USING SELF-REGULATING NUCLEAR REACTORS IN TREATING SUBSURFACE FORMATION Russian patent published in 2014 - IPC E21B36/00 E21B43/24 

FIELD: physics, atomic power.

SUBSTANCE: group of inventions relates to methods and systems for extracting hydrocarbons, hydrogen and/or other products from different subsurface formations. The in situ heat treatment system for extracting hydrocarbons from a subsurface formation comprises a self-regulating nuclear reactor, a pipe at least partly situated in the core of the self-regulating nuclear reactor, having a first heat-transfer medium which circulates through the pipe, and a heat exchanger through which said first heat-transfer medium flows and heats a second heat-transfer medium. The second heat-transfer medium is used to raise the temperature of at least part of the formation to a point higher than the temperature which facilitates fluid mobilisation, light cracking and/or pyrolysis of hydrocarbon-containing material in order to form mobile fluids, light cracking fluids and/or pyrolysis fluids in the formation. The self-regulating nuclear reactor is configured to regulate its temperature by controlling pressure of hydrogen fed into it. Said pressure is controlled based on formation conditions.

EFFECT: reduced amount of energy required to extract products from subsurface formations.

10 cl, 8 dwg