A method for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation

摘要

A method is disclosed for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ and producing a hydrocarbon fluid from the formation, wherein hydrocarbons present in the formation are pyrolysed at an elevated pressure that is less than 70 bar during the production of the hydrocarbon fluid from the formation with the application of a pressure/temperature control such that the pressure is at least the pressure which can be calculated for a selected temperature, or the temperature is at most the temperature which can be calculated for a selected pressure from the equation (I) wherein P is pressure (bar absolute), T is temperature (°C), and A and B are predetermined parameters which relate to a property which is relevant to the quantity, the composition or the quality of the hydrocarbon fluids produced, and wherein A is at least 5000 and B is at least 10. Optionally the method is followed by the step of producing synthesis gas in-situ which step comprises reacting the hydrocarbon containing formation that has been treated with the method according to the invention with a synthesis gas generating fluid. Optionally converted hydrocarbons are produced by converting the synthesis gas so produced into hydrocarbons and/or energy is generated by expanding and/or combusting the synthesis gas so produced or using the synthesis gas so produced in a fuel cell.