US 7,320,364 B2
Inhibiting reflux in a heated well of an in situ conversion system
Michael David Fairbanks, Katy, Tex. (US)
Assigned to Shell Oil Company, Houston, Tex. (US)
Filed on Apr. 22, 2005, as Appl. No. 11/113,346.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/565077, filed on Apr. 23, 2004.
Prior Publication US 2005/0269095 A1, Dec. 08, 2005
Int. Cl. E21B 36/04 (2006.01); E21B 43/12 (2006.01); E21B 43/24 (2006.01); E21B 43/34 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 166—302  [166/60; 166/62; 166/105; 166/106; 166/265; 166/371; 166/372] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for treating a subsurface formation, comprising:
using heaters to form a heated portion of the subsurface formation;
passing formation fluid in a vapor phase from the heated portion into a production conduit through a riser;
using the production conduit to direct vapor phase formation fluid towards a surface of the subsurface formation;
forming condensate of a portion of the vapor phase formation fluid in the production conduit; and
diverting downward condensate flow by the riser to a desired location in the production conduit to inhibit the condensate from entering the heated portion of the formation.