U.S. patent application number 14/258816 was filed with the patent office on 2015-01-01 for systems and methods for decreasing compaction within a pyrolyzed zone.
The applicant listed for this patent is Nazish Hoda, Robert D. Kaminsky, Michael W. Lin, William P. Meurer. Invention is credited to Nazish Hoda, Robert D. Kaminsky, Michael W. Lin, William P. Meurer.
Application Number | 20150000898 14/258816 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50819973 |
Filed Date | 2015-01-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150000898 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hoda; Nazish ; et
al. |
January 1, 2015 |
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DECREASING COMPACTION WITHIN A PYROLYZED
ZONE
Abstract
Systems and methods for decreasing compaction within a pyrolyzed
zone are disclosed herein. The methods include injecting a sealing
fluid into the pyrolyzed zone and flowing the sealing fluid to a
peripheral region of the pyrolyzed zone. The methods further
include fluidly sealing the peripheral region of the pyrolyzed zone
with a sealing fluid where fluidly sealing limits a fluid leakage
from the pyrolyzed zone. Subsequent to the fluidly sealing, the
methods further include pressurizing the pyrolyzed zone to a zone
pressure. The systems include hydrocarbon production systems and/or
components thereof that are formed using the methods.
Inventors: |
Hoda; Nazish; (Houston,
TX) ; Lin; Michael W.; (Houston, TX) ; Meurer;
William P.; (Pearland, TX) ; Kaminsky; Robert D.;
(Houston, TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Hoda; Nazish
Lin; Michael W.
Meurer; William P.
Kaminsky; Robert D. |
Houston
Houston
Pearland
Houston |
TX
TX
TX
TX |
US
US
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
50819973 |
Appl. No.: |
14/258816 |
Filed: |
April 22, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61840297 |
Jun 27, 2013 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
166/245 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B 43/243 20130101;
E21B 33/138 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
166/245 |
International
Class: |
E21B 43/14 20060101
E21B043/14 |
Claims
1. A method of decreasing compaction within a pyrolyzed zone of a
subterranean formation, wherein the pyrolyzed zone includes a
hydrocarbon fluid, the method comprising: sweeping at least a
portion of the hydrocarbon fluid from the pyrolyzed zone; injecting
a sealing fluid into an interior region of the pyrolyzed zone;
flowing the sealing fluid from the interior region of the pyrolyzed
zone to a peripheral region of the pyrolyzed zone; fluidly sealing
the peripheral region of the pyrolyzed zone with the sealing fluid,
wherein fluidly sealing limits a fluid leakage from the pyrolyzed
zone; and subsequent to the fluidly sealing, pressurizing the
pyrolyzed zone to a zone pressure with a pressurizing fluid,
wherein the zone pressure is greater than a hydrostatic pressure
within a region of the subterranean formation that defines the
pyrolyzed zone prior to formation of the pyrolyzed zone, wherein
the zone pressure is less than a lithostatic pressure within the
region of the subterranean formation that defines the pyrolyzed
zone prior to formation of the pyrolyzed zone, and further wherein
the zone pressure is at least 50% of the lithostatic pressure.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the sweeping includes sweeping
with a sweep fluid that is different from the sealing fluid.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the pressurizing fluid is
different from the sealing fluid.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further includes
pyrolyzing a portion of the subterranean formation to generate the
pyrolyzed zone, wherein the pyrolyzing includes generating the
hydrocarbon fluid within the pyrolyzed zone, and further wherein
the method includes producing the hydrocarbon fluid from the
pyrolyzed zone.
5. A method of decreasing compaction within a pyrolyzed zone of a
subterranean formation, wherein the pyrolyzed zone includes a
hydrocarbon fluid, the method comprising: injecting a sealing fluid
into an interior region of the pyrolyzed zone; flowing the sealing
fluid from the interior region of the pyrolyzed zone to a
peripheral region of the pyrolyzed zone; fluidly sealing the
peripheral region of the pyrolyzed zone with the sealing fluid to
limit a fluid leakage from the pyrolyzed zone; and subsequent to
the fluidly sealing, pressurizing the pyrolyzed zone to a zone
pressure.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the method further includes
sweeping at least a portion of the hydrocarbon fluid from the
pyrolyzed zone prior to the fluidly sealing.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein, prior to the injecting the
sealing fluid, the method further includes injecting a sweep fluid
into the interior region and flowing the sweep fluid from the
interior region to the peripheral region to sweep the portion of
the hydrocarbon fluid from the pyrolyzed zone.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the sweep fluid is the sealing
fluid.
9. The method of claim 7, wherein the sweep fluid is different from
the sealing fluid.
10. The method of claim 5, wherein the zone pressure is greater
than a hydrostatic pressure within a region of the subterranean
formation that defines the pyrolyzed zone prior to formation of the
pyrolyzed zone.
11. The method of claim 5, wherein the zone pressure is less than a
lithostatic pressure within a region of the subterranean formation
that defines the pyrolyzed zone prior to formation of the pyrolyzed
zone.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the zone pressure is closer to
the lithostatic pressure than to a hydrostatic pressure within the
region of the subterranean formation that defines the pyrolyzed
zone prior to formation of the pyrolyzed zone.
13. The method of claim 5, wherein the pressurizing includes
pressurizing with the sealing fluid.
14. The method of claim 5, wherein the pressurizing includes
pressurizing by injecting a pressurizing fluid that is different
from the sealing fluid.
15. The method of claim 5, wherein the pressurizing fluid is a
solidification-initiating material that is selected to solidify the
sealing fluid within the peripheral region of the pyrolyzed
zone.
16. The method of claim 5, wherein the method further includes
pyrolyzing a portion of the subterranean formation to generate the
pyrolyzed zone.
17. The method of claim 5, wherein the fluidly sealing includes
creating a flow barrier within the peripheral region, wherein the
flow barrier resists fluid flow from the pyrolyzed zone into a
remainder of the subterranean formation.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the fluidly sealing includes at
least one of: (i) at least partially solidifying the sealing fluid
to form the flow barrier; and (ii) gelling the sealing fluid to
form the flow barrier.
19. The method of claim 5, wherein the flowing includes flowing
radially outward from the interior region to the peripheral
region.
20. A hydrocarbon production system, comprising: a pyrolyzed zone
that is present within a subterranean formation, wherein the
pyrolyzed zone defines an interior region and a peripheral region
that surrounds the interior region; an injection well that extends
between a surface region and the interior region; a sealing
material that is present within the peripheral region and forms a
fluid seal between the interior region and a remainder of the
subterranean formation, wherein the sealing material is located
within a pore space that is defined by the peripheral region, and
further wherein a chemical composition of the sealing material is
different from a chemical composition of a formation material that
defines the pore space; and a pressurizing fluid that is present
within the interior region.
21. The hydrocarbon production system of claim 20, wherein the
sealing material includes at least one of a viscous fluid, a fluid
with a highly temperature-dependent viscosity, a shear thinning
fluid, a polymeric fluid, polybutene, polysiloxane, polystyrene, a
polymeric solid, bitumen, a particulate material, clay particles,
silica, and sulfur.
22. The hydrocarbon production system of claim 20, wherein the
pressurizing fluid includes the sealing material.
23. The hydrocarbon production system of claim 20, wherein the
pressurizing fluid is different from the sealing material.
24. The hydrocarbon production system of claim 23, wherein the
pressurizing fluid includes at least one of a liquid, a gas, carbon
dioxide, water, and brine.
25. The hydrocarbon production system of claim 20, wherein a
pressure of the pressurizing fluid is greater than a hydrostatic
pressure within a region of the subterranean formation that defines
the pyrolyzed zone prior to formation of the pyrolyzed zone,
wherein the pressure of the pressurizing fluid is less than a
lithostatic pressure within the region of the subterranean
formation that defines the pyrolyzed zone prior to formation of the
pyrolyzed zone, and further wherein the pressure of the
pressurizing fluid is at least 75% of the lithostatic pressure.
26. The hydrocarbon production system of claim 23, wherein the
hydrocarbon production system further includes a production well
that extends between the surface region and the pyrolyzed zone.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the priority benefit of U.S.
Provisional Patent Application 61/840,297 filed Jun. 27, 2013
entitled SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DECREASING COMPACTION WITHIN A
PYROLYZED ZONE, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference
herein.
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] The present disclosure is directed generally to systems and
methods for decreasing compaction within a pyrolyzed zone of a
subterranean formation, and more particularly to systems and
methods that fluidly seal the pyrolyzed zone with a sealing fluid
and subsequently pressurize the pyrolyzed zone to decrease
compaction within the pyrolyzed zone.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Certain subterranean formations may include organic
compounds, such as shale oil and/or kerogen, that may not flow
within the reservoir at a rate that is sufficient for production
thereof, that may not define desired material properties, and/or
that may not define desired chemical compositions. Thus, these
organic compounds may be heated in situ to generate more desired
hydrocarbon fluids that may more readily be produced from the
subterranean formation. This heating process also may be referred
to herein as in situ pyrolysis and/or simply as pyrolysis. The
heating decomposes the organic compounds and also may decompose
and/or vaporize evaporite minerals that may be present within the
subterranean formation. This decomposition and/or subsequent
production of the hydrocarbon fluid from the subterranean formation
reduces a volume of the materials that comprise (and/or are present
in) the subterranean formation. As an illustrative, non-exclusive
example, complete pyrolysis of oil shale that includes 35 gallons
of shale oil per ton of oil shale and subsequent producing of the
shale oil from the subterranean formation may decrease the volume
of oil shale by 22%.
[0004] This volume decrease may permit and/or produce settling
within the subterranean formation. This settling may decrease a
porosity of the subterranean formation, thereby decreasing a
production rate of the hydrocarbon fluids from the subterranean
formation. Additionally or alternatively, this settling also may
propagate to a surface region that is associated with the
subterranean formation, thereby producing subsidence of the surface
region and/or changes in surface topography.
[0005] Historically, this compaction and/or subsidence have been
mitigated by leaving regions of the subterranean formation
unpyrolyzed. These unpyrolyzed regions also may be referred to
herein as cold pillars and may support the overlying strata and
decrease compaction within the pyrolyzed zone. However, these cold
pillars decrease overall hydrocarbon recovery from the subterranean
formation and/or may not be effective in all subterranean
formations. Thus, there exists a need for improved systems and
methods for decreasing compaction within a pyrolyzed zone.
SUMMARY
[0006] Systems and methods for decreasing compaction within a
pyrolyzed zone are disclosed herein. The methods include injecting
a sealing fluid into the pyrolyzed zone and flowing the sealing
fluid to a peripheral region of the pyrolyzed zone. The methods
further include fluidly sealing the peripheral region of the
pyrolyzed zone with a sealing fluid to limit a fluid leakage from
the pyrolyzed zone. Subsequent to the fluidly sealing, the methods
further include pressurizing the pyrolyzed zone to a zone
pressure.
[0007] The methods may include sweeping at least a portion of a
hydrocarbon fluid that may be present within the pyrolyzed zone
from the pyrolyzed zone. The fluidly sweeping may include injecting
a sweep fluid into the pyrolyzed zone and flowing the sweep fluid
to the peripheral region to sweep the pyrolyzed zone. The sweep
fluid may be the sealing fluid. The sweep fluid may be different
from the sealing fluid.
[0008] The zone pressure may be greater than a hydrostatic pressure
that was present within a portion of the subterranean formation
that defines the pyrolyzed zone prior to formation of the pyrolyzed
zone. The zone pressure may be less than a lithostatic pressure
that was present within the portion of the subterranean formation.
The zone pressure may be closer to the lithostatic pressure than to
the hydrostatic pressure.
[0009] The pressurizing may include pressurizing with the sealing
fluid. The pressurizing may include pressurizing with a
pressurizing fluid that is different from the sealing fluid. The
sealing fluid may be a solidification-initiating material that is
selected to solidify the sealing fluid within the peripheral region
of the pyrolyzed zone.
[0010] The methods may include pyrolyzing a portion of the
subterranean formation to generate the pyrolyzed zone. The methods
may include repressurizing the pyrolyzed zone. The repressurizing
may be based upon and/or responsive to a status of the pyrolyzed
zone.
[0011] The systems include hydrocarbon production sites and/or
components thereof that are formed using the methods. The
hydrocarbon production site includes a pyrolyzed zone that is
present within a subterranean formation and defines an interior
region and a peripheral region that surrounds the interior region.
The hydrocarbon production site further includes an injection well
that extends between a surface region and the interior region and a
sealing material that is present within the peripheral region. The
sealing material forms a fluid seal between the interior region and
a remainder of the subterranean formation. The hydrocarbon
production site further includes a pressurizing fluid that is
present within the interior region.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of illustrative,
non-exclusive examples of a hydrocarbon production site that may
include and/or be utilized with the systems and methods according
to the present disclosure.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of illustrative,
non-exclusive examples of a pyrolyzed zone that may be associated
with an injection well and one or more production wells, and which
may be utilized with the systems and methods according to the
present disclosure.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a flowchart depicting methods according to the
present disclosure of decreasing compaction within a pyrolyzed zone
of a subterranean formation.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND BEST MODE OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0015] FIGS. 1-2 provide illustrative, non-exclusive examples of
hydrocarbon production sites 10 according to the present
disclosure, components thereof, and/or process flows that may be
utilized therewith. Elements that serve a similar, or at least
substantially similar, purpose are labeled with like numbers in
each of FIGS. 1-2, and these elements may not be discussed in
detail herein with reference to each of FIGS. 1-2. Similarly, all
elements may not be labeled in each of FIGS. 1-2, but reference
numerals associated therewith may be utilized herein for
consistency. Elements, components, and/or features that are
discussed herein with reference to one or more of FIGS. 1-2 may be
included in and/or utilized with any of FIGS. 1-2 without departing
from the scope of the present disclosure.
[0016] In general, elements that are likely to be included are
illustrated in solid lines, while elements that are optional are
illustrated in dashed lines. However, elements that are shown in
solid lines may not be essential. An element shown in solid lines
may be omitted without departing from the scope of the present
disclosure.
[0017] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of illustrative,
non-exclusive examples of a hydrocarbon production site 10 that may
include and/or be utilized with the systems and methods according
to the present disclosure. Hydrocarbon production site 10 includes
an injection well 40. The injection well 40 may extend between a
surface region 20 and a subterranean formation 32 that is present
within a subsurface region 30. Subterranean formation 32 includes
an organic compound 34 and a pyrolyzed zone 60, which defines an
interior region 70 and a peripheral region 80. Injection well 40
extends to and/or within interior region 70. Injection well 40 may
be (relatively) proximal to and/or in direct fluid communication
with the peripheral region 80. Peripheral region 80 extends around
and/or surrounds interior region 70, is (relatively) distal from
and/or spaced apart from injection well 40, and/or is in indirect
fluid communication with injection well 40 via interior region
70.
[0018] Peripheral region 80 includes a sealing material 82. The
sealing material 82 may form a fluid seal between interior region
70 and a remainder of subterranean formation 32 and/or subsurface
region 30. Sealing material 82 is located within a pore space 86.
Pore space 86 is defined by a formation material 84 that is present
within peripheral region 80. Pore space 86 defines, or has, a
chemical composition that is different from a chemical composition
of formation material 84.
[0019] Pyrolyzed zone 60 may include an interior region 70 and a
peripheral region 80. Interior region 70 may be proximal to and/or
in direct fluid communication with injection well 40. Peripheral
region 80 may surround interior region 70 and/or be in indirect
fluid communication with injection well 40 via interior region 70.
Interior region 70 may include any suitable portion, or fraction,
of pyrolyzed zone 60 that does not form a boundary and/or interface
between the pyrolyzed zone and a remainder of the subterranean
formation. Interior region 70 also may be referred to as, may
include, and/or may be an interior portion 70 of pyrolyzed zone 60,
an internal region 70 of pyrolyzed zone 60, and/or as a central
region, or portion, 70 of pyrolyzed zone 60.
[0020] Peripheral region 80 may include any suitable portion, or
fraction, of pyrolyzed zone 60 that (at least partially or
completely) surrounds interior region 70 and/or forms (or includes)
at least a portion (or all) of the boundary and/or interface
between the pyrolyzed zone and the remainder of the subterranean
formation. Peripheral region 80 may be referred to as, may include,
and/or may be a boundary region, or portion, 80 of pyrolyzed zone
60, an interfacial region, or portion, 80 of pyrolyzed zone 60, an
outer surface, or portion, 80 of pyrolyzed zone 60, and/or a
sealing portion, or region, 80 of pyrolyzed zone 60.
[0021] Interior region 70 may define any suitable portion of a
total volume of pyrolyzed zone 60. As illustrative, non-exclusive
examples, interior region 70 may define at least 30%, at least 40%,
at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least
90%, at least 95%, or at least 99% of the total volume of pyrolyzed
zone 60, with peripheral region 80 defining a remainder of the
total volume of pyrolyzed zone 60. Additionally or alternatively,
interior region 70 also may define less than 100%, less than 99%,
less than 95%, less than 90%, less than 85%, or less than 80% of
the total volume of pyrolyzed zone 60, with peripheral region 80
defining a remainder of the total volume of pyrolyzed zone 60.
[0022] As illustrated in dashed lines in FIG. 1, hydrocarbon
production site 10 may include a pressurizing fluid 72.
Pressurizing fluid 72 may be present within interior region 70.
Pressurizing fluid 72 may be utilized to pressurize interior region
70, such as to decrease and/or prevent compaction within pyrolyzed
zone 60 and/or to decrease and/or prevent subsidence of a ground
surface 22 that is supported by pyrolyzed zone 60.
[0023] As also illustrated in dashed lines in FIG. 1, hydrocarbon
production site 10 may include one or more production wells 50.
Production wells 50 may extend between surface region 20 and
subterranean formation 32, pyrolyzed zone 60, and/or peripheral
region 80. Production wells 50 may permit production of a
hydrocarbon fluid from pyrolyzed zone 60 prior to sealing material
82 being located within peripheral region 80.
[0024] FIG. 1 illustrates that subterranean formation 32 may
include a plurality of pyrolyzed zones 60 that may be spaced apart
from one another, such as via one or more support pillars 62.
Support pillars 62 may prevent compaction of pyrolyzed zones 60
and/or subsidence of ground surface 22. However, the hydrocarbon
production sites 10 may include fewer support pillars 62 than
traditional hydrocarbon production sites that do not include
sealing material 82 and/or pressurizing fluid 72 within pyrolyzed
zone 60. Alternatively, the pyrolyzed zones 60 may not be spaced
apart from one another and/or the subterranean formation 32 may not
include support pillars 62.
[0025] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of illustrative,
non-exclusive examples of a pyrolyzed zone 60 that may be
associated with an injection well 40 and one or more production
wells 50 and which may be utilized with the systems and methods
according to the present disclosure. As discussed in more detail
herein with reference to methods 100, pyrolyzed zone 60 may be
formed within subterranean formation 32 by heating the subterranean
formation and/or by performing an in situ combustion reaction
therein. This heating may decompose organic compounds 34 that may
be present within the subterranean formation to generate a
hydrocarbon fluid 36.
[0026] Often, the heating may be performed near and/or proximal to
injection well 40, and the generated hydrocarbon fluid 36 may flow
to production wells 50 and then may be produced from the
subterranean formation. As discussed, heating of subterranean
formation 32 to generate hydrocarbon fluid 36 may decrease a volume
of formation material 84 and/or may generate (additional) pore
space 86 within the pyrolyzed zone. While this volume decrease
and/or additional pore space initially may be beneficial to
production of hydrocarbon fluid 36 from the subterranean formation,
such as by increasing a fluid permeability of the subterranean
formation, the volume decrease and/or additional pore space also
may increase a potential for compaction within pyrolyzed zone 60
and/or for subsidence of a ground surface that is supported
thereby.
[0027] With this in mind, and as discussed, the systems and methods
disclosed herein may be utilized to reduce, decrease a potential
for, and/or eliminate compaction within pyrolyzed zone 60 and/or
subsidence of the ground surface that is supported by the pyrolyzed
zone through generation of sealing material 82 within peripheral
region 80 and subsequent pressurization of interior region 70 with
pressurizing fluid 72 (as illustrated in FIG. 1). As an
illustrative, non-exclusive example, and with reference to FIG. 2,
the systems and methods may include producing hydrocarbon fluid 36
from pyrolyzed zone 60 through production wells 50. Subsequently, a
sweep fluid 87 optionally may be injected into the pyrolyzed zone,
such as into interior region 70, through injection well 40. The
sweep fluid may flow through pyrolyzed zone 60 toward peripheral
region 80, sweeping, or displacing, hydrocarbon fluid 36 from the
pyrolyzed zone, as illustrated in dash-dot lines in FIG. 2 at 90
and 92.
[0028] A sealing fluid 88, which may be a liquid sealing fluid,
then may be injected into the pyrolyzed zone, such as into and/or
through interior region 70, through injection well 40. Similar to
sweep fluid 87, the sealing fluid may flow through pyrolyzed zone
60 toward peripheral region 80. Subsequent to reaching peripheral
region 80, and as illustrated in FIG. 1, sealing fluid 88 may
transition to, become, and/or be referred to herein as sealing
material 82 and may form the fluid seal between interior region 70
and the remainder of subterranean formation 32. Sweep fluid 87,
when present and/or utilized, may be different from, or formed from
a different material than, sealing fluid 88. However, sealing fluid
88 may function as and/or may be sweep fluid 87.
[0029] As illustrated in FIG. 2, pressurizing fluid 72 then may be
injected into interior region 70 through injection well 40. The
pressurizing fluid may increase a pressure within, or pressurize,
pyrolyzed zone 60 to a zone pressure that is sufficient to prevent
compaction of the pyrolyzed zone and/or subsidence of the ground
surface that is supported thereby.
[0030] FIG. 1 illustrates hydrocarbon production site 10 as
including a single injection well 40 and as optionally including
two production wells 50, while FIG. 2 illustrates hydrocarbon
production site 10 as including a single injection well and two
production wells that may be in fluid communication with pyrolyzed
zone 60. Hydrocarbon production site 10 may include any suitable
number of injection wells 40 and/or production wells 50.
Additionally or alternatively, a single well may function as both
an injection well and a production well and/or a single well
initially may be utilized as one of an injection well and a
production well and subsequently may be utilized as the other of
the injection well and the production well.
[0031] Sweep fluid 87 may include and/or be any suitable fluid that
may displace hydrocarbon fluid 36 from pyrolyzed zone 60, entrain
hydrocarbon fluid 36 therewithin, and/or sweep hydrocarbon fluid 36
from the pyrolyzed zone. As illustrative, non-exclusive examples,
sweep fluid 87 may include and/or be any suitable liquid and/or
gaseous sweep fluid. As additional illustrative, non-exclusive
examples, sweep fluid 87 may include and/or be a solvent for
hydrocarbon fluid 36, a diluent for hydrocarbon fluid 36, and/or a
fluid that forms a lower interfacial energy with formation material
84 than an interfacial energy between hydrocarbon fluid 36 and
formation material 84.
[0032] Sealing material 82 may include any suitable structure
and/or chemical composition. Sealing material 82 may be located
within pyrolyzed zone 60 (and/or peripheral region 80 thereof) in
any suitable manner to at least partially fluidly isolate interior
region 70 from the remainder of subterranean formation 32. As an
illustrative, non-exclusive example, sealing material 82 initially
may be sealing fluid 88 that is injected into pyrolyzed zone 60 via
injection well 40 and flows from injection well 40, through
interior region 70, and into peripheral region 80. Upon reaching
peripheral region 80, sealing fluid 88 may transition to, become,
and/or be referred to herein as sealing material 82 and may form
the fluid seal between interior region 70 and the remainder of
subterranean formation 32.
[0033] Illustrative, non-exclusive examples of sealing material 82
and/or sealing fluid 88 include any suitable viscous fluid, fluid
with a highly temperature-dependent viscosity, shear thinning
fluid, a polymeric material, a concentrated polymeric material, a
polymeric fluid, a polymeric solid, a polymer solution (which may
include the polymeric material distributed, dissolved, and/or
suspended within a carrier fluid), a colloid, and/or a (solid)
particulate material. More specific but still illustrative,
non-exclusive examples of sealing material 82 and/or sealing fluid
88 include an aqueous material, a non-aqueous material, polybutene,
polysiloxane, polystyrene, concentrated polystyrene, bitumen,
molten bitumen, clay particles, silica, colloidal silica, a
water-clay slurry, sulfur, and/or molten sulfur.
[0034] As illustrative, non-exclusive examples, sealing fluid 88
may be selected to increase in viscosity within peripheral region
80 to form sealing material 82 and/or the fluid seal. As another
illustrative, non-exclusive example, a sealing fluid 88 may be
selected to solidify within peripheral region 80 to form sealing
material 82 and/or the fluid seal. As yet another illustrative,
non-exclusive example, particulate material within sealing fluid 88
may clog, occlude, and/or block pore space 86 within peripheral
region 80, thereby forming sealing material 82 and/or the fluid
seal.
[0035] Pressurizing fluid 72, when present, may include any
suitable fluid (such as a gas and/or a liquid) that may be selected
to pressurize interior region 70. As an illustrative, non-exclusive
example, pressurizing fluid 72 may include and/or be sealing
material 82 and/or sealing fluid 88. As another illustrative,
non-exclusive example, pressurizing fluid 72 may be different from
sealing material 82 and/or sealing fluid 88 and/or may define, or
have, a different chemical composition than sealing material 82
and/or sealing fluid 88. Illustrative, non-exclusive examples of
pressurizing fluids 72 include a liquid, a gas, carbon dioxide,
water, and/or a brine.
[0036] Pressurizing fluid 72 may not be reactive within pyrolyzed
zone 60, may not react with sealing material 82 and/or sealing
fluid 88, and/or may be selected to be (at least substantially)
inert. However, pressurizing fluid 72 may be selected to react, or
be reactive, within pyrolyzed zone 60. As an illustrative,
non-exclusive example, pressurizing fluid 72 may be selected to
react with sealing fluid 88 and/or to initiate formation of the
fluid seal subsequent to, or upon, contact with the sealing fluid.
As a more specific but still illustrative, non-exclusive example,
pressurizing fluid 72 may include and/or be a
solidification-initiating material that is selected to solidify
sealing fluid 88 within the peripheral region, such as by
initiating polymerization of the sealing fluid within the
peripheral region.
[0037] Pressurizing fluid 72 may be utilized to pressurize
pyrolyzed zone 60 to a zone pressure. The zone pressure may be
greater than a hydrostatic pressure that was present within a
region of subterranean formation 32 that defines pyrolyzed zone 60
prior to formation of pyrolyzed zone 60 within the subterranean
formation 32. Additionally or alternatively, pressurizing fluid 72
also may be utilized to pressurize pyrolyzed zone 60 to a zone
pressure that is less than a lithostatic pressure within the region
of the subterranean formation prior to formation of the pyrolyzed
zone therein. This may include pressurizing to a zone pressure that
is at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least
80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 92.5%, at least 95%, at
least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99% of the
lithostatic pressure but still less than the lithostatic pressure
and/or pressurizing to a zone pressure that is closer to the
lithostatic pressure than to the hydrostatic pressure.
[0038] As used herein, the phrase "hydrostatic pressure" refers to
a pressure that may be generated by a fluid column that is located
vertically above a given point within the subterranean formation
(i.e., a pressure that is due to the weight of the fluid). As used
herein, the phrase "lithostatic pressure" refers to a pressure that
may be generated by an overlying rock that is located vertically
above the given point (i.e., a pressure that is due to the weight
of the rock). Generally, the overlying rock has a greater density
than the fluid column. Thus, the lithostatic pressure is generally
greater than the hydrostatic pressure at the given point within the
subterranean formation.
[0039] Subterranean formation 32 may include any suitable structure
and/or material that includes organic compound 34 that may be
pyrolyzed to produce hydrocarbon fluid 36 and pyrolyzed zone 60. As
illustrative, non-exclusive examples, subterranean formation 32 may
include and/or be a hydrocarbon containing formation, a kerogen
containing formation, and/or an oil shale formation.
[0040] FIG. 3 is a flowchart depicting methods 100 according to the
present disclosure of decreasing compaction within a pyrolyzed zone
of a subterranean formation. Methods 100 may include pyrolyzing the
subterranean formation at 105 to generate the pyrolyzed zone,
producing a hydrocarbon fluid from the pyrolyzed zone at 110,
cooling the pyrolyzed zone at 115, and/or sweeping the pyrolyzed
zone at 120. Methods 100 include injecting a sealing fluid into an
interior region of the pyrolyzed zone at 125 and flowing the
sealing fluid from the interior region to a peripheral region of
the pyrolyzed zone at 130 and may include producing the sealing
fluid from the pyrolyzed zone at 135. Methods 100 may include
fluidly sealing the peripheral region of the pyrolyzed zone at 140.
Methods may include pressurizing the pyrolyzed zone at 145,
determining a status of the pyrolyzed zone at 150, and/or
repressurizing the pyrolyzed zone at 155.
[0041] Pyrolyzing the subterranean formation at 105 to generate the
pyrolyzed zone may include pyrolyzing any suitable portion of the
subterranean formation to produce, or generate, the pyrolyzed zone.
This may include heating the subterranean formation, such as via in
situ combustion within the subterranean formation and/or via steam
injection into the subterranean formation. Additionally or
alternatively, the pyrolyzing at 105 also may include heating with
a heating structure, such as an electric heater, a combustion
heater, and/or a granular resistive heater.
[0042] The heating may be performed within a heated region of the
pyrolyzed zone, which may include at least a portion of the
interior region of the pyrolyzed zone, and the heated zone may be
heated to at least a threshold zone temperature. Illustrative,
non-exclusive examples of the threshold zone temperature include
threshold zone temperatures of at least 400.degree. C., at least
425.degree. C., at least 450.degree. C., at least 475.degree. C.,
at least 500.degree. C., at least 525.degree. C., at least
550.degree. C., at least 575.degree. C., at least 600.degree. C.,
at least 625.degree. C., or at least 650.degree. C.
[0043] In addition, the heating further may include heating a
remainder of the pyrolyzed zone to at least a threshold pyrolysis
temperature, with this heating being accomplished by conduction
and/or convection from the heated zone. Illustrative, non-exclusive
examples of the threshold pyrolysis temperature include
temperatures of at least 200.degree. C., at least 210.degree. C.,
at least 220.degree. C., at least 230.degree. C., at least
240.degree. C., at least 250.degree. C., at least 260.degree. C.,
at least 270.degree. C., at least 280.degree. C., at least
290.degree. C., at least 300.degree. C., at least 310.degree. C.,
at least 320.degree. C., at least 325.degree. C., at least
330.degree. C., at least 340.degree. C., or at least 350.degree.
C.
[0044] The heating may include providing a fluid, such as a fuel,
an oxidant, and/or steam, to the subterranean formation (or to the
pyrolyzed zone thereof) through an injection well. Under these
conditions, the injecting at 125 may include injecting the sealing
fluid through the injection well. Additionally or alternatively,
and when the heating includes heating with the heating structure,
the injecting at 125 may include injecting proximate to the heating
structure.
[0045] The pyrolyzing at 105 may generate the hydrocarbon fluid
within the pyrolyzed zone, thereby permitting the producing at 110.
The pyrolyzing at 105 may generate a pore space within the
pyrolyzed zone and/or decrease a volume of a formation material
that is present within the pyrolyzed zone. This may increase a
fluid permeability of the pyrolyzed zone, thereby permitting the
producing at 110 to be performed at a greater production rate;
however, this also may cause the pyrolyzed zone to be susceptible
to compaction.
[0046] The pyrolyzing at 105 may include pyrolyzing without
creating a support pillar within the subterranean formation.
However, the pyrolyzing at 105 may include creating one or more
support pillars within the subterranean formation. When the
pyrolyzing at 105 includes creating the support pillars, the
support pillars may define a support pillar volume, the
subterranean formation may define a subterranean formation volume,
and the support pillar volume may be substantially less than the
subterranean formation volume. As illustrative, non-exclusive
examples, the support pillar volume may be less than 50%, less than
45%, less than 40%, less than 35%, less than 30%, less than 25%,
less than 20%, less than 15%, less than 10%, or less than 5% of the
subterranean formation volume.
[0047] Producing the hydrocarbon fluid from the pyrolyzed zone at
110 may include producing any suitable hydrocarbon fluid from the
pyrolyzed zone. As an illustrative, non-exclusive example, the
producing at 110 may include producing the hydrocarbon fluid that
was generated during the pyrolyzing at 105. As another
illustrative, non-exclusive example, the producing at 110 may
include producing with, through, and/or via a production well that
is spaced apart from the injection well and that extends between a
surface region and the pyrolyzed zone of the subterranean
formation.
[0048] Cooling the pyrolyzed zone at 115 may include cooling prior
to the injecting at 125. As an illustrative, non-exclusive example,
the cooling at 115 may include cooling the pyrolyzed zone to less
than a threshold pyrolyzed zone temperature. As another
illustrative, non-exclusive example, the cooling at 115 may include
waiting at least a threshold cooling time subsequent to the
pyrolyzing at 105 and prior to the injecting at 125.
[0049] Illustrative, non-exclusive examples of threshold pyrolyzed
zone temperatures include threshold pyrolyzed zone temperatures of
less than 400.degree. C., less than 390.degree. C., less than
380.degree. C., less than 370.degree. C., less than 360.degree. C.,
less than 350.degree. C., less than 340.degree. C., less than
330.degree. C., less than 320.degree. C., less than 310.degree. C.,
less than 300.degree. C., less than 290.degree. C., less than
280.degree. C., less than 270.degree. C., less than 260.degree. C.,
less than 250.degree. C., less than 240.degree. C., less than
230.degree. C., less than 220.degree. C., less than 210.degree. C.,
or less than 200.degree. C. Additionally or alternatively, the
threshold pyrolyzed zone temperature also may be greater than
100.degree. C., greater than 110.degree. C., greater than
120.degree. C., greater than 130.degree. C., greater than
140.degree. C., greater than 150.degree. C., greater than
160.degree. C., greater than 170.degree. C., greater than
180.degree. C., greater than 190.degree. C., greater than
200.degree. C., greater than 210.degree. C., greater than
220.degree. C., greater than 230.degree. C., greater than
240.degree. C., greater than 250.degree. C., greater than
260.degree. C., greater than 270.degree. C., greater than
280.degree. C., greater than 290.degree. C., or greater than
300.degree. C.
[0050] Illustrative, non-exclusive examples of the threshold
cooling time include threshold cooling times of at least 10 days,
at least 25 days, at least 50 days, at least 75 days, at least 100
days, at least 150 days, at least 200 days, at least 250 days, at
least 300 days, at least 350 days, at least 400 days, at least 450
days, at least 500 days, at least 550 days, at least 600 days, at
least 650 days, at least 700 days, at least 750 days, or at least
800 days.
[0051] Sweeping the pyrolyzed zone at 120 may include removing at
least a portion of the hydrocarbon fluid that may be present within
the pyrolyzed zone subsequent to the producing at 110. As
illustrative, non-exclusive examples, the sweeping at 120 may
include injecting a sweep fluid into the pyrolyzed zone and
displacing the hydrocarbon fluid with a sweep fluid, dissolving the
hydrocarbon fluid within the sweep fluid, diluting the hydrocarbon
fluid with the sweep fluid, and/or entraining the hydrocarbon fluid
in the sweep fluid to sweep the hydrocarbon fluid from the
pyrolyzed zone. This may include injecting the sweep fluid into the
interior region of the pyrolyzed zone (such as via a suitable
injection well), flowing the sweep fluid through the interior
region to the peripheral region of the pyrolyzed zone, and/or
producing the sweep fluid from the pyrolyzed zone (such as via a
production well). Illustrative, non-exclusive examples of the sweep
fluid are disclosed herein.
[0052] The sweep fluid may be different from, or may define a
different chemical composition than, the sealing fluid. Under these
conditions, the sweeping at 120 may be performed at least partially
prior to the injecting at 125. Additionally or alternatively, the
sealing fluid may include and/or be the sweep fluid. Under these
conditions, the sweeping at 120 may be performed at least partially
concurrently with the injecting at 125 and/or at least partially
concurrently with the flowing at 130.
[0053] Injecting the sealing fluid into the pyrolyzed zone at 125
may include injecting the sealing fluid in any suitable manner
and/or utilizing any suitable structure (such as by flowing the
sealing fluid through an injection well and into the interior
region). The sealing fluid may include and/or be a liquid sealing
fluid that may flow through the pyrolyzed zone during the flowing
at 130.
[0054] When methods 100 include the pyrolyzing at 105, the
injecting at 125 may include injecting subsequent to the pyrolyzing
at 105 and/or subsequent to the cooling at 115. Additionally or
alternatively, the injecting at 125 may include injecting at least
partially concurrently with the pyrolyzing at 105 (and/or
concurrently with the heating that may be associated therewith).
Under these conditions, the flowing at 130 further may include
absorbing thermal energy with the sealing fluid while the sealing
fluid is within the interior region and conveying the absorbed
thermal energy to the peripheral region with the sealing fluid.
[0055] Flowing the sealing fluid to the peripheral region of the
pyrolyzed zone at 130 may include flowing the sealing fluid through
the pore space that is present within the pyrolyzed zone.
Additionally or alternatively, the flowing at 130 also may include
flowing the sealing fluid radially outward and/or away from the
interior region (or an injection point that is located therein) and
into the peripheral region of the pyrolyzed zone.
[0056] Producing the sealing fluid from the pyrolyzed zone at 135
may include producing a portion of the sealing fluid that is
injected during the injecting at 125. This may include producing
through, with, and/or via a production well that extends within the
pyrolyzed zone and/or that is located within, or near, the
peripheral region of the pyrolyzed zone. When methods 100 include
the producing at 135, the produced sealing fluid, which also may be
referred to herein as a produced sealing fluid stream, may be
recycled and/or returned to the subterranean formation, such as
during, or via, the injecting at 125.
[0057] Fluidly sealing the peripheral region of the pyrolyzed zone
at 140 may include sealing to limit a fluid leakage from the
pyrolyzed zone and/or into a remainder of the subterranean
formation. The fluidly sealing at 140 may include fluidly sealing
in any suitable manner. As an illustrative, non-exclusive example,
the fluidly sealing may include creating a flow barrier within the
peripheral region, with the flow barrier resisting and/or
preventing fluid flow from the pyrolyzed zone into the remainder of
the subterranean formation.
[0058] The fluidly sealing may include fluidly sealing for at least
a threshold sealing time (and/or the flow barrier may be configured
to resist fluid flow for at least the threshold sealing time).
Illustrative, non-exclusive examples of the threshold sealing time
include threshold sealing times of at least 1 year, at least 10
years, at least 50 years, or at least 250 years.
[0059] The flow barrier may be formed from the sealing fluid, such
as by at least partial solidification of the sealing fluid within
the peripheral region, gelling of the sealing fluid within the
peripheral region, occluding of the pore space within the
peripheral region with the sealing fluid, and/or increasing a shear
strength of the sealing fluid within the peripheral region. As an
illustrative, non-exclusive example, the sealing fluid may define a
zero, or nearly zero, shear strength prior to the fluidly sealing
at 140 and may define a non-zero shear strength subsequent to the
fluidly sealing at 140.
[0060] As an illustrative, non-exclusive example, methods 100 may
include increasing a viscosity of the sealing fluid during the
flowing at 130. The fluidly sealing at 140 may be responsive, or
directly responsive, to the viscosity increase. This may include
increasing the viscosity to (or by) at least 10 poise (P), at least
50 P, at least 100 P, at least 250 P, at least 500 P, at least 750
P, at least 1000 P, at least 1250 P, at least 1500 P, at least 1750
P, at least 2000 P, at least 2500 P, at least 3000 P, at least 4000
P, at least 5000 P, at least 7500 P, or at least 10,000 P.
Additionally or alternatively, the fluidly sealing at 140 also may
include increasing the viscosity of the sealing fluid by at least a
threshold proportion, or percentage. As illustrative, non-exclusive
examples, the viscosity may be increased by at least 1, at least 2,
at least 3, at least 4, at least 5, at least 6, at least 7, at
least 8, at least 9, at least 10, at least 11, or at least 12
orders of magnitude when compared to the viscosity of the sealing
fluid as injected during the injecting at 125.
[0061] As another illustrative, non-exclusive example, the sealing
fluid may define a temperature-dependent viscosity that increases
with decreasing temperature. The flowing at 130 may include
decreasing the temperature of the sealing fluid (such as by
transfer of thermal energy from the sealing fluid to the
subterranean formation and/or to the pyrolyzed zone). Under these
conditions, the viscosity increase may be responsive, or directly
responsive, to the temperature decrease.
[0062] As yet another illustrative, non-exclusive example, the
sealing fluid may include and/or be a shear thinning fluid that
decreases in viscosity when sheared and/or that defines a viscosity
that is inversely related to a shear rate of the sealing fluid.
Under these conditions, the flowing at 130 further may include
decreasing the shear rate of the sealing fluid, such as by
decreasing a flow rate of the sealing fluid through the pore space
as the sealing fluid flows away from the injection point. Under
these conditions, the viscosity increase may be responsive, or
directly responsive, to the decrease in the shear rate.
[0063] As another illustrative, non-exclusive example, the sealing
fluid may include a solid particulate material that may be sized to
flow through the interior region of the pyrolyzed zone (or the pore
space that is located therein) and to collect within the peripheral
region of the pyrolyzed zone (or the pore space that is located
therein). Under these conditions, the solid particulate material
may collect and/or agglomerate within the peripheral region,
thereby limiting, blocking, and/or occluding fluid flow
therethrough and generating the fluid seal.
[0064] As yet another illustrative, non-exclusive example, the
fluidly sealing at 140 may include solidifying at least a portion
of the sealing fluid within the peripheral region to generate the
sealing material, such as by polymerization of the sealing fluid
within the peripheral region. The solidifying may be based upon, a
result of, responsive to, and/or directly responsive to a
temperature of the sealing fluid during the flowing at 130, a
temperature decrease of the sealing fluid during the flowing at
130, a shear rate of the sealing fluid during the flowing at 130, a
shear rate decrease of the sealing fluid during the flowing at 130,
and/or fluid contact between the sealing fluid and a
solidification-initiating material that may be located within the
peripheral region prior to the flowing at 130 and/or may be
supplied to the peripheral region subsequent to the flowing at
130.
[0065] Pressurizing the pyrolyzed zone at 145 may include
increasing the pressure within the pyrolyzed zone in any suitable
manner. As an illustrative, non-exclusive example, the pressurizing
at 145 may include pressurizing to a zone pressure, illustrative,
non-exclusive examples of which are disclosed herein. As discussed,
the pressurizing at 145 may include pressurizing with the sealing
fluid (such as by continuing the injecting at 125 subsequent to the
fluidly sealing at 140). Additionally or alternatively, and as also
discussed, the pressurizing at 145 also may include pressurizing
with a pressurizing fluid that is different from, distinct from,
and/or defines a different chemical composition than the sealing
fluid (such as by injecting the pressurizing fluid into the
interior region of the pyrolyzed zone).
[0066] The pressurizing fluid, when utilized, may define any
suitable fraction of a total injected volume of fluid. As an
illustrative, non-exclusive example, the pyrolyzed zone may define
a (total) pore volume, the injecting at 125 may include injecting a
(total) sealing fluid volume, and the pressurizing at 145 may
include injecting a (total) pressurizing fluid volume, with the sum
of the sealing fluid volume and the pressurizing fluid volume
defining a (total) injected volume.
[0067] Under these conditions, the sealing fluid volume may be at
least 1%, at least 5%, at least 10%, at least 15%, at least 20%, at
least 25%, at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%,
at least 70%, at least 80%, or at least 90% of a total injected
volume. Additionally or alternatively, the sealing fluid volume
also may be less than 100%, less than 95%, less than 90%, less than
85%, less than 80%, less than 75%, less than 70%, less than 65%,
less than 60%, less than 55%, less than 50%, less than 40%, less
than 30%, less than 20%, or less than 10% of the total injected
volume.
[0068] Similarly, the pressurizing fluid volume may be at least 1%,
at least 5%, at least 10%, at least 15%, at least 20%, at least
25%, at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at
least 70%, at least 80%, or at least 90% of the total injected
volume. Additionally or alternatively, the pressurizing fluid
volume also may be less than 100%, less than 95%, less than 90%,
less than 85%, less than 80%, less than 75%, less than 70%, less
than 65%, less than 60%, less than 55%, less than 50%, less than
40%, less than 30%, less than 20%, or less than 10% of the total
injected volume.
[0069] Determining a status of the pyrolyzed zone at 150 may
include determining and/or detecting any suitable value and/or
variable that may be associated with, may predict, and/or may be
indicative of compaction within the pyrolyzed zone and/or
subsidence of a ground surface that is supported by the pyrolyzed
zone. As an illustrative, non-exclusive example, the determining at
150 may include detecting a pressure within the pyrolyzed zone.
[0070] As another illustrative, non-exclusive example, the
determining at 150 additionally or alternatively may include
detecting subsidence of the ground surface. This may include
detecting with a tiltmeter and/or detecting an angle of inclination
of the ground surface with the tiltmeter. As yet another
illustrative, non-exclusive example, the determining at 150
additionally or alternatively may include thermally modeling the
pyrolyzed zone. This may include estimating a temperature of the
pyrolyzed zone, such as by modeling heat flow into and/or out of
the pyrolyzed zone.
[0071] Repressurizing the pyrolyzed zone at 155 may include
injecting any suitable pressurizing fluid, illustrative,
non-exclusive examples of which are disclosed herein, into the
pyrolyzed zone to increase the pressure within the pyrolyzed zone.
This may include injecting until the pressure within the pyrolyzed
zone is greater than, less than, and/or equal to the zone pressure
that is reached during the pressurizing at 145.
[0072] The repressurizing at 155 may be initiated and/or or based,
at least in part, on any suitable criteria. As an illustrative,
non-exclusive example, the repressurizing at 155 may be initiated
responsive to the determining at 150. As an illustrative,
non-exclusive example, the repressurizing at 155 may be initiated
responsive to detecting that the pressure within the pyrolyzed zone
is less than a threshold pyrolyzed zone pressure. As another
illustrative, non-exclusive example, the repressurizing at 155 may
be initiated responsive to detecting that the subsidence of the
ground surface is greater than a threshold subsidence (such as by
detecting that the angle of inclination of the ground surface has
changed by greater than a threshold angle). As yet another
illustrative, non-exclusive example, the repressurizing at 155 may
be initiated responsive to the thermal modeling. This may include
initiating the repressurizing responsive to estimating that the
temperature of the pyrolyzed zone is less than a threshold
temperature.
[0073] In the present disclosure, several of the illustrative,
non-exclusive examples have been discussed and/or presented in the
context of flow diagrams, or flow charts, in which the methods are
shown and described as a series of blocks, or steps. Unless
specifically set forth in the accompanying description, the order
of the blocks may vary from the illustrated order in the flow
diagram, including with two or more of the blocks (or steps)
occurring in a different order and/or concurrently.
[0074] As used herein, the term "and/or" placed between a first
entity and a second entity means one of (1) the first entity, (2)
the second entity, and (3) the first entity and the second entity.
Multiple entities listed with "and/or" should be construed in the
same manner, i.e., "one or more" of the entities so conjoined.
Other entities may optionally be present other than the entities
specifically identified by the "and/or" clause, whether related or
unrelated to those entities specifically identified. Thus, as a
non-limiting example, a reference to "A and/or B," when used in
conjunction with open-ended language such as "comprising" may refer
to A only (optionally including entities other than B); to B only
(optionally including entities other than A); to both A and B
(optionally including other entities). These entities may refer to
elements, actions, structures, steps, operations, values, and the
like.
[0075] As used herein, the phrase "at least one," in reference to a
list of one or more entities should be understood to mean at least
one entity selected from any one or more of the entity in the list
of entities, but not necessarily including at least one of each and
every entity specifically listed within the list of entities and
not excluding any combinations of entities in the list of entities.
This definition also allows that entities may optionally be present
other than the entities specifically identified within the list of
entities to which the phrase "at least one" refers, whether related
or unrelated to those entities specifically identified. Thus, as a
non-limiting example, "at least one of A and B" (or, equivalently,
"at least one of A or B," or, equivalently "at least one of A
and/or B") may refer, to at least one, optionally including more
than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including entities
other than B); to at least one, optionally including more than one,
B, with no A present (and optionally including entities other than
A); to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at
least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally
including other entities). In other words, the phrases "at least
one," "one or more," and "and/or" are open-ended expressions that
are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. For example,
each of the expressions "at least one of A, B and C," "at least one
of A, B, or C," "one or more of A, B, and C," "one or more of A, B,
or C" and "A, B, and/or C" may mean A alone, B alone, C alone, A
and B together, A and C together, B and C together, A, B and C
together, and optionally any of the above in combination with at
least one other entity.
[0076] In the event that any patents, patent applications, or other
references are incorporated by reference herein and (1) define a
term in a manner that is inconsistent with and/or (2) are otherwise
inconsistent with, either the non-incorporated portion of the
present disclosure or any of the other incorporated references, the
non-incorporated portion of the present disclosure shall control,
and the term or incorporated disclosure therein shall only control
with respect to the reference in which the term is defined and/or
the incorporated disclosure was present originally.
[0077] As used herein the terms "adapted" and "configured" mean
that the element, component, or other subject matter is designed
and/or intended to perform a given function. Thus, the use of the
terms "adapted" and "configured" should not be construed to mean
that a given element, component, or other subject matter is simply
"capable of" performing a given function but that the element,
component, and/or other subject matter is specifically selected,
created, implemented, utilized, programmed, and/or designed for the
purpose of performing the function. It is also within the scope of
the present disclosure that elements, components, and/or other
recited subject matter that is recited as being adapted to perform
a particular function may additionally or alternatively be
described as being configured to perform that function, and vice
versa.
[0078] Illustrative, non-exclusive examples of systems and methods
according to the present disclosure are presented in the following
enumerated paragraphs. It is within the scope of the present
disclosure that an individual step of a method recited herein,
including in the following enumerated paragraphs, may additionally
or alternatively be referred to as a "step for" performing the
recited action. A1. A method of decreasing compaction within a
pyrolyzed zone of a subterranean formation, the method
comprising:
[0079] injecting a sealing fluid into the pyrolyzed zone;
[0080] flowing the sealing fluid to a peripheral region of the
pyrolyzed zone; and
[0081] fluidly sealing the peripheral region of the pyrolyzed zone
with the sealing fluid to limit a fluid leakage from the pyrolyzed
zone.
[0082] A2. The method of paragraph A1, wherein, subsequent to the
fluidly sealing, the method further includes pressurizing the
pyrolyzed zone to a zone pressure.
[0083] A3. The method of paragraph A2, wherein the zone pressure is
greater than a hydrostatic pressure within a region of the
subterranean formation that defines the pyrolyzed zone prior to
formation of the pyrolyzed zone.
[0084] A4. The method of any of paragraphs A2-A3, wherein the zone
pressure is less than a lithostatic pressure within a/the region of
the subterranean formation that defines the pyrolyzed zone prior to
formation of the pyrolyzed zone.
[0085] A5. The method of paragraph A4, wherein the zone pressure is
closer to the lithostatic pressure than to a hydrostatic pressure
within the region of the subterranean formation that defines the
pyrolyzed zone prior to formation of the pyrolyzed zone.
[0086] A6. The method of any of paragraphs A4-A5, wherein the zone
pressure is at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 75%,
at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 92.5%, at least
95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99% of
the lithostatic pressure.
[0087] A7. The method of any of paragraphs A2-A6, wherein the
pressurizing includes pressurizing with the sealing fluid.
[0088] A8. The method of any of paragraphs A2-A7, wherein the
pressurizing includes pressurizing by injecting a pressurizing
fluid that is different from the sealing fluid.
[0089] A9. The method of paragraph A8, wherein the pyrolyzed zone
defines a pore volume, wherein the injecting the sealing fluid
includes injecting a sealing fluid volume, and further wherein the
pressurizing includes injecting a pressurizing fluid volume.
[0090] A10. The method of paragraph A9, wherein the sealing fluid
volume is at least one of:
[0091] (i) at least 1%, at least 5%, at least 10%, at least 15%, at
least 20%, at least 25%, at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%,
at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, or at least 90% of a
total injected volume; and
[0092] (ii) less than 100%, less than 95%, less than 90%, less than
85%, less than 80%, less than 75%, less than 70%, less than 65%,
less than 60%, less than 55%, less than 50%, less than 40%, less
than 30%, less than 20%, or less than 10% of the total injected
volume.
[0093] A11. The method of any of paragraphs A9-A10, wherein the
pressurizing fluid volume is at least one of:
[0094] (i) at least 1%, at least 5%, at least 10%, at least 15%, at
least 20%, at least 25%, at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%,
at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, or at least 90% of the
total injected volume; and
[0095] (ii) less than 100%, less than 95%, less than 90%, less than
85%, less than 80%, less than 75%, less than 70%, less than 65%,
less than 60%, less than 55%, less than 50%, less than 40%, less
than 30%, less than 20%, or less than 10% of the total injected
volume.
[0096] A12. The method of any of paragraphs A8-A11, wherein the
pressurizing fluid includes, and optionally is, at least one of a
liquid, a gas, carbon dioxide, water, and brine.
[0097] A13. The method of any of paragraphs A8-A12, wherein the
pressurizing fluid is selected to initiate the fluidly sealing upon
contact with the sealing fluid.
[0098] A14. The method of any of paragraphs A8-A13, wherein the
pressurizing fluid is a solidification-initiating material and is
selected to solidify the sealing fluid within the peripheral region
of the pyrolyzed zone, and optionally wherein the
solidification-initiating material is selected to initiate
polymerization of the sealing fluid within the peripheral region of
the pyrolyzed zone.
[0099] A15. The method of any of paragraphs A1-A14, wherein the
method further includes sweeping at least a portion of a/the
hydrocarbon fluid from the pyrolyzed zone prior to the fluidly
sealing, and optionally wherein the sweeping includes entraining
the hydrocarbon fluid in a sweep fluid.
[0100] A16. The method of paragraph A15, wherein, prior to the
injecting the sealing fluid, the method further includes injecting
a/the sweep fluid into the pyrolyzed zone and flowing the sweep
fluid to the peripheral region to sweep the portion of the
hydrocarbon fluid from the pyrolyzed zone, and optionally wherein
the injecting a/the sweep fluid includes injecting a/the sweep
fluid into an/the interior region of the pyrolyzed zone and flowing
the sweep fluid from the interior region to the peripheral region
to sweep the portion of the hydrocarbon fluid from the pyrolyzed
zone.
[0101] A17. The method of any of paragraphs A15-A16, wherein the
sweep fluid is the sealing fluid.
[0102] A18. The method of any of paragraphs A15-A16, wherein the
sweep fluid is different from the sealing fluid.
[0103] A19. The method of any of paragraphs A15-A18, wherein the
sweep fluid includes at least one of a liquid, a gas, and a
solvent.
[0104] A20. The method of any of paragraphs A1-A19, wherein the
method further includes pyrolyzing a portion of the subterranean
formation to generate the pyrolyzed zone, and optionally wherein
the pyrolyzing includes generating a hydrocarbon fluid within the
pyrolyzed zone, and further wherein the method further includes
producing the hydrocarbon fluid from the pyrolyzed zone.
[0105] A21. The method of paragraph A20, wherein the pyrolyzing
includes generating a/the pore space within the pyrolyzed zone.
[0106] A22. The method of any of paragraphs A20-A21, wherein the
pyrolyzing includes pyrolyzing without creating support pillars
within the subterranean formation.
[0107] A23. The method of any of paragraphs A20-A22, wherein the
pyrolyzing includes creating support pillars within the
subterranean formation, wherein the support pillars define a
support pillar volume, wherein the subterranean formation defines a
subterranean formation volume, and further wherein the support
pillar volume is less than 50%, less than 45%, less than 40%, less
than 35%, less than 30%, less than 25%, less than 20%, less than
15%, less than 10%, or less than 5% of the subterranean formation
volume.
[0108] A24. The method of any of paragraphs A20-A23, wherein the
pyrolyzing includes heating the pyrolyzed zone, and optionally
wherein the heating includes heating with at least one of in situ
combustion, a/the heating structure, an electric heater, a
combustion heater, a granular resistive heater, and steam
injection.
[0109] A25. The method of paragraph A24, wherein the heating
includes heating within a heated region of the pyrolyzed zone,
optionally wherein the interior region of the pyrolyzed zone
includes, and optionally is, the heated region of the pyrolyzed
zone, and further optionally wherein the heating includes heating
the heated region of the pyrolyzed zone to at least 400.degree. C.,
at least 425.degree. C., at least 450.degree. C., at least
475.degree. C., at least 500.degree. C., at least 525.degree. C.,
at least 550.degree. C., at least 575.degree. C., at least
600.degree. C., at least 625.degree. C., or at least 650.degree.
C.
[0110] A26. The method of any of paragraphs A24-A25, wherein the
heating includes heating the pyrolyzed zone to a pyrolysis
temperature of at least 200.degree. C., at least 210.degree. C., at
least 220.degree. C., at least 230.degree. C., at least 240.degree.
C., at least 250.degree. C., at least 260.degree. C., at least
270.degree. C., at least 280.degree. C., at least 290.degree. C.,
or at least 300.degree. C.
[0111] A27. The method of any of paragraphs A24-A26, wherein the
heating includes providing a fluid to the pyrolyzed zone through an
injection well, and further wherein the injecting includes
injecting through the injection well.
[0112] A28. The method of any of paragraphs A24-A27, wherein the
heating includes heating with a heating structure, and further
wherein the injecting includes injecting proximate the heating
structure.
[0113] A29. The method of any of paragraphs A1-A28, wherein, prior
to the injecting, the method further includes cooling the pyrolyzed
zone to less than a threshold pyrolyzed zone temperature, and
optionally wherein the cooling includes waiting for at least a
threshold cooling time subsequent to a/the heating of the pyrolyzed
zone.
[0114] A30. The method of paragraph A29, wherein the threshold
pyrolyzed zone temperature is at least one of:
[0115] (i) less than 400.degree. C., less than 390.degree. C., less
than 380.degree. C., less than 370.degree. C., less than
360.degree. C., less than 350.degree. C., less than 340.degree. C.,
less than 330.degree. C., less than 320.degree. C., less than
310.degree. C., less than 300.degree. C., less than 290.degree. C.,
less than 280.degree. C., less than 270.degree. C., less than
260.degree. C., less than 250.degree. C., less than 240.degree. C.,
less than 230.degree. C., less than 220.degree. C., less than
210.degree. C., or less than 200.degree. C.; and
[0116] (ii) greater than 100.degree. C., greater than 110.degree.
C., greater than 120.degree. C., greater than 130.degree. C.,
greater than 140.degree. C., greater than 150.degree. C., greater
than 160.degree. C., greater than 170.degree. C., greater than
180.degree. C., greater than 190.degree. C., greater than
200.degree. C., greater than 210.degree. C., greater than
220.degree. C., greater than 230.degree. C., greater than
240.degree. C., greater than 250.degree. C., greater than
260.degree. C., greater than 270.degree. C., greater than
280.degree. C., greater than 290.degree. C., greater than
300.degree. C., greater than 310.degree. C., greater than
320.degree. C., greater than 325.degree. C., greater than
330.degree. C., greater than 340.degree. C., or greater than
350.degree. C.
[0117] A31. The method of any of paragraphs A1-A30, wherein the
method further includes producing a portion of the sealing fluid
from the subterranean formation as a produced sealing fluid
stream.
[0118] A32. The method of paragraph A31, wherein the injecting the
sealing fluid includes returning the produced sealing fluid stream
to the subterranean formation.
[0119] A33. The method of any of paragraphs A1-A32, wherein the
method further includes repressurizing the pyrolyzed zone.
[0120] A34. The method of paragraph A33, wherein the method further
includes detecting a subsidence of a ground surface that is
supported by the pyrolyzed zone, and further wherein the
repressurizing is responsive to detecting that the subsidence is
greater than a threshold subsidence.
[0121] A35. The method of paragraph A34, wherein the detecting
includes detecting with a tiltmeter, and optionally wherein the
method further includes repressurizing the pyrolyzed zone
responsive to detecting that an angle of inclination of the ground
surface has changed by greater than a threshold angle.
[0122] A36. The method of any of paragraphs A33-A35, wherein the
method further includes thermally modeling the pyrolyzed zone, and
optionally wherein the repressurizing includes repressurizing the
pyrolyzed zone based, at least in part, on the thermally
modeling.
[0123] A37. The method of paragraph A36, wherein the thermally
modeling includes estimating a temperature of the pyrolyzed zone,
and optionally wherein the repressurizing includes repressurizing
responsive to estimating that the temperature of the pyrolyzed zone
is less than a threshold temperature.
[0124] A38. The method of any of paragraphs A33-A37, wherein the
method further includes detecting a pressure within the pyrolyzed
zone, and further wherein the repressurizing includes
repressurizing responsive to detecting that the pressure within the
pyrolyzed zone is less than a threshold pyrolyzed zone
pressure.
[0125] A39. The method of any of paragraphs A1-A38, wherein the
fluidly sealing includes creating a flow barrier within the
peripheral region, wherein the flow barrier resists, and optionally
prevents, fluid flow from the pyrolyzed zone into a remainder of
the subterranean formation.
[0126] A40. The method of paragraph A39, wherein the flow barrier
is formed from the sealing fluid.
[0127] A41. The method of any of paragraphs A39-A40, wherein the
flow barrier has a non-zero shear strength.
[0128] A42. The method of any of paragraphs A39-A41, wherein the
fluidly sealing includes at least partially solidifying the sealing
fluid to form the flow barrier.
[0129] A43. The method of paragraph A42, wherein the fluidly
sealing includes gelling the sealing fluid to form the flow
barrier.
[0130] A44. The method of any of paragraphs A39-A43, wherein the
fluidly sealing includes fluidly sealing for at least a threshold
sealing time, and optionally wherein the threshold sealing time is
at least 1 year, at least 10 years, at least 50 years, or at least
250 years.
[0131] A45. The method of any of paragraphs A1-A44, wherein the
method further includes increasing a viscosity of the sealing fluid
during the flowing, and optionally wherein the fluidly sealing is
responsive to the increasing the viscosity.
[0132] A46. The method of paragraph A45, wherein the increasing the
viscosity includes at least on of:
[0133] (i) increasing the viscosity to at least 10 poise (P), at
least 50 P, at least 100 P, at least 250 P, at least 500 P, at
least 750 P, at least 1000 P, at least 1250 P, at least 1500 P, at
least 1750 P, at least 2000 P, at least 2500 P, at least 3000 P, at
least 4000 P, at least 5000 P, at least 7500 P, or at least 10,000
P; and/or
[0134] (ii) increasing the viscosity by at least 1, at least 2, at
least 3, at least 4, at least 5, at least 6, at least 7, at least
8, at least 9, at least 10, at least 11, or at least 12 orders of
magnitude when compared to the viscosity of the sealing fluid
during the injecting.
[0135] A47. The method of any of paragraphs A45-A46, wherein the
method further includes decreasing a temperature of the sealing
fluid during the flowing.
[0136] A48. The method of paragraph A47, wherein the sealing fluid
defines a temperature-dependent viscosity that increases with
decreasing temperature, and further wherein the increasing the
viscosity of the sealing fluid includes increasing the viscosity of
the sealing fluid responsive to the decreasing the temperature of
the sealing fluid.
[0137] A49. The method of any of paragraphs A45-A48, wherein the
method further includes decreasing a shear rate of the sealing
fluid during the flowing.
[0138] A50. The method of paragraph A49, wherein the sealing fluid
is a shear thinning fluid, and further wherein the increasing the
viscosity of the sealing fluid includes increasing the viscosity of
the sealing fluid responsive to the decreasing the shear rate of
the sealing fluid.
[0139] A51. The method of any of paragraphs A45-A50, wherein a/the
shear rate of the sealing fluid decreases during the flowing, and
further wherein the sealing fluid is selected such that the
increasing the viscosity of the sealing fluid is responsive, and
optionally directly responsive, to the decrease in the shear rate
of the sealing fluid.
[0140] A52. The method of any of paragraphs A1-A51, wherein the
peripheral region of the pyrolyzed zone includes a plurality of
pores, wherein the sealing fluid includes a solid particulate
material, and further wherein the fluidly sealing includes
limiting, and optionally blocking, fluid flow through the plurality
of pores with the particulate material.
[0141] A53. The method of paragraph A52, wherein the solid
particulate material is sized to flow through an/the interior
region and to collect within the plurality of pores of the
peripheral region.
[0142] A54. The method of any of paragraphs A1-A53, wherein the
method further includes solidifying at least a portion of the
sealing fluid within the peripheral region of the pyrolyzed
zone.
[0143] A55. The method of paragraph A54, wherein the solidifying
includes polymerizing the portion of the sealing fluid.
[0144] A56. The method of any of paragraphs A54-A55, wherein
solidifying is responsive, and optionally directly responsive, to
at least one of: [0145] (i) a temperature of the sealing fluid
during the flowing; [0146] (ii) a temperature decrease of the
sealing fluid during the flowing; [0147] (iii) a shear rate of the
sealing fluid during the flowing; [0148] (iv) a shear rate decrease
of the sealing fluid during the flowing; and [0149] (v) fluid
contact between the sealing fluid and a/the
solidification-initiating material.
[0150] A57. The method of any of paragraphs A1-A56, wherein the
injecting includes injecting a liquid sealing fluid.
[0151] A58. The method of any of paragraphs A1-A57, wherein the
flowing includes flowing a/the liquid sealing fluid.
[0152] A59. The method of any of paragraphs A1-A58, wherein the
sealing fluid is at least one of an aqueous sealing fluid and a
non-aqueous sealing fluid.
[0153] A60. The method of any of paragraphs A1-A59, wherein the
sealing fluid includes a polymeric material, and optionally wherein
the polymeric material includes at least one of a polybutene, a
polysiloxane, and a polystyrene.
[0154] A61. The method of paragraph A60, wherein the sealing fluid
is a concentrated polymeric material, and optionally wherein the
sealing fluid includes concentrated polystyrene.
[0155] A62. The method of any of paragraphs A60-A61, wherein the
sealing fluid is a polymer solution that includes the polymeric
material distributed within a carrier fluid, and optionally a
carrier liquid, and further optionally wherein the polymeric
material is at least one of dissolved in the carrier fluid and
suspended within the carrier fluid.
[0156] A63. The method of any of paragraphs A1-A62, wherein the
sealing fluid includes a/the solid particulate material.
[0157] A64. The method of any of paragraphs A1-A63, wherein the
sealing fluid includes at least one of a colloid, colloidal silica,
and a water-clay slurry.
[0158] A65. The method of any of paragraphs A1-A64, wherein the
sealing fluid includes at least one of molten sulfur and molten
bitumen.
[0159] A66. The method of any of paragraphs A1-A65, wherein the
injecting a sealing fluid includes injecting the sealing fluid into
an interior region of the pyrolyzed zone.
[0160] A67. The method of any of paragraphs A1-A66, wherein the
injecting includes injecting by flowing the sealing fluid through a
well into an/the interior region of the pyrolyzed zone.
[0161] A68. The method of any of paragraphs A1-A67, wherein the
method further includes heating the pyrolyzed zone.
[0162] A69. The method of paragraph A68, wherein the heating
includes heating with a heating structure, and further wherein the
injecting includes injecting proximate to the heating
structure.
[0163] A70. The method of any of paragraphs A68-A69, wherein the
injecting includes injecting subsequent to the heating.
[0164] A71. The method of paragraph A70, wherein the method further
includes waiting at least a threshold cooling time subsequent to
the heating and prior to the injecting, and optionally wherein the
threshold cooling time is at least 10 days, at least 25 days, at
least 50 days, at least 75 days, at least 100 days, at least 150
days, at least 200 days, at least 250 days, at least 300 days, at
least 350 days, at least 400 days, at least 450 days, at least 500
days, at least 550 days, at least 600 days, at least 650 days, at
least 700 days, at least 750 days, or at least 800 days.
[0165] A72. The method of any of paragraphs A68-A71, wherein the
injecting includes injecting at least partially concurrently with
the heating, and optionally wherein the flowing includes absorbing
thermal energy with the sealing fluid while the sealing fluid is
within the pyrolyzed zone, and optionally within an/the interior
region of the pyrolyzed zone, and conveying the thermal energy to
the peripheral region with the sealing fluid.
[0166] A73. The method of any of paragraphs A1-A72, wherein the
flowing the sealing fluid includes flowing the sealing fluid from
an/the interior region of the pyrolyzed zone to the peripheral
region of the pyrolyzed zone.
[0167] A74. The method of any of paragraphs A1-A73, wherein the
flowing includes flowing radially outward to the peripheral region
of the pyrolyzed zone, and optionally flowing radially outward from
an/the interior region to the peripheral region of the pyrolyzed
zone.
[0168] A75. The method of any of paragraphs A1-A74, wherein the
flowing includes flowing through a pore space that is present
within the pyrolyzed region.
[0169] A76. The method of any of paragraphs A1-A75, wherein the
subterranean formation includes at least one of an oil shale
formation, a hydrocarbon containing formation, and a kerogen
containing formation.
[0170] B1. A hydrocarbon production site, comprising:
[0171] a pyrolyzed zone that is present within a subterranean
formation, wherein the pyrolyzed zone defines an interior region
and a peripheral region that surrounds the interior region;
[0172] an injection well that extends between a surface region and
the interior region; and
[0173] a sealing material that is present within the peripheral
region and forms a fluid seal between the interior region and a
remainder of the subterranean formation, wherein the sealing
material is located within a pore space that is defined by the
peripheral region, and further wherein a chemical composition of
the sealing material is different from a chemical composition of a
formation material that defines the pore space.
[0174] B2. The hydrocarbon production site of paragraph B1, wherein
the sealing material includes at least one of a viscous fluid, a
fluid with a highly temperature-dependent viscosity, a shear
thinning fluid, a polymeric fluid, polybutene, polysiloxane,
polystyrene, a polymeric solid, bitumen, a particulate material,
clay particles, silica, and sulfur.
[0175] B3. The hydrocarbon production site of any of paragraphs
B1-B2, wherein the hydrocarbon production site further includes a
pressurizing fluid that is present within the interior region.
[0176] B4. The hydrocarbon production site of paragraph B3, wherein
the pressurizing fluid includes, and optionally is, the sealing
material.
[0177] B5. The hydrocarbon production site of any of paragraphs
B3-B4, wherein the pressurizing fluid is different from the sealing
material.
[0178] B6. The hydrocarbon production site of paragraph B5, wherein
the pressurizing fluid includes at least one of a liquid, a gas,
carbon dioxide, water, and brine.
[0179] B7. The hydrocarbon production site of paragraph B2, wherein
a pressure of the pressurizing fluid is greater than a hydrostatic
pressure within a region of the subterranean formation that defines
the pyrolyzed zone prior to formation of the pyrolyzed zone.
[0180] B8. The hydrocarbon production site of any of paragraphs
B2-B7, wherein a/the pressure of the pressurizing fluid is less
than a lithostatic pressure within a/the region of the subterranean
formation that defines the pyrolyzed zone prior to formation of the
pyrolyzed zone.
[0181] B9. The hydrocarbon production site of paragraph B8, wherein
the pressure of the pressurizing fluid is at least 50%, at least
60%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at
least 90%, at least 92.5%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least
97%, at least 98%, or at least 99% of the lithostatic pressure.
[0182] B10. The hydrocarbon production site of any of paragraphs
B1-B9, wherein the hydrocarbon production site further includes a
production well that extends between the surface region and the
pyrolyzed zone, and optionally between the surface region and the
peripheral region of the pyrolyzed zone.
[0183] B11. The hydrocarbon production site of any of paragraphs
B1-B10, wherein the subterranean formation includes, and optionally
is, an oil shale formation.
[0184] B12. The hydrocarbon production site of any of paragraphs
B1-B11, wherein the subterranean formation includes kerogen.
[0185] B13. The hydrocarbon production site of any of paragraphs
B1-B12, wherein the hydrocarbon production site is formed using the
method of any of paragraphs A1-A76.
[0186] C1. The use of any of the methods of any of paragraphs
A1-A76 with any of the hydrocarbon production sites of any of
paragraphs B1-B13.
[0187] C2. The use of any of the hydrocarbon production sites of
any of paragraphs B1-B13 with any of the methods of any of
paragraphs A1-A76.
[0188] C3. The use of any of the methods of any of paragraphs
A1-A76 or any of the hydrocarbon production sites of any of
paragraphs B1-B13 to decrease, and optionally prevent, compaction
within a pyrolyzed zone.
[0189] C4. The use of any of the methods of any of paragraphs
A1-A76 or any of the hydrocarbon production sites of any of
paragraphs B1-B13 to fluidly seal a pyrolyzed zone.
[0190] C5. The use of a sealing fluid to fluidly seal a peripheral
region of a pyrolyzed zone.
[0191] EP1. A method of decreasing compaction within a pyrolyzed
zone of a subterranean formation, wherein the pyrolyzed zone
includes a hydrocarbon fluid, the method comprising:
[0192] injecting a sealing fluid into an interior region of the
pyrolyzed zone;
[0193] flowing the sealing fluid from the interior region of the
pyrolyzed zone to a peripheral region of the pyrolyzed zone;
[0194] fluidly sealing the peripheral region of the pyrolyzed zone
with the sealing fluid to limit a fluid leakage from the pyrolyzed
zone; and
[0195] subsequent to the fluidly sealing, pressurizing the
pyrolyzed zone to a zone pressure with a pressurizing fluid.
[0196] EP2. The method of paragraph EP1, wherein the method further
includes sweeping at least a portion of the hydrocarbon fluid from
the pyrolyzed zone prior to the fluidly sealing.
[0197] EP3. The method of paragraph EP2, wherein, prior to the
injecting the sealing fluid, the method further includes injecting
a sweep fluid into the interior region and flowing the sweep fluid
from the interior region to the peripheral region to sweep the
portion of the hydrocarbon fluid from the pyrolyzed zone.
[0198] EP4. The method of paragraph EP3, wherein the sweep fluid at
least one of (i) is the sealing fluid, and (ii) is different from
the sealing fluid.
[0199] EP5. The method of any of paragraphs EP1-EP4, wherein the
zone pressure is greater than a hydrostatic pressure within a
region of the subterranean formation that defines the pyrolyzed
zone prior to formation of the pyrolyzed zone.
[0200] EP6. The method of any of paragraphs EP1-EP5, wherein the
zone pressure is less than a lithostatic pressure within a region
of the subterranean formation that defines the pyrolyzed zone prior
to formation of the pyrolyzed zone.
[0201] EP7. The method of paragraph EP6, wherein the zone pressure
is closer to the lithostatic pressure than to a hydrostatic
pressure within the region of the subterranean formation that
defines the pyrolyzed zone prior to formation of the pyrolyzed
zone.
[0202] EP8. The method of any of paragraphs EP 1-EP7, wherein the
pressurizing fluid is at least one of (i) the sealing fluid; and
(ii) different from the sealing fluid.
[0203] EP9. The method of any of paragraphs EP1-EP8, wherein the
pressurizing fluid is a solidification-initiating material that is
selected to solidify the sealing fluid within the peripheral region
of the pyrolyzed zone.
[0204] EP10. The method of any of paragraphs EP1-EP9, wherein the
method further includes pyrolyzing a portion of the subterranean
formation to generate the pyrolyzed zone.
[0205] EP11. The method of any of paragraphs EP1-EP10, wherein the
method further includes repressurizing the pyrolyzed zone.
[0206] EP12. The method of paragraph EP11, wherein the method
further includes at least one of:
[0207] (i) detecting a subsidence of a ground surface that is
supported by the pyrolyzed zone, wherein the repressurizing is
responsive to detecting that the subsidence is greater than a
threshold subsidence;
[0208] (ii) thermally modeling the pyrolyzed zone, wherein the
repressurizing includes repressurizing the pyrolyzed zone based, at
least in part, on the thermally modeling; and
[0209] (iii) detecting a pressure within the pyrolyzed zone,
wherein the repressurizing includes repressurizing responsive to
detecting that the pressure within the pyrolyzed zone is less than
a threshold pyrolyzed zone pressure.
[0210] EP13. The method of any of paragraphs EP1-EP12, wherein the
fluidly sealing includes creating a flow barrier within the
peripheral region, wherein the flow barrier resists fluid flow from
the pyrolyzed zone into a remainder of the subterranean
formation.
[0211] EP14. The method of paragraph EP13, wherein the fluidly
sealing includes at least one of:
[0212] (i) at least partially solidifying the sealing fluid to form
the flow barrier; and
[0213] (ii) gelling the sealing fluid to form the flow barrier.
[0214] EP15. The method of any of paragraphs EP1-EP14, wherein the
flowing includes flowing radially outward from the interior region
to the peripheral region.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0215] The systems and methods disclosed herein are applicable to
the oil and gas industry.
[0216] The subject matter of the disclosure includes all novel and
non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various
elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed herein.
Similarly, where the claims recite "a" or "a first" element or the
equivalent thereof, such claims should be understood to include
incorporation of one or more such elements, neither requiring nor
excluding two or more such elements.
[0217] It is believed that the following claims particularly point
out certain combinations and subcombinations that are novel and
non-obvious. Other combinations and subcombinations of features,
functions, elements and/or properties may be claimed through
amendment of the present claims or presentation of new claims in
this or a related application. Such amended or new claims, whether
different, broader, narrower, or equal in scope to the original
claims, are also regarded as included within the subject matter of
the present disclosure.
* * * * *