Methods of treating a subterranean formation to convert organic matter into producible hydrocarbons
Methods are provided that include the steps of providing wells in a formation, establishing one or more fractures ( 12 ) in the formation, such that each fracture intersects at least one of the wells ( 16, 18 ), placing electrically conductive material in the fractures, and generating electric current through the fractures and through the material such that sufficient heat ( 10 ) is generated by electrical resistivity within the material to pyrolyze organic matter in the formation into producible hydrocarbons.
1. A method of treating a subterranean formation that contains solid organic matter, said method comprising:
(a) providing one or more wells that penetrate a treatment interval within the subterranean formation;
(b) establishing at least one fracture from at least one of said wells, whereby said fracture intersects at least one of said wells;
(c) placing electrically conductive material in said fracture; and
(d) passing electric current through said fracture such that said current passes through at least a portion of said electrically conductive material and sufficient heat is generated by electrical resistivity within said portion of said electrically conductive material to pyrolyze at least a portion of said solid organic matter into producible hydrocarbons.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein said subterranean formation comprises oil shale.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein said wells are substantially vertical.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein said wells are substantially horizontal.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein said fracture is substantially horizontal.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein said fracture is substantially vertical.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein said fracture is substantially longitudinal to the well from which it is established.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein said electrically conductive material comprises a proppant material.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein said electrically conductive material comprises a conductive cement.
10. A method of treating a subterranean formation that contains solid organic matter, said method comprising:
(a) providing one or more wells that penetrate a treatment interval within the subterranean formation;
(b) establishing at least one fracture from at least one of said wells, whereby said fracture intersects at least one of said wells;
(c) placing electrically conductive proppant material in said fracture; and
(d) passing electric current through said fracture such that said current passes through at least a portion of said electrically conductive proppant material and sufficient heat is generated by electrical resistivity within said portion of said electrically conductive proppant material to pyrolyze at least a portion of said solid organic matter into producible hydrocarbons.
11. A method of treating a subterranean formation that contains solid organic matter, said method comprising:
(a) providing two or more wells that penetrate a treatment interval within the subterranean formation;
(b) establishing at least one fracture from at least one of said wells, whereby said fracture intersects at least two of said wells;
(c) placing electrically conductive material in said fracture; and
(d) passing electric current through said fracture such that said current passes through at least a portion of said electrically conductive material and sufficient heat is generated by electrical resistivity within said portion of said electrically conductive material to pyrolyze at least a portion of said solid organic matter into producible hydrocarbons.
12. A method of treating a subterranean formation that contains solid organic matter, said method comprising:
(a) providing two or more wells that penetrate a treatment interval within the subterranean formation;
(b) establishing at least one fracture from at least one of said wells, whereby said fracture intersects at least two of said wells;
(c) placing electrically conductive proppant material in said fracture; and
(d) passing electric current through said fracture such that said current passes through at least a portion of said electrically conductive proppant material and sufficient heat is generated by electrical resistivity within said portion of said electrically conductive proppant material to pyrolyze at least a portion of said solid organic matter into producible hydrocarbons.
13. A method of treating a heavy oil or tar sand subterranean formation containing hydrocarbons, said method comprising:
(a) providing one or more wells that penetrate a treatment interval within the subterranean formation;
(b) establishing at least one fracture from at least one of said wells, whereby said fracture intersects at least one of said wells;
(c) placing electrically conductive material in said fracture; and
(d) passing electric current through said fracture such that said current passes through at least a portion of said electrically conductive material and sufficient heat is generated by electrical resistivity within said portion of said electrically conductive material to reduce the viscosity of at least a portion of said hydrocarbons.