Wells – Processes – Specific pattern of plural wells
Patent
1996-07-26
1998-09-08
Schoeppel, Roger J.
Wells
Processes
Specific pattern of plural wells
166 50, 166263, 166268, E21B 4300, E21B 4330, E21B 4324
Patent
active
058031715
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to the general subject of methods for recovering hydrocarbons from subterranean formations, and in particular, to methods and processes for recovering heavy oil by means of injecting fluids into the formation.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is well known that liquid hydrocarbons, commonly known as crude oils, found in subterranean formations vary considerably as to viscosity and specific gravity. Crude oils with an API gravity of 22 degrees or less are generally considered to be heavy crude oils. As heavy crude oils are more difficult to treat, transport and refine than lighter crude oils, the market value of heavy crude oils has been traditionally lower than the value of lighter crude oils.
It is also known that the composition and condition of the subterranean formations in which crude oils are found vary a great deal. Hydrocarbon bearing formations can varying in physical composition from consolidated rock to unconsolidated sands, which may affect permeability and porosity. Natural layering and mixing of a variety of natural impermeable materials within a subterranean formation can also occur. The presence of diagenetic clay, or impermeable partial barriers such as mud or mud stone laminations, or calcite lenses within a subterranean formation may affect the ability of hydrocarbons to flow within the formation.
In subterranean formations of optimal characteristics and compositions, due to the higher viscosity of heavy crude oils, the application of conventional primary, secondary and tertiary production techniques and technologies may not enable economic recovery of heavy crude oils. Where heavy crude oil contained within a subterranean formation will initially flow at economic rates to and into the bore hole of a well under natural reservoir conditions, usually less than 7% of the oil contained within the formation can be produced by conventional means. Achieving rates and volumes of recovery from a subterranean formation containing heavy crude oil, comparable to a similar formation containing lighter crude oil, can in general, only be accomplished at a higher production cost.
In order to improve the economics of producing heavy crude oils, it has been well understood that the introduction of heat, solvents or artificial pressure into a subterranean reservoir containing heavy crude oil, can significantly increase the amount of heavy crude oil recovered and rate recovery of such oil, from such formation. See: Sands - Past Experience and Future Potential, Part II", Paper 95-24 published and delivered at the 46th Annual Meeting of the Petroleum Society of CIM, May 14-17, 1995; Well Bibliography", November 1990, Report #9091-12, Oil Sands and Hydrocarbon Recovery Department, Alberta Research Council; and 11 (2&3), 211-259 (1987).
The current state of the art reflects both an evolution of technology through general innovative improvement as well as innovation to meet conditions encountered in specific heavy crude, oil bearing subterranean formations.
There are many methods proposed in the art for producing heavy crude oils. See:
Many methods teach the injection of a heated fluid, preferably steam, into the subterranean formation containing the heavy crude oil (the reservoir), through arrays of horizontal well bores, drilled from the surface:
Keplinger, C. H., "Economic Considerations Affecting Steam Flood Prospects", Producers Monthly, Vol. 29, No. 5, May 1965, pp. 14-20,
Gaskell, M. H. and Lindley, D. C., "Cellar Oil", Journal of Petroleum Technology, April 1961, pp. 377-382,
Joshi, S. D. and Threlkeld C. B., "Laboratory Studies of Thermally Aided Gravity Drainage Using Horizontal Wells", AOSTRA Journal of Research, Vol. 2, Number 1, 1985, pages 11-19, and
Donnelly, J. K. and Chmilar, M. J., "The Commercial Potential of Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage", SPE 30278, presented at the International Heavy Oil Symposium, Calgary, Alberta, Jun. 19-21, 1995.
With the exception of U.S. Pat. No. 5,273,111 to Brannan et al (hereinafter "the Brannan Patent", and which is assi
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Boyd Grant W.
Fox Andrew J.
Kraus Wayne P.
McCaffery William J.
Weir Bryan D.
Amoco Corporation
Gabala James A.
Schoeppel Roger J.
Sloat Robert E.
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