Subsurface heater configuration for in situ hydrocarbon production

摘要

A configuration of elongate subsurface heaters for use in a subsurface oil shale formation for use in hydrocarbon production. The heaters 310 are grouped into a series of columns 300, the columns extending generally perpendicular to sedimentary layers of a subsurface oil shale formation. The distance between adjacent columns may be between 10 and 100 metres. The heaters may extend generally along the sedimentary layers, and the heaters maybe grouped into a series of layers wherein each layer may extend in one sedimentary layer. The distance between adjacent heaters measured across the sedimentary layers may be between 2 and 30 metres. Production wells may be arranged between the columns of heaters. A layer of crossing heaters 320 may be arranged in a layer above the upmost layer in the columns wherein the angle between the crossing heaters and uppermost heaters may be at least 60° and preferably 90°. A horizontal production well may be arranged in a layer above the crossing heaters.