Enhanced convection for in situ pyrolysis of organic-rich rock formations

摘要

Providing a plurality of in situ heat sources configured to generate heat within a formation so as to pyrolyze solid hydrocarbons into hydrocarbon fluids. Preferably, the organic-rich rock formation is heated to a temperature of at least 270C. Heating of the organic-rich rock formation continues so that heat moves away from the respective heat sources and through the formation at a first value of effective thermal diffusivity, alpha 1. Heating of the formation further continues in situ so that thermal fractures are caused to be formed in the formation or so that the permeability of the formation is otherwise increased. The method also includes injecting a fluid into the organic-rich rock formation to increase the value of thermal diffusivity within the subsurface formation to a second value, alpha2, which is at least 50% greater than the first value alpha 1 and, more preferably, is at least 100% greater than alpha 1.