| abstract |
A method is disclosed for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ and producing a hydrocarbon fluid from the formation, which method comprises pyrolysing hydrocarbons present in the formation during the production of the hydrocarbon fluid from the formation with the application of a pressure/temperature control such that the pressure is at least the pressure which can be calculated for a selected temperature, or the temperature is at most the temperature which can be calculated for a selected pressure from the equation (I) wherein P is pressure (bar absolute), T is temperature (°C), and A and B are predetermined parameters which relate to a property which is relevant to the quantity, the composition or the quality of the hydrocarbon fluids produced. Optionally, the method is followed by the step of in-situ producing synthesis gas, which step comprises providing a partly depleted hydrocarbon containing formation which is treated according to the said method for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation in-situ, and reacting the hydrocarbon containing formation with a synthesis gas generating fluid. Optionally the synthesis gas so produced is converted into hydrocarbons; and/or energy is generated by expanding and/or combusting the synthesis gas so produced or using the synthesis gas so produced in a fuel cell. |