Enhanced shale oil production by in situ heating using hydraulically fractured producing wells

摘要

A method for enhanced production of hydrocarbon fluids from an organic-richrock formation such as an oil shale formation is provided. The method generallyincludes completing at least one heater well in the organic-rich rock formation,and also completing a production well in the organic-rich rock formation. Themethod also includes the steps of hydraulically fracturing the organic-richrock formation from the production well such that one or more artificial fracturesare formed, and heating the organic-rich rock formation from the at least oneheater well, thereby pyrolyzing at least a portion of the organic-rich rock intohydrocarbon fluids. Pyrolyzing the organic-rich rock formation creates thermalfractures in the formation due to thermal stresses created by heating. The thermalfractures intersect the artificial fractures. As an additional step, hydrocarbonfluids may be produced from the production well. Preferably, the organic-richrock formation is an oil shale formation.