Electrokinetic enhanced hydrocarbon recovery from oil shale

摘要

Disclosed herein are methods for extracting a kerogen-based product from subsurface (oil) shale formations. These methods rely on chemically modifying the shale-bound kerogen using a chemical oxidant so as to render it mobile. The oxidant is provided to a formation fluid in contact with the kerogen in the subsurface shale utilizing electrokinetic-induced migration. An electric field is generated through at least a portion of the kerogen rich zone to induce electrokinetic migration of the oxidant. A mobile kerogen-based product, that includes reaction products of kerogen conversion, is urged toward a production well utilizing electrokinetic-induced migration, and withdrawn from the subsurface shale formation. An electric field generated through at least a portion of the kerogen rich zone can also be utilized to induce migration of catalysts or catalyst precursors.

主权项

1. A process for extracting a kerogen-based product from a subsurface shale formation comprising a kerogen rich zone, the process comprising:
providing an injection well and a production well that extend into a subsurface shale formation and are in fluid communication therewith; injecting an oxidant into the subsurface shale formation through the injection well; generating an electric field through at least a portion of the subsurface shale formation to induce electrokinetic migration of the oxidant, wherein the electric field is generated by placing one or more electrodes in communication with the injection well for creating a direct current having a voltage of less than about 50 volts per meter (V/m); contacting the kerogen in the subsurface shale formation with the oxidant at a temperature in the range of between 0° C. and 200° C. to form organic acids, wherein no external heating is provided for the contact; and mobilizing at least a portion of the organic acids from the subsurface shale formation through the production well to produce a mobile kerogen-based product.