Rouffignac Eric De

A method for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation

The present invention provides a method for the production of synthesis gas from a hydrocarbon-containing subterranean formation comprising: providing heat to at least a portion of the subterranean formation such that at least a part of the heated portion reaches the pyrolysis temperature of kerogen, yielding pyrolysis products; collecting pyrolysis products from the subterranean formation; injecting a synthesis gas-generating component into the heated part of the formation, resulting in the production of synthesis gas by reaction of the synthesis gas-generating component with carbonaceous material remaining in the formation; and recovering synthesis gas. The synthesis gas thus produced can be used for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, manufacture of ammonia, urea, methanol, methane and other hydrocarbons, or used as energy source, e.g. in fuel cells. Carbon dioxide produced in such use of the synthesis gas can be sequestered in the formation.