Wells – Processes – In situ combustion
Patent
1998-06-24
2000-01-25
Schoeppel, Roger
Wells
Processes
In situ combustion
166 59, 166261, 166267, E21B 4324
Patent
active
060168676
ABSTRACT:
A process is disclosed for the in situ conversion and recovery of heavy crude oils and natural bitumens from subsurface formations using either a continuous operation with one or more injection and production boreholes, which may include horizontal boreholes, or a cyclic operation whereby both injection and production occur in the same boreholes. A mixture of reducing gases, oxidizing gases, and steam are fed to downhole combustion devices located in the injection boreholes. Combustion of the reducing gas-oxidizing gas mixture is carried out to produce superheated steam and hot reducing gases for injection into the formation to convert and upgrade the heavy crude or bitumen into lighter hydrocarbons. Communication between the injection and production boreholes in the continuous operation and fluid mobility within the formation in the cyclic operation is induced by fracturing or related methods. In the continuous mode, the injected steam and reducing gases drive upgraded hydrocarbons and virgin hydrocarbons to the production boreholes for recovery. In the cyclic operation, wellhead pressure is reduced after a period of injection causing injected fluids, upgraded hydrocarbons, and virgin hydrocarbons in the vicinity of the boreholes to be produced. Injection and production are then repeated for additional cycles. In both operations, the hydrocarbons produced are collected at the surface for further processing.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2506853 (1950-05-01), Berg et al.
patent: 2584606 (1952-02-01), Merriam et al.
patent: 2734578 (1956-02-01), Walter
patent: 2857002 (1958-10-01), Pevere et al.
patent: 2887160 (1959-05-01), Priester et al.
patent: 3051235 (1962-08-01), Banks
patent: 3084919 (1963-04-01), Slater
patent: 3102588 (1963-09-01), Fisher
patent: 3208514 (1965-09-01), Dew et al.
patent: 3228467 (1966-01-01), Schlinger et al.
patent: 3254721 (1966-06-01), Smith
patent: 3327782 (1967-06-01), Hujsak
patent: 3372754 (1968-03-01), McDonald
patent: 3456721 (1969-07-01), Smith
patent: 3595316 (1971-07-01), Myrick, III
patent: 3598182 (1971-08-01), Justheim
patent: 3617471 (1971-11-01), Schlinger et al.
patent: 3700035 (1972-10-01), Lange
patent: 3707189 (1972-12-01), Prats
patent: 3772881 (1973-11-01), Lange
patent: 3908762 (1975-09-01), Redford
patent: 3982591 (1976-09-01), Hamrick et al.
patent: 3982592 (1976-09-01), Hamrick et al.
patent: 3986556 (1976-10-01), Haynes
patent: 3990513 (1976-11-01), Perch
patent: 3994340 (1976-11-01), Anderson et al.
patent: 4024912 (1977-05-01), Hamrick et al.
patent: 4037658 (1977-07-01), Anderson
patent: 4050515 (1977-09-01), Hamrick et al.
patent: 4053015 (1977-10-01), Hamrick et al.
patent: 4077469 (1978-03-01), Hamrick et al.
patent: 4078613 (1978-03-01), Hamrick et al.
patent: 4099568 (1978-07-01), Allen
patent: 4127171 (1978-11-01), Allen
patent: 4141417 (1979-02-01), Schora et al.
patent: 4148358 (1979-04-01), Compton
patent: 4159743 (1979-07-01), Rose et al.
patent: 4160479 (1979-07-01), Richardson et al.
patent: 4183405 (1980-01-01), Magnie
patent: 4186800 (1980-02-01), Allen
patent: 4199024 (1980-04-01), Rose et al.
patent: 4233166 (1980-11-01), Allen
patent: 4241790 (1980-12-01), Magnie
patent: 4265310 (1981-05-01), Britton et al.
patent: 4284139 (1981-08-01), Sweany
patent: 4324291 (1982-04-01), Wong et al.
patent: 4444257 (1984-04-01), Stine
patent: 4448251 (1984-05-01), Stine
patent: 4476927 (1984-10-01), Riggs
patent: 4487264 (1984-12-01), Hyne et al.
patent: 4501445 (1985-02-01), Gregoli
patent: 4597441 (1986-07-01), Ware et al.
patent: 4641710 (1987-02-01), Klinger
patent: 4691771 (1987-09-01), Ware et al.
patent: 4718711 (1988-01-01), Jeambey
patent: 4861263 (1989-08-01), Shirmer
patent: 4865130 (1989-09-01), Ware et al.
patent: 5054551 (1991-10-01), Duerksen
patent: 5055030 (1991-10-01), Shirmer
patent: 5083613 (1992-01-01), Gregoli et al.
patent: 5105887 (1992-04-01), Hewgill et al.
patent: 5145003 (1992-09-01), Kuerksen
patent: 5163511 (1992-11-01), Amundson et al.
Graue Dennis J.
Gregoli Armand A.
Rimmer Daniel P.
Schoeppel Roger
World Energy Systems Incorporated
LandOfFree
Upgrading and recovery of heavy crude oils and natural bitumens does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Upgrading and recovery of heavy crude oils and natural bitumens , we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Upgrading and recovery of heavy crude oils and natural bitumens will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2310196