process characteristic for the in situ process to the computer system, wherein the in sita process comprises providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least one portion of ώe foimation, and wherein the in sita process comprises allowing the heat to ttansfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section of ώe formation; and assessing a value of at least one operatmg condition to achieve ώe desύed value of at least one process characteristic, wherein such assessmg comprises using a relationship between at least one process characteristic and at least one operating condition for the in sita process, wherein such relationship is stored on a database accessible by the computer system.
5263. A canier medium comprising program instructions, wherein the program instructions are computer- executable to implement a method comprising: providing a desired value of at least one process characteristic for ώe in situ process to the computer system, wherein the in situ process comprises providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least one portion of ώe foimation, and wherein the in situ process comprises allowing ώe heat to fransfer from ώe one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation; and assessing a value of at least one operating condition to achieve the desύed value of at least one process characteristic, wherein such assessing comprises using a relationship between at least one process characteristic and at least one operating condition for the in situ process, wherein such relationship is stored on a database accessible by the computer system.
5264. A method of using a computer system for operating an in sita process for treating a relatively permeable formation, comprising: operating the in situ process using one or more operating parameters, wherein the in situ process comprises providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least one portion ofthe formation, and wherein the in sita process comprises allowing the heat to ttansfer from the one or more heat somces to a selected section ofthe formation; providing at least one operating parameter ofthe in sita process to the computer system; and using at least one parameter with a simulation meώod and ώe computer system to provide assessed information about the in situ process.
5265. The method of claim 5264, wherein one or more ofthe operating parameters comprise a thickness of a treated portion of ώe formation.
5266. The method of claim 5264, wherein one or more ofthe operating parameters comprise an area of a treated portion of the formation.
5267. The method of claύn 5264, wherein one or more ofthe operating parameters comprise a volume of a treated portion of ώe formation.
5268. The method of claύn 5264, wherein one or more ofthe operating parameters comprise a property of ώe formation.
5269. The method of claim 5264, wherein one or more ofthe operating parameters comprise a heat capacity of the formation.
5270. The method of claύn 5264, whereui one or more ofthe operating parameters comprise a permeability of ώe foimation.
5271. The method of claim 5264, wherein one or more ofthe operating parameters comprise a density ofthe formation.
5272. The meώod of claim 5264, wherein one or more ofthe operating parameters comprise a thermal conductivity ofthe foimation.
5273. The method of claim 5264, wherein one or more ofthe operating parameters comprise a porosity of ώe formation.
5274. The method of claύn 5264, wherein one or more ofthe operating parameters comprise a pressure.
5275. The method of claim 5264, whereύi one or more ofthe operatmg parameters comprise a temperature.
5276. The method of claim 5264, wherein one or more ofthe operating parameters comprise a heating rate.
5277. The method of claim 5264, whereύi one or more ofthe operating parameters comprise a process time.
5278. The method of claim 5264, whereύi one or more o the operating parameters comprises a location of producer wells.
5279. The method of claύn 5264, whereύi one or more ofthe operating parameters comprise an orientation of producer wells.
5280. The method of claύn 5264, whereύi one or more ofthe operating parameters comprise a ratio of producer wells to heater wells.
5281. The method of claim 5264, whereύi one or more ofthe operating parameters comprise a spacing between heater wells.
5282. The method of claim 5264, whereύi one or more ofthe operating parameters comprise a distance between an overburden and horizontal heater wells.
5283. The method of claim 5264, whereύi one or more ofthe operating parameters comprise a type of pattern of heater wells.
5284. The method of claύn 5264, whereui one or more ofthe operating parameters comprise an orientation of heater wells.
5285. The method of claύn 5264, wherein one or more ofthe operatύig parameters comprise a mechanical property.
5286. The method of claύn 5264, whereύi one or more ofthe operating parameters comprise subsidence ofthe formation.
5287. The method of claύn 5264, whereui one or more ofthe operatύig parameters comprise fracture progression in tae fonnation.
5288. The method of claim 5264, wherein one or more ofthe operating parameters comprise heave ofthe fonnation.
5289. The meώod of claim 5264, wherein one or more ofthe operatύig parameters comprise compaction ofthe formation.
5290. The method of claim 5264, wherein one or more ofthe operating parameters comprise shear defonnation of ώe formation.
5291. The method of claim 5264, wherein the assessed information comprises information relating to properties ofthe formation.
5292. The method of claim 5264, wherein the assessed infonnation comprises a relationship between one or more operating parameters and at least one other operating parameter.
5293. The method of claim 5264, wherein the computer system is remote from the in situ process.
5294. The method of claύn 5264, wherein the computer system is located at or near the in situ process.
5295. The method of claύn 5264, wherein at least one parameter is provided to the computer system using hardwύe communication.
5296. The method of claύn 5264, whereύi at least one parameter is provided to the computer system using internet communication.
5297. The method of claim 5264, wherein at least one parameter is provided to the computer system using wύeless communication.
5298. The method of claim 5264, wherein ώe one or more parameters are monitored using sensors in the fonnation.
5299. The method of claim 5264, wherein at least one parameter is provided automatically to ώe computer system.
5300. The method of claim 5264, wherein using at least one parameter with a simulation method comprises performing a simulation and obtaining properties of ώe formation.
5301. A method of using a computer system for operating an in situ process for tteating a relatively permeable fonnation, comprising: operatύig the in sita process using one or more operatύig parameters, wherein the in situ process comprises providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least one portion ofthe formation, and wherein the in sita
process comprises allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section o the formation; providing at least one operatύig parameter ofthe in situ process to the computer system; using at least one parameter wiώ a simulation method and the computer system to provide assessed information about the in sita process; and using ώe assessed information to operate ώe in sita process.
5302. The method of claύn 5301, farther comprising providing the assessed information to a computer system used for controlling the in sita process.
5303. The method of claim 5301, wherein the computer system is remote from the in situ process.
5304. The method of claύn 5301, wherein ώe computer system is located at or near ώe in situ process.
5305. The method of claύn 5301, wherein using ώe assessed infonnation to operate the in sita process comprises: modifying at least one operatύig parameter; and operating tae in situ process with at least one modified operating parameter.
5306. A method of using a computer system for operating an in sita process for treating a relatively permeable foimation, comprising operating the in situ process using one or more operating parameters, wherein ώe in sita process comprises providing heat from one or more heat somces to at least one portion of ώe formation, and wherein the in sita process comprises allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation; providing at least one operating parameter ofthe in sita process to tae computer system; using at least one parameter with a first sύnulation method and ώe computer system to provide assessed information about the in sita process; and obtaining information from a second sύnulation method and ώe computer system using the assessed ύiformation and a desύed parameter.
5307. The method of claim 5306, farther comprising using ώe obtained information to operate the in sita process.
5308. The method of claύn 5306, wherein the first simulation meώod is the same as the second sύnulation method.
5309. The method of claim 5306, farther comprising providing the obtained ύiformation to a computer system used for controlling the in sita process.
5310. The method of claim 5306, wherein using ώe obtaύied ύiformation to operate the in situ process comprises: modifying at least one operating parameter; and operatmg the in sita process wiώ at least one modified operating parameter.
5311. The method of claim 5306, wherein the obtained ύiformation comprises at least one operating parameter for use in the in sita process ώat achieves the desύed parameter.
5312. The method of claim 5306, wherein the computer system is remote from the in sita process.
5313. The method of claim 5306, wherein the computer system is located at or near the in situ process.
5314. The method of claύn 5306, wherein the desύed parameter comprises a selected gas to oil ratio.
5315. The method of claim 5306, wherein the desύed parameter comprises a selected production rate of fluid produced from the formation.
5316. The method of claύn 5306, wherein the desύed parameter comprises a selected production rate of fluid at a selected tune produced from the formation.
5317. The method of claim 5306, wherein the desύed parameter comprises a selected olefin content of produced fluids.
5318. The method of claim 5306, whereύi the desύed parameter comprises a selected carbon number disfribution of produced fluids.
5319. The method of claύn 5306, whereύi the desύed parameter comprises a selected ethene to ethane ratio of produced fluids.
5320. The method of claim 5306, wherein the desύed parameter comprises a desύed atomic carbon to hydrogen ratio of produced fluids.
5321. The method of claim 5306, wherein ώe desύed parameter comprises a selected gas to oil ratio of produced fluids.
5322. The method of claύn 5306, wherein the desύed parameter comprises a selected pressure in ώe formation.
5323. The method of claύn 5306, whereύi the desύed parameter comprises a selected total mass recovery from the formation.
5324. The method of claim 5306, wherein e desύed parameter comprises a selected production rate of fluid produced from the foimation.
5325. A system, comprising: a CPU; a data memory coupled to the CPU; and a system memory coupled to the CPU, wherein the system memory is configured to store one or more computer programs executable by ώe CPU, and wherein the computer programs are executable to implement a method of using a computer system for operating an in sita process for treating a relatively penneable formation, comprising: operatύig the in situ process usύig one or more operatύig parameters, wherein the in situ process comprises providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least one portion ofthe formation, and wherein the in sita process comprises allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heat somces to a selected section ofthe formation; providing at least one operating parameter ofthe in sita process to ώe computer system; and using at least one parameter wiώ a simulation method and the computer system to provide assessed information about the in sita process.
5326. A carrier medium comprising program instructions, wherein the program instructions are computer- executable to implement a method comprising: operating the in situ process usύig one or more operating parameters, wherein ώe in situ process comprises providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least one portion ofthe formation, and wherein the in sita process comprises allowing the heat to ttansfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation; providing at least one operating parameter ofthe in situ process to ώe computer system; and usύig at least one parameter wiώ a simulation method and ώe computer system to provide assessed infonnation about the in situ process.
5327. A system, comprising: a CPU; a data memory coupled to tae CPU; and a system memory coupled to the CPU, wherein the system memory is configured to store one or more computer programs executable by the CPU, and wherein the computer programs are executable to implement a method of usύig a computer system for operating an in situ process for treating a relatively permeable formation, comprisύig: operating the in situ process using one or more operating parameters, wherein the in situ process comprises providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least one portion ofthe formation, and wherein the in sita process comprises allowing the heat to transfer from ώe one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation; providing at least one operating parameter ofthe in situ process to the computer system;
using at least one parameter with a simulation method and ώe computer system to provide assessed information about the in sita process; and using the assessed information to operate the in sita process.
5328. A carrier medium comprising program instructions, wherein the program instructions are computer- executable to implement a method comprising: operating the in sita process usύig one or more operating parameters, wherein the in sita process comprises providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least one portion ofthe foimation, and wherein the in situ process comprises allowύig the heat to fransfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation; providing at least one operating parameter ofthe in situ process to the computer system; usύig at least one parameter with a simulation method and ώe computer system to provide assessed information about the in situ process; and using the assessed information to operate the in sita process.
5329. A system, comprising: a CPU; a data memory coupled to ώe CPU; and a system memory coupled to tae CPU, wherein the system memory is configured to store one or more computer programs executable by the CPU, and wherein the computer programs are executable to implement a method of usύig a computer system for operatύig an in situ process for freating a relatively permeable formation, comprising: operatύig the in sita process using one or more operating parameters, wherein the in situ process comprises providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least one portion of ώe formation, and wherein the in situ process comprises allowing the heat to fransfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation; providing at least one operating parameter ofthe in sita process to the computer system; usύig at least one parameter with a first simulation method and ώe computer system to provide assessed information about the in sita process; and obtaining infonnation from a second sύnulation method and the computer system using the assessed ύiformation and a desύed parameter.
5330. A canier medium comprising program instructions, wherein the program instructions are computer- executable to implement a method comprising: operating ώe in sita process usύig one or more operating parameters, wherein the in sita process comprises providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least one portion of ώe foimation, and wherein the in situ process comprises allowing the heat to fransfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation; providing at least one operatύig parameter ofthe in sita process to the computer system;
usύig at least one parameter wiώ a first simulation method and the computer system to provide assessed information about the in sita process; and obtaining information from a second simulation meώod and the computer system using the assessed ύiformation and a desύed parameter.
5331. A method of modeling one or more stages of a process for freating a relatively permeable formation in situ with a simulation method usύig a computer system, comprising: providύig at least one property of ώe formation to ώe computer system; providing at least one operating condition for ώe one or more stages of ώe in sita process to the computer system, wherein ώe in sita process comprises providύig heat from one or more heat sources to at least one portion ofthe formation, and wherein the in situ process comprises allowing the heat to ttansfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation; assessing at least one process characteristic ofthe one or more stages using the simulation method.
5332. The method of claim 5331, wherein the simulation method is a body-fitted finite difference simulation method.
5333. The method of claύn 5331, wherein the sύnulation method is a reservoύ simulation method.
5334. The method of claim 5331, whereύi the sύnulation method is a space-fitted fύiite difference simulation method.
5335. The method of claύn 5331, wherein ώe sύnulation method simulates heating ofthe formation.
5336. The method of claim 5331, wherein the simulation method simulates fluid flow in the formation.
5337. The method of claim 5331, wherein the simulation method simulates mass ttansfer in the formation.
5338. The meώod of claύn 5331, wherein the sύnulation method simulates heat transfer in the formation.
5339. The method of claim 5331, wherein the sύnulation method simulates chemical reactions in tae one or more stages ofthe process in ώe formation.
5340. The meώod of claim 5331, wherein the sύnulation method simulates removal of contaminants from the formation.
5341. The method of claύn 5331, wherein the simulation method simulates recovery of heat from the formation.
5342. The method of claim 5331, wherein the sύnulation method sύnulates ύijection of fluids into the formation.
5343. The method of claim 5331, wherein the one or more stages comprise heating ofthe formation.
5344. The method of claim 5331, whereύi the one or more stages comprise generation of pyrolyzation fluids.
5345. The meώod of claim 5331, wherein the one or more stages comprise remediation of ώe formation.
5346. The method of claim 5331, wherein the one or more stages comprise shut-in ofthe formation.
5347. The meώod of claim 5331, wherein at least one operatύig condition of a remediation stage is ώe flow rate of ground water into the formation.
5348. The method of claύn 5331, whereύi at least one operating condition of a remediation stage is ώe flow rate of injected fluids into ώe formation.
5349. The method of claim 5331, whereύi at least one process characteristic of a remediation stage is the concentration of contaminants in ώe formation.
5350. The meώod of claim 5331, further comprising: providing to ώe computer system at least one set of operating conditions for at least one ofthe stages of the in situ process, wherein ώe in sita process comprises providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least one portion of ώe formation, and wherein the hi sita process comprises allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation; providing to e computer system at least one desύed process characteristic for at least one of ώe stages of ώe in situ process; and assessmg at least one additional operating condition for at least one ofthe stages that achieves at least one desύed process characteristic for at least one ofthe stages.
5351. A method of usύig a computer system for modeling an in sita process for freating a relatively permeable formation, comprising: providing at least one property ofthe formation to a computer system; providing at least one operating condition to the computer system; assessing at least one process characteristic ofthe in sita process, wherein the in situ process comprises providing heat from one or more heat somces to at least one portion ofthe foimation, and wherein the in situ process comprises allowing the heat to ttansfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section of ώe foimation; and assessing at least one deformation characteristic ofthe formation using a simulation method from at least one property, at least one operating condition, and at least one process characteristic.
5352. The method of claύn 5351, wherein the in sita process comprises two or more heat sources.
1 5353. The method of claim 5351, wherein the in sita process provides heat from one or more heat sources to at least one portion ofthe fonnation.
5354. The method of claim 5351, wherein the simulation method comprises a finite element simulation method.
5355. The method of claim 5351, wherein the formation comprises a treated portion and an untreated portion.
5356. The method of claim 5351, wherein at least one deformation characteristic comprises subsidence.
5357. The method of claim 5351, wherein at least one deformation characteristic comprises heave.
5358. The method of claim 5351, wherein at least one deformation characteristic comprises compaction.
5359. The method of claim 5351, wherein at least one deformation characteristic comprises shear deformation.
5360. The method of claim 5351, wherein at least one operating condition comprises a pressure.
5361. The meώod of claim 5351, wherein at least one operating condition comprises a temperature.
5362. The method of claim 5351, wherein at least one operatύig condition comprises a process time.
5363. The method of claim 5351, wherein at least one operating condition comprises arate of pressme increase.
5364. The method of claim 5351, wherein at least one operating condition comprises a heatύig rate.
5365. The method of clahn 5351, whereiα at least one operating condition comprises a width of a freated portion ofthe foimation.
5366. The method of claύn 5351, wherein at least one operatύig condition comprises a thickness of a treated portion ofthe formation.
5367. The method of claύn 5351, wherein at least one operating condition comprises a thickness of an overburden of ώe formation.
5368. The method of claύn 5351, wherein at least one process characteristic comprises a pore pressme disttibution in the formation.
5369. The method of claim 5351, wherein at least one process characteristic comprises a temperature distribution in the foimation.
5370. The method of claim 5351 , wherein at least one process characteristic comprises a heat input rate.
5371. The method of claim 5351, wherein at least one property comprises a physical property of ώe formation.
5372. The method of claύn 5351, whereύi at least one property comprises richness ofthe formation.
5373. The method of claim 5351, wherein at least one property comprises a heat capacity.
5374. The method of claim 5351, wherein at least one property comprises a thermal conductivity.
5375. The method of claim 5351, wherein at least one property comprises a coefficient of thermal expansion.
5376. The method of claύn 5351, wherein at least one property comprises a mechanical property.
5377. The method of claύn 5351, wherein at least one property comprises an elastic modulus.
5378. The method of claύn 5351, wherein at least one property comprises a Poisson's ratio.
5379. The method of claύn 5351, whereύi at least one property comprises cohesion stress.
5380. The meώod of claim 5351, wherein at least one property comprises a friction angle.
5381. The meώod of claim 5351, wherein at least one property comprises a cap eccentricity.
5382. The method of claim 5351, wherein at least one property comprises a cap yield stress.
5383. The method of claim 5351, wherein at least one property comprises a cohesion creep multiplier.
5384. The method of claim 5351, wherein at least one property comprises a thermal expansion coefficient.
5385. A method of usύig a computer system for modeling an in sita process for treating a relatively permeable formation, comprising: providύig to the computer system at least one set of operatύig conditions for ώe in situ process, wherein the process comprises providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least one portion of ώe foimation, and wherein the process comprises allowing the heat to ttansfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section of ώe formation;
providing to the computer system at least one desύed deformation characteristic for the in sita process; and assessing at least one additional operating condition ofthe formation that achieves at least one desύed defonnation characteristic.
5386. The method of claim 5385, farther comprising operating the in situ system using at least one additional operating condition.
5387. The method of claim 5385, wherein the in sita process comprises two or more heat sources.
5388. The method of claim 5385, whereύi the in situ process provides heat from one or more heat sources to at least one portion ofthe foimation.
5389. The method of claύn 5385, wherein the in sita process allows heat to ttansfer from one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation.
5390. The method of claύn 5385, wherein at least one set of operatύig conditions comprises at least one set of pressures.
5391. The meώod of claim 5385, wherein at least one set of operatύig conditions comprises at least one set of temperatares.
5392. The method of claim 5385, wherein at least one set of operating conditions comprises at least one set of heatmg rates.
5393. The method of claim 5385, wherein at least one set of operating conditions comprises at least one set of overburden thicknesses.
5394. The method of claim 5385, whereύi at least one set of operating conditions comprises at least one set of thicknesses of a treated portion ofthe formation.
5395. The method of claim 5385, whereύi at least one set of operating conditions comprises at least one set of widths of a treated portion of ώe foimation.
5396. The method of claim 5385, whereύi at least one set of operatύig conditions comprises at least one set of radii of a treated portion of ώe foimation.
5397. The method of claim 5385, wherein at least one desfred deformation characteristic comprises a selected subsidence.
5398. The method of claim 5385, wherein at least one desύed deformation characteristic comprises a selected heave.
5399. The method of claim 5385, wherein at least one desύed deformation characteristic comprises a selected compaction.
5400. The meώod of claim 5385, wherein at least one desύed deformation characteristic comprises a selected shear defonnation.
5401. A method of using a computer system for modeling an in sita process for treating a relatively permeable formation, comprising: providing one or more values of at least one operatύig condition; assessing one or more values of at least one deformation characteristic using a simulation method based on the one or more values of at least one operating condition; providing a desfred value of at least one defoimation characteristic for ώe in situ process to the computer system, wherein the process comprises providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least one portion ofthe fonnation, and wherein the process comprises allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation; and assessing a desύed value of at least one operatύig condition that achieves the desύed value of at least one defonnation characteristic from the determined values of at least one deformation characteristic and ώe provided values of at least one operating condition.
5402. The method of claύn 5401, further comprising operating the in situ process using the desύed value of at least one operating condition.
5403. The method of claύn 5401 , whereύi the in sita process comprises two or more heat sources.
5404. The method of claύn 5401, wherein at least one operating condition comprises a pressure.
5405. The method of claύn 5401 , whereύi at least one operating condition comprises a heat input rate.
5406. The method of claim 5401, wherein at least one operating condition comprises a temperature.
5407. The method of claim 5401, wherein at least one operatύig condition comprises a heatύig rate.
5408. The method of claim 5401, wherein at least one operatύig condition comprises an overburden thickness.
5409. The method of claim 5401, wherein at least one operating condition comprises a thickness of a treated portion ofthe formation.
5410. The method of claim 5401, wherein at least one operatύig condition comprises a width of a treated portion of ώe formation.
5411. The meώod of claim 5401, wherein at least one operating condition comprises a radius of a treated portion ofthe formation.
5412. The method of claim 5401 , wherein at least one defoimation characteristic comprises subsidence.
5413. The method of claim 5401 , wherein at least one deformation characteristic comprises heave.
5414. The method of claim 5401 , wherein at least one defoimation characteristic comprises compaction.
5415. The meώod of claim 5401, wherein at least one defoimation characteristic comprises shear deformation.
5416. The method of claύn 5401 , wherein a value of at least one foimation characteristic comprises ώe formation characteristic as a function of time.
5417. The method of claim 5401, further comprising determύiύig a value of at least one defoimation characteristic based on the desύed value of at least one operating condition using the sύnulation method.
5418. The method of claύn 5401 , whereύi determining the desfred value of at least one operating condition comprises inteφolating the desired value from the determined values of at least one formation characteristic and ώe provided values of at least one operating condition.
5419. A method of using a computer system for modeling an in sita process for tteating a relatively permeable formation, comprising: providing a desύed value of at least one deformation characteristic for the in sita process to the computer system, wherein ώe in sita process comprises providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least one portion o the foimation, and wherein ώe in sita process comprises allowing the heat to ttansfer from the one or more heat somces to a selected section ofthe fonnation; and assessing a value of at least one operating condition to achieve ώe desύed value of at least one deformation characteristic from a database in memory on the computer system comprising a relationship between at least one defoimation characteristic and at least one operating condition for ώe in situ process.
5420. The method of claύn 5419, further comprising operatύig the in situ system usύig the desfred value of at least one operating condition.
5421. The method of claim 5419, wherein the in situ system comprises two or more heat sources.
5422. The method of claim 5419, wherein the relationship is determined from one or more simulations ofthe in sita process using a simulation method.
5423. The method of clahn 5419, wherein the relationship comprises one or more values of at least one deformation characteristic and corresponding values of at least one operating condition.
5424. The method of claύn 5419, wherein the relationship comprises an analytical function.
5425. The method of claim 5419, wherein determining a value of at least one operating condition comprises inteφolating a value of at least one operating condition from the relationship.
5426. A system, comprising: a CPU; a data memory coupled to ώe CPU; and a system memory coupled to ώe CPU, wherein the system memory is configured to store one or more computer programs executable by the CPU, and wherein the computer programs are executable to implement a method of using a computer system for modeling an in sita process for freating a relatively permeable formation, ώe method comprising: providing at least one property ofthe foimation to a computer system; providing at least one operating condition to the computer system; determining at least one process characteristic ofthe in sita process, wherein the process comprises providύig heat from one or more heat sources to at least one portion ofthe formation, and wherein the process comprises allowing the heat to fransfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section of ώe formation; and determining at least one deformation characteristic of ώe formation using a sύnulation method from at least one property, at least one operatύig condition, and at least one process characteristic.
5427. A carrier medium comprising program instructions, wherein ώe program instructions are computer- executable to implement a method comprising: providing at least one property of ώe formation to a computer system; providing at least one operatύig condition to the computer system; determining at least one process characteristic ofthe in sita process, wherein ώe process comprises providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least one portion ofthe foimation, and wherein the process comprises allowing the heat to fransfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section of ώe formation; and determύiύig at least one defonnation characteristic ofthe formation using a simulation method from at least one property, at least one operatύig condition, and at least one process characteristic.
5428. A system, comprising: a CPU; a data memory coupled to ώe CPU; and a system memory coupled to the CPU, wherein the system memory is configured to store one or more computer programs executable by the CPU, and wherein ώe computer programs are executable to implement a method of using a computer system for modeling an in sita process for treating a relatively penneable foimation, ώe method comprising: providing to the computer system at least one set of operatύig conditions for the in situ process, wherein ώe process comprises providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least one portion ofthe foimation, and wherein the process comprises allowing the heat to fransfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section of ώe formation; providing to ώe computer system at least one desύed defoimation characteristic for the in situ process; and determining at least one additional operating condition ofthe formation that achieves at least one desύed defoimation characteristic.
5429. A carrier medium comprising program instructions, wherein ώe program instructions are computer- executable to implement a method comprising: providύig to the computer system at least one set of operatύig conditions for the in sita process, wherein ώe process comprises providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least one portion of ώe formation, and wherein the process comprises allowing the heat to fransfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation; providing to the computer system at least one desύed defoimation characteristic for ώe in sita process; and determύiύig at least one additional operating condition ofthe foimation ώat achieves at least one desfred deformation characteristic.
5430. A system, comprising: a CPU; a data memory coupled to ώe CPU; and a system memory coupled to ώe CPU, wherein the system memory is configured to store one or more computer programs executable by the CPU, and whereύi ώe computer programs are executable to implement a method of usύig a computer system for modeling an in sita process for freating a relatively permeable formation, tae method comprising: providing one or more values of at least one operating condition; determining one or more values of at least one deformation characteristic using a simulation method based on the one or more values of at least one operating condition; providing a desύed value of at least one deformation characteristic for ώe in situ process to ώe computer system, wherein ώe process comprises providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least one portion of ώe formation, and wherein the process comprises allowing the heat to ttansfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation; and
determining a desύed value of at least one operating condition taat achieves the desύed value of at least one defonnation characteristic from ώe determined values of at least one deformation characteristic and the provided values of at least one operating condition.
5431. A carrier medium comprising program instmctions, wherein the program instructions are computer- executable to implement a method comprising: providing one or more values of at least one operating condition; detennύiing one or more values of at least one deformation characteristic using a simulation method based on the one or more values of at least one operating condition; providing a desύed value of at least one defoimation characteristic for the in sita process to the computer system, wherein ώe process comprises providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least one portion ofthe formation, and wherein the process comprises allowing the heat to fransfer from ώe one or more heat sources to a selected section of ώe formation; and determining a desύed value of at least one operating condition ώat achieves the desύed value of at least one deformation characteristic from the determined values of at least one deformation characteristic and the provided values of at least one operating condition.
5432. A system, comprising: a CPU; a data memory coupled to ώe CPU; and a system memory coupled to ώe CPU, wherein ώe system memory is configured to store one or more computer programs executable by ώe CPU, and wherein ώe computer programs are executable to implement a meώod of using a computer system for modeling an in sita process for treating a relatively permeable formation, the method comprisύig: providing a desired value of at least one deformation characteristic for ώe in sita process to the computer system, wherein the process comprises providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least one portion ofthe formation, and wherein the process comprises allowing the heat to ttansfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation; and determining a value of at least one operating condition to achieve the desύed value of at least one deformation characteristic from a database in memory on the computer system comprising a relationship between at least one foimation characteristic and at least one operating condition for the in sita process.
5433. A carrier medium comprising program instructions, wherein tae program instructions are computer- executable to implement a method comprising: providing a desύed value of at least one deformation characteristic for the in sita process to the computer system, wherein the process comprises providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least one portion ofthe foimation, and wherein the process comprises allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation; and
determining a value of at least one operating condition to achieve the desύed value of at least one deformation characteristic from a database in memory on the computer system comprising a relationship between at least one formation characteristic and at least one operating condition for ώe in sita process.
5434. A system conflgurable to provide heat to a relatively permeable formation, comprising: a first oxidizer configurable to be placed in an opening in the formation, wherein the first oxidizer is configurable to oxidize a first fael durύig use; a second oxidizer configurable to be placed in the openύig, wherein ώe second oxidizer is configurable to oxidize a second fuel during use; and wherein ώe system is configmable to allow heat from oxidation ofthe first fael or ώe second fuel to transfer to the formation during use.
5435. The system of claim 5434, wherein ώe system is configured to provide heat to the relatively penneable formation.
5436. The system of claim 5434, wherein the first oxidizer is configured to be placed in an openύig in the formation and wherein the first oxidizer is configured to oxidize ώe first fuel during use.
5437. The system of claύn 5434, wherein ώe second oxidizer is configured to be placed in the openύig and whereύi the second oxidizer is configured to oxidize the second fael during use.
5438. The system of claim 5434, wherein the system is configured to allow ώe heat from the oxidation to transfer to the foimation during use.
5439. The system of claim 5434, wherein ώe first oxidizer comprises a burner.
5440. The system of claim 5434, wherein ώe first oxidizer comprises an inline burner.
5441. The system of claim 5434, wherein the second oxidizer comprises a burner.
5442. The system of claim 5434, wherein ώe second oxidizer comprises a ring burner.
5443. The system of claim 5434, wherein a distance between the first oxidizer and the second oxidizer is less ώan about 250 meters.
5444. The system of claim 5434, further comprising a conduit configurable to be placed in the openύig.
5445. The system of claύn 5434, further comprising a conduit configurable to be placed in the opening, wherein the conduit is configurable to provide an oxidizing fluid to the first oxidizer during use.
5446. The system of claim 5434, further comprising a conduit configurable to be placed in ώe openύig, wherein ώe conduit is configurable to provide the first fuel to ώe first oxidizer durύig use.
5447. The system of claim 5434, farther comprising a conduit configurable to be placed in the openύig, wherein the conduit is conflgurable to provide an oxidizύig fluid to the second oxidizer during use.
5448. The system of claim 5434, further comprising a conduit configurable to be placed in ώe openύig, wherein ώe conduit is configurable to provide the second fuel to the second oxidizer during use.
5449. The system of claύn 5434, further comprising a ώύd oxidizer configurable to be placed in ώe openύig, wherein the ώύd oxidizer is configurable to oxidize a ώύd fael during use.
5450. The system of claim 5434, further comprising a fael source, whereiα the fael source is configurable to provide the first fael to the first oxidizer or ώe second fuel to ώe second oxidizer during use.
5451. The system of claim 5434, wherein the ffrst fael is different from the second fuel.
5452. The system of claim 5434, wherein ώe first fael is different from the second fuel, wherein ώe second fael comprises hydrogen.
5453. The system of claim 5434, wherein a flow ofthe first fael is separately confrolled from a flow ofthe second fuel.
5454. The system of claim 5434, wherein the first oxidizer is conflgurable to be placed proximate an upper portion ofthe opening.
5455. The system of claim 5434, wherein the second oxidizer is configurable to be placed proximate a lower portion ofthe openύig.
5456. The system of claύn 5434, farther comprising insulation configurable to be placed proximate the first oxidizer.
5457. The system of claim 5434, farther comprisύig insulation configurable to be placed proxύnate the second oxidizer.
5458. The system of claύn 5434, wherein products from oxidation of ώe first fael or the second fael are removed from the foimation through the opening during use.
5459. The system of claim 5434, further comprising an exhaust conduit configurable to be coupled to the openύig to allow exhaust fluid to flow from the formation through the exhaust conduit durύig use.
5460. The system of claim 5434, wherein the system is configured to allow ώe heat from the oxidation ofthe first fael or the second fuel to transfer to ώe formation during use.
5461. The system of claim 5434, wherein ώe system is configured to allow the heat from the oxidation to transfer to a pyrolysis zone in ώe formation during use.
5462. The system of claim 5434, wherein ώe system is configured to allow the heat from the oxidation to transfer to a pyrolysis zone in the formation during use, and wherein the ttansfened heat causes pyrolysis of at least some hydrocarbons in the pyrolysis zone during use.
5463. The system of claim 5434, wherein at least some of the heat from the oxidation is generated at the first oxidizer.
5464. The system of claim 5434, wherein at least some ofthe heat from the oxidation is generated at ώe second oxidizer
5465. The system of claim 5434, wherein a combination of heat from the ffrst oxidizer and heat from the second oxidizer substantially uniformly heats a portion of ώe formation during use.
5466. The system of claim 5434, further comprising a first conduit configurable to be placed in the openύig of the foimation, wherein the first conduit is configurable to provide a first oxidizing fluid to the first oxidizer in ώe openύig durύig use, and wherein the first conduit is further configurable to provide a second oxidizing fluid to ώe second oxidizer in the openύig during use.
5467. The system of claim 5466, further comprising a fael conduit configurable to be placed in the openύig, wherein the fael conduit is further configurable to provide ώe first fael to the first oxidizer durύig use.
5468. The system of claim 5467, wherein ώe fael conduit is further configurable to be placed in ώe first conduit.
5469. The system of claim 5467, wherein the first conduit is further configurable to be placed in the fael conduit.
5470. The system of claim 5466, further comprising a fael conduit configurable to be placed in the openύig, wherein the fael conduit is further configurable to provide the second fael to tae second oxidizer during use.
5471. The system of claim 5466, wherein the first conduit is further configurable to provide ώe ffrst fuel to ώe first oxidizer during use.
5472. An in situ method for heatύig a relatively permeable formation, comprising: providύig a first oxidizing fluid to a first oxidizer placed in an opening in the foimation; providing a first fuel to the first oxidizer; oxidizing at least some ofthe first fael in the first oxidizer; providing a second oxidizing fluid to a second oxidizer placed in ώe opening in the formation; providing a second fael to the second oxidizer; oxidizing at least some ofthe second fael in the second oxidizer; and allowing heat from oxidation of ώe first fael and ώe second fael to transfer to a portion of ώe formation.
5473. The method of claim 5472, wherein the first oxidiz ig fluid is provided to the first oxidizer through a conduit placed in the openύig.
5474. The method of claim 5472, wherein the second oxidizύig fluid is provided to ώe second oxidizer through a conduit placed in the openύig.
5475. The method of claύn 5472, wherein the first fael is provided to e first oxidizer through a conduit placed in the openύig.
5476. The method of claim 5472, wherein the first fael is provided to ώe second oxidizer through a conduit placed in the openύig.
5477. The method of claύn 5472, wherein the first oxidizing fluid and the first fael are provided to the first oxidizer through a conduit placed in the openύig.
5478. The meώod of claim 5472, farther comprising usύig exhaust fluid from the ffrst oxidizer as a portion ofthe second fael used in the second oxidizer.
5479. The method of claύn 5472, farther comprising allowing the heat to fransfer substantially by conduction from the portion of ώe foimation to a pyrolysis zone of ώe formation.
5480. The method of claim 5472, further comprisύig initiating oxidation ofthe second fuel in the second oxidizer wiώ an ignition source.
5481. The method of claim 5472, fiother comprising removing exhaust fluids through the openύig.
5482. The method of claim 5472, farther comprising removing exhaust fluids tlirough the opening, wherein the exhaust fluids comprise heat and allowing at least some heat in the exhaust fluids to transfer from the exhaust fluids to the ffrst oxidizing fluid prior to oxidation in ώe first oxidizer.
5483. The method of claύn 5472, further comprising removing exhaust fluids comprising heat through the opening, allowing at least some heat in ώe exhaust fluids to fransfer from the exhaust fluids toώe first oxidizing fluid prior to oxidation, and increasing a thermal efficiency of heating the relatively permeable fonnation.
5484. The method of claim 5472, further comprising removing exhaust fluids through an exhaust conduit coupled to the opening.
5485. The meώod of claim 5472, further comprising removing exhaust fluids tlirough an exhaust conduit coupled to the opening and providing at least a portion ofthe exhaust fluids to a fourth oxidizer to be used as a fourth fael in a fourth oxidizer, wherein the fourth oxidizer is located in a separate opening in the formation.
5486. A system configurable to provide heat to a relatively permeable formation, comprisύig: an openuig placed in the formation, wherein the openύig comprises a first elongated portion, a second elongated portion, and a ώύd elongated portion, wherein the second elongated portion diverges from the first elongated portion in a first dύection, wherein the thud elongated portion diverges from the first elongated portion in a second direction, and wherein the first dύection is substantially different than the second dύection; a first heater configurable to be placed in the second elongated portion, wherein the first heater is configmable to heat at least a portion of ώe foimation during use; a second heater configurable to be placed in the third elongated portion, whereύi the second heater is configurable to heat to at least a portion of ώe formation during use; and wherein the system is configurable to allow heat to transfer to the formation during use.
5487. The system of claim 5486, wherein ώe first heater and the second heater are configurable to heat to at least a portion ofthe formation during use.
5488. The system of claim 5486, whereύi ώe second and ώe third elongated portions are oriented substantially horizontally withύi ώe foimation.
5489. The system of claim 5486, wherein the first direction is about 180° opposite the second dύection.
5490. The system of claύn 5486, whereύi ώe first elongated portion is placed substantially wiώin an overbmden ofthe foimation.
5491. The system of claύn 5486, whereύi the fransferred heat substantially uniformly heats a portion ofthe formation during use.
5492. The system of claim 5486, wherein the first heater or ώe second heater comprises a downhole combustor.
5493. The system of claim 5486, wherein the first heater or the second heater comprises an insulated conductor heater.
5494. The system of claim 5486, wherein ώe first heater or the second heater comprises a conductor-in-conduit heater.
5495. The system of claim 5486, wherein the first heater or ώe second heater comprises an elongated member heater.
5496. The system of claim 5486, wherein the first heater or the second heater comprises a natural distributed combustor heater.
5497. The system of claim 5486, wherein the first heater or the second heater comprises a flameless disttibuted combustor heater.
5498. The system of claύn 5486, wherein ώe first heater comprises a first oxidizer and the second heater comprises a second oxidizer.
5499. The system of claim 5498, wherein ώe second elongated portion has a length of less than about 175 meters.
5500. The system of claim 5498, wherein ώe ώύd elongated portion has a length of less than about 175 meters..
5501. The system of claim 5498, further comprising a fael conduit configmable to be placed in the openύig, whereύi the fael conduit is further configurable to provide fael to the first oxidizer during use.
5502. The system of claim 5498, farther comprising a fael conduit configurable to be placed in the openύig, whereύi the fuel conduit is further configurable to provide fuel to ώe second oxidizer during use.
5503. The system of claim 5498, farther comprising a fael source, wherein the fuel source is configurable to provide fael to ώe ffrst oxidizer or the second oxidizer durύig use.
5504. The system of claύn 5498, farther comprising a ώύd oxidizer placed within ώe first elongated portion of the opening.
5505. The system of claύn 5504, further comprising a fael conduit configurable to be placed in ώe openύig, wherein ώe fael conduit is further configurable to provide fael to the ώύd oxidizer during use.
5506. The system of claim 5504, further comprising a first fael source conflgurable to provide a first fael to the first fuel conduit, a second fael source configurable to provide a second fael to a second fuel conduit, and a ώύd fuel source configurable to provide a third fael to a third fael conduit.
5507. The system of claim 5506, wherein the first fael has a composition substantially different from the second fuel or ώe third fuel.
5508. The system of claim 5486, further comprising insulation conflgurable to be placed proximate the first heater.
5509. The system of claim 5486, further comprising insulation conflgurable to be placed proximate the second heater.
5510. The system of claim 5486, wherein a fuel is oxidized in the first heater or the second heater to generate heat and wherein products from oxidation are removed from the formation through the opening during use.
5511. The system of claim 5486, wherein a fuel is oxidized in the first heater and the second heater and wherein products from oxidation are removed from ώe foimation through the opening durύig use.
5512. The system of claύn 5486, further comprising an exhaust conduit configurable to be coupled to ώe opening to allow exhaust fluid to flow from the formation through the exhaust conduit during use.
5513. The system of claim 5498, wherein the system is configured to allow ώe heat from oxidation of fael to transfer to the foimation during use.
5514. The system of claim 5486, wherein ώe system is configured to allow heat to ttansfer to a pyrolysis zone hi the foimation during use.
5515. The system of claim 5486, wherein the system is configured to allow heat to transfer to a pyrolysis zone in the formation during use, and wherein the fransferred heat causes pyrolysis of at least some hydrocarbons withύi ώe pyrolysis zone during use.
5516. The system of claim 5486, whereύi a combination ofthe heat generated from the first heater and ώe heat generated from the second heater substantially uniformly heats a portion ofthe formation during use.
5517. The system of claim 5486, further comprising a ώύd heater placed in the second elongated portion.
5518. The system of claim 5517, whereύi the ώύd heater comprises a downhole combustor.
5519. The system of claύn 5517, further comprising a fourth heater placed in ώe ώύd elongated portion.
5520. The system of claim 5519, wherein ώe fourth heater comprises a downhole combustor.
5521. The system of claim 5486, wherein the first heater is configured to be placed in the second elongated portion, wherein the first heater is configured to provide heat to at least a portion of ώe formation durύig use, whereύi the second heater is configured to be placed in the thfrd elongated portion, wherein the second heater is configured to provide heat to at least a portion ofthe formation during use, and wherein the system is configured to allow heat to fransfer to the formation during use.
5522. The system of claύn 5486, wherein ώe second and the third elongated portions are located in a substantially similar plane.
5523. The system of claύn 5522, wherein ώe openύig comprises a fourth elongated portion and a fifth elongated portion, wherein ώe fourth elongated portion diverges from the first elongated portion in a ώύd dfrection, wherein the fifth elongated portion diverges from ώe first elongated portion in a fourth dύection, and wherein ώe thfrd dύection is substantially different ώan ώe fourth direction.
5524. The system of claύn 5523, whereύi the fourth and fifth elongated portions are located in a plane substantially different than ώe second and the thfrd elongated portions.
5525. The system of claim 5523, wherein a ώύd heater is configurable to be placed in the fourth elongated portion, and wherein a fourth heater is configmable to be placed in ώe fifth elongated portion.
5526. An in sita method for heating a relatively permeable formation, comprising: providing heat from two or more heaters placed in an openύig in the formation, wherein the opening comprises a first elongated portion, a second elongated portion, and a ώύd elongated portion, wherein the second elongated portion diverges from the first elongated portion in a first dύection, wherein the thud elongated portion diverges from the first elongated portion in a second dύection, and wherein ώe first dύection is substantially different ώan the second dύection; allowing heat from the two or more heaters to transfer to a portion of ώe formation; and wherein the two or more heaters comprise a first heater placed in the second elongated portion and a second heater placed in ώe thfrd elongated portion.
5527. The method of claύn 5526, wherein the second and ώe third elongated portions are oriented substantially horizontally withύi ώe formation.
5528. The method of claim 5526, wherein the ffrst elongated portion is located substantially within an overburden ofthe formation.
5529. The method of claim 5526, further comprising substantially uniformly heating a portion of the formation.
5530. The method of claύn 5526, wherein the first heater or ώe second heater comprises a downhole combustor.
5531. The method of claύn 5526, wherein the first heater or the second heater comprises an insulated conductor heater.
5532. The method of claim 5526, wherein the first heater or the second heater comprises a conductor-in-conduit heater.
5533. The meώod of claim 5526, whereύi the first heater or the second heater comprises an elongated member heater.
5534. The method of claύn 5526, wherein the first heater or ώe second heater comprises a natural distributed combustor heater.
5535. The method of claim 5526, wherein the first heater or the second heater comprises a flameless disfributed combustor heater.
5536. The method of claim 5526, wherein the first heater comprises a first oxidizer and the second heater comprises a second oxidizer.
5537. The method of claύn 5526, wherein the first heater comprises a first oxidizer and ώe second heater comprises a second oxidizer and further comprising providing fael to ώe first oxidizer through a fael conduit placed in the openύig.
5538. The method of claim 5526, whereύi the first heater comprises a first oxidizer and ώe second heater comprises a second oxidizer and further comprising providύig fael to the second oxidizer through a fael conduit placed in the opening.
5539. The method of claim 5526, whereύi the two or more heaters comprise oxidizers and further comprising providing fael to the oxidizers from a fael source.
5540. The method of claim 5536, farther comprising providing heat to a portion of ώe formation using a third oxidizer placed wiώin the first elongated portion of the openύig.
5541. The method of claύn 5526, where n e first heater comprises a first oxidizer and ώe second heater comprises a second oxidizer further comprising:
providing heat to a portion ofthe formation using a thud oxidizer placed within the first elongated portion ofthe openύig; and providύig fael to the ώύd oxidizer through a fuel conduit placed in the opening.
5542. The method of claύn 5526, wherein the two or more heaters comprise oxidizers, and further comprising providing heat by oxidizing a fael within the oxidizers and removing products of oxidation of fael through the opening.
5543. The method of claύn 5526, whereύi the two or more heaters comprise oxidizers, and farther comprising removing products from oxidation of fael through an exhaust conduit coupled to the openύig.
5544. The method of claim 5526, farther comprising allowύig the heat to transfer from the portion to a pyrolysis zone in the foimation.
5545. The method of claim 5526, further comprising allowing the heat to transfer from the portion to a pyrolysis zone in the foimation and pyrolyzing at least some hydrocarbons withύi the pyrolysis zone with the fransfened heat.
5546. The method of claim 5526, farther comprising allowing the heat to transfer to from the portion to a pyrolysis zone in the foimation, pyrolyzing at least some hydrocarbons within the pyrolysis zone with ώe fransferred heat, and producing a portion ofthe pyrolyzed hydrocarbons through a conduit placed in the first elongated portion.
5547. The method of claύn 5526, farther comprising providing heat to a portion ofthe formation usύig a ώύd heater placed in the second elongated portion.
5548. The method of claim 5547, wherein the third heater comprises a downhole combustor.
5549. The method of claim 5547, further comprising providing heat to a portion of ώe formation using a fourth heater placed in the thfrd elongated portion.
5550. The method of claim 5549, wherein the fourth heater comprises a downhole combustor.
5551. A system configurable to provide heat to a relatively permeable foimation, comprisύig: an oxidizer configurable to be placed in an opening in ώe formation, wherein ώe oxidizer is configurable to oxidize fael to generate heat during use; a first conduit configurable to be placed in the openύig of ώe foimation, wherein ώe first conduit is configmable to provide oxidizing fluid to the oxidizer in the opening during use; a heater configurable to be placed in the opening and configurable to provide additional heat; and
wherein the system is configmable to allow the generated heat and ώe additional heat to fransfer to ώe formation during use.
5552. The system of claim 5551, wherein the heater comprises an insulated conductor.
5553. The system of claim 5551, wherein the heater comprises a conductor-in-conduit heater.
5554. The system of claim 5551, wherein the heater comprises an elongated member heater.
5555. The system of claim 5551, wherein the heater comprises a flameless disfributed combustor.
5556. The system of claim 5551, wherein ώe oxidizer is configmable to be placed proximate an upper portion of ώe opening.
5557. The system of claύn 5551, further comprising insulation configurable to be placed proximate ώe oxidizer.
5558. The system of claύn 5551, wherein the heater is configurable to be coupled to ώe first conduit.
5559. The system of claim 5551, wherein products from the oxidation of ώe fael are removed from the formation through the openύig during use.
5560. The system of claim 5551, further comprising an exhaust conduit conflgurable to be coupled to ώe openύig to allow exhaust fluid to flow from the foimation through the exhaust conduit during use.
5561. The system of claim 5551, whereύi ώe system is configmed to allow ώe generated heat and the additional heat to fransfer to ώe formation during use.
5562. The system of claim 5551, wherein the system is configured to allow the generated heat and ώe additional heat to ttansfer to a pyrolysis zone in ώe formation during use.
5563. The system of claim 5551, wherein the system is configmed to allow ώe generated heat and the additional heat to ttansfer to a pyrolysis zone in the formation during use, and wherein the transferred heat pyrolyzes of at least some hydrocarbons within the pyrolysis zone during use.
5564. The system of claim 5551, wherein a combination ofthe generate heat and the additional heat substantially uniformly heats a portion ofthe formation during use.
5565. The system of claim 5551, wherein ώe oxidizer is configured to be placed in the openύig in the formation and wherein ώe oxidizer is configured to oxidize at least some fael during use.
5566. The system of claim 5551, wherein the first conduit is configured to be placed in the openύig ofthe formation and wherein the first conduit is configured to provide oxidizing fluid to the oxidizer in the openύig during use. t
5567. The system of claim 5551, wherein the heater is configured to be placed in the openύig and whereύi the heater is configurable to provide heat to a portion ofthe foimation during use
5568. The system of claim 5551, wherein ώe system is configured to allow the heat from the oxidation of at least some fael and from the heater to transfer to ώe formation during use. ,
5569. An in sita meώod for heating a relatively penneable formation, comprising: allowing heat to fransfer from a heater placed in an opening to a portion of ώe formation, providing oxidizing fluid to an oxidizer placed in the openύig in the foimation; providing fael to the oxidizer; oxidizing at least some fael in ώe oxidizer; and allowing additional heat from oxidation of at least some fael to fransfer to the portion ofthe foimation.
5570. The method of claim 5569, wherein the heater comprises an msulated conductor.
5571. The method of claύn 5569, wherein the heater comprises a conductor-in-conduit heater.
5572. The method of claim 5569, wherein the heater comprises an elongated member heater.
5573. The method of claύn 5569, wherein ώe heater comprises a flameless distributed combustor.
5574. The method of claim 5569, wherem the oxidizer is placed proximate an upper portion of ώe openύig.
5575. The method of claύn 5569, further comprising allowing the additional heat to transfer from ώe portion to a pyrolysis zone in the formation.
5576. The method of claim 5569, further comprising allowing the additional heat to transfer from ώe portion to a pyrolysis zone in the formation and pyrolyzing at least some hydrocarbons withύi the pyrolysis zone.
5577. The method of claim 5569, further comprising substantially unifonnly heating ώe portion ofthe foimation.
5578. The method of claim 5569, further comprising removing exhaust fluids through the opening.
5579. The method of claύn 5569, further comprising removύig exhaust fluids through an exhaust annulus in the formation.
5580. The method of claim 5569, further comprising removing exhaust fluids through an exhaust conduit coupled to the opening.
5581. A system configurable to provide heat to a relatively permeable formation, comprising: a heater configurable to be placed in an openύig in the foimation, wherein the heater is configurable to heat a portion ofthe fonnation to a temperature sufficient to sustain oxidation of hydrocarbons during use; an oxidizύig fluid source configurable to provide an oxidizing fluid to a reaction zone ofthe formation to oxidize at least some hydrocarbons in the reaction zone during use such that heat is generated in the reaction zone, and wherein at least some ofthe reaction zone has been previously heated by the heater; a first conduit configurable to be placed in the openύig, wherein the first conduit is configurable to provide ώe oxidizing fluid from ώe oxidizing fluid source to ώe reaction zone in the foimation during use, wherein the flow of oxidizing fluid can be confrolled along at least a segment ofthe first conduit; and wherein the system is configurable to allow the generated heat to transfer from the reaction zone to ώe formation during use.
5582. The system of claim 5581, wherein ώe system is configurable to provide hydrogen to the reaction zone during use.
5583. The system of claύn 5581, wherein ώe oxidizύig fluid is transported through the reaction zone substantially by diffasion.
5584. The system of claim 5581, wherein the system is configurable to allow ώe generated heat to fransfer from the reaction zone to a pyrolysis zone in the formation during use.
5585. The system of claύn 5581, wherein the system is configurable to allow the generated heat to transfer substantially by conduction from the reaction zone to ώe fonnation during use.
5586. The system of claύn 5581, wherein a temperature withύi tae reaction zone can be confrolled along at least a segment ofthe ffrst conduit during use.
5587. The system of claύn 5581, wherein a heating rate in at least a section ofthe formation proximate at least a segment ofthe first conduit be confrolled.
5588. The system of claim 5581, wherein ώe oxidizing fluid is configurable to be transported through the reaction zone substantially by diffusion, and wherein a rate of diffusion ofthe oxidizing fluid can confrolled by a temperature withύi ώe reaction zone.
5589. The system of claύn 5581, wherein ώe first conduit comprises orifices, and wherein the orifices are configmable to provide ώe oxidizing fluid into ώe openύig during use.
5590. The system of claύn 5581, whereύi the first conduit comprises critical flow orifices, and wherein the critical flow orifices are positioned on ώe first conduit such that a flow rate ofthe oxidizing fluid is controlled at a selected rate during use.
5591. The system of claim 5581, farther comprising a second conduit configurable to remove an oxidation product during use.
5592. The system of claim 5591, wherein ώe second conduit is further configurable to allow heat withύi the oxidation product to fransfer to the oxidizύig fluid in the first conduit during use.
5593. The system of claύn 5591, wherein a pressure ofthe oxidizing fluid in the first conduit and a pressure of ώe oxidation product in ώe second conduit are confrolled during use such that a concentration ofthe oxidizing fluid along ώe length ofthe first conduit is substantially uniform.
5594. The system of claim 5591, wherein the oxidation product is substantially inhibited from flowing into portions of ώe formation beyond the reaction zone durύig use.
5595. The system of claim 5581, wherein ώe oxidiziαg fluid is substantially inhibited from flowing into portions ofthe formation beyond ώe reaction zone during use.
5596. The system of claύn 5581, wherein the portion ofthe formation extends radially from the openύig a distance of less than approximately 3 m.
5597. The system of claim 5581, wherein the reaction zone extends radially from the opening a distance of less ώan approximately 3 m.
5598. The system of claύn 5581, wherein ώe system is configurable to pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbons in a pyrolysis zone ofthe formation.
5599. The system of claim 5581, wherein ώe heater is configured to be placed in an openύig in the fonnation and wherein the heater is configured to provide the heat to at least ώe portion ofthe foimation during use.
5600. The system of claim 5581, wherein a first conduit is configured to be placed in ώe openύig and wherein ώe first conduit is configured to provide the oxidizύig fluid from the oxidizing fluid source to the reaction zone in the formation during use.
5601. The system of claim 5581, wherein ώe flow of oxidizing fluid is controlled along at least a segment of ώe length ofthe first conduit and wherein the system is configured to allow ώe additional heat to fransfer from the reaction zone to the foimation during use.
5602. An in sita method for providing heat to a relatively permeable foimation, comprising: heating a portion ofthe formation to a temperature sufficient to support reaction of hydrocarbons with an oxidizing fluid withύi the portion of ώe formation; providing the oxidizing fluid to a reaction zone in ώe formation; controlling a flow ofthe oxidizύig fluid along at least a length ofthe reaction zone; generating heat withύi the reaction zone; and allowing the generated heat to transfer to the formation.
5603. The method of claύn 5602, further comprising allowiαg the oxidizύig fluid to react with at least some of ώe hydrocarbons in the reaction zone to generate the heat in ώe reaction zone.
5604. The method of claim 5602, wherein at least a section ofthe reaction zone is proxύnate an openύig in the formation.
5605. The method of claim 5602, further comprising transporting the oxidizύig fluid through the reaction zone substantially by diffasion.
5606. The method of claim 5602, further comprising transporting the oxidizύig fluid through the reaction zone substantially by diffasion, and confrolling a rate of diffusions of ώe oxidizing fluid by confrolling a temperatare within the reaction zone.
5607. The method of claύn 5602, wherein the generated heat ttansfers from the reaction zone to a pyrolysis zone in ώe formation.
5608. The method of claύn 5602, wherein the generated heat fransfers from the reaction zone to the formation substantially by conduction.
5609. The method of claύn 5602, further comprising controlling a temperature along at least a lengώ of ώe reaction zone.
5610. The meώod of claim 5602, further comprising controlling a flow ofthe oxidizing fluid along at least a length ofthe reaction zone, and controlling a temperature along at least a lengώ ofthe reaction zone.
5611. The method of claύn 5602, farther comprising controlling a heating rate along at least a length of ώe reaction zone.
5612. The method of claύn 5602, wherein the oxidizύig fluid is provided through a conduit placed withύi an openύig in the formation, wherein the conduit comprises orifices.
5613. The method of claim 5602, farther comprising confrolling a rate of oxidation by providύig the oxidizing fluid to the reaction zone from a conduit havύig critical flow orifices.
5614. The meώod of claim 5602, whereύi the oxidizing fluid is provided to ώe reaction zone through a conduit placed withύi the formation, and farther comprising positioning critical flow orifices on the conduit such that the flow rate of ώe oxidizing fluid to at least a length ofthe reaction zone is confrolled at a selected flow rate.
5615. The method of claim 5602, wherein the oxidizing fluid is provided to the reaction zone from a conduit placed wiώin an opening in ώe formation, and further comprising sizing critical flow orifices on the conduit such ώat the flow rate ofthe oxidizing fluid to at least a length of ώe reaction zone is conttolled at a selected flow rate.
5616. The method of claύn 5602, further comprising increasing a volume ofthe reaction zone, and increasing the flow ofthe oxidizing fluid to the reaction zone such that a rate of oxidation within the reaction zone is substantially constant over time.
5617. The method of claύn 5602, fiother comprising maintaining a substantially constant rate of oxidation with n ώe reaction zone over time.
5618. The method of claύn 5602, whereύi a conduit is placed in an openύig in the formation, and further comprising cooling the conduit wiώ the oxidizmg fluid to reduce heating ofthe conduit by oxidation.
5619. The meώod of claim 5602, further comprising removing an oxidation product from the formation through a conduit placed in an openύig in ώe formation.
5620. The method of claύn 5602, farther comprising removing an oxidation product from the formation through a conduit placed in an opening in the formation and substantially inhibitύig the oxidation product from flowing into a surrounding portion of ώe formation.
5621. The method of claim 5602, farther comprising inhibiting ώe oxidizύig fluid from flowing into a surrounding portion of ώe formation.
5622. The method of claim 5602, further comprising removing at least some water from the formation prior to heating the portion.
5623. The method of claύn 5602, further comprising providing additional heat to ώe formation from an electric heater placed in ώe openύig.
5624. The method of claim 5602, farther comprising providing additional heat to ώe formation from an electric heater placed in an openύig in the formation such that the oxidizύig fluid continuously oxidizes at least a portion of the hydrocarbons in the reaction zone.
5625. The method of claim 5602, farther comprising providing additional heat to the foimation from an electric heater placed in the opening to maintain a constant heat rate in the formation.
5626. The method of claim 5625, further comprising providing electricity to the electtic heater using a wind powered device.
5627. The method of claύn 5625, farther comprising providing elecfricity to the elecfric heater using a solar powered device.
5628. The method of claim 5602, farther comprising maintaining a temperature withύi ώe portion above about ώe temperature sufficient to support the reaction of hydrocarbons with the oxidizing fluid.
5629. The meώod of claim 5602, further comprising providing additional heat to the formation from an electric heater placed in ώe openύig and controlling ώe additional heat such that a temperature ofthe portion is greater than about the temperature sufficient to support the reaction of hydrocarbons with the oxidizύig fluid.
5630. The method of claim 5602, further comprising removing oxidation products from the foimation, and generating electricity using oxidation products removed from ώe formation.
5631. The method of claim 5602, further comprising removing oxidation products from the foimation, and using at least some ofthe removed oxidation products in an aύ compressor.
5632. The method of clafrn 5602, further comprisύig increasing a flow ofthe oxidizing fluid in the openύig to accommodate an mcrease in a volume ofthe reaction zone over time.
5633. The method of claim 5602, further comprising assessmg a temperature in or proximate an openύig in the formation, wherein the flow of oxidizing fluid along at least a section ofthe reaction zone is controlled as a function ofthe assessed temperature.
5634. The method of claim 5602, further comprising assessing a temperature in or proximate an opening in the foimation, and increasing the flow of oxidizύig fluid as the assessed temperature decreases.
5635. The method of claύn 5602, further comprising controlling the flow of oxidizing fluid to maύitaύi a temperature in or proximate an openύig in ώe foimation at a temperatare less than a pre-selected temperature.
5636. A system configurable to provide heat to a relatively permeable formation, comprising: a heater configurable to be placed in an openύig in ώe foimation, wherein the heater is conflgurable to provide heat to at least a portion ofthe foimation during use; an oxidizing fluid source configurable to provide an oxidizing fluid to a reaction zone ofthe fonnation to generate heat in the reaction zone during use, wherein at least a portion ofthe reaction zone has been previously heated by the heater during use; a conduit configurable to be placed in ώe opening, wherein the conduit is configurable to provide the oxidizύig fluid from the oxidizing fluid source to the reaction zone in the formation during use; whereύi the system is configurable to provide molecular hydrogen to ώe reaction zone during use; and wherein the system is configurable to allow the generated heat to fransfer from the reaction zone to the fonnation durύig use.
5637. The system of claim 5636, wherein ώe system is conflgurable to allow the oxidizύig fluid to be transported through ώe reaction zone substantially by diffusion during use.
5638. The system of claim 5636, wherein the system is configurable to allow the generated heat to fransfer from the reaction zone to a pyrolysis zone in the formation during use.
5639. The system of claim 5636, wherein ώe system is configurable to allow the generated heat to transfer substantially by conduction from the reaction zone to ώe formation during use.
5640. The system of claim 5636, wherein ώe flow of oxidizing fluid can be controlled along at least a segment of the conduit such that a temperature can be controlled along at least a segment ofthe conduit durύig use.
5641. The system of claim 5636, wherein a flow of oxidizing fluid can be controlled along at least a segment of the conduit such that a heatuig rate in at least a section ofthe formation can be confrolled.
5642. The system of claim 5636, wherein ώe oxidizing fluid is configurable to move through the reaction zone substantially by dif&sion during use, wherein a rate of diffasion can confrolled by a temperature of ώe reaction zone.
5643. The system of claim 5636, wherein ώe conduit comprises orifices, and wherein ώe orifices are configurable to provide ώe oxidizing fluid into the opening during use.
5644. The system of claim 5636, wherein the conduit comprises critical flow orifices, and wherein ώe critical flow orifices are configurable to confrol a flow of ώe oxidizing fluid such that a rate of oxidation in the formation is confrolled during use.
5645. The system of claύn 5636, wherein the conduit comprises a first conduit and a second conduit, wherein ώe second conduit is configurable to remove an oxidation product during use.
5646. The system of claim 5636, whereύi ώe oxidizύig fluid is substantially inhibited from flowing from the reaction zone into a surrounding portion ofthe formation.
5647. The system of claύn 5636, wherein at least the portion ofthe fonnation extends radially from the opening a distance of less than approxύnately 3 m.
5648. The system of claύn 5636, wherein the reaction zone extends radially from ώe openύig a distance of less ώan approxύnately 3 m.
5649. The system of claύn 5636, wherein ώe system is configurable to allow transferred heat to pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbons in a pyrolysis zone ofthe foimation.
5650. The system of claim 5636, wherein the heater is configured to be placed in an opening in the foimation and wherein the heater is configured to provide heat to at least a portion ofthe formation during use.
5651. The system of claim 5636, wherein the conduit is configured to be placed in ώe openύig to provide at least some ofthe oxidizύig fluid from the oxidizing fluid source to the reaction zone in the formation during use, and wherein the flow of at least some ofthe oxidizύig fluid can be confrolled along at least a segment ofthe first conduit.
5652. The system of claim 5636, wherein ώe system is configured to allow heat to fransfer from the reaction zone to the fonnation during use.
5653. The system of claim 5636, wherein ώe heater is configured to-be placed in an openuig in the formation and wherein the heater is configured to provide heat to at least a portion of ώe formation during use.
5654. The system of claύn 5636, wherein the conduit is configured to be placed in the openύig and whereύi the conduit is configured to provide ώe oxidizing fluid from the oxidizing fluid source to ώe reaction zone in the formation durύig use.
5655. The system of claim 5636, wherein the flow of oxidizing fluid can be controlled along at least a segment of ώe conduit.
5656. The system of claύn 5636, wherein the system is configured to allow heat to fransfer from the reaction zone to the formation during use.
5657. The system of claύn 5636, wherein at least some ofthe provided hydrogen is produced in ώe pyrolysis zone during use.
5658. The system of claim 5636, whereύi at least some ofthe provided hydrogen is produced in ώe reaction zone during use.
5659. The system of claim 5636, wherein at least some ofthe provided hydrogen is produced in at least the heated portion of ώe formation during use.
5660. The system of claim 5636, wherein the system is configurable to provide hydrogen to the reaction zone during use such that production of carbon dioxide in the reaction zone is inhibited.
5661. An in sita method for heating a relatively permeable formation, comprising: heatύig a portion of ώe formation to a temperature sufficient to support reaction of hydrocarbons within the portion of ώe formation wiώ an oxidizing fluid; providing the oxidizing fluid to a reaction zone in ώe formation; allowing the oxidizύig fluid to react with at least a portion of ώe hydrocarbons in the reaction zone to generate heat in ώe reaction zone; providing molecular hydrogen to the reaction zone; and ttansferring ώe generated heat from the reaction zone to a pyrolysis zone in the formation.
5662. The method of claim 5661, further comprising producύig the molecular hydrogen in the pyrolysis zone.
5663. The method of claύn 5661 , further comprising producύig the molecular hydrogen in the reaction zone.
5664. The method of claim 5661, further comprising producύig the molecular hydrogen in at least the heated portion of ώe fonnation.
5665. The method of claim 5661, further comprising inhibiting production of carbon dioxide in the reaction zone.
5666. The method of claim 5661, further comprising allowύig the oxidizing fiuid to fransfer through the reaction zone substantially by diffusion.
5667. The method of claύn 5661 , further comprising allowmg the oxidizύig fluid to transfer through the reaction zone by diffasion, wherein a rate of diffasion is controlled by a temperature ofthe reaction zone.
5668. The method of claim 5661, wherein at least some ofthe generated heat transfers to the pyrolysis zone substantially by conduction.
5669. The method of claim 5661, further comprising controlling a flow ofthe oxidizing fluid along at least a segment reaction zone such ώat a temperatare is controlled along at least a segment ofthe reaction zone.
5670. The method of claύn 5661, further comprising controlling a flow ofthe oxidizing fluid along at least a segment ofthe reaction zone such that a heating rate is conttolled along at least a segment ofthe reaction zone.
5671. The method of claim 5661, farther comprising allowing at least some oxidizύig fluid to flow into the formation through orifices in a conduit placed in an opening in the formation.
5672. The method of claύn 5661, further comprising controlling a flow ofthe oxidizing fluid into the formation using critical flow orifices on a conduit placed in ώe opening such that a rate of oxidation is controlled.
5673. The method of claύn 5661, further comprising confrollύig a flow ofthe oxidizing fluid into ώe foimation with a spacing of critical flow orifices on a conduit placed in an opening in the formation.
5674. The method of claim 5661, farther comprising controlling a flow ofthe oxidizing fluid with a diameter of critical flow orifices in a conduit placed in an openύig in the formation.
5675. The method of claim 5661, further comprising increasing a volume ofthe reaction zone, and increasing the flow ofthe oxidizύig fluid to ώe reaction zone such ώat a rate of oxidation within the reaction zone is substantially constant over time
5676. The method of claim 5661, wherein a conduit is placed in an openύig in ώe formation, and further comprising cooling ώe conduit wiώ the oxidizύig fluid to reduce heating ofthe conduit by oxidation.
5677. The method of claύn 5661 , further comprising removing an oxidation product from the formation through a conduit placed in an openύig in ώe foimation.
5678. The method of claim 5661, further comprising removing an oxidation product from the formation through a conduit placed in an openύig in ώe formation and inhibitύig the oxidation product from flowing into a surrounding portion of ώe formation beyond the reaction zone.
5679. The method of claim 5661, farther comprising inhibitύig the oxidizύig fluid from flowing ύito a surrounding portion of ώe foimation beyond the reaction zone.
5680. The method of claim 5661, farther comprising removing at least some water from the formation prior to heating the portion.
5681. The method of claim 5661, farther comprising providing additional heat to the formation from an electric heater placed in ώe opening.
5682. The method of claim 5661, farther comprising providing additional heat to the fonnation from an elecfric heater placed in ώe openύig and contύiuously oxidizing at least a portion ofthe hydrocarbons in the reaction zone.
5683. The method of claύn 5661, further comprising providing additional heat to ώe formation from an elecfric heater placed in an opening in the formation and maintaining a constant heat rate withύi the pyrolysis zone.
5684. The method of claim 5661, farther comprising providing additional heat to ώe formation from an elecfric heater placed in the openύig such that the oxidation of at least a portion of ώe hydrocarbons does not bum out.
5685. The method of claim 5661 , further comprising removing oxidation products from the formation and generating electricity using at least some oxidation products removed from the formation.
5686. The method of claύn 5661, farther comprising removing oxidation products from the formation and using at least some oxidation products removed from ώe formation in an aύ compressor.
5687. The method of claύn 5661, farther comprising increasing a flow ofthe oxidizύig fluid in the reaction zone to accommodate an mcrease in a volume ofthe reaction zone over time.
5688. The method of claim 5661, further comprising increasing a volume ofthe reaction zone such ώat an amount of heat provided to the formation increases.
5689. The method of claύn 5661, further comprising assessmg a temperature in or proximate tae openύig, and controlling the flow of oxidizing fluid as a function ofthe assessed temperature.
5690. The method of claύn 5661, farther comprising assessing a temperature in or proximate the openmg, and increasing the flow of oxidizing fluid as the assessed temperature decreases.
5691. The method of claύn 5661, further comprising controlling the flow of oxidizing fluid to maintain a temperature in or proximate the openύig at a temperature less ώan a pre-selected temperature.
5692. A system configurable to heat a relatively permeable fonnation, comprising: a heater configurable to be placed in an openύig in the foimation, wherein ώe heater is configmable to provide heat to at least a portion ofthe formation during use; an oxidizing fluid source, wherein an oxidizing fluid is selected to oxidize at least some hydrocarbons at a reaction zone during use such that heat is generated in the reaction zone;
a first conduit configurable to be placed in ώe openύig, wherein the first conduit is conflgurable to provide the oxidizing fluid from e oxidizing fluid source to the reaction zone in the foimation during use; and; a second conduit configurable to be placed in the opening, wherein the second conduit is configurable to remove a product of oxidation from ώe opening during use; and wherein the system is configurable to allow the generated heat to fransfer from the reaction zone to the formation durύig use.
5693. The system of claύn 5692, wherein ώe second conduit is configurable to confrol the concenfration of oxygen in the openύig durύig use such ώat the concentration of oxygen in ώe openύig is substantially constant in the opening.
5694. The system of claim 5692, wherein the second conduit comprises orifices, and wherein the second conduit comprises a greater concenfration of orifices towards an upper end of ώe second conduit.
5695. The system of claim 5692, wherein the first conduit comprises orifices that dύect oxidizύig fluid in a dύection substantially opposite the second conduit.
5696. The system of claim 5692, whereύi ώe second conduit comprises orifices that remove the oxidation product from a dύection substantially opposite the first conduit.
5697. The system of claim 5692, wherein ώe second conduit is configurable to remove a product of oxidation from the openύig during use such that the reaction zone comprises a substantially uniform temperature profile.
5698. The system of claim 5692, wherein a flow ofthe oxidizing fluid can be varied along a portion of a length ofthe first conduit,
5699. The system of claim 5692, wherein ώe oxidizύig fluid is configurable to generate heat in ώe reaction zone such that ώe oxidizύig fluid is transported through ώe reaction zone substantially by diffasion.
5700. The system of claim 5692, wherein the system is configurable to allow heat to transfer from the reaction zone to a pyrolysis zone in the formation during use.
5701. The system of claim 5692, wherein ώe system is configurable to allow heat to transfer substantially by conduction from the reaction zone to the formation during use.
5702. The system of claύn 5692, wherein a flow of oxidizύig fluid can be controlled along at least a portion of a length ofthe first conduit such that a temperature can be controlled along at least a portion of ώe lengώ ofthe first conduit during use.
5703. The system of claim 5692, wherein a flow of oxidizing fluid can be confrolled along at least a portion of the length ofthe first conduit such that a heatύig rate in at least a portion of ώe formation can be confrolled.
5704. The system of claim 5692, wherein the oxidizing fluid is configurable to generate heat in ώe reaction zone during use such that the oxidizing fluid is transported through the reaction zone during use substantially by diffusion, wherein a rate of diffasion can controlled by a temperature of ώe reaction zone.
5705. The system of claim 5692, wherein the first conduit comprises orifices, and wherein the orifices are configurable to provide ώe oxidizing fluid into the openύig durύig use.
5706. The system of claύn 5692, whereύi ώe first conduit comprises critical flow orifices, and wherem the critical flow orifices are conflgurable to control a flow ofthe oxidizύig fluid such that a rate of oxidation in the formation is conttolled during use.
5707. The system of claim 5692, wherein the second conduit is further configurable to remove an oxidation product such that the oxidation product ttansfers heat to the oxidizύig fluid in the first conduit during use.
5708. The system of claύn 5692, wherein a pressure ofthe oxidizing fluid in the first conduit and a pressure of ώe oxidation product in the second conduit are controlled during use such that a concentration of ώe oxidizing fluid in along the length ofthe conduit is substantially uniform.
5709. The system of claim 5692, wherein ώe oxidation product is substantially inhibited from flowing ύito portions of ώe foimation beyond the reaction zone during use.
5710. The system of claύn 5692, whereύi ώe oxidizύig fluid is substantially inhibited from flowing into portions of ώe formation beyond the reaction zone during use.
5711. The system of claim 5692, wherein the portion ofthe formation extends radially from ώe opening a distance of less than approximately 3 m.
5712. The system of claim 5692, whereύi ώe reaction zone extends radially from ώe opening a distance of less ώan approximately 3 m.
5713. The system of claύn 5692, wherein ώe system is further configurable such that transferred heat can pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbons in the pyrolysis zone.
5714. The system of claύn 5692, wherein the heater is configured to be placed in an openύig in the formation and wherein the heater is configured to provide heat to at least a portion ofthe formation during use.
5715. The system of claim 5692, wherein the first conduit is configmed to be placed in the openύig, and wherein ώe first conduit is configured to provide ώe oxidizing fluid from the oxidizing fluid source to ώe reaction zone in ώe formation during use.
5716. The system of claύn 5692, whereύi ώe flow of oxidizing fluid can be controlled along at least a segment of the first conduit.
5717. The system of claim 5692, wherein ώe second conduit is configured to be placed in the openύig, and wherein the second conduit is configured to remove a product of oxidation from the opening durύig use.
5718. The system of claim 5692, wherein the system is configured to allow heat to transfer from the reaction zone to the formation during use.
5719. An in situ meώod for heating a relatively penneable foimation, comprisύig: heatύig a portion ofthe foimation to a temperature sufficient to support reaction of hydrocarbons within the portion of ώe formation with an oxidizing fluid; providing the oxidizing fluid to a reaction zone in ώe formation; allowing the oxidizing fluid to react with at least a portion of ώe hydrocarbons in the reaction zone to generate heat in the reaction zone; removing an oxidation product from the openύig; and fransferring the generated heat from ώe reaction zone to ώe formation.
5720. The method of claim 5719, further comprising removing the oxidation product such ώat a concenfration of oxygen in the openύig is substantially constant in the openύig.
5721. The method of claύn 5719, further comprisύig removing the oxidation product from the openύig and maintaύiing a substantially uniform temperatare profile within the reaction zone.
5722. The method of claim 5719, further comprising transporting the oxidizing fluid through the reaction zone substantially by diffusion.
5723. The method of claim 5719, further comprising transporting ώe oxidizύig fluid through ώe reaction zone by diffusion, wherein a rate of diffasion is confrolled by a temperature ofthe reaction zone.
5724. The method of claim 5719, further comprising allowing heat to fransfer from the reaction zone to a pyrolysis zone in ώe formation.
5725. The method of claύn 5719, further comprising allowing heat to fransfer from ώe reaction zone to ώe formation substantially by conduction.
5726. The method of claύn 5719, further comprising controlling a flow ofthe oxidizing fluid along at least a portion ofthe length ofthe reaction zone such that a temperature is controlled along at least a portion ofthe length ofthe reaction zone.
5727. The method of claim 5719, further comprising controlling a flow ofthe oxidizing fluid along at least a portion ofthe length ofthe reaction zone such that a heating rate is controlled along at least a portion of ώe length of ώe reaction zone.
5728. The method of claim 5719, farther comprising allowing at least a portion of the oxidizing fluid ύito the openuig through orifices of a conduit placed in the openύig.
5729. The meώod of claim 5719, farther comprising controlling a flow ofthe oxidizing fluid with critical flow orifices in a conduit placed in the openύig such that a rate of oxidation is controlled.
5730. The meώod of claim 5719, further comprising controlling a flow ofthe oxidizing fluid with a spacing of critical flow orifices in a conduit placed in the openύig.
5731. The method of claύn 5719, further comprising controlling a flow ofthe oxidizing fluid with a diameter of critical flow orifices in a conduit placed in the openύig.
5732. The method of claύn 5719, further comprising increasing a flow ofthe oxidizing fluid in the openύig to accommodate an mcrease in a volume ofthe reaction zone such that a rate of oxidation is substantially constant over time within the reaction zone.
5733. The method of claim 5719, wherein a conduit is placed in the openύig, and further comprising cooling the conduit with the oxidizύig fluid to reduce heating of ώe conduit by oxidation.
5734. The method of claύn 5719, further comprising removing an oxidation product from the formation through a conduit placed in the openύig.
5735. The method of claύn 5719, farther comprising removing an oxidation product from the formation through a conduit placed in the openύig and substantially inhibiting the oxidation product from flowing into portions ofthe formation beyond the reaction zone.
5736. The method of claim 5719, farther comprising substantially inhibiting the oxidizύig fluid from flowing into portions ofthe foimation beyond the reaction zone.
5737. The method of claim 5719, further comprising removύig water from the formation prior to heating ώe portion.
5738. The method of claim 5719, fiother comprising providing additional heat to the formation from an electric heater placed in ώe opening.
5739. The method of claim 5719, further comprising providing additional heat to the formation from an electric heater placed in the opening such that the oxidizύig fluid continuously oxidizes at least a portion ofthe hydrocarbons in the reaction zone.
5740. The method of claim 5719, further comprising providing additional heat to ώe formation from an electric heater placed in ώe opening such that a constant heat rate in ώe formation is maintained.
5741. The method of claim 5719, further comprising providing additional heat to the formation from an electric heater placed in the opening such that the oxidation of at least a portion of ώe hydrocarbons does not burn out.
5742. The method of claύn 5719, further comprising generating electricity using oxidation products removed from the formation.
5743. The method of claim 5719, further comprising using oxidation products removed from the formation hi an aύ compressor.
5744. The method of claim 5719, further comprising increasing a flow ofthe oxidizing fluid in the openύig to accommodate an increase in a volume ofthe reaction zone over time.
5745. The method of claύn 5719, further comprising increasing the amount of heat provided to the formation by increasing the reaction zone.
5746. The method of claim 5719, further comprising assessing a temperature in or proximate the openύig, and controlling the flow of oxidizing fluid as a function of ώe assessed temperature.
5747. The method of claim 5719, further comprising assessing a temperature in or proximate the opening, and increasing the flow of oxidizing fluid as the assessed temperature decreases.
5748. The method of claim 5719, further comprising controlling the flow of oxidizing fluid to maintain a temperature in or proximate ώe openύig at a temperature less taan a pre-selected temperature.
5749. A method of treating a relatively permeable foimation in sita, comprising: providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least one portion ofthe formation; allowing ώe heat to transfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe foimation; controlling the heat from the one or more heat sources such that an average temperature within at least a selected section ofthe formation is less than about 375 °C;
producύig a mixture from the fonnation from a production well; and controlling heating in or proximate the production well to produce a selected yield of non-condensable hydrocarbons in the produced mixture.
5750. The method of claim 5749, further comprising controlling heatύig in or proximate the production well to produce a selected yield of condensable hydrocarbons in the produced mixture.
5751. The method of claim 5749, wherein the mixture comprises more than about 50 weight percent non- condensable hydrocarbons.
5752. The method of claim 5749, wherein the mixture comprises more ώan about 50 weight percent condensable hydrocarbons.
5753. The method of claim 5749, wherein the average temperature and a pressure within the foimation are controlled such that production of carbon dioxide is substantially inhibited.
5754. The method of claύn 5749, heatύig in or proximate the production well is conttolled such that production of carbon dioxide is substantially inhibited.
5755. The method of claim 5749, wherein at least a portion ofthe mixture produced from a first portion of ώe formation at a lower temperature is recycled into a second portion ofthe formation at a higher temperature such that production of carbon dioxide is substantially inhibited.
5756. The method of claim 5749, wherein the mixture comprises a volume ratio of molecular hydrogen to carbon monoxide of about 2 to 1, and whereύi producing the mixture is controlled such ώat ώe volume ratio is maύitaύied between about 1.8 to 1 and about 2.2 to 1.
5757. The meώod of claim 5749, wherein the heat provided from at least one heat source is fransferred to the formation substantially by conduction.
5758. The method of claύn 5749, wherein the mixture is produced from the formation when a partial pressure of hydrogen in at least a portion ώe formation is at least about 0.5 bars absolute.
5759. The method of claim 5749, wherein at least one heat source comprises a heater.
5760. A method of freating a relatively permeable foimation in sita, comprising: providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least one portion ofthe foimation; allowing the heat to fransfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe foimation;
controlling the heat from the one or more heat sources such that an average temperatare within at least a selected section ofthe fonnation is less than about 375 °C; and producing a mixture from ώe formation.
5761. The method of claim 5760, removing a fluid from the formation through a production well.
5762. The method of claim 5760, further comprising removing a liquid through a production well.
5763. The method of claim 5760, farther comprising removing water through a production well.
5764. The method of claim 5760, further comprising removing a fluid through a production well prior to providing heat to the formation.
5765. The meώod of claim 5760, further comprising removing water from the formation through a production well prior to providing heat to the fonnation.
5766. The method of claim 5760, further comprising removing ώe fluid through a production well using a pump.
5767. The method of claim 5760, farther comprising removing a fluid through a conduit.
5768. The meώod of claύn 5760, wherein the heat provided from at least one heat source is fransfened to the formation substantially by conduction.
5769. The method of claim 5760, wherein ώe mixture is produced from the formation when a partial pressure of hydrogen in at least a portion ώe formation is at least about 0.5 bars absolute.
5770. The method of claim 5760, wherein at least one heat source comprises a heater.
5771. A method of treating a relatively permeable formation in situ, comprising: providύig heat from one or more heat sources to at least one portion ofthe formation; allowing the heat to fransfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe foimation; confrolling ώe heat from the one or more heat sources such that an average temperature within at least a selected section of ώe fonnation is less ώan about 375 °C; measuring a temperature within a wellbore placed in the foimation; and producύig a mixture from tae formation.
5772. The method of claim 5771, further comprising measuring the temperature using a moveable thermocouple.
5773. The method of claim 5771, further comprising measuring the temperature using an optical fiber assembly.
5774. The method of claim 5771, further comprising measuring the temperature withύi a production well.
5775. The method of claim 5771, further comprising measuring the temperature within a heater well.
5776. The method of claim 5771, further comprising measuring the temperature within a monitoring well.
5777. The method of claύn 5771, further comprising providing a pressure wave from a pressure wave source into the wellbore, wherein the wellbore comprises a plurality of discontinuities along a length ofthe wellbore, measuring a reflection signal ofthe pressure wave, and using the reflection signal to assess at least one temperature between at least two discontinuities.
5778. The method of claύn 5771, further comprising assessmg an average temperature in the formation using one or more temperatures measured within at least one wellbore.
5119. The method of claύn 5771, wherein the heat provided from at least one heat source is transferred to ώe foimation substantially by conduction.
5780. The method of claim 5771, wherein the mixture is produced from the formation when a partial pressure of hydrogen in at least a portion the formation is at least about 0.5 bars absolute.
5781. The method of claύn 5771, whereύi at least one heat source comprises a heater.
5782. An in sita method of measuring assessing a temperature within a wellbore in a relatively permeable formation, comprising: providing a pressure wave from a pressure wave source into ώe wellbore, wherein the wellbore comprises a plurality of discontύiuities along a length of ώe wellbore; measuring a reflection signal of ώe pressure wave; and using the reflection signal to assess at least one temperature between at least two discontύiuities.
5783. The method of claim 5782, wherein the plurality of discontύiuities are placed along a length of a conduit placed in the wellbore.
5784. The method of claim 5783, wherein the pressure wave is propagated through a wall ofthe conduit.
5785. The method of claim 5783, wherein the plurality of discontύiuities comprises collars placed within the conduit.
5786. The method of claύn 5783, wherein the plurality of discontinuities comprises welds placed withύi the conduit.
5787. The method of claim 5782, wherein determining the at least one temperature between at least ώe two discontinuities comprises relating a velocity ofthe pressure wave between discontinuities to the at least one temperature.
5788. The method of claim 5782, further comprising measuring a reference signal ofthe pressure wave within the wellbore at an ambient temperature.
5789. The method of claim 5782, further comprising measuring a reference signal ofthe pressure wave within the wellbore at an ambient temperature, and then determining the at least one temperature between at least the two discontύiuities by comparing the measured signal to the reference signal.
5790. The method of claύn 5782, wherein the at least one temperatare is a temperature of a gas between at least tae two discontinuities.
5791. The meώod of claim 5782, wherein ώe wellbore comprises a production well.
5792. The method of claim 5782, whereύi the wellbore comprises a heater well.
5793. The method of claim 5782, wherein the wellbore comprises a monitoring well.
5794. The method of claύn 5782, wherein the pressure wave source comprises a solenoid valve.
5195. The method of claύn 5782, whereύi the pressure wave source comprises an explosive device.
5796. The method of claim 5782, wherein the pressure wave source comprises a sound device.
5797. The method of claim 5782, wherein the pressure wave is propagated through the wellbore.
5798. The method of claim 5782, wherein the plurality of discontύiuities have a spacing between each discontinuity of about 5 m.
5799. The method of claim 5782, further comprising repeatedly providing the pressure wave into the wellbore at a selected frequency and contύiuously measuring the reflected signal to increase a signal-to-noise ratio ofthe reflected signal.
5800. The method of claύn 5782, further comprising providing heat from one or more heat sources to a portion ofthe formation.
5801. The method of claim 5782, farther comprising pyrolyzing at least some hydrocarbons wiώin a portion of ώe formation.
5802. The method of claim 5782, farther comprising generating synthesis gas in at least a portion ofthe formation.
5803. A method of treating a relatively permeable fonnation in sita, comprisύig: providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least one portion of ώe formation; allowing ώe heat to fransfer from ώe one or more heat somces to a selected section ofthe foimation; confrolling ώe heat from ώe one or more heat sources such that an average temperature within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation is less than about 375 °C; and producing a mixture from ώe formation through a heater well.
5804. The method of claύn 5803, wherein producing the mixture through the heater well increases a production rate ofthe mixture from the formation.
5805. The method of claim 5803, further comprising providing heat using at least 2 heat sources.
5806. The method of claim 5803, wherein the one or more heat somces comprise at least two heat somces, and wherein supeφosition of heat from at least the two heat sources pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons with the selected section of ώe formation.
5807. The method of claύn 5803, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise a pattern of heat sources in a formation, and wherein supeφosition of heat from ώe pattern of heat sources pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons with the selected section ofthe formation.
5808. The method of claύn 5803, wherein heating of a majority of selected section is conttolled such that a temperature ofthe majority ofthe selected section is less than about 375 °C.
5809. The method of claim 5803, wherein the heat provided from at least one heat source is fransfened to ώe formation substantially by conduction.
5810. The method of claim 5803, wherein the mixture is produced from the formation when a partial pressure of hydrogen in at least a portion ώe foimation is at least about 0.5 bars absolute.
5811. The method of claύn 5803, whereύi at least one heat source comprises a heater.
5812. A meώod of treating a relatively permeable formation in situ, comprising: providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least one portion ofthe formation;
allowing the heat to fransfer from the one or more heat somces to a selected section ofthe formation; wherein heating is provided from at least a first heat source and at least a second heat source, wherein the first heat source has a first heating cost and the second heat source has a second heating cost; controlling a heating rate of at least a portion ofthe selected section to preferentially use the first heat source when the first heating cost is less than the second heating cost; and controlling the heat from the one or more heat sources to pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbon in the selected section ofthe formation.
5813. The method of claim 5812, further comprising controlling the heatύig rate such that a temperature within at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation is less ώan about 375 °C.
5814. The method of claim 5812, further comprising providing heat using at least 2 heat sources.
5815. The method of claim 5812, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise at least two heat sources, and wherein supeφosition of heat from at least ώe two heat sources pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons with the selected section of ώe formation.
5816. The method of claύn 5812, wherein the one or more heat somces comprise a pattern of heat sources in a formation, and wherein supeφosition of heat from the pattern of heat sources pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons wiώ ώe selected section ofthe foimation.
5817. The method of claim 5812, farther comprising controlling the heatύig to preferentially use the second heat source when the second heating cost is less than the first heating cost.
5818. The method of claim 5812, further comprising producing a mixture from the formation.
5819. The method of claim 5812, wherein heatύig of a majority of selected section is controlled such taat a temperature ofthe majority ofthe selected section is less than about 375 °C.
5820. The method of claim 5812, wherein the heat provided from at least one heat somce is fransferred to ώe formation substantially by conduction.
5821. The method of claim 5812, whereύi at least one heat source comprises a heater.
5822. The method of claim 5812, further comprising producing a mixture from the formation when a partial pressure of hydrogen in at least a portion the foimation is at least about 0.5 bars absolute.
5823. A method of treating a relatively permeable formation in situ, comprising: providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least one portion ofthe formation;
allowing the heat to ttansfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation; wherein heating is provided from at least a first heat source and at least a second heat source, wherein the first heat source has a first heating cost and the second heat source has a second heating cost; controlling a heating rate of at least a portion ofthe selected section such ώat a cost associated with heating the selected section is minimized; and controlling ώe heat from the one or more heat sources to pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbon in at least a portion ofthe selected section ofthe formation.
5824. The method of claim 5823, wherein the heatύig rate is varied within a day depending on a cost associated with heating at various tunes in ώe day.
5825. The method of claύn 5823, further comprising confrolling the heating rate such that a temperature wiώin at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation is less than about 375 °C.
5826. The method of claύn 5823, further comprising providing heat using at least 2 heat sources.
5827. The method of claύn 5823, wherein ώe one or more heat sources comprise at least two heat sources, and wherein supeφosition of heat from at least ώe two heat sources pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons wiώ ώe selected section ofthe formation.
5828. The method of claύn 5823, wherein ώe one or more heat sources comprise a pattern of heat sources in a formation, and wherein supeφosition of heat from the pattern of heat sources pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons wiώ e selected section ofthe foimation.
5829. The method of claύn 5823, further comprising producύig a mixttire from the formation.
5830. The method of claύn 5823, wherein heating of a majority of selected section is controlled such taat a temperature ofthe majority ofthe selected section is less than about 375 °C.
5831. The method of claim 5823, wherein the heat provided from at least one heat source is transferred to ώe formation substantially by conduction.
5832. The method of claim 5823, wherein at least one heat source comprises aheater.
5833. The method of claύn 5823, further comprising producύig a mixture from the formation when a partial pressure of hydrogen in at least a portion the foimation is at least about 0.5 bars absolute.
5834. A method for confrolling an in sita system of freating a relatively permeable formation, comprising:
monitoring at least one acoustic event wiώin the foimation usύig at least one acoustic detector placed within a wellbore in the formation; recording at least one acoustic event wiώ an acoustic monitoring system; analyzing at least one acoustic event to determine at least one property ofthe formation; and controlling the in sita system based on the analysis ofthe at least one acoustic event.
5835. The method of claύn 5834, wherein the at least one acoustic event comprises a seismic event.
5836. The method of claim 5834, wherein the method is contύiuously operated.
5837. The method of claim 5834, whereύi the acoustic monitoring system comprises a seismic monitormg system.
5838. The method of claim 5834, further comprising recording ώe at least one acoustic event with ώe acoustic monitoring system.
5839. The method of claύn 5834, further comprising monitoring more ώan one acoustic event simultaneously with the acoustic monitoring system.
5840. The meώod of claim 5834, farther comprising monitoring the at least one acoustic event at a sampling rate of about at least once every 0.25 milliseconds.
5841. The method of claim 5834, wherein analyzing ώe at least one acoustic event comprises inteφreting the at least one acoustic event.
5842. The method of claύn 5834, wherein ώe at least one property ofthe formation comprises a location of at least one fracture in the formation.
5843. The method of claim 5834, wherein the at least one property ofthe formation comprises an extent of at least one fracture in the foimation.
5844. The method of claύn 5834, wherein the at least one property ofthe formation comprises an orientation of at least one fracture in the formation.
5845. The method of claύn 5834, wherein the at least one property ofthe formation comprises a location and an extent of at least one fracture in the formation.
5846. The method of claim 5834, wherein conttollύig ώe in situ system comprises modifying a temperature of ώe in sita system.
5847. The method of claim 5834, whereύi controlling the in situ system comprises modifying a pressure ofthe in situ system.
5848. The method of claim 5834, whereύi ώe at least one acoustic detector comprises a geophone.
5849. The method of claim 5834, wherein the at least one acoustic detector comprises a hydrophone.
5850. The method of claim 5834, further comprising providing heat to at least a portion of ώe foimation.
5851. The method of claim 5834, further comprising pyrolyzing hydrocarbons within at least a portion ofthe formation.
5852. The method of claim 5834, further comprising providing heat from one or more heat sources to a portion of the fonnation.
5853. The method of claim 5834, further comprising pyrolyzing at least some hydrocarbons within a portion of ώe formation.
5854. The method of claύn 5834, further comprising generating synώesis gas in at least a portion of ώe formation.
5855. A method of predicting characteristics of a formation fluid produced from an in situ process, wherein the in situ process is used for treating a relatively permeable formation, comprising: determining an isothermal experimental temperature that can be used when treating a sample ofthe formation, wherein the isothermal experimental temperature is conelated to a selected in situ heating rate for tae formation; and tteatύig a sample ofthe formation at the determined isothermal experimental temperature, wherein the experiment is used to assess at least one product characteristic ofthe formation fluid produced from the fonnation for ώe selected heating rate.
5856. The method of claim 5855, fiother comprising determinύig the at least one product characteristic at a selected pressure.
5857. The method of claύn 5855, further comprising modifying the selected heating rate so that at least one desύed product characteristic ofthe formation fluid is obtaύied.
5858. The method of claim 5855, further comprising using a selected well spacing in the formation to determine the selected heating rate.
5859. The method of claim 5855, further comprising using a selected heat input into the formation to determine ώe selected heatuig rate.
5860. The method of claim 5855, further comprising usύig at least one property ofthe formation to determine the selected heating rate.
5861. The method of claim 5855, fiirther comprising selecting a desύed heatύig rate such that at least one desύed product characteristic ofthe foimation fluid is obtaύied.
5862. The method of claim 5855, further comprising determinύig the isothermal temperature using an equation that estimates a temperature in which a selected amount of hydrocarbons in tae formation are converted.
5863. The method of claim 5855, wherein the selected heatύig rate is less than about 1 °C per day.
5864. The method of claim 5855, wherein the sample is treated in an ύisulated vessel.
5865. The method of claύn 5855, wherein at least one assessed produced characteristic is used to design at least one surface processing system, wherein ώe surface processing system is used to treat produced fluids on the surface.
5866. The method of claim 5855, wherein the formation is treated using a heatύig rate of about the selected heating rate.
5867. The method of claim 5855, farther comprising using at least one product characteristic to assess a pressure to be maintained in the formation during freatment.
5868. A method of treating a relatively permeable formation in situ, comprising: providing heat from one or more heat somces to at least one portion of ώe formation; allowing ώe heat to ttansfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation; adding hydrogen to the selected section after a temperature ofthe selected section is at least about 270 °C; and producing a mixture from ώe formation.
5869. The method of claim 5868, whereύi the temperature ofthe selected section is at least about 290 °C.
5870. The method of claim 5868, whereύi the temperature ofthe selected section is at least about 320 °C.
5871. The method of claim 5868, wherein ώe temperature ofthe selected section is less than about 375 °C.
5872. The method of claim 5868, wherein the temperatare ofthe selected section is less than about 400 °C.
5873. The method of claim 5868, wherein the heat provided from at least one heat source is transferred to the formation substantially by conduction.
5874. The method of claύn 5868, wherein the mixture is produced from the formation when a partial pressure of hydrogen in at least a portion the foimation is at least about 0.5 bars absolute.
5875. The method of claim 5868, wherein at least one heat source comprises a heater.
5876. A meώod of tteating a relatively permeable formation in situ, comprising: providing heat from one or more heat somces to at least one portion of ώe foimation; allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation; and controlling a temperature of a majority ofthe selected section by selectively addύig hydrogen to the formation.
5877. The method of claim 5876, further comprising controlling the temperature such that the temperature is less than about 375 °C.
5878. The method of claim 5876, farther comprisύig controlling the temperature such that the temperature is less taan about 400 °C.
5879. The method of claύn 5876, further comprising controlling a heatύig rate such that the temperature is less than about 375 °C.
5880. The method of claύn 5876, wherein ώe one or more heat sources comprise a pattern of heat sources in a formation, and wherein supeφosition of heat from ώe pattern of heat sources pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons with the selected section ofthe formation.
5881. The method of claim 5876, further comprising producing a mixture from the formation.
5882. The meώod of claύn 5876, wherein the heat provided from at least one heat source is transferred to ώe formation substantially by conduction.
5883. The method of claim 5876, further comprising producύig a mixture from e formation when a partial pressure of hydrogen in at least a portion the formation is at least about 0.5 bars absolute.
5884. The method of claim 5876, wherein at least one heat source comprises a heater.
5885. A method of freating a relatively permeable formation in situ, comprising: providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation; allowing ώe heat to transfer from at least the portion to a selected section ofthe formation; and producύig fluids from the formation wherein at least a portion of ώe produced fluids have been heated by ώe heat provided by one or more of ώe heat sources, and wherein at least a portion ofthe produced fluids are produced at a temperature greater than about 200 °C.
5886. The meώod of claim 5885, wherein at least a portion ofthe produced fluids are produced at a temperature greater ώan about 250 °C.
5887. The method of claim 5885, wherein at least a portion ofthe produced fluids are produced at a temperature greater than about 300 °C.
5888. The method of claim 5885, further comprising varying the heat provided to ώe one or more heat somces to vary heat in at least a portion of ώe produced fluids.
5889. The method of claim 5885, wherein the produced fluids are produced from a well comprising at least one of ώe heat sources, and fiother comprising varying the heat provided to ώe one or more heat sources to vary heat in at least a portion ofthe produced fluids.
5890. The method of claύn 5885, further comprising providing at least a portion of ώe produced fluids to a hydrofreating unit.
5891. The method of claim 5885, farther comprising providing at least a portion ofthe produced fluids to a hydrofreatύig unit, and further comprising varying the heat provided to the one or more heat sources to vary heat in at least a portion ofthe produced fluids provided to the hydrofreating unit.
5892. The method of claim 5885, further comprising providing at least a portion ofthe produced fluids to a hydrotreating unit, and usύig heat in the produced fluids when hydrofreating at least a portion ofthe produced fluids.
5893. The method of claim 5885, further comprising providing at least a portion of ώe produced fluids to a hydrotreating unit, and hydrotreating at least a portion of ώe produced fluids without using a surface heater to heat produced fluids.
5894. The method of claim 5885, further comprising: providing at least a portion of ώe produced fluids to a hydrotreating unit; and hydrotreating at least a portion ofthe produced fluids;
wherein at least 50% of heat used for hydrofreating is provided by heat in the produced fluids.
5895. The method of claim 5885, further comprising providing at least a portion ofthe produced fluids to a hydrofreating unit, wherein at least a portion ofthe produced fluids are provided to the hydrotreating unit via an insulated conduit, and wherein ώe insulated conduit is ύisulated to inhibit heat loss from the produced fluids.
5896. The method of claim 5885, further comprising providing at least a portion ofthe produced fluids to a hydrofreating unit, wherein at least a portion of ώe produced fluids are provided to the hydrofreating unit via a heated conduit.
5897. The method of claύn 5885, further comprising providing at least a portion ofthe produced fluids to a hydrofreating unit wherein the produced fluids are produced at a wellhead, and wherein at least a portion of ώe produced fluids are provided to the hydrotreating unit at a temperature ώat is within about 50 °C ofthe temperature ofthe produced fluids at the wellhead.
5898. The method of claim 5885, farther comprising hydrofreating at least a portion ofthe produced fluids such that the volume of hydrotreated produced fluids is about 4% greater than a volume ofthe produced fluids.
5899. The method of claim 5885, further comprising providing at least a portion ofthe produced fluids to a hydrofreating unit wherein the produced fluids comprise molecular hydrogen, and using ώe molecular hydrogen in the produced fluids to hydrofreat at least a portion ofthe produced fluids.
5900. The meώod of claim 5885, farther comprising providing at least a portion ofthe produced fluids to a hydrotreating unit wherein ώe produced fluids comprise molecular hydrogen, hydrotreating at least a portion ofthe produced fluids, and wherein at least 50% of molecular hydrogen used for hydrotreating is provided by ώe molecular hydrogen in the produced fluids.
5901. The method of claύn 5885, whereύi the produced fluids comprise molecular hydrogen, separating at least a portion of ώe molecular hydrogen from the produced fluids, and providing at least a portion ofthe separated molecular hydrogen to a surface treatment unit.
5902. The method of claim 5885, wherein the produced fluids comprise molecular hydrogen, separating at least a portion ofthe molecular hydrogen from ώe produced fluids, and providing at least a portion ofthe separated molecular hydrogen to an in situ tteatment area.
5903. The method of claύn 5885, further comprising providing a portion ofthe produced fluids to an olefin generating unit.
5904. The method of claim 5885, farther comprising providing a portion ofthe produced fluids to a steam cracking unit.
5905. The method of claim 5885, further comprising providing at least a portion ofthe produced fluids to an olefin generating unit, and further comprising varying heat provided to the one or more heat sources to vary the heat in at least a portion ofthe produced fluids provided to the olefin generatύig unit.
5906. The method of claim 5885, further comprising providing at least a portion of ώe produced fluids to an olefin generating unit, and usύig heat in ώe produced fluids when generating olefins from at least a portion of ώe produced fluids.
5907. The method of claim 5885, further comprising providing at least a portion ofthe produced fluids to an olefin generating unit, and generatύig olefins from at least a portion ofthe produced fluids without using a surface heater to heat produced fluids.
5908. The method of claύn 5885, further comprising providing at least a portion ofthe produced fluids to an olefin generating unit, and generating olefins from at least a portion ofthe produced fluids, and wherein at least 50%) ofthe heat used for generating olefins is provided by heat in the produced fluids.
5909. The method of claύn 5885, further comprising providing at least a portion ofthe produced fluids to an olefin generating unit wherein at least a portion ofthe produced fluids are provided to the olefin generating unit via an ύisulated conduit, and wherein ώe insulated conduit is insulated to ύihibit heat loss from the produced fluids.
5910. The method of claim 5885, farther comprising providing at least a portion of ώe produced fluids to an olefin generating unit wherein at least a portion of ώe produced fluids are provided to ώe olefin generating unit via a heated conduit.
5911. The method of claύn 5885, fiother comprising providing at least a portion of ώe produced fluids to an olefin generating unit wherein the produced fluids are produced at a welώead, and wherein at least a portion ofthe produced fluids are provided to the olefin generatύig unit at a temperature that is withύi about 50 °C of ώe temperature ofthe produced fluids at the wellhead.
5912. The method of claim 5885, further comprising removing heat from the produced fluids in a heat exchanger.
5913. The method of claύn 5885, further comprising separating ώe produced fluids into two or more streams comprising at least a synthetic condensate sfream, and a non-condensable fluid sfream.
5914. The method of claim 5885, further comprising providing at least a portion ofthe produced fluids to a separating unit, and separating at least a portion of ώe produced fluids into two or more sfreams.
5915. The method of claim 5885, further comprising providing at least a portion of the produced fluids to a separating unit, and separating at least a portion ofthe produced fluids into two or more sfreams, and further comprising separating at least one of such sfreams into two or more subsfreams.
5916. The method of claύn 5885, further comprising providing at least a portion o the produced fluids to a separating unit, and separating at least a portion of ώe produced fluids into three or more streams, and wherein such sfreams comprise at least a top stream, a bottom stteam, and a middle stteam.
5917. The method of claύn 5885, further comprising providing at least a portion of ώe produced fluids to a separating unit, and further comprising varying heat provided to the one or more heat somces to vary the heat in at least a portion ofthe produced fluids provided to the separating unit.
5918. The method of claim 5885, further comprising providing at least a portion ofthe produced fluids to a separating unit, and using heat in ώe produced fluids when separating at least a portion of ώe produced fluids.
5919. The method of claim 5885, further comprising providing at least a portion ofthe produced fluids to a separating unit, and separating at least a portion of ώe produced fluids without using a smface heater to heat produced fluids.
5920. The method of claim 5885, farther comprising providing at least a portion of ώe produced fluids to a separating unit, and separating at least a portion ofthe produced fluids, and wherein at least 50% ofthe heat used for separating is provided by heat in the produced fluids.
5921. The method of claim 5885, farther comprising providing at least a portion ofthe produced fluids to a separating unit wherein at least a portion of ώe produced fluids are provided to ώe separating unit via an ύisulated conduit, and wherein the insulated conduit is msulated to ύihibit heat loss from ώe produced fluids.
5922. The method of claim 5885, farther comprising providing at least a portion of ώe produced fluids to a separating unit whereύi at least a portion ofthe produced fluids are provided to ώe separating unit via a heated conduit.
5923. The method of claim 5885, farther comprising providing at least a portion of ώe produced fluids to a separating unit wherein the produced fluids are produced at a wellhead, and wherein at least a portion ofthe produced fluids are provided to ώe separatύig unit at a temperatare ώat is withύi about 50 °C of ώe temperature of the produced fluids at the welώead.
5924. The method of claim 5885, further comprising providing at least a portion of ώe produced fluids to a separating unit, and separating at least a portion ofthe produced fluids into four or more streams, and wherein such streams comprise at least a top stream, a bottoms sfream, and at least two middle sfreams wherein one of ώe middle streams is heavier than the other middle stream.
5925. The method of claύn 5885, farther comprising providing at least a portion of ώe produced fluids to a separatύig unit, and separating at least a portion ofthe produced fluids into five or more streams, and whereύi such sfreams comprise at least a top sfream, a bottoms stream, a naphtha stteam, diesel stream, and a jet fuel stream.
5926. The method of claim 5885, farther comprising providing at least a portion of ώe produced fluids to a distillation column, and using heat in the produced fluids when distilling at least a portion of ώe produced fluids.
5927. The meώod of claim 5885, wherein the produced fluids comprise pyrolyzation fluids.
5928. The method of claim 5885, wherein the produced fluids comprise carbon dioxide, and further comprising separating at least a portion of ώe carbon dioxide from the produced fluids.
5929. The method of claύn 5885, wherein the produced fluids comprise carbon dioxide, and further comprising separating at least a portion ofthe carbon dioxide from the produced fluids, and utilizing at least some carbon dioxide in one or more treatment processes.
5930. The method of claim 5885, wherein the produced fluids comprise molecular hydrogen and wherein the molecular hydrogen is used when freatύig ώe produced fluids.
5931. The method of claim 5885, wherein the produced fluids comprise steam and wherein the steam is used when treating the produced fluids.
5932. The method of claim 5885, wherein the heat provided from at least one heat source is fransfened to ώe formation substantially by conduction.
5933. The method of claύn 5885, whereύi the fluids are produced from the fonnation when a partial pressure of hydrogen in at least a portion the formation is at least about 0.5 bars absolute.
5934. The method of claύn 5885, whereύi at least one heat source comprises a heater.
5935. A method of converting formation fluids into olefins, comprising: converting formation fluids into olefins, wherein the formation fluids are obtained by: providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe fonnation;
allowing ώe heat to fransfer from one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation such that at least some hydrocarbons in the formation are pyrolyzed; and producing fonnation fluids from the formation.
5936. The method of claim 5935 wherein the produced fluids comprise steam.
5937. The method of claύn 5935 whereύi the produced fluids comprise steam and wherein the steam ύi the produced fluids comprises at least a portion of steam used in ώe olefin generating unit.
5938. The method of claim 5935, further comprising providing at least a portion of the produced fluids to an olefin generating unit.
5939. The method of claim 5935, further comprising providing at least a portion of ώe produced fluids to a steam cracking unit.
5940. The method of claim 5935 wherein olefins comprise ethylene.
5941. The method of claύn 5935 wherein olefins comprise propylene.
5942. The meώod of claim 5935, further comprising separating liquids from the produced fluids, and ώen separating olefin generating compounds from the produced fluids, and then providing at least a portion ofthe olefin generating compounds to an olefin generating unit.
5943. The meώod of claim 5935 wherein the produced fluids comprise molecular hydrogen, and further comprising removing at least a portion ofthe molecular hydrogen from the produced fluids prior to using the produced fluids to produce olefins.
5944. The method of claim 5935 wherein ώe produced fluids comprise molecular hydrogen, and further comprisύig separating at least a portion of ώe molecular hydrogen from the produced fluids, and utilizing at least a portion of ώe separated molecular hydrogen in one or more freatment processes.
5945. The method of claύn 5935 wherein the produced fluids comprise molecular hydrogen, and further comprisύig removing at least a portion ofthe molecular hydrogen from the produced fluids using a hydrogen removal unit prior to using the produced fluids to produce olefins.
5946. The method of claim 5935 wherein the produced fluids comprises molecular hydrogen, and further comprising removing at least a portion of ώe molecular hydrogen from the produced fluids using a membrane prior to using ώe produced fluids to produce olefins.
5947. The meώod of claim 5935, further comprising generating molecular hydrogen during production of olefins, and providing at least a portion ofthe generated molecular hydrogen to one or more hydrotreating units.
5948. The method of claύn 5935, further comprising generating molecular hydrogen during production of olefins, and providing at least a portion of ώe generated molecular hydrogen to an in situ treatment area.
5949. The method of claύn 5935, further comprising generating molecular hydrogen during production of olefins, and providing at least a portion ofthe generated molecular hydrogen to one or more fael cells.
5950. The method of claim 5935, farther comprising generating molecular hydrogen during production of olefins, and using at least a portion of ώe generated molecular hydrogen to hydrofreat pyrolysis liquids generated in ώe olefin generation plant.
5951. The method of claύn 5935 wherein the produced fluids are at least 200 °C, and further comprising usύig heat in the produced fluids to produce olefins.
5952. The method of claim 5935, further comprising providing at least a portion of ώe produced fluids to a hydrotreating unit wherein ώe produced fluids are produced at a wellhead, and wherem at least a portion of ώe produced fluids are provided to the olefins generating unit at a temperature ώat is within about 50 °C ofthe temperature ofthe produced fluids at the welώead.
5953. The method of claim 5935 wherein the produced fluids can be used to make olefins without substantial hydrofreating ofthe produced fluids.
5954. The method of claim 5935, further comprising separating liquids from the produced fluids, and then using at least a portion of ώe produced fluids to produce olefins.
5955. The method of claim 5935, further comprising controlling a fluid pressure wiώin at least a portion of ώe formation to enhance production of olefin generating compounds in the produced fluids.
5956. The method of claύn 5935, further comprising controlling a temperature within at least a portion ofthe formation to enhance production of olefin generating compounds in the produced fluids.
5957. The meώod of claim 5935, further comprismg confrolling a temperature profile withύi at least a portion of ώe formation to enhance production of olefin generating compounds in the produced fluids.
5958. The method of claim 5935, further comprising controlling a heating rate within at least a portion of ώe foimation to enhance production of olefin generating compounds in the produced fluids.
5959. The method of claim 5935, further comprising providing at least a portion ofthe produced fluids to an olefin generatύig unit, and further comprising varying heat provided to ώe one or more heat sources to vary the heat in at least a portion ofthe produced fluids provided to the olefin generatύig unit.
5960. The method of claim 5935, further comprising providing at least a portion ofthe produced fluids to an olefin generating unit, and using heat in the produced fluids when generating olefins from at least a portion ofthe produced fluids.
5961. The method of claim 5935 wherein the produced fluids comprise steam, and farther comprising providing at least a portion of ώe produced fluids to an olefin generating unit, and using steam in ώe produced fluids when generating olefins from at least a portion of ώe produced fluids.
5962. The method of claim 5935 wherein the produced fluids comprise steam, and further comprising providing at least a portion ofthe produced fluids to an olefin generating unit, generating olefins from at least a portion of ώe produced fluids, and wherein at least some steam used for generating olefins is provided by ώe steam in the produced fluids.
5963. The method of claύn 5935, further comprising providing at least a portion ofthe produced fluids to an olefin generating unit wherein at least a portion of ώe produced fluids are provided to the olefin generating unit via an msulated conduit, and wherein the ύisulated conduit is msulated to inhibit heat loss from ώe produced fluids.
5964. The method of claim 5935, further comprising providing at least a portion of ώe produced fluids to an olefin generating unit wherein at least a portion ofthe produced fluids are provided to ώe olefin generatύig unit via a heated conduit.
5965. The method of claύn 5935, further comprising separating at least a portion ofthe produced fluids into one or more fractions wherein the one or more fractions comprise a naphώa fraction, and further comprising providing the naphtha fraction to an olefin generating unit.
5966. The method of claim 5935, further comprising separating at least a portion ofthe produced fluids into one or more fractions wherein the one or more fractions comprise a olefin generating fraction whereύi the olefin generating fraction comprises hydrocarbons having a carbon number greater than about 1 and a carbon number less ώan about 8, and further comprising providing the olefin generating fraction to a olefin generating unit.
5967. The method of claύn 5935, farther comprising separating at least a portion ofthe produced fluids into one or more fractions wherein the one or more fractions comprise an olefin generating fraction wherein the olefin generating fraction comprises hydrocarbons having a carbon number greater than about 1 and a carbon number less than about 6, and further comprising providύig the olefin generatύig fraction to a olefin generating unit.
5968. The meώod of claim 5935, further comprising providing at least the portion ofthe produced fluids to a component removal unit such that at least one component stream and a reduced component fluid stteam are formed, and then providing the reduced component fluid stream to an olefin generating unit.
5969. The method of claim 5968, wherein the component comprises a metal.
5970. The method of claim 5968, wherein the component comprises arsenic.
5971. The method of claim 5968, wherein the component comprises mercury.
5972. The method of claim 5968, wherein the component comprises lead.
5973. The method of claim 5935, further comprising providing at least the portion ofthe produced fluids to a component removal unit such ώat at least one component stteam and a reduced component fluid sfream are formed, then providing the reduced component fluid stream to a molecular hydrogen separating unit such that a molecular hydrogen stteam and a reduced hydrogen fluid stteam are formed, then providing the molecular hydrogen stteam to a hydrotreating unit, and then providing ώe reduced hydrogen produced fluid sfream to an olefin generating unit.
5974. The method of claim 5935 wherein the produced fluids comprise molecular hydrogen and wherein the molecular hydrogen is used when freating the produced fluids.
5975. The method of claim 5935 whereύi the produced fluids comprise steam and wherein ώe steam is used when treating the produced fluids.
5976. The method of claύn 5935, further comprising providing at least a portion of ώe produced fluids to an olefin generatύig unit, and using heat in ώe produced fluids when generating olefins from at least a portion ofthe produced fluids.
5977. The method of claim 5935 wherein ώe produced fluids comprise steam, and further comprising providing at least a portion ofthe produced fluids to an olefin generatύig unit, and using steam in the produced fluids when generating olefins from at least a portion ofthe produced fluids.
5978. The method of claim 5935, further comprisύig providing at least a portion of ώe produced fluids to an olefin generating unit wherein at least a portion of ώe produced fluids are provided to the olefin generating unit via an msulated conduit, and wherein the insulated conduit is insulated to ύώibit heat loss from the produced fluids.
5979. The method of claύn 5935, farther comprising providing at least a portion ofthe produced fiuids to an olefin generatύig unit wherein at least a portion ofthe produced fluids are provided to the olefin generating unit via a heated conduit.
5980. The method of claim 5935, wherein the heat provided from at least one heat source is transferred to the foimation substantially by conduction.
5981. The method of claim 5935, wherein ώe fonnation fluids are produced from the formation when a partial pressure of hydrogen in at least a portion the formation is at least about 0.5 bars absolute,
5982. The method of claim 5935, wherein at least one heat source comprises a heater.
5983. A method of separating olefins from fluids produced from a relatively permeable formation, comprising: separating olefins from the produced fluids, wherein the produced fluids are obtained by: providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation; allowing ώe heat to fransfer from at least one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation; and producing fluids from the formation wherein ώe produced fluids comprise olefins.
5984. The method of claim 5983 wherein olefins comprise eώylene.
5985. The method of claύn 5983 wherein olefins comprise propylene.
5986. The method of claύn 5983, further comprising separating liquids from the produced fluids.
5987. The method of claim 5983 wherein ώe produced fluids comprise molecular hydrogen, and further comprising separating at least a portion ofthe molecular hydrogen from the produced fluids, and utilizing at least a portion of ώe separated molecular hydrogen in one or more treatment processes.
5988. The method of claim 5983 wherein the produced fluids comprise molecular hydrogen, and further comprising removing at least a portion ofthe molecular hydrogen from the produced fluids using a hydrogen removal unit.
5989. The method of claim 5983 wherein the produced fluids comprises molecular hydrogen, and further comprising removing at least a portion ofthe molecular hydrogen from the produced fluids using a membrane.
5990. The method of claύn 5983, further comprising controlling a fluid pressure wiώin at least a portion of ώe formation to enhance production of olefins ύi the produced fluids.
5991. The method of claim 5983, further comprising confrolling a temperature within at least a portion ofthe foimation to enhance production of olefins in ώe produced fluids.
5992. The method of claim 5983, further comprising controlling a temperature profile within at least a portion of the fonnation to enhance production of olefins in the produced fluids.
5993. The method of claim 5983, farther comprising controlling a heating rate within at least a portion ofthe formation to enhance production of olefins in the produced fluids.
5994. The method of claim 5983, farther comprising providing at least a portion ofthe produced fluids to an olefin generating unit, and further comprising varying heat provided to ώe one or more heat sources to vary the heat in at least a portion ofthe produced fluids provided to the olefin generatύig unit.
5995. The method of claύn 5983, further comprising providing at least a portion ofthe produced fluids to an olefin generating unit, and using heat in the produced fluids when generating olefins from at least a portion of ώe produced fluids.
5996. The method of claim 5983 whereύi the produced fluids comprise steam, and further comprising providing at least a portion ofthe produced fluids to an olefin generating unit, and usύig steam in the produced fluids when generating olefins from at least a portion ofthe produced fluids.
5997. The method of claύn 5983, further comprising providmg at least a portion ofthe produced fluids to an olefin generating unit wherein at least a portion ofthe produced fluids are provided to the olefin generating unit via an msulated conduit, and wherein ώe insulated conduit is msulated to inhibit heat loss from the produced fluids.
5998. The method of claim 5983, farther comprising providing at least a portion of ώe produced fluids to an olefin generating unit wherein at least a portion of ώe produced fluids are provided to ώe olefin generatύig unit via a heated conduit.
5999. The method of claύn 5983, further comprising separatύig at least a portion of ώe produced fluids into one or more fractions wherein the one or more fractions comprise a naphtha fraction, and further comprising providing ώe naphώa fraction to an olefin generatύig unit.
6000. The method of claim 5983, farther comprisύig separating at least a portion of ώe produced fluids into one or more fractions wherein ώe one or more fractions comprise a olefin generating fraction whereύi the olefin generating fraction comprises hydrocarbons having a carbon number greater than about 1 and a carbon number less than about 8, and farther comprising providing the olefin generating fraction to a olefin generating unit.
6001. The method of claim 5983, farther comprising separating at least a portion of ώe produced fluids into one or more fractions whereiα the one or more fractions comprise an olefin generating fraction whereύi the olefin generating fraction comprises hydrocarbons having a carbon number greater than about 1 and a carbon number less ώan about 6, and further comprising providing the olefin generating fraction to a olefin generatύig unit.
6002. The method of claim 5983, farther comprising providing at least the portion ofthe produced fluids to a component removal unit such that at least one component stream and a reduced component fluid sfream are formed, and then providing the reduced component fluid sfream to an olefin generating unit.
6003. The method of claim 6002 whereiα the component comprises a metal.
6004. The method of claim 6002 whereύi the component comprises arsenic.
6005. The method of claύn 6002 wherein the component comprises mercury.
6006. The method of claim 6002 whereύi ώe component comprises lead.
6007. The method of claim 5983, further comprising providing at least the portion ofthe produced fluids to a component removal unit such that at least one component stream and a reduced component fluid stream are formed, ώen providing the reduced component fluid stream to a molecular hydrogen separating unit such that a molecular hydrogen stream and a reduced hydrogen fluid stteam are formed, ώen providing the molecular hydrogen sfream to a hydrotreating unit, and then providing the reduced hydrogen produced fluid stream to an olefin generating unit.
6008. The method of claim 5983, farther comprising controlling a temperature gradient within at least a portion of ώe formation to enhance production of olefins in the produced fluids.
6009. The method of claim 5983, further comprising controlling a fluid pressure wiώin at least a portion of ώe formation to enhance production of olefins in the produced fluids.
6010. The method of claim 5983, farther comprising controlling a temperature within at least a portion ofthe formation to enhance production of olefins in the produced fluids.
6011. The method of claύn 5983, farther comprising controlling a heatύig rate within at least a portion ofthe formation to enhance production of olefins in the produced fluids.
6012. The method of claim 5983, farther comprising separating ώe olefins from the produced fluids such ώat an amount of molecular hydrogen utilized in one or more downstream hydrotreating units decreases.
6013. The method of claim 5983 , farther comprising removing at least a portion of the olefins prior to hydrotteating produced fluids.
6014. A method of enhancing BTEX compounds production from a relatively permeable fonnation, comprising:
controlling at least one condition withύi at least a portion ofthe formation to enhance production of BTEX compounds hi formation fluid, wherein the formation fluid is obtaύied by: providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation; allowing the heat to transfer from at least one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation; and producing foimation fluids from the fonnation.
6015. The method of claim 6014, furώer comprising separating at least a portion ofthe BTEX compounds from the produced fluids.
6016. The meώod of claim 6014, farther comprising separating at least a portion ofthe BTEX compounds from the produced fluids via solvent exfraction.
6017. The method of claύn 6014, further comprising separating at least a portion of the BTEX compounds from ώe produced fluids via distillation.
6018. The method of claim 6014, further comprising separating at least a portion ofthe BTEX compounds from the produced fluids via condensation.
6019. The method of claim 6014, farther comprising separating at least a portion ofthe BTEX compounds from the produced fluids such that an amount of molecular hydrogen utilized in one or more downstream hydrofreating units decreases.
6020. The method of claim 6014, whereύi controlling at least one condition in the fonnation comprises controlling a fluid pressure wiώin at least a portion ofthe formation.
6021. The method of claim 6014, wherein controlling at least one condition in the formation comprises controlling a temperature gradient within at least a portion ofthe formation.
6022. The method of claim 6014, wherein controlling at least one condition in the formation comprises controlling a temperature within at least a portion ofthe formation. .
6023. The method of claim 6014, wherein controlling at least one condition in the formation comprises controlling a heating rate wiώin at least a portion ofthe formation.
6024. The method of claim 6014, farther comprising removing at least a portion ofthe BTEX compounds prior to hydrofreating produced fluids.
6025. The method of claim 6014, wherein the heat provided from at least one heat source is fransfened to the formation substantially by conduction.
6026. The method of claim 6014, wherein the formation fluids are produced from the formation when a partial pressure of hydrogen in at least a portion the formation is at least about 0.5 bars absolute.
6027. The method of claim 6014, wherein at least one heat source comprises a heater.
6028. A method of separating BTEX compounds from foimation fluid from a relatively permeable formation, comprising: separating at least a portion ofthe BTEX compounds from ώe foimation fluid wherein ώe formation fluid is obtained by: providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation; allowing the heat to fransfer from at least one or more heat somces to a selected section ofthe formation; and producing fluids from the formation wherein ώe produced fluids comprise BTEX compounds.
6029. The method of claύn 6028, further comprising hydrofreating at least a portion of ώe produced fluids after the BTEX compounds have been separated from same.
6030. The method of claim 6028 wherein separatύig at least a portion of ώe BTEX compounds from the produced fluids comprises extracting at least the portion ofthe BTEX compounds from ώe produced fluids via solvent extraction.
6031. The method of claim 6028 wherein separating at least a portion of ώe BTEX compounds from ώe produced fluids comprises distilling at least the portion ofthe BTEX compounds from the produced fluids.
6032. The method of claύn 6028 wherein separatύig at least a portion ofthe BTEX compounds from the produced fluids comprises condensing at least the portion of ώe BTEX compounds from the produced fluids
6033. The method of claim 6028 wherein separating at least a portion of ώe BTEX comppunds from the produced fluids such that an amount of molecular hydrogen utilized in one or more downstream hydrotteating units decreases.
6034. The method of claim 6028, further comprising controlling a fluid pressure withm at least a portion of ώe formation.
6035. The method of claim 6028, farther comprising controlling a temperature gradient withύi at least a portion of ώe formation.
6036. The meώod of claim 6028, further comprising controlling a temperature within at least a portion ofthe formation.
6037. The method of claim 6028, further comprising confrolling a heating rate within at least a portion of ώe formation.
6038. The method of claim 6028 wherein separating at least the portion of BTEX compounds from the produced fluids further comprises removing a naphtha fraction from the produced fluids, and separating at least the portion of BTEX compounds from the naphtha fraction.
6039. The method of claύn 6028, wherein separating at least the portion of BTEX compounds from the produced fluids, further comprises removing a BTEX fraction from the produced fluids, and separating at some BTEX compounds from the BTEX fraction.
6040. The method of claim 6028, whereύi separatύig at least the portion of BTEX compounds from the produced fluids decreases an amount of molecular hydrogen utilized in one or more downstream hydrotreating units.
6041. A meώod of in sita converting at least a portion of foimation fluid into BTEX compounds, comprising: in sita converting at least ώe portion ofthe foimation fluid into BTEX compounds, wherein the formation fluid are obtained by: providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion of ώe formation; allowing ώe heat to transfer from at least one or more heat sources to a selected section of ώe formation such that at least some hydrocarbons in e foimation are pyrolyzed; and producing formation fluid from ώe formation.
6042. , The meώod of claim 6041, further comprising providing at least a portion of ώe formation fluid to an BTEX generating unit.
6043. The method of claύn 6041 , farther comprising providing at least a portion of the foimation fluid to a catalytic reforming unit.
6044. The method of claύn 6041, further comprising hydrofreating at least some ofthe formation fluid, and then separating the hydrofreated mixture into one more streams comprisύig a naphώa stteam, and then reforming at least a portion ώe naphtha sfream to form a reformate comprising BTEX compounds, and then separating at least a portion of ώe BTEX compounds from the reformate.
6045. The method of claim 6041, further comprising hydrofreating at least some ofthe foimation fluid, and ώen separating the hydrofreated mixtare into one more sfreams comprising a naphtha stream, and then reforming at least
a portion ώe naphώa stream to form a molecular hydrogen stream and a refonnate comprising BTEX compounds, and then separating at least a portion ofthe BTEX compounds from ώe reformate, and ώen utilizing the molecular hydrogen sfream to hydrofreat at least some ofthe formation fluid.
6046. The method of claύn 6041, further comprising hydrofreatύig the formation fluid, and then separatύig the hydrofreated foimation fluid into one more streams comprisύig a naphtha sfream, and then reforming at least a portion the naphtha sfream to form a reformate comprising BTEX compounds, and ώen separating at least a portion ofthe reformate into two or more streams comprising a raffinate and a BTEX stream..
6047. The method of claύn 6041 wherein the formation fluid is at least 200 °C, and further comprising using heat in ώe formation fluid to hydrofreat at least a portion of ώe formation fluid.
6048. The method of claύn 6041, further comprising separatύig at least a portion of ώe formation fluid into one or more fractions wherein the one or more fractions comprise a naphtha fraction, and further comprising providing the naphώa fraction to a catalytic reforming unit.
6049. The method of claim 6041, further comprising separating at least a portion ofthe formation fluid ύito one or more fractions wherein the one or more fractions comprise a BTEX compound generating fraction wherein the BTEX compound generating fraction comprises hydrocarbons, and further comprising providing the BTEX compound generating fraction to a catalytic reforming unit.
6050. The method of claim 6041, wherein the heat provided from at least one heat source is transferred to the formation substantially by conduction.
6051. The method of claim 6041 , wherein the fluids are produced from the formation when a partial pressure of hydrogen in at least a portion the formation is at least about 0.5 bars absolute.
6052. The method of claύn 6041, whereύi at least one heat source comprises a heater.
6053. A method of enhancing naphthalene production from a relatively permeable formation, comprising: confrolling at least one condition within at least a portion ofthe formation to enhance production of naphthalene in foimation fluid, wherein the formation fluid is obtained by: providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion of ώe formation; allowing ώe heat to transfer from at least one or more heat sources to a selected section of ώe formation; and producύig formation fluids from the formation.
6054. The method of claim 6053, further comprising separating at least a portion ofthe naphthalene from the produced fluids.
6055. The method of claim 6053, wherein controlling at least one condition in the formation comprises controlling a fluid pressure within at least a portion ofthe foimation.
6056. The meώod of claim 6053, wherein controlling at least one condition in the formation comprises controlling a temperature gradient within at least a portion ofthe foimation.
6057. The method of claim 6053, wherein controlling at least one condition in the foimation comprises confrollύig a temperature wiώin at least a portion ofthe formation.
6058. The method of claim 6053, wherein controlling at least one condition in the formation comprises controlling a heating rate withύi at least a portion ofthe formation.
6059. The method of claim 6053, further comprising separating the produced fluids into one or more fractions using distillation.
6060. The method of claim 6053, further comprising separatύig tae produced fluids ύito one or more fractions usύig condensation.
6061. The method of clafrn 6053, further comprising separating the produced fluids into one or more fractions wherein the one or more fractions comprise a heart cut, and further comprising providing the heart cut to an extraction unit, and separating at least some naphthalene from ώe heart cut.
6062. The method of claim 6053, further comprisύig separating the produced fluids into one or more fractions wherein the one or more fractions comprise a naphthalene fraction, and further comprising providing the naphthalene fraction to an exfraction unit, and separating at least some naphthalene from ώe naphthalene fraction.
6063. The method of claim 6053, wherein the heat provided from at least one heat source is fransfened to the formation substantially by conduction.
6064. The method of claim 6053, wherein the fonnation fluids are produced from ώe formation when a partial pressure of hydrogen in at least a portion the foimation is at least about 0.5 bars absolute.
6065. The method of claim 6053 , wherein at least one heat source comprises a heater.
6066. A method of separating naphthalene from fluids produced from a relatively permeable fonnation, comprising: separating naphthalene from the produced fluids, wherein the produced fluids are obtaύied by: providύig heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation;
allowing the heat to fransfer from at least one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe foimation; and producύig fluids from the foimation wherein the produced fluids comprise naphthalene.
6067. The method of claim 6066, farther comprising controlling a fluid pressure wiώin at least a portion ofthe formation.
6068. The method of claim 6066, further comprising controlling a temperature gradient within at least a portion ofthe formation.
6069. The method of claim 6066, furώer comprising controlling a temperature within at least a portion of ώe foimation.
6070. The method of claim 6066, further comprising controlling a heating rate withύi at least a portion ofthe formation.
6071. The method of claim 6066 wherein separating at least some naphthalene from ώe produced fluids further comprises separating the produced fluids into one or more fractions using distillation.
6072. The method of claύn 6066 wherein separatύig at least some naphthalene from the produced fluids furώer comprises separating ώe produced fluids into one or more fractions using condensation.
6073. The method of claύn 6066 wherein separating at least some naphthalene from the produced fluids further comprises separating the produced fluids into one or more fractions wherein the one or more fractions comprise a heart cut, and extracting at least a portion of ώe naphthalene from the heart cut.
6074. The method of claim 6066 wherein separating at least some naphthalene from ώe produced fluids further comprises removing a naphtha fraction from ώe produced fluids, and separating at least a portion ofthe naphthalene from the naphtha fraction.
6075. The meώod of claim 6066, wherein separating at least some naphthalene from the produced fluids further comprises removing an naphthalene fraction from the produced fluids, and separatύig at least a portion of ώe naphthalene from the naphthalene fraction.
6076. The method of claύn 6066 wherein separating the naphώalene from the produced fluids further comprises removing naphthalene usύig distillation.
6077. The method of claύn 6066 wherein separatύig the naphthalene from the produced fluids furώer comprises removύig naphthalene usύig crystallization.
6078. The method of claim 6066, furώer comprising removing at least a portion ofthe naphthalene prior to hydrotreating produced fluids.
6079. The method of claim 6066, wherein ώe heat provided from at least one heat source is fransferred to ώe formation substantially by conduction.
6080. The method of claim 6066, wherein the formation fluids are produced from the formation when a partial pressure of hydrogen in at least a portion ώe formation is at least about 0.5 bars absolute.
6081. The method of claun 6066, whereύi at least one heat source comprises a heater.
6082. A method of enhancing anthracene production from a relatively permeable foimation, comprising: controlling at least one condition within at least a portion ofthe formation to enhance production of anthracene in fonnation fluid, wherein the formation fluid is obtained by: providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe foimation; allowing the heat to fransfer from at least one or more heat sources to a selected section of ώe formation; and producing formation fluids from the foimation.
6083. The method of claim 6082, farther comprising separating at least a portion of ώe anthracene from ώe produced fluids.
6084. The method of clafrn 6082 wherein controlling at least one condition ύi the foimation comprises controlling a fluid pressure within at least a portion ofthe formation.
6085. The method of claim 6082 wherein controlling at least one condition in the foimation comprises controlling a temperature gradient within at least a portion ofthe foimation.
6086. The method of claύn 6082 wherein conttollύig at least one condition in the formation comprises controlling a temperature within at least a portion ofthe formation.
6087. The method of claim 6082 wherein controlling at least one condition in the foimation comprises controlling a heating rate within at least a portion ofthe formation.
6088. The method of claim 6082, further comprising separating ώe produced fluids into one or more fractions using distillation.
6089. The method of claim 6082, further comprising separating the produced fluids into one or more fractions usύig condensation.
6090. The method of claim 6082, furtlier comprising separating ώe produced fluids into one or more fractions wherein the one or more fractions comprise a heart cut, and further comprising providύig the heart cut to an exfraction unit, and separating at least some anthracene from the heart cut.
6091. The method of claim 6082, further comprising separating the produced fluids into one or more fractions whereύi the one or more fractions comprise a anthracene fraction, and further comprising providύig the anthracene fraction to an extraction unit, and separating at least some anthracene from the anthracene fraction.
6092. The method of claim 6082, whereύi the heat provided from at least one heat source is transferred to the fonnation substantially by conduction.
6093. The method of claim 6082, wherein the formation fluids are produced from the formation when a partial pressure of hydrogen in at least a portion the formation is at least about 0.5 bars absolute.
6094. The method of claύn 6082, wherein at least one heat source comprises a heater.
6095. A method of separatύig anthracene from fluids produced from a relatively permeable formation, comprising: separating anthracene from the produced fluids, wherein the produced fluids are obtained by: providύig heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe foimation; allowing the heat to fransfer from at least one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation; and producing fluids from the formation wherein ώe produced fluids comprise anthracene.
6096. The meώod of claύn 6095, further comprising controlling a fluid pressure withύi at least a portion of ώe foimation.
6097. The method of claim 6095, further comprising controlling a temperature gradient withύi at least a portion of ώe formation.
6098. The method of claim 6095, fuither comprising controlling a temperature within at least a portion ofthe formation.
6099. The method of claύn 6095, further comprising controlling a heatύig rate withύi at least a portion of ώe formation
6100. The method of claύn 6095, wherein separating at least some anthracene from the produced fluids further comprises separating the produced fluids into one or more fractions using distillation.
6101. The method of claim 6095, wherein separating at least some anthracene from the produced fluids further comprises separating the produced fluids into one or more fractions using condensation.
6102. The method of claim 6095, wherein separating at least some anthracene from ώe produced fluids further comprises separating the produced fluids into one or more fractions wherein the one or more fractions comprise a heart cut, and extracting at least a portion of ώe anthracene from the heart cut.
6103. The meώod of claim 6095, wherein separating at least some anthracene from the produced fluids further comprises removύig a naphtha fraction from the produced fluids, and separating at least a portion ofthe anthracene from the naphtha fraction.
6104. The method of claύn 6095, wherein separatύig at least some anthracene from the produced fluids furώer comprises removing an anthracene fraction from the produced fluids, and separating at least a portion of ώe anthracene from ώe anthracene fraction.
6105. The method of claim 6095, wherein separatmg the anthracene from the produced fluids farther comprises removing anthracene using distillation.
6106. The method of claύn 6095, wherein separating ώe anthracene from the produced fluids further comprises removing anthracene using crystallization.
6107. The method of claim 6095, wherein the heat provided from at least one heat source is transferred to the foimation substantially by conduction.
6108. The method of claύn 6095, wherein the fluids are produced from the formation when a partial pressure of hydrogen in at least a portion ώe formation is at least about 0.5 bars absolute.
6109. The method of claim 6095, wherein at least one heat source comprises a heater.
6110. A method of separating ammonia from fluids produced from a relatively permeable foimation, comprising: separating at least a portion ofthe ammonia from the produced fluid, wherein the produced fluids are obtained by: providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion of ώe formation; allowύig ώe heat to transfer from at least one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation; and producing fluids from the formation.
111. The method of claύn 6110 wherein ώe produced fluids are pyrolyzation fluids.
6112. The method of claim 6110 wherein separating at least a portion of the ammonia from the produced fluids further comprises providing at least a portion of the produced fluids to a sour water stripper.
6113. The method of claύn 6110 wherein separating at least a portion of ώe ammonia from the produced fluids further comprises separatύig the produced fluids into one or more fractions, and providύig at least a portion of ώe one or more fractions to a stripping unit.
6114. The method of claύn 6110, furώer comprising using at least a portion of ώe separated ammonia to generate ammonium sulfate.
6115. The meώod of claύn 6110, further comprising using at least a portion ofthe separated ammonia to generate urea.
6116. The method of claim 6110 whereύi the produced fluids comprise carbon dioxide, and further comprising separating ώe carbon dioxide from the produced fluids, and reacting ώe carbon dioxide wiώ at least some ammonia to form urea.
6117. The method of claύn 6110 wherein the produced fluids comprise hydrogen sulfide, and furώer comprising separating the hydrogen sulfide from ώe produced fluids, converting at least some hydrogen sulfide into sulfuric acid, and reacting at lest some sulfuric acid with at lease some ammonia to form ammonium sulfate.
6118. The method of claim 6110 wherein the produced fluids further comprise hydrogen sulfide, and fiother comprisύig separating at least a portion ofthe hydrogen sulfide from the produced fluids, and converting at least some hydrogen sulfide into sulfuric acid.
6119. The method of claim 6110, further comprising generating ammonium bicarbonate using separated ammonia.
6120. The method of claim 6110, furώer comprising providing separated ammonia to a fluid comprising carbon dioxide to generate ammonium bicarbonate.
6121. The method of claim 6110, furώer comprising providing separated ammonia to at least some synώesis gas to generate ammonium bicarbonate.
6122. The method of claim 6110, wherein the heat provided from at least one heat source is fransfened to ώe formation substantially by conduction.
6123. The method of claim 6110, wherein the fluids are produced from the foimation when a partial pressure of hydrogen in at least a portion the formation is at least about 0.5 bars absolute.
6124. The method of claim 6110, wherein at least one heat source comprises a heater.
6125. A meώod of generating ammonia from fluids produced from a relatively permeable formation, comprising: hydrofreatύig at least a portion of ώe produced fluids to generate ammonia wherein the produced fluids are obtained by: providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe foimation; allowing the heat to fransfer from at least one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation; and producing fluids from ώe foimation.
6126. The method of claim 6125 wherein the produced fluids are pyrolyzation fluids.
6127. The method of claim 6125, further comprising separating at least a portion ofthe ammonia from the hydrotreated fluids.
6128. The meώod of claύn 6125, further comprising usύig at least a portion ofthe ammonia to generate ammonium sulfate.
6129. The method of claim 6125, further comprising using at least a portion ofthe ammonia to generate urea.
6130. The method of claύn 6125 wherein the produced fluids further comprise carbon dioxide, and further comprising separating at least a portion of ώe carbon dioxide from the produced fluids, and reacting at least the portion ofthe carbon dioxide with at least a portion of ammonia to form urea.
6131. The method of claim 6125 wherein the produced fluids further comprise hydrogen sulfide, and furώer comprising separating at least a portion ofthe hydrogen sulfide from ώe produced fluids, convertύig at least some hydrogen sulfide into sulfuric acid, and reacting at least some sulfuric acid with at least a portion ofthe ammonia to form ammonium sulfate.
6132. The method of claim 6125 wherein ώe produced fluids further comprise hydrogen sulfide, and furώer comprisύig separating at least a portion of ώe hydrogen sulfide from the produced fluids, and converting at least some hydrogen sulfide into sulfuric acid.
6133. The method of claim 6125, furώer comprising generating ammonium bicarbonate using at least a portion ofthe ammonia.
6134. The method of claim 6125, farther comprising providing at least a portion ofthe ammonia to a fluid comprisύig carbon dioxide to generate ammonium bicarbonate.
6135. The method of claύn 6125, further comprising providing at least a portion ofthe ammonia to at least some synthesis gas to generate ammonium bicarbonate
6136. The method of claύn 6125, wherein the heat provided from at least one heat source is transferred to ώe foimation substantially by conduction.
6137. The method of claim 6125, wherein the fluids are produced from the formation when a partial pressure of hydrogen in at least a portion the formation is at least about 0.5 bars absolute.
6138. The method of claim 6125, wherein at least one heat source comprises a heater.
6139. A method of enhancing pyridines production from a relatively permeable formation, comprising: controlling at least one condition wiώin at least a portion of ώe formation to enhance production of pyridines in formation fluid, wherein the formation fluid is obtained by: providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion of ώe fonnation; allowing the heat to transfer from at least one or more heat sources to a selected section of ώe formation; and producing formation fluids from the formation.
6140. The method of claύn 6139, further comprising separating at least a portion ofthe pyridines from the produced fluids.
6141. The method of claύn 6139 wherein controlling at least one condition in the foimation comprises controlling a fluid pressure wiώin at least a portion ofthe foimation.
6142. The method of claim 6139 wherein controlling at least one condition in the formation comprises confrolling a temperature gradient within at least a portion of ώe foimation.
6143. The method of claim 6139 wherein confrollύig at least one condition in ώe foimation comprises controlling a temperatare wiώin at least a portion ofthe formation.
6144. The method of claim 6139 wherein confrollύig at least one condition in the formation comprises controlling a heating rate within at least a portion ofthe formation.
6145. The method of claim 6139, further comprising separating the produced fluids into one or more fractions using distillation.
6146. The method of claim 6139, farther comprising separatύig ώe produced fluids into one or more fractions using condensation.
6147. The method of claim 6139, further comprising separating the produced fluids into one or more fractions wherein the one or more fractions comprise a heart cut, and further comprising providing the heart cut to an extraction unit, and separatύig at least some pyridines from ώe heart cut.
6148. The method of claim 6139, further comprising separatύig the produced fluids into one or more fractions wherein the one or more fractions comprise a pyridines fraction, and furώer comprising providing ώe pyridines fraction to an extraction unit, and separatύig at least some pyridines from the pyridines fraction.
6149. The method of claύn 6139, wherein the heat provided from at least one heat source is transferred to the formation substantially by conduction.
6150. The method of claύn 6139, wherein the formation fluids are produced from ώe formation when a partial pressure of hydrogen in at least a portion ώe formation is at least about 0.5 bars absolute.
6151. The method of claύn 6139, wherein at least one heat source comprises aheater.
6152. A method of separating pyridines from fluids produced from a relatively permeable fonnation, comprising: separatύig pyridines from the produced fluids, wherein ώe produced fluids are obtained by: providύig heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion of ώe formation; allowing the heat to transfer from at least one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe foimation; and producing fluids from the formation wherein ώe produced fluids comprise pyridines.
6153. The method of claύn 6152, furώer comprising confrollmg a fluid pressure within at least a portion ofthe formation.
6154. The method of claim 6152, further comprisύig controlling a temperature gradient withύi at least a portion ofthe formation.
6155. The method of claim 6152, further comprising controlling a temperature withm at least a portion of the formation.
6156. The method of claim 6152, furώer comprising controlling a heating rate within at least a portion of ώe formation
6157. The method of claim 6152 wherein separatύig at least some pyridines from the produced fluids further comprises separating the produced fluids into one or more fractions using distillation.
6158. The method of claim 6152 wherein separating at least some pyridines from the produced fluids further comprises separatύig the produced fluids into one or more fractions using condensation.
6159. The method of claύn 6152 wherein separating at least some pyridines from the produced fluids further comprises separating the produced fluids into one or more fractions wherein the one or more fractions comprise a heart cut, and extracting at least a portion of ώe pyridines from the heart cut.
6160. The method of claim 6152 wherein separating at least some pyridines from the produced fluids further comprises removing a naphtha fraction from ώe produced fluids, and separating at least a portion ofthe pyridines from the naphtha fraction.
6161. The method of claim 6152, wherein separatύig at least some pyridines from the produced fluids further comprises removύig an pyridines fraction from the produced fluids, and separating at least a portion of ώe pyridines from the pyridines fraction.
6162. The method of claύn 6152, wherein separating the pyridines from the produced fluids further comprises removing pyridines using distillation.
6163. The method of claύn 6152, wherein separating ώe pyridines from the produced fluids furώer comprises removing pyridines using crystallization.
6164. The method of claim 6152, whereύi the heat provided from at least one heat source is transferred to the formation substantially by conduction.
6165. The method of claύn 6152, wherein the fluids are produced from the formation when a partial pressure of hydrogen in at least a portion ώe fonnation is at least about 0.5 bars absolute.
6166. The method of claim 6152, wherein at least one heat source comprises a heater.
6167. A meώod of enhancing pyrroles production from a relatively permeable foimation, comprising: confrolling at least one condition withύi at least a portion ofthe formation to enhance production of pyrroles in foimation fluid, wherein the formation fluid is obtained by: providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion of ώe foimation;
allowmg the heat to fransfer from at least one or more heat somces to a selected section ofthe formation; and producing formation fluids from the foimation.
6168. The method of claim 6167, further comprising separating at least a portion ofthe pynoles from the produced fluids.
6169. The method of claim 6167 wherein confrollύig at least one condition in the formation comprises confrolling a fluid pressure wiώin at least a portion ofthe formation.
6170. The method of claύn 6167 wherein controlling at least one condition in the formation comprises controlling a temperature gradient withύi at least a portion of ώe foimation.
6171. The method of claim 6167 wherein controlling at least one condition in the formation comprises controlling a temperature withύi at least a portion ofthe foimation.
6172. The method of claim 6167 whereύi controlling at least one condition in the formation comprises confrollmg a heating rate within at least a portion ofthe formation.
6113. The method of claim 6167, further comprising separating the produced fluids into one or more fractions usύig distillation.
6174. The method of claim 6167, farther comprising separating the produced fluids into one or more fractions using condensation.
6175. The method of claύn 6167, further comprising separating ώe produced fluids into one or more fractions wherein the one or more fractions comprise a heart cut, and further comprising providing the heart cut to an exfraction unit, and separatύig at least some pynoles from the heart cut.
6176. The method of claim 6167, further comprising separating ώe produced fluids into one or more fractions wherein the one or more fractions comprise a pynoles fraction, and furώer comprising providύig the pyrroles fraction to an exfraction unit, and separatύig at least some pyrroles from the pyrroles fraction.
6177. The method of claim 6167, wherein the heat provided from at least one heat source is transferred to ώe foimation substantially by conduction.
6178. The method of claim 6167, wherein the foimation fluids are produced from ώe foimation when a partial ' pressure of hydrogen in at least a portion the formation is at least about 0.5 bars absolute.
6179. The method of claim 6167, wherein at least one heat source comprises a heater.
6180. A method of separating pyrroles from fluids produced from a relatively permeable foimation, comprising: separatύig pyrroles from the produced fluids, wherein the produced fluids are obtained by: provid ig heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion of ώe fonnation; allowing the heat to transfer from at least one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation; and producing fluids from the formation wherein the produced fluids comprise pyrroles.
6181. The method of claim 6180, further comprising controlling a fluid pressme withύi at least a portion of the formation.
6182. The method of claim 6180, farther comprising controlling a temperature gradient withύi at least a portion ofthe foimation.
6183. The method of claύn 6180, further comprising controlling a temperature within at least a portion of the formation.
6184. The method of claim 6180, further comprising conttollύig a heating rate within at least a portion of ώe formation
6185. The method of claύn 6180 whereύi separatύig at least some pyrroles from the produced fluids further comprises separating the produced fluids into one or more fractions usmg distillation.
6186. The method of claim 6180 wherein separatύig at least some pyrroles from the produced fluids further comprises separating the produced fluids into one or more fractions using condensation.
6187. The method of claύn 6180 wherein separatύig at least some pynoles from the produced fluids further comprises separating the produced fluids into one or more fractions wherein ώe one or more fractions comprise a heart cut, and extracting at least a portion of ώe pyrroles from ώe heart cut.
6188. The method of claim 6180 wherein separatύig at least some pyrroles from the produced fluids further comprises removing a naphώa fraction from the produced fluids, and separating at least a portion of ώe pyrroles from the naphώa fraction.
6189. The meώod of claύn 6180, wherein separating at least some pyrroles from the produced fluids further comprises removing an pynoles fraction from the produced fluids, and separating at least a portion of ώe pynoles from the pyrroles fraction.
6190. The method of claim 6180, wherein separating the pyrroles from the produced fluids further comprises removing pynoles using distillation.
6191. The method of claim 6180, whereύi separating the pyrroles from ώe produced fluids further comprises removing pyrroles using crystallization.
6192. The method of claim 6180, wherein the heat provided from at least one heat source is transferred to the formation substantially by conduction.
6193. The method of claim 6180, wherein ώe fluids are produced from the formation when a partial pressure of hydrogen in at least a portion ώe formation is at least about 0.5 bars absolute.
6194. The method of claim 6180, wherein at least one heat source comprises a heater.
6195. A method of enhancing thiophenes production from a relatively permeable formation, comprising: controlling at least one condition withύi at least a portion of ώe formation to enhance production of ώiophenes in formation fluid, wherein the formation fluid is obtained by: providύig heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion of ώe fonnation; allowing the heat to transfer from at least one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation; and producing foimation fluids from the fonnation.
6196. The method of claim 6195, further comprising separating at least a portion ofthe thiophenes from the produced fluids.
6197. The method of claim 6195 wherein confrolling at least one condition in the formation comprises controlling a fluid pressure wiώin at least a portion of ώe formation.
6198. The method of claim 6195 wherein controlling at least one condition in the foimation comprises confrolling a temperature gradient within at least a portion of ώe formation.
6199. The method of claim 6195 whereύi controlling at least one condition in the formation comprises controlling a temperature wiώin at least a portion ofthe formation.
6200. The method of claim 6195 wherein controlling at least one condition in the formation comprises confrollύig a heatύig rate wiώin at least a portion ofthe formation.
6201. The method of claim 6195, further comprising separating the produced fluids into one or more fractions using distillation.
6202. The method of claim 6195, further comprising separating the produced fluids into one or more fractions usύig condensation.
6203. The method of claύn 6195, further comprising separatύig the produced fluids into one or more fractions wherein the one or more fractions comprise a heart cut, and further comprising providing the heart cut to an extraction unit, and separating at least some thiophenes from ώe heart cut.
6204. The method of claim 6195, furώer comprising separating ώe produced fluids into one or more fractions wherein ώe one or more fractions comprise a thiophenes fraction, and further comprising providing the ώiophenes fraction to an exfraction unit, and separating at least some thiophenes from the thiophenes fraction.
6205. The method of claim 6195, wherein the heat provided from at least one heat source is fransferred to ώe formation substantially by conduction.
6206. The method of claύn 6195, whereύi the fonnation fluids are produced from ώe formation when a partial pressure of hydrogen in at least a portion the formation is at least about 0.5 bars absolute.
6207. The method of claim 6195, wherein at least one heat source comprises a heater.
6208. A meώod of separatύig ώiophenes from fluids produced from a relatively permeable foimation, comprising: separating thiophenes from the produced fluids, wherein ώe produced fluids are obtained by: providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe formation; allowmg ώe heat to fransfer from at least one or more heat sources to a selected section of ώe formation; and producing fluids from the formation wherein the produced fluids comprise thiophenes.
6209. The method of claim 6208, further comprising controlling a fluid pressure wiώin at least a portion ofthe foimation.
6210. The method of claύn 6208, furώer comprising controlling a temperatare gradient within at least a portion ofthe formation.
6211. The method of claim 6208, further comprising controlling a temperature within at least a portion of ώe fonnation.
6212. The method of claim 6208, further comprising confrolling a heating rate within at least a portion ofthe formation
6213. The method of claύn 6208 wherein separating at least some thiophenes from the produced fluids further comprises separating ώe produced fluids into one or more fractions using distillation.
6214. The method of claim 6208 wherein separating at least some thiophenes from the produced fluids further comprises separating ώe produced fluids into one or more fractions usύig condensation.
6215. The method of claim 6208 wherein separating at least some ώiophenes from the produced fluids further comprises separating the produced fluids into one or more fractions wherein the one or more fractions comprise a heart cut, and extracting at least a portion of ώe thiophenes from the heart cut.
6216. The method of claύn 6208 wherein separating at least some ώiophenes from the produced fluids further comprises removing a naphtha fraction from ώe produced fluids, and separating at least a portion of ώe thiophenes from the naphώa fraction.
6217. The method of claύn 6208 wherein separating at least some thiophenes from the produced fluids further comprises removing an thiophenes fraction from the produced fluids, and separating at least a portion ofthe ώiophenes from the ώiophenes fraction.
6218. The method of claim 6208 whereύi separating ώe thiophenes from the produced fluids further comprises removing thiophenes usύig distillation.
6219. The metliod of claύn 6208 wherein separatύig ώe thiophenes from the produced fluids further comprises removing thiophenes usύig crystallization.
6220. The method of claim 6208, wherein ώe heat provided from at least one heat source is fransferred to the formation substantially by conduction.
6221. The method of claύn 6208, wherein the fluids are produced from the formation when a partial pressure of hydrogen in at least a portion the foimation is at least about 0.5 bars absolute.
6222. The method of claim 6208, wherein at least one heat source comprises a heater.
6223. A method of freating a relatively permeable formation comprising: providύig a barrier to at least a portion ofthe formation to inhibit migration of fluids into or out of a freatment area ofthe formation; providing heat from one or more heat sources to ώe freatment area; allowing ώe heat to transfer from the treatment area to a selected section ofthe formation; and producing fluids from the fonnation.
6224. The method of claim 6223, wherein the heat provided from at least one ofthe one or more heat sources is fransfened to at least a portion ofthe formation substantially by conduction.
6225. The method of claim 6223, whereiα the fluids are produced from the formation when a partial pressme of hydrogen in at least a portion the formation is at least about 0.5 bars absolute.
6226. The meώod of claύn 6223, wherein at least one ofthe one or more ofthe heat sources comprises a heater.
6227. The method of claim 6223 , furώer comprising hydraulically isolating ώe treatment area from a surrounding portion of ώe fonnation.
6228. The method of claim 6223, farther comprising pyrolyzing at least a portion of hydrocarbon containύig material within the freatment area.
6229. The method of claim 6223, further comprising generating synώesis gas in at least a portion ofthe tteatment area.
6230. The method of claim 6223, farther comprising confrollmg a pressure withύi the freatment area.
6231. The method of claim 6223, further comprising confrolling a temperature within ώe freatment area.
6232. The method of claim 6223, further comprising controlling a heating rate within the tteatment area.
6233. The meώod of claim 6223 , further comprising controlling an amount of fluid removed from ώe freatment area.
6234. The method of claim 6223, wherein at least section ofthe barrier comprises one or more sulfar wells.
6235. The method of claim 6223, wherein at least section ofthe barrier comprises one or more dewatering wells.
6236. The meώod of claim 6223, wherein at least section ofthe barrier comprises one or more injection wells and one or more dewatering wells.
6237. The method of claim 6223, whereύi providύig a barrier comprises: providing a cύculating fluid to ώe a portion of ώe formation surrounding the treatment area; and removing the circulating fluid proximate ώe freatment area.
6238. The method of claim 6223, wherein at least section ofthe barrier comprises a ground cover on a surface of ώe earth.
6239. The method of claim 6238, wherein at least section ofthe ground cover is sealed to a surface ofthe earth.
6240. The method of claim 6223, farther comprising inhibiting a release of formation fluid to the earth's atmosphere with a ground cover; and freezing at least a portion ofthe ground cover to a surface ofthe earth.
6241. The method of claim 6223, further comprising inhibiting a release of formation fluid to ώe earth's atmosphere.
6242. The method of claim 6223, further comprising inhibiting fluid seepage from a surface ofthe earth into the treatment area.
6243. The method of claim 6223, whereύi at least a section ofthe barrier is naturally occurring.
6244. The method of claim 6223, wherein at least a section of ώe barrier comprises a low temperature zone.
6245. The method of claύn 6223, whereύi at least a section ofthe barrier comprises a frozen zone.
6246. The method of claύn 6223, whereiα the barrier comprises an mstalled portion and a naturally occurring portion.
6247. The method of claim 6223 , farther comprising: hydraulically isolating the treatment area from a sunounding portion of ώe formation; and maintaining a fluid pressure within ώe freatment area at a pressure greater than about a fluid pressure withύi the surrounding portion of ώe formation.
6248. The meώod of claim 6223, wherein at least a section of ώe banier comprises an impermeable section of ώe formation.
6249. The method of clahn 6223, wherein the barrier comprises a self-sealing portion.
6250. The method of claim 6223, wherein the one or more heat sources are positioned at a distance greater ώan about 5 m from the barrier.
6251. The method of claim 6223, wherein at least one of ώe one or more heat sources is positioned at a distance less than about 1.5 m from ώe barrier.
6252. The method of claύn 6223, wherein at least a portion of ώe barrier comprises a low temperature zone, and further comprising lowering a temperature within the low temperature zone to a temperature less than about a freezing temperature of water.
6253. The meώod of claim 6223, wherein the barrier comprises a barrier well and farther comprising positionύig at least a portion ofthe barrier well below a water table ofthe fonnation.
6254. The method of claim 6223 , wherein the freatment area comprises a first treatment area and a second freatment area, and farther comprising: freatύig the first freatment area using a first treatment process; and treating the second treatment area using a second freatment process.
6255. A method of treating a relatively permeable formation in sita, comprising: providing a refrigerant to a plurality of barrier wells placed in a portion ofthe formation; establishing a frozen barrier zone to ύώibit migration of fluids into or out of a freatment area; providing heat from one or more heat sources to ώe treatment area; allowing the heat to fransfer from the freatment area to a selected section; and producing fluids from the formation.
6256. The method of claim 6255, wherein the heat provided from at least one ofthe one or more heat sources is fransferred to at least a portion of ώe formation substantially by conduction.
6257. The method of clafrn 6255, wherein the fluids are produced from the foimation when a partial pressure of hydrogen in at least a portion ώe formation is at least about 0.5 bars absolute.
6258. The method of clahn 6255, wherein at least one ofthe one or more ofthe heat sources comprises a heater.
6259. The meώod of claim 6255, further comprising confrollmg a fluid pressure wiώin the treatment area;
6260. The meώod of claim 6255, wherein the frozen barrier zone is proximate the freatment area ofthe formation
6261. The method of claύn 6255, further comprising hydraulically isolating ώe freatment area from a surrounding portion o the foimation.
6262. The meώod of claim 6255, further comprising ώermally isolating ώe freatment area from a surrounding portion ofthe formation
6263. The method of claim 6255, farther comprising maintaining the fluid pressure above a hydrostatic pressure of ώe formation
6264. The method of claim 6255, further comprising removing liquid water from at least a portion ofthe treatment area.
6265. The method of claim 6255, wherein the freatment area is below a water table ofthe formation.
6266. The method of claim 6255, wherein at least one barrier well ofthe plurality of banier wells comprises a corrosion inhibitor.
6267. The method of claim 6255, wherein heating is initiated after foimation of ώe frozen banier zone.
6268. The method of claim 6255, wherein the refrigerant comprises one or more hydrocarbons.
6269. The method of claim 6255, wherein the refrigerant comprises propane.
6270. The method of claim 6255, wherein the refrigerant comprises isobutane.
6271. The method of claim 6255, wherein the refrigerant comprises cyclopentane.
6272. The meώod of claim 6255, wherein ώe refrigerant comprises ammonia.
6273. The method of claύn 6255, wherein the refrigerant comprises an aqueous salt mixture.
6274. The method of claύn 6255, whereύi the refrigerant comprises an organic acid salt.
6275. The method of claύn 6255, whereύi the refrigerant comprises a salt of an organic acid.
6276. The method of claim 6255, wherein ώe refrigerant comprises an organic acid.
6277. The method of claim 6255, wherein the refrigerant has a freezing point of less than about minus 60 degrees Celsius.
6278. The method of claύn 6255, whereύi the refrigerant comprises calcium chloride.
6279. The meώod of claim 6255, wherein the refrigerant comprises lithium chloride.
6280. The method of claim 6255, wherein the refrigerant comprises liquid nifrogen.
6281. The method of claim 6255, wherein the refrigerant is provided at a temperature of less than about minus 50 degrees Celsius.
6282. The method of claim 6255, wherein the refrigerant comprises carbon dioxide.
6283. The method of claim 6255, wherein at least one ofthe plurality of banier wells is located along sfrike of a hydrocarbon containing portion ofthe fonnation.
6284. The method of claim 6255, wherein at least one ofthe plurality of banier wells is located along dip of a hydrocarbon contaύiing portion ofthe formation.
6285. The method of claim 6255, wherein the one or more heat sources are placed greater than about 5 m from a frozen barrier zone.
6286. The method of claim 6255, wherein at least one ofthe one or more heat sources is positioned less ώan about 1.5 m from a frozen barrier zone.
6287. The method of claim 6255, wherein a distance between a center of at least one barrier well and a center of at least one adjacent barrier well is greater than about 2 m.
6288. The method of claim 6255, farther comprising desorbύig methane from the formation.
6289. The method of claim 6255, further comprising pyrolyzing at least some hydrocarbon containing material within the tteatment area.
6290. The method of claim 6255, further comprising producing synthesis gas from at least a portion of ώe formation.
6291. The method of claύn 6255, further comprising: providing a solvent to the freatment area such ώat the solvent dissolves a component in the freatment area; and removing the solvent from the treatment area, wherein the removed solvent comprises the component.
6292. The method of claim 6255, further comprising sequestering a compound in at least a portion ofthe freatment area.
6293. The method of claim 6255, farther comprising thawing at least a portion ofthe frozen ba ier zone; and wherein material in a thawed banier zone area is substantially unaltered by the application of heat.
6294. The meώod of claim 6255, wherein a location ofthe frozen barrier zone has been selected using a flow rate of groundwater and wherein the selected groundwater flow rate is less than about 50 m/day.
6295. The method of claim 6255, furώer comprising providing water to ώe frozen barrier zone.
6296. The method of claim 6255, further comprising positioning one or more monitoring wells outside the frozen barrier zone, and then providing a fracer to the treatment area, and then monitoring for movement ofthe ttacer at the monitoring wells.
6297. The method of claim 6255, further comprising: positionύig one or more monitoring wells outside ώe frozen barrier zone; then providing an acoustic pulse to ώe freatment area; and then monitoring for ώe acoustic pulse at the monitoring wells.
6298. The method of claύn 6255, wherein a fluid pressure within ώe freatment area can be controlled at fluid pressures different from a fluid pressure ώat exists in a surrounding portion ofthe formation.
6299. The method of claim 6255, wherein fluid pressme wiώin an area at least partially bounded by the frozen barrier zone can be controlled higher than, or lower than, hydrostatic pressures that exist in a storoundύig portion of ώe foimation.
6300. The method of claύn 6255, further comprisύig confrolling compositions of fluids produced from the formation by controlling ώe fluid pressure within an area at least partially bounded by the frozen barrier zone.
6301. The method of claim 6255, wherein a portion of at least one ofthe plurality of barrier wells is positioned below a water table of ώe formation.
6302. A meώod of treating a relatively permeable formation comprising: providύig a refrigerant to one or more barrier wells placed in a portion ofthe formation; establishing a low temperature zone proximate a freatment area ofthe foimation; providing heat from one or more heat sources to a treatment area ofthe foimation; allowing the heat to ttansfer from the treatment area to a selected section ofthe foimation; and producing fluids from the formation.
6303. The method of claim 6302, further comprising formύig a frozen barrier zone within the low temperature zone, wherein the frozen barrier zone hydraulically isolates the treatment area from a surrounding portion ofthe foimation.
6304. The method of claim 6302, further comprising forming a frozen barrier zone within the low temperature zone, and wherein fluid pressure within an area at least partially bounded by ώe frozen barrier zone can be confrolled at different fluid pressures from the fluid pressures that exist outside ofthe frozen barrier zone.
6305. The meώod of claim 6302, further comprising forming a frozen banier zone within the low temperature zone, and wherein fluid pressure within an area at least partially bounded by the frozen barrier zone can be confrolled higher ώan, or lower than, hydrostatic pressures that exist outside ofthe frozen barrier zone.
6306. The method of claim 6302, further comprising forming a frozen barrier zone within the low temperatare zone, and wherein fluid pressure within an area at least partially bounded by the frozen barrier zone can be controlled higher than, or lower ώan, hydrostatic pressures that exist outside ofthe frozen banier zone, and further comprising confrolling compositions of fluids produced from ώe formation by controlling ώe fluid pressure within ώe area at least partially bounded by ώe frozen barrier zone.
6307. The method of claύn 6302, further comprising thawing at least a portion ofthe low temperature zone, wherein material wiώin the thawed portion is substantially unaltered by the application of heat such that e structural integrity ofthe relatively permeable formation is substantially maύitaύied.
6308. The method of claim 6302, wherein an mner boundary ofthe low temperature zone is determined by monitoring a pressure wave using one or more piezometers.
6309. The metaod of claim 6302, further comprising controlling a fluid pressure wiώin the treatment area at a pressure less ώan about a foimation fracture pressme.
6310. The method of claim 6302, further comprising positionύig one or more monitoring wells outside tae frozen barrier zone, and then providing an acoustic pulse to the freatment area, and ώen monitoring for ώe acoustic pulse at ώe monitoring wells.
6311. The method of claύn 6302, furώer comprisύig positionύig a segment of at least one ofthe one or more barrier wells below a water table ofthe formation.
6312. The method of claim 6302, farther comprising positionύig the one or more barrier wells to establish a continuous low temperature zone .
6313. The method of claύn 6302, wherein the refrigerant comprises one or more hydrocarbons.
6314. The method of claim 6302, wherein ώe refrigerant comprises propane.
6315. The method of claύn 6302, whereύi the refrigerant comprises isobutane.
6316. The method of claύn 6302, wherein the refrigerant comprises cyclopentane.
6317. The method of claύn 6302, whereύi the refrigerant comprises ammonia.
6318. The method of claim 6302, wherein the refrigerant comprises an aqueous salt mixture.
6319. The method of claim 6302, wherein the refrigerant comprises an organic acid salt.
6320. The method of claim 6302, wherein the refrigerant comprises a salt of an organic acid.
6321. The method of claim 6302, wherein the refrigerant comprises an organic acid.
6322. The method of claim 6302, wherein the refrigerant has a freezing point of less than about minus 60 degrees Celsius.
6323. The method of claim 6302, wherem the refrigerant is provided at a temperature of less than about minus 50 degrees Celsius.
6324. The method of claim 6302, wherein the refrigerant is provided at a temperature of less than about minus 25 degrees Celsius. >
6325. The method of claύn 6302, whereύi the refrigerant comprises carbon dioxide.
6326. The method of claim 6302, further comprising: cooling at least a portion of ώe refrigerant in an absoφtion refrigeration unit; and provid ig a thermal energy source to ώe absoφtion refrigeration unit.
6327. The method of claim 6302, whereύi the thermal energy source comprises water.
6328. The method of claim 6302, wherein the thermal energy source comprises steam.
6329. The meώod of claim 6302, wherein the thermal energy source comprises at least a portion of ώe produced fluids.
6330. The method of claim 6302, whereύi ώe thermal energy source comprises exhaust gas.
6331. A method of freating a relatively permeable formation, comprising: inhibitύig migration of fluids into or out of a treatment area of the foimation from a sunounding portion of the foimation; providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion of ώe freatment area; allowing the heat to transfer from at least the portion to a selected section ofthe formation; and producing fluids from the foimation.
6332. The method of claύn 6331, wherein the heat provided from at least one ofthe one or more heat sources is transferred to at least a portion ofthe formation substantially by conduction.
6333. The method of claim 6331, wherein the fluids are produced from the formation when a partial pressure of hydrogen in at least a portion the formation is at least about 0.5 bars absolute.
6334. The method of claim 6331, wherein at least one ofthe one or more ofthe heat sources comprises a heater.
6335. The method of claim 6331, further comprisύig providing a banier to at least a portion of ώe foimation.
6336. The method of claim 6335, wherein at least section ofthe banier comprises one or more sulfur wells.
6337. The method of claim 6335, wherein at least section ofthe barrier comprises one or more pumping wells.
6338. The method of claim 6335, wherein at least section ofthe barrier comprises one or more injection wells and one or more pumping wells.
6339. The method of claύn 6335, wherein at least a section ofthe barrier is naturally occuning.
6340. The method of claim 6331, further comprises establishing a barrier in at least a portion of ώe formation, and wherein heat is provided after at least a portion ofthe barrier has been established. ι
6341. The method of claύn 6331, furώer comprising establishing a barrier in at least a portion of ώe foimation, and wherein heat is provided while at least a portion of ώe banier is being established.
6342. The method of claim 6331, furώer comprising providing a barrier to at least a portion of ώe formation, and whereiα heat is provided before ώe barrier is established.
6343. The method of claύn 6331, further comprisύig controlling an amount of fluid removed from the treatment area.
6344. The method of claύn 6331, wherein isolating a tteatment area from a surrounding portion ofthe formation comprises providing a low temperature zone to at least a portion of ώe fonnation.
6345. The method of claύn 6331, wherein isolating a treatment area from a surrounding portion ofthe formation comprises providing a frozen barrier zone to at least a portion ofthe formation.
6346. The meώod of claim 6331, wherein isolating a freatment area from a surrounding portion of the formation comprises providing a grout wall.
6347. The method of claim 6331, farther comprising inhibiting flow of water into or out of at least a portion of a treatment area.
6348. The method of claim 6331, farther comprising: providing a material to the freatment area; and storing at least some ofthe material within the treatment area.
6349. A method of freating a relatively permeable formation, comprising: providing a barrier to a portion of the formation, wherein the portion has previously undergone an in sita conversion process; and inhibitύig migration of fluids into and out ofthe converted portion to a surrounding portion ofthe formation.
6350. The method of claim 6349, wherein the barrier comprises a frozen barrier zone.
6351. The method of claim 6349, wherein the barrier comprises a low temperature zone. .
6352. The method of claim 6349, wherein the barrier comprises a sealing mineral phase.
6353. The method of claim 6349, wherein the barrier comprises a sulfur barrier.
6354. The method of claim 6349, wherein the contaminant comprises a metal.
6355. The method of claim 6349, wherein the contaminant comprises organic residue.
6356. A method of freating a relatively permeable formation, comprising: introducing a first fluid into at least a portion ofthe foimation, wherein the portion has previously undergone an in situ conversion process; producing a mixture ofthe first fluid and a second fluid from ώe foimation; and providing at least a portion of ώe mixture to an energy producύig unit.
6357. The method of claim 6356, wherein the ffrst fluid is selected to recover heat from the formation.
6358. The method of claύn 6356, wherein the first fluid is selected to recover heavy compounds from ώe formation.
6359. The method of claύn 6356, wherein the ffrst fluid is selected to recover hydrocarbons from the formation.
6360. The method of claύn 6356, whereύi the mixture comprises an oxidizable heat recovery fluid.
6361. The method of claim 6356, wherein producing the mixture remediates the portion of ώe formation by removing contaminants from the foimation in the mixture.
6362. The method of claim 6356, wherein the first fluid comprises a hydrocarbon fluid.
6363. The method of claim 6356, whereύi ώe first fluid comprises methane.
6364. The method of claim 6356, wherein the ffrst fluid comprises ethane.
6365. The method of claim 6356, wherein the first fluid comprises molecular hydrogen.
6366. The method of claim 6356, wherein the energy producing unit comprises a turbine, and generating electricity by passing mixture tlirough the energy producing unit.
6367. The method of claύn 6356, further comprising combusting mixture within the energy producing unit.
6368. The method of claim 6356, further comprising inhibiting spread of ώe mixture from the portion ofthe formation with a barrier.
6369. A method of freating a relatively permeable formation, comprising: providύig a first fluid to at least a portion of a treatment area, whereύi the treatment area includes one or more components; producing a fluid from the formation wherein ώe produced fluid comprises first fluid and at least some of ώe one or more components; and wherein the freatment area is obtaύied by providing heat from heat sources to a portion of a relatively permeable formation to convert a portion of hydrocarbons to desired products and removing a portion of ώe desύed hydrocarbons from the formation.
6370. The method of claim 6369, wherein the first fluid comprises water.
6371. The method of claim 6369, whereύi the ffrst fluid comprises carbon dioxide.
6372. The method of claim 6369, wherein the first fluid comprises steam.
6373. The method of claim 6369, whereύi the ffrst fluid comprises aύ.
6374. The method of claύn 6369, wherein ώe first fluid comprises a combustible gas.
6375. The method of claύn 6369, wherein the first fluid comprises hydrocarbons.
6376. The method of claim 6369, wherein the first fluid comprises meώane.
6377. The method of claim 6369, wherein the first fluid comprises ethane.
6378. The method of claim 6369, wherein the first fluid comprises molecular hydrogen.
6379. The meώod of claύn 6369, wherein the first fluid comprises propane.
6380. The method of claύn 6369, further comprising reacting a portion ofthe contaminants with the first fluid.
6381. The method of claim 6369, further comprising providing at least a portion of ώe produced fluid to an energy generating unit to generate elecfricity.
6382. The method of claim 6369, further comprising providing at least a portion ofthe produced fluid to a combustor.
6383. The method of claύn 6369, wherein a frozen barrier defines at least a segment of a barrier wiώin ώe foimation, allowing a portion ofthe frozen barrier to ώaw prior to providing the first fluid to the treatment area, and providing at least some ofthe first fluid ύito the thawed portion of ώe barrier.
6384. The method of claim 6369, wherein a volume of first fluid provided to the treatment area is greater than about one pore volume ofthe treatment area.
6385. The method of claim 6369, further comprising separating contaminants from the first fluid.
6386. A method of recovering thermal energy from a heated relatively permeable foimation, comprising: ύij ecting a heat recovery fluid into a heated portion of the formation; allowing heat from the portion ofthe formation to fransfer to the heat recovery fluid; and producing fluids from the formation.
6387. The method of claim 6386, wherein the heat recovery fluid comprises water.
6388. The method of claim 6386, wherein the heat recovery fluid comprises saline water.
6389. The method of claim 6386, whereύi ώe heat recovery fluid comprises non-potable water.
6390. The method of claim 6386, wherein the heat recovery fluid comprises alkaline water.
6391. The meώod of claim 6386, wherein the heat recovery fluid comprises hydrocarbons.
6392. The method of claim 6386, wherein the heat recovery fluid comprises an inert gas.
6393. The method of claύn 6386, wherein the heat recovery fluid comprises carbon dioxide.
6394. The method of claim 6386, wherein e heat recovery fluid comprises a product stream produced by an in situ conversion process.
6395. The method of clahn 6386, further comprising vaporizing at least some ofthe heat recovery fluid.
6396. The method of claim 6386, wherein an average temperature ofthe portion ofthe post treatment formation prior to injection of heat recovery fluid is greater than about 300°C.
6397. The method of claim 6386, further comprising providing the heat recovery fluid to ώe formation through a heater well.
6398. The method of claim 6386, wherein fluids are produced from one or more production wells in the formation.
6399. The method of claim 6386, further comprising providing at least some ofthe produced fluids to a treatment process in a section ofthe foimation.
6400. The meώod of claim 6386, farther comprising recovering at least some ofthe heat from the produced fluids.
6401. The meώod of claim 6386, further comprising providing at least some of ώe produced fluids to a power generating unit.
6402. The method of claim 6386, farther comprising providing at least some ofthe produced fluids to a heat exchange mechanism.
6403. The method of claύn 6386, farther comprising providing at least some of ώe produced fluids to a steam crackύig unit.
6404. The method of claim 6386, farther comprising providing at least some of ώe produced fluids to a hydrofreating unit.
6405. The method of claύn 6386, further comprising providing at least some ofthe produced fluids to a distillation column.
6406. The method of claim 6386, wherein the heat recovery fluid comprises carbon dioxide, and wherein at least some ofthe carbon dioxide is adsorbed onto the surface of carbon in the formation.
6407. The method of claim 6386, wherein ώe heat recovery fluid comprises carbon dioxide, and further comprising: allowύig at least some hydrocarbons wiώύi the formation to desorb from the formation; and producύig at least some ofthe desorbed hydrocarbons from the formation.
6408. The method of claim 6386, further comprising providing at least some ofthe produced fluids to a treatment process in a section ofthe foimation.
6409. The method of claim 6386, wherein the heat recovery fluid is saline water, and further comprising: providing carbon dioxide to ώe portion ofthe foimation; and precipitating carbonate compounds.
6410. The method of claim 6386, furώer comprising reducing an average temperature ofthe formation to a temperature less than about an ambient boiling temperature of water at a post treatment pressure.
6411. The method of claim 6386, wherein the produced fluids comprise low molecular weight hydrocarbons.
6412. The method of claύn 6386, wherein the produced fluids comprise hydrocarbons.
6413. The method of claύn 6386, wherein the produced fluids comprise heat recovery fluid.
6414. A method of tteating a relatively permeable formation, comprising: providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion of ώe formation; allowmg ώe heat to fransfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe foimation; confrolling at least one condition wiώin the selected section; producύig a mixture from the formation; and wherein at least the one condition is controlled such that the mixture comprises a carbon dioxide emission level less than about a selected carbon dioxide emission level.
6415. The method of claim 6414, wherein the heat provided from at least one heat source is transferred to at least a portion ofthe formation substantially by conduction.
6416. The method of claim 6414, wherein the mixture is produced from ώe foimation when a partial pressure of hydrogen in at least a portion the formation is at least about 0.5 bars absolute.
6417. The method of claim 6414, wherein at least one ofthe one or more ofthe heat sources comprises a heater.
6418. The method of claim 6414, wherein the selected carbon dioxide emission level is less than about 5.6 x 10"8 kg C02 produced for every Joule of energy.
6419. The method of claim 6414, wherein the selected carbon dioxide emission level is less than about 1.6 x 10"8 kg C02 produced for every Joule of energy.
6420. The method of claim 6414, wherein the selected carbon dioxide emission level is less than about 1.6 x 10"10 kg C02 produced for every Joule of energy.
6421. The method of claim 6414, further comprising blending the mixture with a fluid to form a blended product comprising a carbon dioxide emission level less than about the selected baseline carbon dioxide emission level.
6422. The method of claim 6414, wherein controlling conditions withύi a selected section comprises controlling a pressure withύi the selected section.
6423. The method of claύn 6414, wherein controlling conditions with n a selected section comprises controlling an average temperature wiώin ώe selected section.
6424. The method of claim 6414, wherein controlling conditions withύi a selected section comprises controlling an average heatmg rate withύi the selected section.
6425. A method for producing molecular hydrogen from a relatively permeable formation, comprising: providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least one portion ofthe formation such that carbon dioxide production is minimized; allowmg ώe heat to ttansfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation; producing a mixture comprising molecular hydrogen from the formation; and confrolling ώe heat from the one or more heat sources to enhance production of molecular hydrogen.
6426. The method of claim 6425, wherein the heat provided from at least one heat source is fransfened to at least a portion of ώe formation substantially by conduction.
6427. The method of claim 6425, wherein at least one ofthe one or more ofthe heat sources comprises a heater.
6428. The method of claim 6425, whereύi the mixture is produced from the formation when a partial pressure of hydrogen in at least a portion ώe fonnation is at least about 0.5 bars absolute.
6429. The method of claim 6425, wherein controlling the heat comprises controlling a temperatare proximate the production wellbore at or above a decomposition temperature of methane.
6430. The method of claύn 6425, wherein heat is generated by oxidizing molecular hydrogen in at least one heat source.
6431. The method of claim 6425, wherein heat is generated by electricity produced from wind power.
6432. The method of claim 6425, wherein heat is generated from elecfrical power.
6433. The method of claim 6425, wherein the heat sources form an array of heat sources.
6434. The method of claim 6425, furώer comprising heating at least a portion of ώe selected section ofthe formation to greater ώan about 600 °C.
6435. The method of claim 6425, whereύi the produced mixture is produced from a production wellbore, and further comprising controlling ώe heat from one or more heat sources such that the temperature in the formation proximate the production wellbore is at least about 600 °C.
6436. The method of claim 6425, whereύi ώe produced mixture is produced from a production wellbore, and further comprising heating at least a portion ofthe formation with a heater proximate the production wellbore.
6437. The method of claύn 6425, furώer comprising recycling at least a portion ofthe produced molecular hydrogen into the foimation.
6438. The method of claim 6425, wherein the produced mixture comprises meώane, and further comprising oxidizing at least a portion ofthe methane to provide heat to ώe formation.
6439. The method of claim 6425, wherein controlling ώe heat comprises maintaining a temperature within ώe selected section withύi a pyrolysis temperature range.
6440. The method of claύn 6425, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise one or more electtical heaters powered by a fael cell, and wherein at least a portion ofthe molecular hydrogen in the produced mixture is used in the fael cell.
6441. The method of claim 6425, further comprising controlling a pressure withm at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe foimation.
6442. The method of claim 6425, farther comprising controlling the heat such that an average heating rate of ώe selected section is less than about 3 °C per day during pyrolysis.
6443. The method of claim 6425, wherein allowing ώe heat to transfer from the one or more heat sources to the selected section comprises fransferring heat substantially by conduction.
6444. The method of claim 6425, wherein at least 50% by volume ofthe produced mixture comprises molecular hydrogen.
6445. The method of claim 6425, wherein less than about 3.3 x 10"8 kg C02 is produced for every Joule of energy in ώe produced mixture.
6446. The method of claim 6425, wherein less than about 1.6 x 10"10 kg C02 is produced for every Joule of energy in the produced mixture.
6447. The met od of claim 6425, wherein less ώan about 3.3 x 10"10 kg C02 is produced for every Joule of energy in ώe produced mixture.
6448. The meώod of claim 6425, wherein the produced mixture is produced from a production wellbore, and further comprising controlling ώe heat from one or more heat sources such ώat the temperature in the formation proximate the production wellbore is at least about 500 °C.
6449. The method of claim 6425, wherein the produced mixture comprises methane and molecular hydrogen, and further comprising: separating at least a portion ofthe molecular hydrogen from the produced mixture; and providing at least a portion ofthe separated mixture to at least one ofthe one or more heat sources for use as fael.
6450. The method of claύn 6425, wherein the produced mixture comprises methane and molecular hydrogen, and further comprising: separating at least a portion ofthe molecular hydrogen from the produced mixture; and providing at least some of ώe molecular hydrogen to a fael cell to generate elecfricity.
6451. A metliod for producing meώane from a relatively permeable formation in situ while minimizing production of C02, comprising:
providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least one portion of ώe formation such ώat C02 production is minimized; allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation; producing a mixture comprising methane from the foimation; and controlling the heat from the one or more heat sources to enhance production of methane.
6452. The method of claim 6451, wherein the heat provided from at least one ofthe one or more heat source is fransfened to at least a portion ofthe formation substantially by conduction.
6453. The method of claim 6451, wherein at least one ofthe one or more ofthe heat sources comprises a heater.
6454. The method of claim 6451 , wherein controlling ώe heat comprises controlling a temperature proximate the production wellbore at or above a decomposition temperatare of ethane.
6455. The method of claim 6451 , wherein heat is generated by oxidizing meώane in at least one heat source.
6456. The method of claim 6451, whereύi heat is generated by elecfricity produced from wind power.
6457. The method of claim 6451 , wherein heat is generated from elecfrical power.
6458. The method of claim 6451, whereui ώe heat sources form an array of heat sources.
6459. The method of claim 6451, further comprising heating at least a portion ofthe selected section ofthe formation to greater than about 400 °C.
6460. The method of claim 6451 , wherein the produced mixture is produced from a production wellbore, and farther comprising controlling the heat from one or more heat sources such that the temperature in the formation proximate the production wellbore is at least about 400 °C.
6461. The method of claim 6451 , wherein ώe produced mixture is produced from a production wellbore, and further comprising heatύig at least a portion of ώe formation with a heater proximate the production wellbore.
6462. The method of claim 6451, farther comprising recycling at least a portion of ώe produced methane ύito ώe formation.
6463. The method of claim 6451 , wherein the produced mixture comprises methane, and further comprising oxidizing at least a portion ofthe methane to provide heat to ώe formation.
6464. The method of claim 6451, whereύi the one or more heat sources comprise at least two heat sources, and wherein supeφosition of heat from at least the two heat sources pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section ofthe formation.
6465. The method of claim 6451 , wherein controlling the heat comprises maintaining a temperature within the selected section within a pyrolysis temperature range.
6466. The method of claim 6451 , wherein the one or more heat sources comprise one or more elecfrical heaters powered by a fuel cell, and wherein at least a portion ofthe molecular hydrogen in the produced mixture is used in the fael cell.
6467. The method of claim 6451, farther comprising controlling a pressure wiώin at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe formation.
6468. The method of claim 6451, further comprising confrollmg the heat such that an average heating rate of ώe selected section is less than about 3 °C per day during pyrolysis.
6469. The method of claim 6451, wherein allowmg ώe heat to transfer from the one or more heat sources to ώe selected section comprises fransfening heat substantially by conduction.
6470. The method of claim 6451, wherein less ώan about 8.4 x 10"8 kg C02 is produced for every Joule of energy in the produced mixture.
6471. The method of claim 6451, wherein less than about 7.4 x 10"8 kg C02 is produced for every Joule of energy in ώe produced mixture.
6472. The method of claim 6451, wherein less than about 5.6 x 10"8 kg C02 is produced for every Joule of energy in the produced mixture.
6473. A method for upgrading hydrocarbons in a relatively permeable formation, comprising: providing heat from one or more heat somces to a portion of ώe formation; allowing ώe heat to fransfer from the first portion to a selected section of ώe formation; providing hydrocarbons to ώe selected section; and producing a mixture from the fonnation, wherein the mixture comprises hydrocarbons that were provided to the selected section and upgraded in ώe formation.
6474. The method of claim 6473, whereύi the mixture is produced from the formation when a partial pressme of hydrogen in at least a portion the formation is at least about 0.5 bars absolute.
6475. The method of claim 6473, wherein the heat provided from at least one heat source is transferred to at least a portion ofthe formation substantially by conduction.
6476. The meώod of claim 6473, wherein at least one of ώe one or more ofthe heat somces comprises a heater.
6477. The method of claύn 6473, wherein the provided hydrocarbons comprise heavy hydrocarbons.
6478. The method of claim 6473, wherein the provided hydrocarbons comprise naphtha.
6479. The method of claύn 6473, wherein the provided hydrocarbons comprise asphaltenes.
6480. The method of claim 6473, wherein ώe provided hydrocarbons comprise crude oil.
6481. The method of claim 6473, wherein the provided hydrocarbons comprise surface mined tar from relatively permeable formations.
6482. The method of claim 6473 wherein ώe provided hydrocarbons comprise an emulsion produced from a relatively permeable formation, and further comprising providing the produced emulsion to ώe first portion after a temperature in the selected section is greater than about a pyrolysis temperature.
6483. The method of claim 6473, farther comprising providing steam to tae selected section.
6484. The method of claύn 6473, farther comprising: producing formation fluids from the formation; separating the produced formation fluids into one or more components; and whereύi e provided hydrocarbons comprise at least one of ώe one or more components.
6485. The method of claύn 6473, further comprising: providing steam to the selected section, wherein ώe provided hydrocarbons are mixed with the steam; and confrollmg an amount of steam such that a residence time ofthe provided hydrocarbons withύi the selected section is controlled.
6486. The method of claim 6473, wherein the produced mixture comprises upgraded hydrocarbons, and further comprising controlling a residence time ofthe provided hydrocarbons wiώin the selected section to confrol a molecular weight distribution withύi the upgraded hydrocarbons.
6487. The method of claύn 6473 , wherein the produced mixture comprises upgraded hydrocarbons, and further comprising controlling a residence time ofthe provided hydrocarbons in the selected section to control an API gravity ofthe upgraded hydrocarbons.
6488. The method of claim 6473, further comprising steam cracking in at least a portion ofthe selected section.
6489. The method of claim 6473, wherein the provided hydrocarbons are produced from a second portion ofthe formation.
6490. The method of claim 6473, farther comprising allowing some ofthe provided hydrocarbons to crack in the foimation to generate upgraded hydrocarbons.
6491. The meώod of claim 6473, further comprising controlling a temperature ofthe first portion ofthe foimation by controlling a pressure and a temperature withm at least a majority of ώe selected section ofthe formation, wherein ώe pressure is confrolled as a function of temperature, or the temperature is confrolled as a function of pressure.
6492. The meώod of claim 6473, further comprising confrollύig a pressme withύi at least a majority ofthe selected section ofthe foimation.
6493. The method of claim 6473, wherein a temperature in the first portion is greater ώan about a pyrolysis temperature.
6494. The method of claim 6473, further comprising: controlling ώe heat such that a temperature ofthe first portion is greater than about a pyrolysis temperature of hydrocarbons; and producing at least some ofthe provided hydrocarbons from the first portion ofthe formation.
6495. The method of claim 6473, further comprising producing at least some ofthe provided hydrocarbons from a second portion ofthe foimation.
6496. The method of claύn 6473, further comprising: confrollmg the heat such that a temperature of a second portion is less than about a pyrolysis temperature of hydrocarbons; and producing at least some ofthe provided hydrocarbons from the second portion ofthe formation..
6497. The method of claim 6473, furώer comprising producing at least some of ώe provided hydrocarbons from a second portion of ώe formation and wherein a temperature of ώe second portion is about an ambient temperature ofthe foimation.
6498. The method of claim 6473, wherein the upgraded hydrocarbons are produced from a production well and wherein the heat is conttolled such that ώe upgraded hydrocarbons can be produced from ώe formation as a vapor.
6499. A method for producing methane from a relatively permeable formation in situ, comprisύig: providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least one portion of ώe formation; allowmg ώe heat to transfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation; providing hydrocarbon fluids to at least the selected section of ώe formation; and producing mixture comprising methane from the formation.
6500. The method of claύn 6499, wherein the heat provided from at least one heat source is fransfened to at least a portion ofthe formation substantially by conduction.
6501. The method of claim 6499, wherein at least one ofthe one or more ofthe heat sources comprises a heater.
6502. The method of claim 6499, further comprising confrolling heat from at least one ofthe heat sources to enhance production of methane from the hydrocarbon fluids.
6503. The method of claim 6499, further comprising controlling a temperature within at least a selected section in a range to from greater than about 400 °C to less than about 600 °C.
6504. The method of claύn 6499, farther comprising cooling the mixture to inhibit further reaction ofthe methane.
6505. The method of claύn 6499, further comprising controlling at least some condition in ώe formation to enhance production of methane.
6506. The meώod of claύn 6499, furώer comprising adding water to the formation.
6507. The method of claim 6499, further comprising separating at least a portion ofthe methane from the mixture and recycling at least some ofthe separated mixture to the foimation.
6508. The method of claύn 6499, fiother comprising cracking the hydrocarbon fluids to form methane.
6509. The method of claim 6499, wherein the mixture is produced from ώe formation through a production well, and wherein ώe heat is controlled such that the mixture can be produced from the formation as a vapor,
6510. The method of claim 6499, whereύi the mixture is produced from tae formation through a production well, and further comprising heating a wellbore ofthe production well to inhibit condensation ofthe mixture withύi the wellbore.
6511. The method of claύn 6499, wherein the mixture is produced from ώe formation through a production well, wherein a wellbore ofthe production well comprises a heater element configured to heat the formation adjacent to ώe wellbore, and farther comprising heatύig the formation with the heater element to produce the mixture.
6512. A method for hydrofreating a fluid in a heated formation in sita, comprisύig: providύig heat from one or more heat sources to at least one portion ofthe formation; allowing the heat to fransfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation; providing a fluid to the selected section; controlling a H2 partial pressure in the selected section ofthe formation; hydrotteating at least some ofthe fluid in the selected section; and producing a mixture comprising hydrotteated fluids from ώe formation.
6513. The method of claim 6512, whereύi the mixture is produced from the formation when a partial pressure of hydrogen in the selected section is at least about 0.5 bars absolute.
6514. The method of claim 6512, wherein the heat provided from at least one ofthe one or more heat source is transferred to at least a portion of ώe formation substantially by conduction.
6515. The method of claim 6512, wherein at least one ofthe one or more ofthe heat sources comprises a heater.
6516. The method of claim 6512, farther comprising providing hydrogen to ώe selected section of ώe foimation.
6517. The method of claim 6512, further comprising controlling the heat such ώat a temperature within the selected section is in a range from about 200 °C to about 450 °C.
6518. The method of claim 6512, wherein the provided fluid comprises an olefin.
6519. The method of claim 6512, wherein the provided fluid comprises pitch.
6520. The method of claim 6512,wherein ώe provided fluid comprises oxygenated compounds.
6521. The method of claim 6512, wherein the provided fluid comprises sulfur containing compounds.
6522. The method of claim 6512, wherein the provided fluid comprises nifrogen contaύiύig compounds.
6523. The method of claim 6512, whereύi the provided fluid comprises crade oil.
6524. The method of claim 6512, wherein the provided fluid comprises synthetic crade oil.
6525. The method of claim 6512, wherein the produced mixture comprises a hydrocarbon mixture.
6526. The method of claim 6512, wherein the produced mixture comprises less than about 1% by weight ammonia.
6527. The method of claim 6512, wherein the produced mixture comprises less than about 1% by weight hydrogen sulfide.
6528. The method of claύn 6512, wherein the produced mixttire comprises less than about 1% oxygenated compounds.
6529. The method of claim 6512, further comprising producing the mixture from the formation through a production well, wherein the heatύig is confrolled such that the mixture can be produced from the formation as a vapor.
6530. A method for producing hydrocarbons from a heated formation in sita, comprising: providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least one portion ofthe foimation; allowmg the heat to fransfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation such ώat at least some ofthe selected section comprises a temperature profile; providing a hydrocarbon mixture to the selected section; separating ώe hydrocarbon mixture into one or more mixtures of components; and producing the one or more mixtures of components from one or more production wells.
6531. The method of claύn 6530, wherein the heat provided from at least one ofthe one or more heat source is fransferred to at least a portion of ώe formation substantially by conduction.
6532. The method of claim 6530, wherein the one or more of ώe heat sources comprise heaters.
6533. The method of claim 6530, whereύi at least one ofthe one or more mixtures is produced from the formation when a partial pressure of hydrogen in at least a portion the formation is at least about 0.5 bars absolute.
6534. The method of claim 6530, further comprising confrolling a pressure wiώin at least a majority ofthe selected section.
6535. The method of claim 6530, whereύi the temperature profile extends horizontally through the formation.
6536. The method of claim 6530, wherein the temperature profile extends vertically through the foimation.
6537. The method of claύn 6530, wherein ώe selected section comprises a spent formation.
6538. The method of claύn 6530, wherein the production well comprises a plurality of production wells placed at various distances from at least one of ώe one or more heat sources along the temperature gradient zone.
6539. The method of claim 6530, wherein the production well comprises a first production well and a second production well, further comprising: positionύig the first production well at a first distance from a heat source ofthe one or more heat sources; positioning the second production well at a second distance from the heat source ofthe one or more heat sources; producing a first component of ώe one or more portions from the first production well; and producing a second component ofthe one or more portions from the second production well.
6540. The method of claim 6530, farther comprising heating a wellbore ofthe production well to ύihibit condensation of at least ώe one component within the wellbore.
6541. The meώod of claim 6530, wherein the one or more components comprise hydrocarbons.
6542. The method of claύn 6530, wherein separating ώe one or more components farther comprises: producing a low molecular weight component ofthe one or more components from ώe foimation; allowing a high molecular weight component ofthe one or more components to remain wiώin ώe formation; providing additional heat to the foimation; and producing at least some ofthe high molecular weight component.
6543. The method of claύn 6530, further comprising producing at least the one component from the formation through a production well, wherein ώe heatύig is controlled such ώat ώe mixture can be produced from the formation as a vapor.
6544. A method of utilizing heat of a heated foimation, comprising: placing a conduit in ώe formation, ; allowmg heat from the foimation to fransfer to at least a portion of ώe conduit; generating a region of reaction in the conduit; allowmg a material to flow through the region of reaction; reacting at least some ofthe material in the region of reaction; and producing a mixture from the conduit.
6545. The method of claύn 6544, wherein a conduit input is located separately from a conduit output
6546. The method of claύn 6544, wherein the conduit is configured to inhibit contact between ώe material and ώe formation.
6547. The method of claim 6544, wherein the conduit comprises a u-shaped conduit, and farther comprising placing the u-shaped conduit within a heater well in the heated formation.
6548. The method of claim 6544, wherein the material comprises a first hydrocarbon and wherein the first hydrocarbon reacts to form a second hydrocarbon.
6549. The meώod of claύn 6544, wherein the material comprises water.
6550. The method of claim 6544, wherein the produced mixture comprises hydrocarbons.
6551. A meώod for storing fluids within a relatively permeable formation, comprising: providing a banier to a portion ofthe formation to form an in situ storage area, wherein at least a portion ofthe in sita storage area has previously undergone an in sita conversion process, and wherein migration of fluids into or out ofthe storage area is inhibited; providing a material to the in sita storage area; storing at least some ofthe provided fluids within the in sita storage area; and wherein one or more conditions ofthe in sita storage area inhibits reaction withύi the material.
6552. The method of claim 6551, further comprising producύig at least some ofthe stored material from the in situ storage area.
6553. The method of claim 6551, furώer comprising producing at least some ofthe stored material from the in situ storage area as a liquid.
6554. The method of claim 6551, further comprising producing at least some of ώe stored material from the in situ storage area as a gas.
6555. The method of claim 6551, whereύi the stored material is a solid, and further comprising: providing a solvent to the in sita storage area; allowing at least a portion ofthe stored material to dissolve; and producing at least some ofthe dissolved material from ώe in sita storage area.
6556. The method of claύn 6551, whereύi ώe material comprises inorganic compounds.
6557. The method of claύn 6551, wherein the material comprises organic compounds.
6558. The meώod of claim 6551, wherein the material comprises hydrocarbons.
6559. The method of claim 6551, wherein the material comprises formation fluids
6560. The method of claύn 6551, wherein the material comprises synthesis gas.
6561. The method of claim 6551, wherein the material comprises a solid.
6562. The method of claim 6551, wherein ώe material comprises a liquid.
6563. The method of claim 6551, wherein the material comprises a gas.
6564. The method of claim 6551 , wherein the material comprises natural gas.
6565. The method of claim 6551, wherein the material comprises compressed aύ.
6566. The method of claύn 6551, wherein the material comprises compressed aύ, and whereύi the compressed aύ is used as a supplement for elecfrical power generation.
6567. The method of claύn 6551, furώer comprising: producύig at least some ofthe material from the in sita treatment area through a production well; and heating at least a portion of a wellbore ofthe production well to inhibit condensation ofthe material within ώe wellbore.
6568. The meώod of claim 6551, wherein the in sita conversion process comprises pyrolysis.
6569. The method of claim 6551, wherein the in sita conversion process comprises synthesis gas generation.
6570. The method of claim 6551, wherein the in sita conversion process comprises solution minύig.
6571. A method of filtering water within a relatively permeable fonnation comprising: providing water to at least a portion ofthe foimation, wherein the portion has previously undergone an in situ conversion process, and wherein the water comprises one or more components; removing at least one ofthe one or more components from the provided water; and producing at least some ofthe water from the formation.
6572. The method of claύn 6571, wherein at least one ofthe one or more components comprises a dissolved cation, and further comprising: converting at least some ofthe provided water to steam; allowing at least some ofthe dissolved cation to remain in the portion ofthe formation; and producing at least a portion of ώe steam from the formation.
6573. The method of claim 6571, wherein the portion ofthe formation is above the boiling point temperature of the provided water at a pressure of ώe portion, wherein at least one ofthe one or more components comprises mineral cations, and wherein the provided water is converted to steam such that the mineral cations are deposited within the foimation.
6574. The method of claύn 6571, further comprising converting at least a portion ofthe provided water into steam and wherein at least one ofthe one or more components is separated from the water as the provided water is converted into steam.
6575. The method of claύn 6571, wherein a temperature ofthe portion ofthe foimation is greater ώan about 90 °C, and further comprising sterilizing at least some ofthe provided water within ώe portion ofthe formation.
6576. The method of claim 6571, wherein a temperature withm tae portion is less than about a boiling temperature ofthe provided water at a fluid pressure ofthe portion.
6577. The method of claim 6571, further comprising remediating at least the one portion ofthe foimation.
6578. The method of claύn 6571, wherein the one or more components comprise cations.
6579. The method of claύn 6571, wherein the one or more components comprise calcium.
6580. The method of claύn 6571, wherein the one or more components comprise magnesium.
6581. The method of claύn 6571, wherem the one or more components comprise a microorganism.
6582. The meώod of claim 6571, wherein the converted portion ofthe formation further comprises a pore size such that at least one ofthe one or more components is removed from the provided water.
6583. The method of claim 6571, wherein the converted portion ofthe formation adsorbs at least one of ώe one or more components in the provided water.
6584. The method of claim 6571 , wherein the provided water comprises formation water.
6585. The method of claim 6571 , wherein the in sita conversion process comprises pyrolysis. ,
6586. The method of claim 6571, wherein the in sita conversion process comprises syntaesis gas generation.
6587. The method of claim 6571, wherein the in sita conversion process comprises solution minύig.
6588. A method for sequestering carbon dioxide in a relatively permeable fonnation, comprising: providing carbon dioxide to a portion ofthe formation, wherein the portion has previously undergone an in situ conversion process; providing a fluid to the portion; allowing at least some ofthe provided carbon dioxide to contact ώe fluid in the portion; and precipitating carbonate compounds.
6589. The method of claim 6588, wherein providing a solution to the portion comprises allowing groundwater to flow into the portion.
6590. The method of claim 6588, wherein the solution comprises one or more dissolved ions.
6591. The method of claim 6588, wherein the solution comprises a solution obtained from a foimation aquifer.
6592. The method of claim 6588, wherein the solution comprises a man-made industrial solution.
6593. The method of claύn 6588, wherein the solution comprises agricultural run-off.
6594. The method of claύn 6588, whereiα ώe solution comprises seawater.
6595. The method of claύn 6588, wherein the solution comprises a brine solution.
6596. The method of claim 6588, further comprising confrollύig a temperature withm the portion.
6597. The method of claim 6588, furώer comprising confrollmg a pressure wiώin ώe portion.
6598. The method of claύn 6588, farther comprising removing at least some of ώe solution from ώe formation.
6599. The method of claim 6588, farther comprising removing at least some ofthe solution from the formation and recycling at least some of ώe removed solution into the formation.
6600. The method of claύn 6588, further comprising providing a buffering compound to the solution.
6601. The method of claim 6588, further comprising: providing the solution to the formation; and allowmg at least some ofthe solution to migrate through the formation to increase a contact time between ώe solution and the provided carbon dioxide.
6602. The method of claύn 6588, wherein the solution is provided to the formation after carbon dioxide has been provided to the formation.
6603. The method of claim 6588, further comprising providing heat to the portion.
6604. The method of claim 6588, wherein provid ng carbon dioxide to a portion ofthe formation comprises providing carbon dioxide to a first location, wherein providing a solution to ώe portion comprises providing the solution to a second location, and wherein ώe first location is downdip ofthe second location.
6605. The method of claύn 6588, wherein allowing at least some of ώe provided carbon dioxide to contact the solution in ώe portion comprises allowing at least some ofthe carbon dioxide and at least some ofthe solution to migrate past each other.
6606. The method of claim 6588, wherein the solution is provided to the formation prior to providing the carbon dioxide, and further comprising providing at least some ofthe carbon dioxide to a location positioned proxύnate a lower surface ofthe portion such that some ofthe carbon dioxide may migrate up tlirough the portion.
6607. The method of claim 6588, wherein ώe solution is provided to the formation prior to providing ώe carbon dioxide, and further comprising allowύig at least some carbon dioxide to migrate through the portion.
6608. The method of claύn 6588, furώer comprising: providing heat to the portion, wherein ώe portion comprises a temperature greater than about a boiling point of ώe solution; vaporizing at least some ofthe solution; producύig a fluid from the foimation.
6609. The meώod of claim 6588, farther comprising decreasing leaching of metals from the formation ύito groundwater.
6610. A method offreating a relatively permeable foimation, comprising: injecting a recovery fluid into a portion of ώe foimation; allowing heat wiώin the recovery fluid, and heat from one or more heat somces, to fransfer to a selected section ofthe formation, wherein the selected section comprises hydrocarbons; mobilizing at least some of ώe hydrocarbons wiώύi ώe selected section; and producing a mixture from the formation.
6611. The method of claim 6610, wherein the portion has been previously produced.
6612. The method of claim 6610, wherein the portion has previously undergone an in situ conversion process.
6613. The meώod of claim 6610, further comprising upgrading at least some hydrocarbons withύi ώe selected section to decrease a viscosity ofthe hydrocarbons.
6614. The method of claim 6610, wherein the produced mixture comprises hydrocarbons having an average API gravity greater than about 25°.
6615. The method of claim 6610, farther comprising vaporizing at least some ofthe hydrocarbons wiώin the selected section.
6616. The method of claim 6610, wherein the recovery fluid comprises water.
6611. The method of claύn 6610, whereύi the recovery fluid comprises hydrocarbons.
6618. The method of claim 6610, wherein the mixtare comprises pyrolyzation fluids.
6619. The method of claim 6610, whereύi the mixture comprises hydrocarbons.
6620. The method of claύn 6610, wherein the mixture is produced from a production well and farther comprising confrolling a pressure such that a fluid pressure proximate to the production well is less than about a fluid pressure proximate to a location where the fluid is injected.
6621. The method of claύn 6610, further comprising: monitoring a composition ofthe produced mixture; and controlling a fluid pressure in at least a portion ofthe formation to control the composition of ώe produced mixture.
6622. The method of claim 6610, further comprising pyrolyzing at least some ofthe hydrocarbons within the selected section of ώe formation.
6623. The method of claim 6610, wherein the average temperature of ώe selected section is between about 275 °C to about 375 °C, and wherein a fluid pressure of ώe recovery fluid is between about 60 bars to about 220 bars, and wherein the recovery fluid comprises steam.
6624. The method of claύn 6610, further comprising controlling pressure wiώin the selected section such that a fluid pressure withύi the selected section is at least about a hydrostatic pressure of a surrounding portion ofthe foimation.
6625. The method of claim 6610, further comprising confrolling pressme within the selected section such that a fluid pressure withύi the selected section is greater than about a hydrostatic pressure of a sunounding portion of ώe formation.
6626. The method of claύn 6610, whereύi a depth ofthe selected section is between about 300 m to about 400 m.
6627. The method of claim 6610, wherein the mixture comprises pyrolysis products.
6628. The method of claim 6610, further comprising vaporizing at least some ofthe hydrocarbons withύi the selected section and wherein the vaporized hydrocarbons comprise hydrocarbons having a carbon number greater than about 1 and a carbon number less than about 4.
6629. The method of claύn 6610, further comprising allowing the injected recovery fluid to contact a substantial portion of a volume ofthe selected section.
6630. The method of claim 6610, wherein the recovery fluid comprises steam, and wherein the pressure ofthe injected steam is at least about 90 bars, and wherein the temperature ofthe injected steam is at least about 300 °C.
6631. The method of claim 6610, furώer comprising upgrading at least a portion of ώe hydrocarbons wiώin the selected section ofthe formation such that a viscosity ofthe portion ofthe hydrocarbons is decreased.
6632. The method of claim 6610, further comprising separating the recovery fluid from pyrolyzation fluid and distilled hydrocarbons in the formation, and further comprising producing the pyrolyzation fluid and distilled hydrocarbons.
6633. The method of claim 6610, wherein the ttansfer fluid and vaporized hydrocarbons are separated with membranes.
6634. The method of claim 6610, whereύi the selected section comprises a first selected section and a second selected section and further comprising: mobilizing at least some of ώe hydrocarbons wiώύi the selected first section ofthe foimation; allowing at least some ofthe mobilized hydrocarbons to flow from the selected ffrst section of ώe formation to a selected second section ofthe formation, and wherein the selected second section comprises hydrocarbons; and heating at least a portion of ώe formation using one ore more heat sources; pyrolyzing at least some ofthe hydrocarbons wiώin the selected second section ofthe formation; and producing a mixture from ώe formation.
6635. The method of claύn 6610, wherein a residence time ofthe recovery fluid in the foimation is greater than about one month and less than about six months.
6636. The method of claim 6610, further comprising: allowing the recovery fluid to soak in the selected section ofthe formation for a selected time period; and producύig at least a portion ofthe recovery fluid from the formation.
6637. A meώod of treating relatively permeable formation in sita, comprising: injecting a recovery fluid into the formation; providing heat from one or more heat sources to tae foimation; allowύig tae heat to transfer from one or more of ώe heat sources to a selected section ofthe foimation, wherein the selected section comprises hydrocarbons; mobilizing at least some ofthe hydrocarbons; and producing a mixture from ώe formation, wherein ώe produced mixture comprises hydrocarbons having an average API gravity greater ώan about 25°.
6638. The method of claύn 6637, wherein the heat provided from at least one ofthe one or more heat sources is transferred to at least a portion of ώe formation substantially by conduction.
6639. The meώod of claim 6637, wherein ώe mixture is produced from ώe foimation when a partial pressure of hydrogen in at least a portion ώe formation is at least about 0.5 bars absolute.
6640. The method of claύn 6637, wherein at least one ofthe one or more ofthe heat sources comprises a heater.
6641. The method of claim 6637, further comprising pyrolyzing at least some ofthe hydrocarbons wiώin selected section.
6642. The meώod of claim 6637, farther comprising pyrolyzing at least some ofthe mobilized hydrocarbons.
6643. The meώod of claim 6637, wherein the recovery fluid comprises water.
6644. The method of claim 6637, wherein the recovery fluid comprises hydrocarbons.
6645. The method of claύn 6637, wherein the mixture comprises pyrolyzation fluids.
6646. The method of claim 6637, wherein the mixture comprises steam.
6647. The method of claim 6637, wherein a pressure is controlled such that a fluid pressure proximate to one or more ofthe heat sources is greater than a fluid pressure proximate to a location where the fluid is produced
6648. The method of claύn 6637, whereύi the one or more heat sources comprise at least two heat sources, and wherein supeφosition of heat from at least the two heat sources pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section ofthe foimation.
6649. The method of claim 6637, wherein the heat is provided such that an average temperature in the selected section ranges from approximately about 270 °C to about 375 °C.
6650. The method of claim 6637, further comprising: monitoring a composition of ώe produced mixture; and confrollmg a pressure in at least a portion ofthe formation to confrol the composition ofthe produced mixture.
6651. The method of claim 6650, wherein the pressure is controlled by a valve proximate to a location where the mixture is produced.
6652. The method of claim 6650, whereύi ώe pressure is controlled such that pressure proximate to one or more ofthe heat sources is greater than a pressure proximate to a location where ώe mixture is produced.
6653. The method of claim 6637, wherein a residence time ofthe recovery fluid in ώe foimation is less than about one month to greater than about six months.
6654. The method of claim 6637, further comprising: allowing ώe recovery fluid to soak in the selected section ofthe formation for a selected time period; and producing at least a portion ofthe recovery fluid from the formation.
6655. A method offreating a relatively permeable formation in situ, comprising: injecting a recovery fluid into a formation; allowmg ώe recovery fluid to migrate tlirough at least a portion ofthe formation, wherein a size of a selected section increases as a recovery fluid front migrates through an unfreated portion of ώe formation, and wherein ώe selected section is a portion of ώe formation freated by ώe recovery fluid; allowing heat from the recovery fluid to transfer heat to the selected section, wherein the heat from the recovery fluid, and heat from one or more heat sources, pyrolyzes at least some ofthe hydrocarbons wiώin the selected section ofthe formation; allowing the heat from the recovery fluid or one or more heat sources to mobilize at least some of ώe hydrocarbons at ώe recovery fluid front; allowing the heat from ώe recovery fluid, and heat from one or more heat sources, to pyrolyze at least a portion ofthe hydrocarbons in the mobilized fluid; and producing a mixture from the formation.
6656. The method of claύn 6655, wherein one or more heat sources are heaters.
6657. The meώod of claύn 6655, wherein the mixture is produced as a mixture of vapors.
6658. The method of claim 6655, wherein an average temperature ofthe selected section is about 300 °C, and wherein the recovery fluid pressme is about 90 bars.
6659. The method of claim 6655, whereiα the mobilized hydrocarbons flow substantially parallel to the recovery fluid front.
6660. The method of claim 6655, whereύi the mixture is produced from an upper portion of ώe formation.
6661. The method of claim 6655, whereύi a portion ofthe recovery fluid condenses and migrates due to gravity to a lower portion ofthe selected section, and further comprisύig producing a portion of ώe condensed recovery fluid.
6662. The method of claim 6655, whereiα the pyrolyzed fluid migrates to an upper portion ofthe foimation.
6663. The method of claim 6655, wherein the mixture comprises pyrolyzation fluids.
6664. The method of claim 6655, whereύi the mixture comprises recovery fluid.
6665. The method of claim 6655, whereiα the recovery fluid comprises steam.
6666. The method of claim 6655, whereiα the recovery fluid is injected through one or more injection wells.
6667. The method of claim 6666, wherein the one or more injection wells are located substantially horizontally in the formation.
6668. The method of claim 6666, whereύi the one or more injection wells are located substantially vertically in ώe formation.
6669. The method of claim 6655, wherein the mixture is produced through one or more production wells.
6670. The meώod of claύn 6669, wherein the one or more production wells are located substantially horizontally in ώe formation.
6671. The method of claύn 6655, whereύi the mixture is produced tlirough a heat source wellbore.
6612. The method of claim 6655, wherein the produced mixture comprises hydrocarbons havύig an average API gravity at least about 25°.
6673. The method of claim 6655, wherein at least about 20% ofthe hydrocarbons in the selected first section and ώe selected second section are pyrolyzed.
6674. The method of claim 6655, farther comprising providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least one portion ofthe foimation.
6675. The method of claim 6655, wherein the heat from the one or more heat somces vaporizes water injected ύito the formation.
6676. The method of claim 6655, wherein the heat from the one or more heat sources heats recovery fluid in the formation, wherein ώe recovery fluid comprises steam.
6611. The method of claim 6655, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise elecfrical heaters.
6678. The method of claim 6655, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise flame disfributed combustors.
6619. The method of claim 6655, wherein the one or more heat sources comprise natural disttibuted combustors.
6680. The method of claύn 6655, further comprising separating recovery fluid from pyrolyzation fluids in the formation.
6681. The meώod of claim 6655, fiother comprising producύig liquid hydrocarbons from ώe foimation, and further comprising reinjecting ώe produced liquid hydrocarbons into the formation.
6682. The method of claim 6655, further comprising producing a liquid mixture from the formation, wherein the produced liquid mixture comprises substantially of condensed recovery fluid.
6683. The method of claύn 6655, further comprising separating condensed recovery fluid from liquid hydrocarbons in the formation, and further comprising producing the condensed recovery fluid from the foimation.
6684. The method of claim 6655, wherein the recovery fluid is injected into regions of relatively high water saturation.
6685. The method of claim 6655, wherein injected recovery fluid contacts a substantial portion of a volume of the selected section.
6686. The method of claύn 6655, whereύi the recovery fluid comprises steam, and wherein the pressure ofthe injected steam is-at least about 90 bars, and wherein the temperature ofthe injected steam is at least about 300 °C.
6687. The method of claim 6655, whereύi at least a portion of sulfur is retained in the formation.
6688. The method of claim 6655, wherein the heat from recovery fluid partially upgrades at least a portion of ώe hydrocarbons withύi the selected section ofthe formation, and wherein the partial upgrading reduces the viscosity ofthe portion ofthe hydrocarbons.
6689. The method of claύn 6655, further comprising separating the recovery fluid from pyrolyzation fluid and distilled hydrocarbons in the formation, and further comprising producing the pyrolyzation fluid and distilled hydrocarbons.
6690. The method of claim 6655, wherein the recovery fluid and vaporized hydrocarbons are separated with membranes.
6691. The method of claim 6655, wherein a residence tune ofthe recovery fluid in the foimation is less than about one month to greater than about six months.
6692. The method of claύn 6655, further comprising: allowύig the heat ttansfer fluid to soak in ώe. selected section ofthe formation for a selected time period; and producing at least a portion ofthe heat ttansfer fluid from the formation.
6693. A method of recovering methane from a relatively permeable formation, comprising: providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least one portion ofthe formation, wherein the portion comprises methane; allowing the heat to fransfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe foimation; and producing fluids from the formation, wherein the produced fluids comprise methane.
6694. The method of claim 6693, farther comprising providing a barrier to at least a segment ofthe foimation.
6695. The method of claύn 6693, further comprising: providing a refrigerant to a plurality of barrier wells to form a low temperature zone around the portion of the formation; lowering a temperature withύi the low temperature zone to a temperature less than about a freezing temperature of water; and removing water from the portion of ώe foimation.
6696. The method of claim 6693, wherein an average temperature ofthe selected section is less ώan about 100°C.
6691. The method of claim 6693, wherein an average temperatare ofthe selected section is less ώan about a boiling point of water at an ambient pressure in ώe formation.
6698. The method of claύn 6693, wherein an amount of methane produced from the formation is in a range from about 1 m3 of methane per ton of formation to about 30 m3 of methane per ton of formation.
6699. The method of claύn 6693, wherein the methane produced from the formation is used as fael for an in sita treatment of a relatively permeable formation.
6700. The method of claim 6693, wherein the methane produced from ώe foimation is used to generate power for electrical heater wells.
6701. The method of claim 6693, wherein the meώane produced from the formation is used as fael for gas fired heater wells.
6702. The method of claim 6693, farther comprising providing carbon dioxide to ώe freatment area and allowmg at least a portion ofthe methane to desorb.
6703. The method of claim 6693 , wherein the fluids are produced from the foimation when a partial pressure of hydrogen in at least a portion ώe foimation is at least about 0.5 bars absolute.
6704. The method of claim 6693, wherein the heat provided from at least one heat source is transferred to at least a portion ofthe formation substantially by conduction.
6705. The method of claύn 6693, wherein the one or more ofthe heat sources comprise heaters.
6706. A method of recovering methane from a relatively permeable foimation, comprising: providing a barrier to a portion ofthe formation, wherein the portion comprises methane; removing the water from ώe portion; and producing fluids from the formation, wherein the produced fluids comprise methane.
6707. The method of claim 6706, wherein removing water from the portion comprises pumping at least some water from the formation.
6708. The method of claim 6706, wherein the barrier inhibits migration of fluids into or out of a treatment area of the fonnation.
6709. The method of claύn 6706, further comprising decreasing a fluid pressure within the portion and allowing at least some ofthe methane to desorb.
6710. The method of claim 6706, further comprising providing carbon dioxide to the portion and allowing at least some ofthe methane to desorb.
6711. The method of claim 6706, wherein providing a barrier comprises: providing refrigerant to a plurality of freeze wells to form a low temperature zone around the portion; and lowering a temperature withύi the low temperature zone to a temperature less than about a freezing temperature of water.
6712. The method of claim 6706, wherein providing a barrier comprises providing refrigerant to a plurality of freeze wells to form a frozen barrier zone and wherein the frozen barrier zone hydraulically isolates the treatment area from a surrounding portion ofthe formation.
6713. The method of claim 6706, further comprising: providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least one portion of ώe formation; and allowing the heat to transfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe fonnation.
6714. The method of claim 6706, wherein an average temperature ofthe selected section is less taan about 100°C.
6715. The method of claim 6706, wherein an average temperature ofthe selected section is less than about a boiling point of water at an ambient pressure in ώe foimation.
6716. A method of shutting-in an in situ treatment process in a relatively permeable foimation, comprising: terminating heating from one or more heat sources providing heat to a portion ofthe formation; monitoring a pressure in at least a portion of ώe foimation; confrolling the pressure in the portion of ώe foimation such ώat the pressure is maintained approximately below a fracturing or breakthrough pressme ofthe formation.
6717. The method of claim 6716, wherein monitoring the pressure iα the formation comprises detecting fractures with passive acoustic monitoring.
6718. The method of claim 6716, whereύi confrollmg ώe pressure in the portion of ώe formation comprises : producing hydrocarbon vapor from the foimation when the pressure is greater than approximately the fracturing or breakthrough pressure ofthe formation; and allowmg produced hydrocarbon vapor to oxidize at a surface ofthe foimation.
6719. The method of claim 6716, whereύi controlling the pressure in the portion of ώe formation comprises:
producing hydrocarbon vapor from the formation when the pressure is greater than approximately the fracturing or breakthrough pressure ofthe foimation; and storing at least a portion ofthe produced hydrocarbon vapor.
6720. A method of shutting-in an in situ freatment process in a relatively permeable fonnation, comprising: terminating heating from one or more heat sources providing heat to a portion of ώe formation; producing hydrocarbon vapor from the foimation; and injecting at least a portion ofthe produced hydrocarbon vapor into a portion of a storage foimation.
6721. The method of claύn 6720, whereύi the storage formation comprises a spent foimation.
6722. The method of claim 6721, whereύi an average temperature ofthe portion ofthe spent foimation is less ώan about 100°C.
6723. The method of claim 6721 , wherein a substantial portion of condensable compounds in the injected hydrocarbon vapor condense in the spent formation.
6724. The method of claim 6720, wherein the storage formation comprises a relatively high temperature foimation, and further comprising converting a substantial portion of injected hydrocarbons into coke and molecular hydrogen.
6725. The method of claim 6724, wherein the average temperature ofthe portion ofthe relatively high temperature formation is greater than about 300°C.
6726. The method of claύn 6724, farther comprising: producing at least a portion ofthe H2 from the relatively high temperature formation; and allowmg the produced molecular hydrogen to oxidize at a smface ofthe relatively high temperature foimation.
6727. The method of claύn 6720, wherein the storage formation comprises a depleted foimation.
6728. The method of claύn 6727, wherein the depleted formation comprises an oil field.
6729. The method of claim 6727, wherein the depleted formation comprises a gas field.
6730. The method of claim 6727, wherein the depleted formation comprises a water zone comprising seal and trap integrity.
6731. A method of producing a soluble compound from a soluble compound contaύiing foimation, comprising:
providύig heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion of a hydrocarbon contaύiύig layer; producύig a mixture comprising hydrocarbons from the foimation; using heat from the formation, heat from the mixture produced from the foimation, or a component from the mixture produced from the formation to adjust a quality of a first fluid; providing the first fluid to a soluble compound containing foimation; and producύig a second fluid comprising a soluble compound from the soluble compound containing formation.
6732. The method of claim 6731, further comprising pyrolyzing at least some hydrocarbons in the hydrocarbon containύig layer.
6733. The method of claim 6731, further comprising dissolving the soluble compound in the soluble compound containing formation.
6734. The method of claim 6731, wherein the soluble compound comprises a phosphate.
6735. The method of claim 6731 , whereύi the soluble compound comprises alumina.
6736. The method of claim 6731, whereύi the soluble compound comprises a metal.
6737. The method of claύn 6731 , whereύi the soluble compound comprises a carbonate.
6738. The method of claim 6731 , further comprising separating at least a portion of ώe soluble compound from the second fluid.
6739. The method of claim 6731, farther comprising separating at least a portion of ώe soluble compound from the second fluid, and then recycling a portion of ώe second fluid ύito the soluble compound contaύiύig formation.
6740. The method of claύn 6731, whereύi heat is provided from the heated formation, or from the mixture produced from the formation, in the form of hot water or steam.
6741. The method of claύn 6731 , wherein the quality ofthe first fluid that is adjusted is pH.
6742. The meώod of claim 6731, wherein the quality ofthe first fluid that is adjusted is temperature.
6743. The method of claim 6731 , furώer comprismg adding a dissolving compound to ώe first fluid ώat facilitates dissolution ofthe soluble compound inthe soluble contaύiing foimation.
6744. The method of claim 6731 , wherein C02 produced from the hydrocarbon containing layer is used to adjust acidity ofthe solution.
6745. The method of claim 6731, wherein the soluble compound containing foimation is at a different depth than ώe portion ofthe hydrocarbon contaύiing layer.
6746. The method of claύn 6731, wherein heat from the portion of ώe hydrocarbon containing layer migrates and heats at least a portion ofthe soluble compound containing foimation.
6747. The method of claim 6731, wherein the soluble compound containύig formation is at a different location ώan the portion ofthe hydrocarbon containing layer.
6748. The meώod of claύn 6731 , further comprising using openings for providing the heat sources, and further comprising using at least a portion of these openings to provide the first fluid to ώe soluble compound containing foimation.
6749. The method of claim 6731, farther comprising providing the solution to the soluble compound contaύiing formation in one or more openings that were previously used to (a) provide heat to ώe hydrocarbon containing layer, or (b) produce the mixtare from the hydrocarbon containing layer.
6750. The method of claim 6731, farther comprising providing heat to ώe hydrocarbon containύig layer, or producύig the mixture from the hydrocarbon containing layer, usύig one or more openings ώat were previously used to provide a solution to a soluble compound containύig formation.
6751. The method of claύn 6731, fiother comprising: separating at least a portion ofthe soluble compound from the second fluid; providing heat to at least the portion of ώe soluble compound; and wherein the provided heat is generated in part usύig one or more products of an in situ conversion process.
6752. The method of claim 6731, further comprising producing the second fluid when a partial pressure of hydrogen iα the portion ofthe hydrocarbon containing layer is at least about 0.5 bars absolute.
6753. The method of claim 6731 , wherein tae heat provided from at least one heat source is fransferred to at least a part ofthe hydrocarbon containing layer substantially by conduction.
6754. The method of claim 6731 , wherein one or more ofthe heat sources comprise heaters.
6755. The method of claim 6731 , wherein the soluble compound contaύiing formation comprises nahcolite.
6756. The method of claim 6731 , wherein greater ώan about 10 % by weight of ώe soluble compound contaύiing formation comprises nahcolite.
6757. The method of claύn 6731, wherein ώe soluble compound containing formation comprises dawsonite.
6758. The method of claim 6731, wherein greater ώan about 2 % by weight ofthe soluble compound containύig formation comprises dawsonite.
6759. The method of claim 6731, wherein the first fluid comprises steam.
6760. The method of claim 6731 , wherein ώe first fluid comprises steam, and further comprising providύig heat to ώe soluble compound contaύiing formation by injecting the steam into the formation.
6761. The method of claim 6731 , wherein the soluble compound contaύiing foimation is heated and ώen ώe ffrst fluid is provided to ώe formation.
6162. A method offreating a relatively permeable formation in sita, comprising: providing heat to at least a portion ofthe foimation; allowing tae heat to transfer from at least the portion to a selected section ofthe formation such that dissociation of carbonate minerals is inhibited; injecting a first fluid into ώe selected section; producing a second fluid from the formation; and conducting an in situ conversion process in ώe selected section.
6763. The method of claim 6762, wherein the mixture is produced from the formation when a partial pressure of hydrogen in at least a portion the foimation is at least about 0.5 bars absolute.
6764. The method of claim 6762, wherein the heat is provided from at least one heat source, and wherein ώe heat is fransfened to at least ώe portion ofthe foimation substantially by conduction.
6765. The method of claim 6762, wherein the in sita conversion process comprises: providing additional heat to a least a portion ofthe formation; pyrolyzing at least some hydrocarbons in ώe portion; and producing a mixture from ώe foimation.
6766. The metliod of claim 6762, whereύi the selected section comprises nahcolite.
6161. The method of claim 6762, wherein the selected section comprises dawsonite.
6768. The meώod of claim 6762, wherein the selected section comprises frona.
6769. The method of claim 6762, wherein the selected section comprises gaylussite.
6770. The method of claim 6762, wherein the selected section comprises carbonates.
6771. The method of claim 6762, wherein the selected section comprises carbonate phosphates.
6772. The method of claim 6762, wherein the selected section comprises carbonate chlorides.
6773. The method of claύn 6762, wherein the selected section comprises silicates.
6774. The method of claύn 6762, wherein ώe selected section comprises borosilicates.
6775. The method of claύn 6762, wherein the selected section comprises halides.
6116. The method of claim 6762, wherein the first fluid comprises a pH greater ώan about 7.
6111. The method of claύn 6762, wherein the ffrst fluid comprises a temperature less than about 110 °C.
6778. The method of claim 6762, wherein ώe portion has previously undergone an in situ conversion process prior to the injection ofthe first fluid.
6779. The method of claim 6762, wherein the second fluid comprises hydrocarbons.
6780. The method of claim 6762, wherein the second fluid comprises hydrocarbons, and further comprising: fragmenting at least some ofthe portion prior to providing the first fluid; generatύig hydrocarbons; and providing at least some of ώe second fluid to a surface freatment unit, wherein the second fluid comprises at least some of ώe generated hydrocarbons.
6781. The method of claim 6762, further comprismg removing mass from the selected section in the second fluid.
6782. The method of claim 6762, further comprising removύig mass from the selected section in ώe second fluid such ώat a permeability of ώe selected section increases.
6783. The method of claim 6762, further comprising removing mass from the selected section in the second fluid and decreasing a heat transfer time in the selected section.
6784. The method of claim 6762, further comprising confrollmg the heat such ώat the selected section has a temperatare of above about 120 °C.
6785. The method of claύn 6762, whereύi the selected section comprises nahcolite, and further comprisύig controlling the heat such that the selected section has a temperature less than about a dissociation temperature of nahcolite.
6786. The method of claim 6762, wherein the second fluid comprises soda ash, and further comprising removing at least a portion of ώe soda ash from the second fluid as sodium carbonate.
6787. The method of claim 6762, wherein the in sita conversion process comprises pyrolyzing hydrocarbon containύig material in ώe selected section.
6788. The method of claύn 6762, wherein the second fluid comprises nahcolite, and further comprising: separating at least a portion ofthe nahcolite from the second fluid; providing heat to at least some ofthe separated nahcolite to form a sodium carbonate solution; providing at least some of ώe sodium carbonate solution to at least the portion ofthe formation; and producing a ώύd fluid comprising alumina from the formation.
6789. The method of claim 6762, further comprising providing a barrier to at least the portion ofthe formation to inhibit migration of fluids ύito or out of ώe portion.
6790. The meώod of claim 6762, further comprising confrollύig the heat such that a temperature within the selected section ofthe portion is less than about 100 °C.
6791. The method of claim 6762, further comprising: providing additional heat from ώe one or more heat somces to at least ώe portion ofthe formation; allowing the additional heat to fransfer from at least ώe portion to the selected section ofthe foimation; pyrolyzing at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section ofthe formation; producing a mixture from ώe formation; reducing a temperature ofthe selected section of ώe foimation injecting a third fluid into the selected section; and producing a fourth fluid from ώe foimation.
6192. The meώod of claύn 6791, wherein the third fluid comprises water.
6793. The method of claim 6791, wherein the thfrd fluid comprises steam.
6794. The method of claim 6791, whereύi the fourth fluid comprises a metal.
6795. The method of claim 6791 , wherein the fourth fluid comprises a mineral.
6796. The meώod of claύn 6791, wherem the fourth fluid comprises aluminum.
6191. The method of claim 6791, wherein the fourth fluid comprises a metal, and farther comprising producing ώe metal from the second fluid.
6798. The meώod of claim 6791, furώer comprising producing a non-hydrocarbon material from ώe fourth fluid.
6799. The method of claim 6762, wherein the first fluid comprises steam.
6800. The method of claύn 6762, wherein ώe second fluid comprises a metal.
6801. The meώod of claim 6762, wherein the second fluid comprises a mineral.
6802. The method of claύn 6762, whereiα the second fluid comprises aluminum.
6803. The method of claim 6762, wherein the second fluid comprises a metal, and farther comprising separating ώe metal from ώe second fluid.
6804. The method of claύn 6762, further comprising producing a non-hydrocarbon material from ώe second fluid.
6805. The method of claim 6762, wherein greater than about 10 % by weight ofthe selected section comprises nahcolite.
6806. The method of claim 6762, wherein greater than about 2 % by weight of ώe selected section comprises dawsonite.
6807. The method of claim 6762, wherein the provided heat comprises waste heat from another portion of ώe formation.
6808. The method of claim 6762, wherein the first fluid comprises steam, and further comprising providing heat to the formation by injecting the steam into the foimation.
6809. The method of claim 6762, farther comprising providing heat to the foimation by injecting the first fluid into the formation.
6810. The method of claim 6762, further comprising providing heat to ώe formation by injecting the first fluid into the foimation, wherein the first fluid is at a temperature above about 90° C.
6811. The method of claim 6762, further comprising controlling a temperature ofthe selected section while injecting ώe first fluid, wherein the temperature is less than about a temperature at which nahcolite will dissociate.
6812. The method of claim 6762, whereύi a temperature within the selected section is less than about 90 °C prior to injecting the first fluid to the foimation.
6813. The method of claύn 6762, further comprising providing a banier substantially sunounding the selected section such that the banier inhibits ώe flow of water into the formation.
6814. A method offreating a relatively permeable formation in sita, comprising: injecting a first fluid into the selected section; producing a second fluid from ώe foimation; providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion of ώe foimation, wherein ώe heat is provided after production ofthe second fluid has begun; allowing ώe heat to fransfer from at least a portion ofthe formation; pyrolyzing at least some hydrocarbons withύi the selected section; and producύig a mixture from the formation.
6815. The method of claύn 6814, wherein the selected section comprises nahcolite.
6816. The method of claύn 6814, whereύi the selected section comprises dawsonite.
6817. The method of claύn 6814, wherein the selected section comprises frona.
6818. The method of claim 6814, wherein the selected section comprises gaylussite.
6819. The method of claύn 6814, wherein the selected section comprises carbonates.
6820. The meώod of claim 6814, whereύi the selected section comprises carbonate phosphates.
6821. The method of claύn 6814, whereύi the selected section comprises carbonate chlorides.
6822. The method of claύn 6814, wherein the selected section comprises silicates.
6823. The method of claim 6814, wherein the selected section comprises borosilicates.
6824. The method of claim 6814, wherein the selected section comprises halides.
6825. The method of claim 6814, wherein the first fluid comprises a pH greater ώan about 7.
6826. The method of claim 6814, wherein the first fluid comprises a temperature less than about 110 °C.
6827. The method of claim 6814, wherein the second fluid comprises hydrocarbons.
6828. The method of claim 6814, wherein the second fluid comprises hydrocarbons, and further comprising: fragmenting at least some ofthe portion prior to providing the first fluid; generating hydrocarbons; and providing at least some ofthe second fluid to a surface treatment unit, wherein the second fluid comprises at least some ofthe generated hydrocarbons.
6829. The method of claim 6814, furώer comprismg removing mass from the selected section in the second fluid.
6830. The method of claύn 6814, furtlier comprising removing mass from the selected section in the second fluid such ώat a permeability ofthe selected section increases.
6831. The meώod of claim 6814, further comprising removing mass from the selected section in the second fluid and decreasing a heat fransfer time in the selected section.
6832. The method of claim 6814, further comprising controlling the heat such that the selected section has a temperature of above about 270 °C.
6833. The method of claim 6814, wherein the second fluid comprises soda ash, and further comprisύig removing at least a portion ofthe soda ash from the second fluid as sodium carbonate.
6834. The method of claim 6814, whereύi the second fluid comprises nahcolite, and further comprisύig: separatύig at least a portion ofthe nahcolite from ώe second fluid; providing heat to at least some of ώe separated nahcolite to form a sodium carbonate solution; providing at least some ofthe sodium carbonate solution to at least ώe portion ofthe foimation; and producing a third fluid comprisύig alumina from the foimation.
6835. The method of claim 6814, further comprising providing a barrier to at least the portion ofthe foimation to inhibit migration of fluids into or out of the portion.
6836. The method of claim 6814, wherein the first fluid comprises steam.
6837. The method of claim 6814, wherein the second fluid comprises a metal.
6838. The method of claύn 6814, whereiα the second fluid comprises a mineral.
6839. The method of claim 6814, wherein the second fluid comprises aluminum.
6840. The meώod of claim 6814, wherein the second fluid comprises a metal, and further comprising separating the metal from the second fluid.
6841. The method of claim 6814, further comprising producing a non-hydrocarbon material from the second fluid.
6842. The method of claύn 6814, where n greater ώan about 10 % by weight ofthe selected section comprises nahcolite.
6843. The meώod of claim 6814, wherein greater than about 2 % by weight ofthe selected section comprises dawsonite.
6844. The method of claim 6814, wherein at least some ofthe provided heat comprises waste heat from another portion of ώe foimation.
6845. The method of claύn 6814, wherein the first fluid comprises steam, and further comprising providing heat to ώe formation by injecting the steam into the foimation.
6846. The meώod of claύn 6814, furώer comprising providmg heat to the foimation by injecting ώe first fluid into the foimation.
6847. The method of claim 6814, further comprising providing heat to ώe formation by injecting the first fluid into the foimation, wherein the first fluid is at a temperature above about 90° C.
6848. The method of claύn 6814, further comprising controlling a temperature ofthe selected section while injecting the first fluid, wherein the temperature is less than about a temperature at which nahcolite will dissociate.
6849. The method of claim 6814, further comprising providing a barrier substantially surrounding the selected section such ώat the barrier inhibits the flow of water into the formation.
6850. The method of claύn 6814, wherein the mixture is produced from the formation when a partial pressure of hydrogen iα at least a portion the formation is at least about 0.5 bars absolute.
6851. The meώod of claim 6814, wherein the heat provided from at least one heat somce is fransferred to at least a portion ofthe fonnation substantially by conduction.
6852. The method of claim 6814, wherein the one or more ofthe heat sources comprise heaters.
6853. A method of solution mining alumina from an in sita relatively permeable fonnation, comprisύig: providing heat from one or more heat somces to a least a portion ofthe foimation; pyrolyzing at least some hydrocarbons in the portion; and producing a mixture from the formation providmg a brine solution to a portion ofthe formation; and producing a mixture comprising alumina from the formation.
6854. The method of claύn 6853, wherein the selected section comprises dawsonite.
6855. The method of claim 6853, farther comprising: separating at least a portion ofthe alumina from the mixture; and providing heat to at least the portion of ώe alumina to generate aluminum.
6856. The method of claύn 6853, further comprising: separating at least a portion ofthe alumina from ώe mixture; providing heat to at least the portion of ώe alumina to generate aluminum; and wherein the provided heat is generated in part using one or more products of an in situ conversion process.
6857. The method of claim 6853, furώer comprising producing the mixture when a partial pressure of hydrogen in ώe formation is at least about 0.5 bars absolute.
6858. The method of claim 6853, wherein ώe heat provided from at least one heat source is transferred to at least a portion ofthe foimation substantially by conduction.
6859. The method of claύn 6853, wherein one or more ofthe heat sources comprise heaters.
6860. A method of treating a relatively permeable formation in sita, comprising: allowing a temperature of a portion ofthe formation to decrease, wherein the portion has previously undergone an in sita conversion process; injecting a first fluid into tae selected section; and producing a second fluid from the formation.
6861. The method of claim 6860, wherein the in situ conversion process comprises: providing heat to a least a portion ofthe formation; pyrolyzing at least some hydrocarbons in e portion; and
producing a mixture from the foimation.
6862. The method of claim 6860, wherein the first fluid comprises water.
6863. The method of claim 6860, wherein the second fluid comprises a metal.
6864. The method of claim 6860, wherein the second fluid comprises a mineral.
6865. The method of claύn 6860, wherein the second fluid comprises aluminum.
6866. The method of claim 6860, wherein the second fluid comprises a metal, and furώer comprising producing ώe metal from the second fluid.
6867. The method of claim 6860, furώer comprising producing a non-hydrocarbon material from ώe second fluid.
6868. The method of claim 6860, wherein the selected section comprises nahcolite.
6869. The method of claim 6860, wherein greater ώan about 10 % by weight of ώe selected section comprises nahcolite.
6870. The method of claύn 6860, wherein the selected section comprises dawsonite.
6871. The method of claim 6860, wherein greater than about 2 % by weight ofthe selected section comprises dawsonite.
6872. The method of claim 6860, wherein the provided heat comprises waste heat from another portion ofthe formation.
6873. The method of claύn 6860, wherein the first fluid comprises steam.
6874. The method of claim 6860, wherein the first fluid comprises steam, and farther comprising providing heat to ώe fonnation by injecting the steam into ώe formation.
6875. The method of claim 6860, farther comprising providing heat to ώe formation by injecting the first fluid into the formation.
6876. The method of claim 6860, farther comprising providing heat to the foimation by injecting the first fluid into the formation, wherein the first fluid is at a temperature above about 90° C.
6877. The method of claim 6860, wherein ώe reduced temperature of ώe selected section is less ώan about 90 °C.
6878. The method of claim 6860, wherein an average richness of at least the portion ofthe selected section is greater ώan about 0.10 liters per kilogram.
6879. A method for freating a relatively permeable formation in sita, comprising: providing heat from one or more heat somces to a first section of ώe formation such that ώe heat provided to ώe first section pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the first section; providing heat from one or more heat sources to a second section ofthe formation such that the heat provided to the second section pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the second section; inducing at least a portion ofthe hydrocarbons from the second section to flow into the first section; and producing a mixture from the first section, wherein the produced mixture comprises at least some pyrolyzed hydrocarbons from the second section.
6880. The method of claim 6879, wherein a portion ofthe first section comprises a first permeability, wherein a portion of ώe second section comprises a second permeability, and wherein the first permeability is greater ώan about ώe second permeability.
6881. The method of claύn 6879, where n a portion ofthe first section comprises a first permeability, wherein a portion ofthe second section comprises a second permeability, and wherein the first permeability is less than about ώe second permeability
6882. The method of claim 6879, whereύi the second section is substantially adjacent to ώe first section.
6883. The meώod of claim 6879, further comprising providing heat to a ώύd section ofthe formation such that ώe heat provided to ώe ώύd section pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons in the ώύd section and inducing a portion ofthe hydrocarbons from the third section to flow into the first section.
6884. The method of claύn 6883, whereui the thud section is substantially adjacent to the first section.
6885. The method of claim 6879, further comprising: providing heat from one or more heat somces to a third section ofthe formation such that the heat provided to ώe third section pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons in ώe ώύd section; and inducing a portion ofthe hydrocarbons from ώe thfrd section to flow into the first section through ώe second section.
6886. The method of claύn 6885, wherein the thud section is substantially adjacent to ώe second section.
6887. The meώod of claim 6879, further comprising maintaining a pressure in the formation below about 150 bars absolute.
6888. The method of claim 6879, farther comprising inhibiting production ofthe produced mixture until at least some hydrocarbons in the formation have been pyrolyzed.
6889. The method of claim 6879, further comprising producing at least some hydrocarbons from the first section before providing heat to the second section.
6890. The meώod of claύn 6879, further comprising producing at least some hydrocarbons from the first section before a temperature in the second section reaches a pyrolysis temperature.
6891. The method of claim 6879, further comprising maintaining a pressme within the formation below a selected pressure by producing at least some hydrocarbons from the foimation.
6892. The method of claim 6879, further comprising producing the produced mixture through at least one production well in or proximate the first section.
6893. The method of claύn 6879, further comprising producing at least some hydrocarbons through at least one production well in or proximate the second section.
6894. The method of claύn 6879, further comprising controlling the heat provided to ώe first section and ώe second section such that conversion of heavy hydrocarbons into light hydrocarbons withύi ώe foimation is confrolled.
6895. The method of claim 6894, wherein confrolling the heat provided to ώe first section and the second section comprises adjusting heat output of at least one ofthe heat sources that heats the first section.
6896. The method of claim 6894, wherein confrolling ώe heat provided to the first section and the second section comprises adjusting heat output of at least one ofthe heat sources that heats ώe second section.
6897. The meώod of claim 6879, wherein one or more heat sources provide heat to the first section ofthe formation and ώe second section ofthe formation.
6898. The method of claύn 6879, wherein a first set of one or more heat sources provides heat to the first section and a second set of one or more heat sources provides heat to the second section.
6899. The meώod of claim 6879, farther comprising controlling the heat provided to the first section and the second section to produce a desύed characteristic in ώe produced mixture.
6900. The method of claim 6899, wherein controlling the heat provided to the first section and the second section comprises adjusting heat output of at least one ofthe heat sources that heats the ffrst section.
6901. The method of claύn 6899, wherein confrollmg ώe heat provided to the first section and the second section comprises adjusting heat output of at least one ofthe heat sources that heats ώe first section
6902. The method of claim 6899, wherein the desύed characteristic in ώe produced mixture comprises an API gravity ofthe produced mixture.
6903. The method of claim 6899, wherein the desύed characteristic in ώe produced mixture comprises a production rate of ώe produced mixture.
6904. The method of claim 6899, wherein the desύed characteristic in ώe produced mixture comprises a weight percentage of light hydrocarbons in the produced mixture.
6905. The method of claim 6879, wherein the produced mixttire comprises an API gravity of greater than about 20°.
6906. The method of claim 6879, wherein the produced mixture comprises an acid number less ώan about 1.
6907. The method of claim 6879, whereύi greater than about 50 % by weight ofthe initial mass of hydrocarbons in the foimation is produced.
6908. The method of claύn 6879, wherein at least a portion ofthe first section is above a pyrolysis temperature ofthe hydrocarbons.
6909. The method of claύn 6908, wherein the pyrolysis temperature is at least about 250 °C.
6910. The method of claύn 6879, wherein the heat sources that heat ώe ffrst section comprise a spacing between heated portions of ώe heat sources of less ώan about 25 m.
6911. The method of claim 6879, farther comprising producing the mixture when a partial pressure of hydrogen in the foimation is at least about 0.5 bars absolute.
6912. The method of claim 6879, wherein the heat provided from at least one heat source is fransfened to at least a portion ofthe formation substantially by conduction.
6913. The method of claύn 6879, wherein one or more ofthe heat sources comprise heaters.
6914. The method of claim 6879, wherein a ratio of energy output ofthe produced mixture to energy input into ώe foimation is at least about 5.
6915. A method for treating a relatively permeable foimation in sita, comprising: providing heat from one or more heat sources to a first section ofthe formation such that the heat provided to ώe ffrst section pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the first section; providing heat from one or more heat sources to a second section of ώe formation such that the heat provided to the second section pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons wiώin the second section; inducing at least a portion ofthe hydrocarbons from the second section to flow into the first section; inhibitύig production of a mixture until at least some hydrocarbons in the fonnation have been pyrolyzed; and producing the mixture from the first section, wherein the produced mixture comprises at least some pyrolyzed hydrocarbons from the second section.
6916. A method for freating a relatively permeable foimation in sita, comprising: providing heat from one or more heat sources to a first section of ώe formation such that the heat provided to ώe first section reduces the viscosity of at least some heavy hydrocarbons within the first section; providing heat from one or more heat sources to a second section ofthe foimation such ώat ώe heat provided to ώe second section reduces the viscosity of at least some heavy hydrocarbons withm the second section; inducing a portion ofthe heavy hydrocarbons from ώe second section to flow into the first section; pyrolyzing at least some ofthe heavy hydrocarbons wiώύi the first section; and producing a mixture from tae first section, wherein the produced mixture comprises at least some pyrolyzed hydrocarbons.
6917. The method of claύn 6916, wherein the second section is substantially adj acent to the first section.
6918. The method of claim 6916, furώer comprising producύig a mixture from the first section ofthe formation, wherein the mixture comprises at least some heavy hydrocarbons.
691 . The metaod of claim 6916, further comprising producing ώe mixture from tae first section tlirough a production well in or proximate the first section and pyrolyzing at least some ofthe heavy hydrocarbons within the production well.
6920. The method of claim 6916, further comprising pyrolyzing at least some hydrocarbons with n ώe second section.
6921. The method of claύn 6916, further comprising providing heat to a ώύd section ofthe formation such that ώe heat provided to ώe third section reduces the viscosity of at least some heavy hydrocarbons in the thfrd section, and inducing a portion ofthe heavy hydrocarbons from the thfrd section to flow into the first section.
6922. The method of claύn 6921, whereύi the ώύd section is substantially adjacent to the first section
6923. The method of claim 6916, furώer comprising: providing heat from one or more heat sources to a third section ofthe foimation such that ώe heat provided to the ώύd section reduces the viscosity of at least some heavy hydrocarbons in the third section; inducing a portion ofthe heavy hydrocarbons from the third section to flow into the second section; pyrolyzing at least some ofthe heavy hydrocarbons wiώin the second section; and producing a mixture from ώe second section, wherein the produced mixture comprises at least some pyrolyzed hydrocarbons.
6924. The method of claim 6923, wherein the ώύd section is substantially adjacent to ώe second section.
6925. The method of claim 6916, further comprising: providing heat from one or more heat sources to a third section of ώe foimation such that ώe heat provided to ώe third section reduces the viscosity of at least some heavy hydrocarbons in the ώύd section; and inducing a portion of ώe heavy hydrocarbons from the thfrd section to flow into the first section through ώe second section.
6926. The method of claim 6925, wherein the thud section is substantially adjacent to the second section.
6927. The method of claύn 6916, whereύi one or more heat somces provide heat to ώe first section of ώe formation and ώe second section ofthe foimation.
6928. The method of claim 6916, wherein a first set of one or more heat sources provides heat to ώe first section and a second set of one or more heat sources provides heat to the second section.
6929. The method of claύn 6916, further comprising confrolling the heat provided to ώe first section and ώe second section such that conversion of heavy hydrocarbons into light hydrocarbons within the first section is conttolled.
6930. The method of claύn 6929, wherein controlling ώe heat provided to ώe first section and the second section comprises adjustύig heat output of at least one ofthe heat sources that heats ώe first section.
6931. The method of claim 6929, whereύi controlling the heat provided to the first section and the second section comprises adjusting heat output of at least one ofthe heat sources that heats ώe second section.
6932. The method of claύn 6916, furώer comprising controlling the heat provided to the first section and the second section to produce a desύed characteristic in ώe produced mixture.
6933. The method of claim 6932, wherein confrollύig the heat provided to the first section and the second section comprises adjusting heat output of at least one ofthe heat sources ώat heats the first section.
6934. The method of claim 6932, wherein controlling the heat provided to the first section and the second section comprises adjusting heat output of at least one ofthe heat sources that heats the first section
6935. The method of claύn 6932, wherein the desύed characteristic in the produced mixture comprises an API gravity ofthe produced mixture.
6936. The method of claim 6932, wherein the desύed characteristic in ώe produced mixture comprises a weight percentage of light hydrocarbons in the produced mixture.
6937. The method of claύn 6916, farther comprising producing at least about 70 % of an initial volume in place from ώe formation.
6938. The method of claim 6916, wherein the produced mixture comprises an API gravity of greater ώan about 20°.
6939. The method of claim 6916, wherein the produced mixture comprises an acid number less taan about 1.
6940. The method of claim 6916, wherein at least a portion ofthe first section is above a pyrolysis temperature of ώe hydrocarbons.
6941. The method of claim 6940, wherein the pyrolysis temperature is at least about 250 °C.
6942. The method of claim 6916, wherein a spacing between heated sections of at least two heat somces is less ώan about 25 m.
6943. The method of claim 6916, farther comprising producύig the mixture when a partial pressure of hydrogen in ώe foimation is at least about 0.5 bars absolute.
6944. The method of claim 6916, wherein the heat provided from at least one heat source is transferred to at least a portion ofthe foimation substantially by conduction.
6945. The method of claύn 6916, wherein one or more ofthe heat sources comprise heaters.
6946. The method of claim 6916, wherein a ratio of energy output ofthe produced mixture to energy input into the formation is at least about 5.
6947. A method for treating a relatively permeable formation in sita, comprising: providing heat to at least a portion ofthe formation; producing heavy hydrocarbons from a first section ofthe relatively permeable formation; inducing heavy hydrocarbons from a second section ofthe foimation to flow into the first section ofthe fonnation; producing a portion ofthe second section heavy hydrocarbons from the first section ofthe fonnation; inducing heavy hydrocarbons from a third section ofthe formation to flow into ώe second section ofthe formation; and producing a portion of ώe ώύd section heavy hydrocarbons from the second section ofthe formation or ώe first section of ώe foimation.
6948. The method of claim 6947, wherein greater than 50 % by weight ofthe initial mass of hydrocarbons in a portion ofthe formation selected for treatment are produced
6949. The method of claim 6947, further comprising pyrolyzing at least some of ώe second section heavy hydrocarbons in the first section.
6950. The method of claim 6947, further comprising pyrolyzing at least some of ώe thfrd section heavy hydrocarbons in the second section or the first section.
6951. The method of claύn 6947, furώer comprising producing at least about 70 % of an initial volume in place from the formation.
6952. The method of claim 6947, further comprising producing hydrocarbons when a partial pressure of hydrogen in the fonnation is at least about 0.5 bars absolute.
6953. The method of claim 6947, wherein the heat provided from at least one heat somce is transferred to at least a portion of ώe formation substantially by conduction.
6954. The method of claim 6947, whereύi one or more ofthe heat sources comprise heaters.
6955. A method for tteating a relatively permeable formation in sita, comprising: providing heat from one or more heat somces to at least a portion ofthe relatively penneable foimation; allowing ώe heat to transfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation such that the heat reduces ώe viscosity of at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section; providing a gas to the selected section ofthe formation, wherein ώe gas produces a flow of at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section; and producing a mixture from the selected section.
6956. The method of claim 6955, further comprising controlling a pressure within ώe selected section such that ώe pressure is maintained below about 150 bars absolute.
6957. The method of claim 6955, further comprising confrollmg a temperature within tae selected section to maintain the temperature within tae selected section below a pyrolysis temperature ofthe hydrocarbons.
6958. The method of claim 6957, further comprising maintaining an average temperature within the selected section above about 50 °C and below about 210 °C.
6959. The method of claim 6955, wherein providing the gas to the selected section comprises injecting the gas such that the gas sweeps hydrocarbons within the selected section, and wherein greater than about 50% by weight of ώe initial mass of hydrocarbons is produced from the selected section.
6960. The method of claim 6955, further comprising producing at least about 70 % of an initial volume in place from the selected section.
6961. The method of claim 6955, wherein a ratio of energy output of ώe produced mixture to energy input ύito the foimation is at least about 5.
6962. The method of claim 6955, wherein a ratio of energy output ofthe produced mixture to energy input into the formation is at least about 5, and wherein the produced mixture comprises an API gravity of at least about 15.
6963. The method of claim 6955, further comprising providing the gas through one or more injection wells in the selected section.
6964. The method of claim 6955, further comprising providing the gas through one or more injection wells in the selected section and controlling a pressme within the selected section by controlling an ύijection rate into at least one ύijection well.
6965. The method of claύn 6955, farther comprising providing the gas through one or more ύijection wells in the formation and controlling a pressure wiώin ώe selected section by controlling a location for injecting ώe gas within ώe foimation.
6966. The method of claim 6955, furώer comprising producing the mixture through one or more production wells in or proximate the formation.
6961. The method of claim 6955, furtlier comprising confrollmg a pressme within the selected section through one or more production wells in or proximate ώe formation.
6968. The method of claύn 6955, further comprising controlling a temperature within ώe selected section while controlling a pressure within the selected section.
6969. The method of claύn 6955, farther comprising creating a path for flow of hydrocarbons along a length of at least one heat source in the selected section.
6970. The method of claύn 6969, wherein the path along the length of at least one heat source extends between an injection well and a production well.
6971. The method of claim 6969, wherein a heat source is turned off after the path for flow along the heat source is created.
6972. The method of claύn 6955, wherein the gas increases a flow of hydrocarbons withm ώe fonnation.
6973. The method of claim 6955, furώer comprising increasing a pressure in the selected section with the provided gas.
691 A. The method of claύn 6955, wherein a spacing between heated sections of at least two sources is less than about 50 m and greater ώan about 5 m.
6975. The method of claύn 6955, wherein the gas comprises carbon dioxide.
6976. The method of claim 6955, wherein the gas comprises nifrogen.
6911. The method of claim 6955, wherein the gas comprises steam.
6978. The method of claim 6955, wherein the gas comprises water, and wherein the water forms steam in the formation.
6979. The method of claim 6955, wherein ώe gas comprises methane.
6980. The method of claύn 6955, wherein the gas comprises gas produced from the formation.
6981. The method of claύn 6955, farther comprising providing ώe gas through at least one injection well placed substantially vertically in the foimation, and producing ώe mixture through a heat source placed substantially horizontally in the formation.
6982. The method of claim 6981, farther comprising selectively limiting a temperature proximate a selected portion of a wellbore ofthe heat source to inhibit coke foimation at or near the selected portion, and producύig the mixture through perforations in the selected portion of ώe wellbore.
6983. The method of claim 6955, further comprising allowmg heat to ttansfer to ώe selected section such that the provided heat pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section.
6984. The method of claim 6955, further comprising controlling the ttansfer of heat from the one or more heat sources and controlling the flow of provided gas such that the flow of hydrocarbons wiώύi ώe selected section is confrolled.
6985. The method of claύn 6955, further comprising producύig the mixture when a partial pressme of hydrogen in ώe formation is at least about 0.5 bars absolute.
6986. The method of claύn 6955, wherein the heat provided from at least one heat source is fransferred to at least a portion ofthe formation substantially by conduction.
6987. The method of claύn 6955, whereύi one or more ofthe heat sources comprise heaters.
6988. The method of claim 6955, wherein the produced mixture comprises an acid number less ώan about 1.
6989. A method for tteating a relatively permeable formation in sita, comprising: providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe relatively permeable formation; allowing ώe heat to transfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe foimation such ώat the heat reduces ώe viscosity of at least some hydrocarbons wiώin ώe selected section; providing a gas to ώe selected section ofthe formation, wherein ώe gas produces a flow of at least some hydrocarbons wiώin ώe selected section; controlling a pressure within the selected section such that the pressure is maintained below about 150 bars absolute; and producing a mixture from ώe selected section.
6990. A method for freating a relatively permeable foimation in sita, comprising: providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe relatively permeable foimation; allowing the heat to ttansfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe foimation such ώat the heat pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within ώe selected section; producing a mixture of hydrocarbons from the selected section; and controlling production ofthe mixture to adjust ώe tune that at least some hydrocarbons are exposed to pyrolysis temperatures in the foimation in order to produce hydrocarbons of a selected quality in the mixture.
6991. The meώod of claim 6990, further comprising inhibiting production of hydrocarbons from ώe fonnation until at least some hydrocarbons have been pyrolyzed.
6992. The method of claim 6990, wherein the selected quality comprises a selected minimum API gravity.
6993. The method of claim 6990, wherein the selected quality comprises an API gravity of at least about 20°.
6994. The method of claim 6990, wherein the selected quality comprises a selected maximum weight percentage of heavy hydrocarbons.
6995. The meώod of claύn 6990, wherem the selected quality comprises a mean carbon number that is less than 12.
6996. The method of claύn 6990, wherein the produced mixture comprises an acid number less ώan about 1.
6997. The metliod of claim 6990, further comprising sampling a test stream ofthe produced mixture to determine ώe selected quality ofthe produced mixture.
6998. The method of claύn 6990, farther comprising determining the tune that at least some hydrocarbons in the produced mixtare are subjected to pyrolysis temperatures using laboratory treatment of foimation samples.
6999. The method of claύn 6990, further comprising determining the time that at least some hydrocarbons in ώe produced mixture are subjected to pyrolysis temperatures using a computer simulation of tteatment ofthe formation.
7000. The method of claύn 6990, further comprising controlling a pressure within the selected section such that ώe pressure is maintained below a liώostatic pressure ofthe fonnation.
7001. The method of claύn 6990, furώer comprising controlling a pressure withύi the selected section such that the pressure is maintained below a hydrostatic pressure ofthe formation.
7002. The method of claύn 6990, furώer comprising controlling a pressure within ώe selected section such that ώe pressure is maύitaύied below about 150 bars absolute.
7003. The method of claim 6990, furώer comprising confrolling a pressure withύi ώe selected section through one or more production wells.
7004. The method of claim 6990, fiother comprising controlling a pressure withύi ώe selected section through one or more pressure release wells.
7005. The method of claim 6990, further comprising confrolling a pressure within the selected section by producing at least some hydrocarbons from the selected section.
7006. The method of claim 6990, further comprising producύig the mixture when a partial pressure of hydrogen in the fonnation is at least about 0.5 bars absolute.
7007. The method of claim 6990, wherein the heat provided from at least one heat somce is fransfened to at least a portion ofthe foimation substantially by conduction.
7008. The method of claύn 6990, wherein one or more ofthe heat sources comprise heaters.
7009. The method of claim 6990, wherein a ratio of energy output of ώe produced mixture to energy input into the formation is at least about 5.
7010. A method for freating a relatively permeable formation in sita, comprising: providύig heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion of ώe formation; allowing ώe heat to transfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation such ώat ώe heat pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section; selectively limiting a temperature proximate a selected portion of a heat somce wellbore to inhibit coke formation at or near the selected portion; and producing at least some hydrocarbons through the selected portion of ώe heat source wellbore.
7011. The method of claύn 7010, further comprising generating water in ώe selected portion to inhibit coke formation at or near ώe selected portion of ώe heat source wellbore.
7012. The method of claim 7010, wherein ώe heat somce wellbore is placed substantially horizontally wiώin the selected section.
7013. The method of claύn 7010, whereύi selectively limiting the temperature comprises providing less heat at the selected portion ofthe heat somce wellbore ώan other portions ofthe heat somce wellbore in ώe selected section.
7014. The method of claύn 7010, wherein selectively lύnitύig the temperature comprises maintaining tae temperature proximate the selected portion below pyrolysis temperatures.
7015. The method of claύn 7010, farther comprising producing a mixture from the selected section through a production well.
7016. The method of claim 7010, fiother comprising providing at least some heat to an overburden section ofthe heat source wellbore to maintaύi the produced hydrocarbons in a vapor phase.
7017. The method of claim 7010, farther comprising maintaining a pressure in the selected section below about 150 bars absolute.
7018. The method of claim 7010, furώer comprising producing hydrocarbons when a partial pressme of hydrogen in the formation is at least about 0.5 bars absolute.
7019. The method of claim 7010, wherein the heat provided from at least one heat source is transferred to at least a portion ofthe formation substantially by conduction.
7020. The method of claύn 7010, wherein one or more ofthe heat sources comprise heaters.
7021. The method of claύn 7010, wherein a ratio of energy output of ώe produced mixture to energy input ύito the foimation is at least about 5.
7022. The method of claim 7010, wherein the produced mixttire comprises an acid number less than about 1.
7023. A meώod for treating a relatively permeable formation in situ, comprising: providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion of ώe fonnation; allowmg ώe heat to fransfer from the one or more heat somces to a selected section ofthe formation such ώat the heat pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons wiώin ώe selected section; controlling operating conditions at a production well to inhibit coking in or proximate the production well; and producing a mixture from ώe selected section through the production well.
7024. The method of claim 7023, wherein controlling the operating conditions at the production well comprises controlling heat output from at least one heat source proximate the production well.
7025. The method of claim 7023, wherein confrollύig ώe operating conditions at ώe production well comprises reducing or turning off heat provided from at least one ofthe heat sources for at least part of a time in which the mixture is produced through the production well.
7026. The method of claim 7023, wherein controlling ώe operating conditions at ώe production well comprises increasing or taming on heat provided from at least one ofthe heat sources to maintain a desύed quality in the produced mixture.
1021. The method of claim 7023, wherein confrollύig the operating conditions at the production well comprises producing the mixture at a location sufficiently spaced from at least one heat source such that coking is inhibited at ώe production well.
7028. The method of claim 7023, farther comprising addύig steam to the selected section to ύώibit cokύig at the production well.
7029. The method of claim 7023, further comprising producing the mixture when a partial pressure of hydrogen in the formation is at least about 0.5 bars absolute.
7030. The method of claim 7023, wherein the heat provided from at least one heat source is ttansfened to at least a portion ofthe foimation substantially by conduction.
7031. The method of claim 7023, wherein one or more ofthe heat sources comprise heaters.
7032. The method of claim 7023, wherein a ratio of energy output ofthe produced mixture to energy input into the formation is at least about 5.
7033. The method of claim 7023, wherein ώe produced mixture comprises an acid number less than about 1.
7034. A method for treating a relatively permeable formation in situ, comprising: providύig heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion of ώe relatively permeable formation; allowing the heat to fransfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation such that the heat pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons wiώin the selected section; producing a mixture from the selected section; and controlling a quality ofthe produced mixture by varying a location for producing the mixture.
7035. The method of claim 7034, whereύi varying the location for producing the mixture comprises varying a production location withύi a production well in or proximate the selected section.
7036. The method of claύn 7035, wherein varying ώe production location withύi the production well comprises varying a packing height wiώin the production well.
7037. The method of claim 7035, wherem varying the production location withύi ώe production well comprises varying a location of perforations used to produce ώe mixtare withύi ώe production well.
7038. The method of claύn 7034, wherein varying ώe location for producing e mixture comprises varying a production location along a length of a production wellbore placed in the foimation.
7039. The method of claim 7034, wherein varying the location for producing ώe mixture comprises varying a location of a production well within the formation.
7040. The method of claim 7034, wherein varying the location for producing the mixture comprises varying a number of production wells in the formation.
7041. The method of claim 7034, wherein varying the location for producing the mixtare comprises varying a distance between a production well and one or more heat sources.
7042. The method of claim 7034, further comprising increasing the quality of ώe produced mixture by producing the mixture from an upper portion ofthe selected section.
7043. The method of claim 7034, furώer comprising increasing a total mass recovery from ώe selected section by producing the mixture from a lower portion ofthe selected section.
7044. The method of claim 7034, further comprisύig selecting the location for production based on a price characteristic for produced hydrocarbons.
7045. The method of claim 7044, wherein the price characteristic is determined by multiplying a production rate ofthe produced mixture at a selected API gravity from ώe selected section by a price obtainable for selling the produced mixture with ώe selected API gravity.
7046. The method of claim 7044, fiother comprising adjusting the location for production based on a change in ώe price characteristic.
7047. The method of claim 7034, wherein the quality of ώe produced mixture comprises an API gravity ofthe produced mixture.
7048. The method of claim 7034, wherein the produced mixture comprises an acid number less than about 1.
7049. The method of claim 7034, further comprising controlling the quality ofthe produced mixture by controlling the heat provided from at least one heat source.
7050. The method of claim 7034, further comprising controlling the quality ofthe produced mixture such that ώe produced mixture comprises a selected minimum API gravity.
7051. The method of claim 7034, further comprising producing the mixture when a partial pressure of hydrogen in ώe formation is at least about 0.5 bars absolute.
7052. The method of claim 7034, wherein the heat provided from at least one heat source is transferred to at least a portion ofthe formation substantially by conduction.
7053. The method of claim 7034, wherein one or more ofthe heat sources comprise heaters.
7054. The method of claim 7034, wherein a ratio of energy output ofthe produced mixture to energy input ύito ώe formation is at least about 5.
7055. A method for freating a tar sand formation in sita, comprising: providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion of ώe relatively permeable formation; allowing ώe heat to fransfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe fonnation such that the heat pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons wiώin the selected section; producing a first mixttire from a first portion ofthe selected section; and producing a second mixture from a second portion ofthe selected section.
7056. The method of claύn 7055, further comprismg producing a ώύd mixture from a thfrd portion ofthe selected section.
7057. The method of claim 7055, further comprismg producmg a third mixture from a third portion of ώe selected section, wherein the first portion is substantially above ώe second portion, wherein the second portion is substantially above the ώύd portion, and wherein the first mixture is produced, then the second mixttire, and then ώe third mixture.
7058. The method of claim 7055, whereύi the first portion is substantially above ώe second portion.
7059. The method of claim 7055, wherein the first portion is substantially below the second portion.
7060. The meώod of claύn 7055, wherein the first portion is substantially adjacent to the second portion.
7061. The method of claύn 7055, wherein the first mixture comprises an API gravity greater ώan about 20°.
7062. The method of claim 7055, wherein the second mixture comprises an API gravity greater than about 20°.
7063. The method of claim 7055, wherein the first mixture comprises an acid number less than about 1.
7064. The method of claύn 7055, wherein the second mixture comprises an acid number less than about 1.
7065. The method of claύn 7055, whereύi the first portion comprises about an upper one-thύd of ώe formation.
7066. The method of claim 7055, whereύi the second portion comprises about a lower one-thύd ofthe formation.
7067. The method of claim 7055, wherein the first mixture is produced before the second mixture is produced.
7068. The method of claim 7055, further comprising producing the first or the second mixture when a partial pressure of hydrogen in the formation is at least about 0.5 bars absolute.
7069. The method of claim 7055, wherein the heat provided from at least one heat source is fransferred to at least a portion ofthe fonnation substantially by conduction.
7070. The method of claύn 7055, wherein one or more ofthe heat somces comprise heaters.
7071. The method of claim 7055, wherein a ratio of energy output ofthe first or ώe second produced mixture to energy input into the formation is at least about 5.
7072. A method for treating a tar sand formation in sita, comprising: providing heat from one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe foimation such that ώe heat provided to the selected section pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons withύi a lower portion ofthe foimation; and producing a mixture from an upper portion of ώe formation, wherein ώe produced mixture comprises at least some pyrolyzed hydrocarbons from the lower portion.
7073. The method of claύn 7072, wherein the produced mixture comprises an API gravity greater ώan about 15°.
7074. The method of claύn 7072, whereύi the produced mixture comprises an acid number less than about 1.
7075. The method of claύn 7072, wherein the upper portion comprises about an upper one-half of the formation.
7076. The method of claim 7072, wherein the lower portion comprises about a lower one-half of the formation.
7077. The meώod of claim 7072, fiother comprising producing ώe mixture of hydrocarbons as a vapor.
7078. The method of claim 7072, further comprising providing heat from one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation such that the heat provided to the selected section reduces the viscosity of at least some hydrocarbons withύi the selected section.
7079. The method of claim 7072, farther comprising inducing at least a portion ofthe hydrocarbons from the lower portion to flow into the upper portion.
7080. The method of claim 7072, wherein the upper portion and the lower portion are wiώin the selected section.
7081. The method of claύn 7072, further comprising producing the mixture when a partial pressure of hydrogen in the formation is at least about 0.5 bars absolute.
7082. The method of claim 7072, wherein the heat provided from at least one heat source is transferred to at least a portion of the formation substantially by conduction.
7083. The method of claim 7072, wherein one or more ofthe heat sources comprise heaters.
7084. The method of claim 7072, wherein a ratio of energy output ofthe produced mixture to energy input ύito the foimation is at least about 5.
7085. A method for tteating a relatively permeable foimation in sita, comprising: providύig heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion of a relatively permeable fonnation; allowing heat to fransfer from one or more heat sources to a first selected section of a relatively permeable formation such that the heat reduces ώe viscosity of at least some hydrocarbons withύi the first selected section; producing a first mixture from ώe first selected section; allowing heat to fransfer from one or more heat sources to a second selected section of a relatively permeable formation such that the heat pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons wiώin the second selected section; producing a second mixture from the second selected section; and blending at least a portion ofthe first mixture with at least a portion of ώe second mixture to produce a ώύd mixture comprising a selected property.
7086. The meώod of claim 7085, wherein the selected property of ώe ώύd mixture comprises an API gravity.
7087. The method of claim 7085, whereύi the selected property ofthe third mixture comprises an API gravity of at least about 10°.
7088. The method of claim 7085, wherein the selected property ofthe ώύd mixture comprises a selected viscosity.
7089. The method of claim 7085, wherein the selected property of ώe ώύd mixture comprises a viscosity less than about 7500 cs.
7090. The method of claim 7085, wherein the selected property ofthe ώύd mixture comprises a density.
7091. The method of claύn 7085, wherein the selected property ofthe thfrd mixture comprises a density less ώan about 1 g/cm3.
7092. The method of claim 7085, wherein the selected property of ώe ώύd mixture comprises an asphaltene to saturated hydrocarbon ratio of less than about 1.
7093. The method of claim 7085, wherein the selected property of ώe third mixture comprises an aromatic hydrocarbon to saturated hydrocarbon ratio of less than about 4.
7094. The method of claύn 7085, wherein asphaltenes are substantially stable in the third mixture at ambient temperature.
7095. The method of claim 7085, wherein the ύd mixture is transportable.
7096. The method of claim 7085, wherein the thud mixture is transportable through a pipeline.
7097. The meώod of claim 7085, wherein the first mixture comprises an API gravity less than about 15°.
7098. The method of claύn 7085, wherein the second mixture comprises an API gravity greater than about 25°.
7099. The method of claim 7085, wherein the second mixture comprises an acid number less than about 1.
7100. The method of claύn 7085, furώer comprising selecting a ratio ofthe first mixture to the second mixture such that at least about 50% by weight ofthe initial mass of hydrocarbons in a selected portion ofthe formation is produced.
7101. The method of claύn 7085, whereύi the ώύd mixture comprises less than about 50 % by weight ofthe second mixture.
7102. The method of claύn 7085, wherein the first selected section comprises a depth of at least about 500 m below the surface of a relatively permeable foimation.
7103. The method of claim 7085, wherein the second selected section comprises a depώ less than about 500 m below the smface of a relatively permeable foimation.
7104. The method of claύn 7085, wherein the first selected section and the second selected section are located in different relatively permeable formations.
7105. The method of claim 7085, where n the first selected section and the second selected section are located in different relatively permeable formations, and wherein the different relatively permeable foimation are vertically displaced.
7106. The method of claim 7085, whereiα the first selected section and the second selected section are vertically displaced within a single relatively permeable formation.
7107. The method of claim 7085, wherein the first selected section and the second selected section are substantially adjacent withύi a single relatively permeable fonnation.
7108. The method of claim 7085, wherein blending comprises injecting at least a portion ofthe second mixture into the first selected section such that the second mixture blends with at least a portion ofthe first mixture to produce the ώύd mixture in the first selected section.
7109. The method of claim 7085, wherein blendύig comprises injecting at least a portion of ώe second mixture into a production well in the first selected section such that the second mixture blends wiώ at least a portion of ώe first mixtare to produce ώe third mixture in the production well.
7110. The method of clafrn 7085, further comprising producύig a mixture when a partial pressure of hydrogen in the formation is at least about 0.5 bars absolute.
7111. The method of claim 7085, wherein the heat provided from at least one heat source is transferred to at least a portion of ώe formation substantially by conduction.
7112. The method of claim 7085, wherein one or more ofthe heat sources comprise heaters.
7113. The method of claim 7085, wherein a ratio of energy output ofthe first or the second produced mixture to energy input into the formation is at least about 5.
7114. A method for tteating a relatively permeable formation in situ to produce a blending agent, comprising: providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion of ώe relatively permeable formation; allowing ώe heat to fransfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation such ώat the heat pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the selected section; producύig a blending agent from e selected section; and wherein at least a portion of ώe blending agent is adapted to blend with a liquid to produce a mixture with a selected property.
7115. The method of claim 7114, wherein the liquid comprises at least some heavy hydrocarbons.
7116. The method of claύn 7114, wherein the liquid comprises an API gravity below about 15°.
7117. The method of claim 7114, wherein the liquid is viscous, and wherein a mixture produced by blending at least a portion ofthe blending agent with the liquid is less viscous than ώe liquid.
7118. The method of claim 7114, whereύi the selected property of the mixture comprises an API gravity.
7119. The method of claim 7114, wherein the selected property ofthe mixture comprises an API gravity of at least about 10°.
7120. The method of claim 7114, wherein the selected property of ώe mixture comprises a selected viscosity.
7121. The method of claύn 7114, wherein the selected property of the mixture comprises a viscosity less than about 7500 cs.
7122. The method of claim 7114, wherein the selected property ofthe mixture comprises a density.
7123. The meώod of claim 7114, wherein the selected property of the mixture comprises a density less than about 1 g/cm3.
7124. The method of clahn 7114, wherein the selected property of ώe mixture comprises an asphaltene to saturated hydrocarbon ratio of less than about 1.
7125. The method of claim 7114, wherein the selected property ofthe mixture comprises an aromatic hydrocarbon to saturated hydrocarbon ratio of less than about 4.
7126. The method of claim 7114, wherein asphaltenes are substantially stable in the mixture at ambient temperature.
7127. The method of claim 7114, wherein the mixture is transportable.
7128. The method of claim 7114, wherein ώe mixture is transportable through a pipeline.
7129. The method of claύn 7114, whereύi the liquid has a viscosity sufficiently high to ύώibit economical transport of ώe liquid over 100 km via a pipeline but the mixture has a reduced viscosity that allows economical transport of ώe mixture over 100 km via a pipeline.
7130. The method of claim 7114, farther comprising producύig the liquid from a second section of a relatively permeable foimation and blending the liquid with the blending agent to produce ώe mixture.
7131. The method of claim 7114, furώer comprising producing the liquid from a second section of a relatively permeable formation and blending ώe liquid with the blending agent to produce the mixture, wherein the mixtare comprises less than about 50 % by weight ofthe blending agent.
7132. The method of claύn 7114, further comprising injecting ώe blendmg agent into a second section of a relatively permeable formation such that the blending agent blends with ώe liquid in the second section to produce ώe mixture.
7133. The method of claim 7114, further comprising injecting the blendύig agent into a production well in a second section of a relatively permeable foimation such that the blendmg agent blends with the liquid in the production well to produce the mixture.
7134. The method of claim 7114, further comprising producing the blendmg agent when a partial pressure of hydrogen in the formation is at least about 0.5 bars absolute.
7135. The method of claim 7114, wherein ώe heat provided from at least one heat source is transferred to at least a portion of ώe formation substantially by conduction.
7136. The method of claim 7114, wherein one or more ofthe heat somces comprise heaters.
7137. The method of claύn 7114, wherein a ratio of energy output of ώe blendύig agent to energy input into the formation is at least about 5.
7138. The method of claύn 7114, wherein the blendmg agent comprises an acid number less ώan about 1.
7139. A blendmg agent produced by a method, comprising: providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion of a relatively permeable formation; allowing ώe heat to fransfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe foimation such that the heat pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons wiώin the selected section; and producing the blendύig agent from the selected section; wherein at least a portion ofthe blendύig agent is adapted to blend with a liquid to produce a mixture with a selected property.
7140. The blending agent of claύn 7139, wherein the blendmg agent comprises an API gravity of at least about 20°.
7141. The blending agent of claύn 7139, wherein the blendmg agent comprises an acid number less than about 1.
7142. The blending agent of claύn 7139, wherein the blendmg agent comprises an asphaltene weight percentage less than about 0.5 % .
7143. The blendiαg agent of claim 7139, whereύi the blending agent comprises a combined nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur weight percentage less than about 5 %.
7144. The blending agent of claύn 7139, wherein asphaltenes are substantially stable in the mixture at ambient temperature.
7145. The blendmg agent of claim 7139, wherein the meώod further comprises producing the blendύig agent when a partial pressure of hydrogen in the foimation is at least about 0.5 bars absolute.
7146. The blending agent of claim 7139, wherein the meώod fiother comprises the heat provided from at least one heat source transferring to at least a portion of ώe formation substantially by conduction.
7147. The blending agent of claύn 7139, wherein the method further comprises one or more of ώe heat sources comprising heaters.
7148. The blending agent of claύn 7139, whereύi the method furtlier comprises a ratio of energy output of the blending agent to energy input ύito ώe formation being at least about 5.
7149. A method for treating a relatively permeable foimation in sita, comprising: producing a first mixture from a first selected section of a relatively permeable formation, wherein the first mixture comprises heavy hydrocarbons; providing heat from one or more heat sources to a second selected section ofthe relatively permeable foimation such that the heat pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons withύi the second selected section; producing a second mixture from ώe second selected section; and blendmg at least a portion ofthe first mixture with at least a portion ofthe second mixture to produce a ώύd mixture comprising a selected property.
7150. The method of claim 7149, f rther comprising cold producing ώe first mixture from the first selected section.
7151. The method of claim 7149, wherein producing the first mixture from the first selected section comprises producing the first mixture tlirough a production well in or proximate the formation.
7152. The method of claim 7149, wherem the selected property of the third mixture comprises an API gravity.
7153. The method of claύn 7149, wherein the selected property of ώe thfrd mixture comprises a selected viscosity.
7154. The method of claύn 7149, wherein the selected property ofthe thfrd mixture comprises a density.
7155. The method of claim 7149, wherein the selected property ofthe thfrd mixture comprises an asphaltene to saturated hydrocarbon ratio of less than about 1.
7156. The method of clahn 7149, wherein the selected property ofthe third mixture comprises an aromatic hydrocarbon to saturated hydrocarbon ratio of less ώan about 4.
7157. The method of claim 7149, wherein asphaltenes are substantially stable in the ώύd mixture at ambient temperature.
7158. The method of claim 7149, wherein the ώύd mixture is transportable.
7159. The method of claim 7149, wherein tae ώύd mixture is transportable through a pipeline.
7160. The method of claim 7149, wherein the liquid has a viscosity sufficiently high to inhibit economical fransport ofthe liquid over 100 km via a pipeline but ώe mixture has a reduced viscosity that allows economical transport of ώe mixture over 100 km via a pipeline.
7161. The method of claύn 7149, wherein the first mixture comprises an API gravity less than about 15°.
7162. The method of claim 7149, wherein the second mixture comprises an API gravity greater than about 25°.
7163. The method of claύn 7149, wherein the second mixture comprises an acid number less than about 1.
7164. The method of claim 7149, whereύi the ώύd mixture comprises less than about 50 % by weight ofthe second mixture.
7165. The method of claim 7149, wherein the first selected section comprises a depώ of at least about 500 m below ώe surface of a relatively permeable foimation.
7166. The method of claim 7149, wherein the second selected section comprises a depth less than about 500 m below ώe surface of a relatively permeable foimation.
7167. The method of claύn 7149, furώer comprising producύig a mixture when a partial pressure of hydrogen in ώe formation is at least about 0.5 bars absolute.
7168. The method of claim 7149, wherein the heat provided from at least one heat source is fransferred to at least a portion ofthe formation substantially by conduction.
7169. The method ofclaim 7149, wherein one or more of ώe heat sources comprise heaters.
7170. The method of claim 7149, wherein a ratio of energy output ofthe second mixture to energy input into the formation is at least about 5.
7171. A method for tteating a relatively permeable foimation in sita, comprising: providing heat from one or more heat sources to a selected section of a relatively permeable foimation such that the heat pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons withύi the selected section; producing a blendmg agent from the selected section; and injecting at least a portion ofthe blending agent into a second section of a relatively permeable formation to produce a mixture having a selected property, wherein ώe second section comprises at least some heavy hydrocarbons.
7172. The method of claim 7171, wherein the selected property of the mixture comprises an API gravity.
7173. The method of claύn 7171, wherein the selected property of tae mixture comprises an API gravity of at least about 10°.
7174. The method of claim 7171, wherein the selected property ofthe mixture comprises a selected viscosity.
7175. The method of claύn 7171, wherein the selected property of the mixture comprises a viscosity less than about 7500 cs.
7176. The method of claύn 7171, wherein the selected property of ώe mixture comprises a density.
7177. The method of claim 7171, whereiα the selected property ofthe mixture comprises a density less than about 1 g/cm3.
7178. The method of claύn 7171, wherein the selected property of ώe mixture comprises an asphaltene to saturated hydrocarbon ratio of less than about 1.
7179. The method of claύn 7171, wherein the selected property of ώe mixture comprises an aromatic hydrocarbon to saturated hydrocarbon ratio of less than about 4.
7180. The method of claim 7171, wherem asphaltenes are substantially stable in the mixture at ambient temperature.
7181. The method of claim 7171, wherem the mixture is transportable.
7182. The method of claim 7171, wherein the mixture is transportable through a pipeline.
7183. The method of claim 7171, wherein second section comprises heavy hydrocarbons having an API gravity less than about 15°.
7184. The method of claύn 7171, wherein the blendmg agent comprises an API gravity greater than about 25°.
7185. The method of claύn 7171, wherein the blendmg agent comprises an acid number less than about 1.
7186. The method of claύn 7171, wherein the mixture comprises less than about 50 % by weight of ώe blending agent.
7187. The method of claim 7171, whereiα the selected section comprises a depώ of at least about 500 m below ώe surface of a relatively permeable formation.
7188. The method of claim 7171, wherein the second section comprises a depώ less than about 500 m below the surface of a relatively permeable formation.
7189. The method of claύn 7171, whereύi the selected section and the second section are located in different relatively permeable formations.
7190. The method of claim 7171, wherein the selected section and ώe second section are located in different relatively permeable formations, and wherein the different relatively permeable foimation are vertically displaced.
7191. The method of claim 7171, wherein the selected section and ώe second section are vertically displaced withύi a single relatively permeable foimation.
7192. The method of claim 7171, wherein the selected section and the second section are substantially adjacent withύi a single relatively permeable formation.
7193. The method of claim 7171, whereiα ώe blending agent is injected into a production well in ώe second section, and wherein the mixture is produced in the production well.
7194. The method of claύn 7171, further comprising producing the mixture from the second section.
7195. The method of claim 7171, farther comprising producing the blending agent when a partial pressure of hydrogen in the formation is at least about 0.5 bars absolute.
7196. The method of claim 7171, wherein the heat provided from at least one heat source is fransfened to at least a portion of ώe formation substantially by conduction.
7197. The method of claim 7171, whereiα one or more ofthe heat sources comprise heaters.
7198. The method of claim 7171, whereiα a ratio of energy output of the produced mixtare to energy input ύito ώe foimation is at least about 5.
7199. A method for tteating a relatively permeable formation in sita, comprising: providing heat from one or more heat sources to at least a portion ofthe relatively permeable formation; allowmg ώe heat to fransfer from ώe one or more heat sources to a selected section ofthe formation such that the heat reduces the viscosity of at least some hydrocarbons withύi ώe selected section; producing the mixture from the selected section; and adjustύig a parameter for producing the desύed mixture based on at least one price characteristic ofthe desfred mixture.
7200. The method of claim 7199, further comprising allowing the heat to fransfer from the one or more heat sources to a selected section of ώe foimation such that the heat pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons wiώύi the selected section.
7201. The method of claim 7199, wherein adjustύig ώe parameter comprises selecting a location in the selected section for production ofthe mixture based on at least one price characteristic ofthe mixture.
7202. The method of claim 7199, wherein adjusting ώe parameter comprises selecting a production location in the selected section to produce a selected API gravity in ώe produced mixture.
7203. The method of claim 7199, wherein at least one price characteristic is determined by multiplying a production rate ofthe produced mixture at a selected API gravity from the selected section by a price obtainable for selling the produced mixture wiώ the selected API gravity.
7204. The method of claim 7199, wherein adjusting ώe parameter comprises controlling at least one operating condition in the selected section.
7205. The method of claim 7204, wherein controlling at least one operating condition comprises controlling heat output from at least one ofthe heat sources.
7206. The method of claim 7205, wherein confrollmg the heat output from at least one of ώe heat sources controls a heating rate in ώe selected section.
7207. The method of claύn 7204, wherein controlling at least one operating condition comprises confrolling a pressure in the selected section.
7208. The method of claim 7199, wherein at least one price characteristic comprises a characteristic based on a selling price for sulfur produced from ώe formation.
7209. The method of claim 7199, wherein at least one price characteristic comprises a characteristic based on a selling price for metal produced from ώe formation.
7210. The method of claim 7199, wherein at least one price characteristic comprises a characteristic based on a ratio of paraffins to aromatics in the mixture.
7211. The method of claim 7199, fiother comprising producing the mixture when a partial pressme of hydrogen in the foimation is at least about 0.5 bars absolute.
7212. The method of claim 7199, wherein the heat provided from at least one heat somce is transferred to at least a portion of ώe formation substantially by conduction.
7213. The method of claim 7199, wherein one or more of the heat sources comprise heaters.
7214. The method of claim 7199, whereύi a ratio of energy output ofthe produced mixture to energy input into ώe formation is at least about 5.
7215. The method of claim 7199, wherein the produced mixture comprises an acid number less than about 1.