In situ recovery process for heavy oil sands

Details In situ recovery process for heavy oil sands In situ recovery process for heavy oil sands

1982-10-28

1984-10-09

Novosad, Stephen J.

Wells

Processes

Distinct, separate injection and producing wells

166266, E21B 4324

Patent

active

044755929

ABSTRACT:
Bitumen is recovered from a subterranean formation of heavy oil sands traversed by at least one injection well and at least one associated production well in fluid communication with each injection well. Air in admixture with a heating fluid selected from the group consisting of low quality steam, hot water, or mixtures thereof, and an alkalinity agent are injected into the formation by way of each injection well. The subterranean heavy oil sands are thereby raised to a temperature in the range of about 200.degree. to 350.degree. F. A portion of the bitumen at reduced viscosity is oxidized without burning to produce additional petroleum acids which are neutralized to form emulsifying agents. The condensed steam and/or hot water contacting the bitumen form with it a bitumen-water emulsion. By pressure from the injected mixture of air and heating fluid, the resulting bitumen-water emulsion is then recovered from each production well. Demulsification takes place at the surface and bitumen, hot water, and sand are separated. Increased oil recovery efficiency may be obtained by pressure controlled cycles.

REFERENCES:
patent: 3107726 (1963-10-01), Greenwald
patent: 3131741 (1973-05-01), Palmer
patent: 3881550 (1975-05-01), Barry
patent: 3976137 (1976-08-01), Bousaid

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