METHOD OF RECOVERING HYDROCARBONS FROM CARBONATE AND SHALE FORMATIONS

摘要

A method to mobilize for production bitumen, kerogen, heavy oil, otherhydrocarbons,and hydrogen contained in a subterranean formation comprised largely ofsilicate andcarbonate minerals that are capable of generating a series of chemicalreactions, that onceinduced are self-sustaining. Such formations include bitumen carbonates,unconventionaloil or gas shales and oil shales. The induced silicate-reactions, carbonate-reactions andresulting hydrocarbon-reactions and heat generated in the formation aresufficient tochemically and physically decompose much of the rock structure so that itbecomesporous and permeable. These reactions also convert the solid bitumen, heavyoil, kerogenand other hydrocarbons to fluid or gaseous forms and create formation fluidsandreservoir pressure to help move hydrocarbons to production wells. Waste heatgeneratedby the method may be used to generate electricity, or for other uses.