Wells – Processes – In situ combustion
Patent
1982-12-23
1985-02-12
Suchfield, George A.
Wells
Processes
In situ combustion
166261, 166302, E21B 43243
Patent
active
044985371
ABSTRACT:
A method for the cyclic thermal stimulation of heavy oil adjacent producing wells to increase recovery of the oil produced therefrom by using an in-situ combustion process wherein oxygen or a fluid containing a minimum of about 75% by volume pure oxygen is injected into the well as the oxidizing medium, igniting the oil in the reservoir around the producing well so as to produce a combustion zone and to generate combustion gases consisting essentially of carbon dioxide and water in the form of steam, continuing injection of the oxygen until the combustion zone has propagated radially a distance of about 5 to 50 feet from the producing well, and thereafter recovering oil from the well. After terminating combustion, the well may be shut in for a period of time to allow the carbon dioxide and heat generated to more effectively permeate the reservoir adjacent the well prior to being returned to production status. The carbon dioxide dissolves in the oil reducing its viscosity along with the viscosity decrease resulting from the heat generated in the reservoir by combustion so that when the well is opened for production there is an improved flow of oil. The process of the invention applies to a single well or a plurality of wells spaced apart in a selected pattern with the various phases of the process cycles operated successively on the various wells in the pattern in any selected sequence.
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Aksman Stanislaus
Gilman Michael G.
McKillop Alexander J.
Mobil Oil Corporation
Suchfield George A.
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