Wells – Processes – Distinct – separate injection and producing wells
Patent
1976-12-22
1978-07-11
Novosad, Stephen J.
Wells
Processes
Distinct, separate injection and producing wells
166272, E21B 4324
Patent
active
040995682
ABSTRACT:
Steam flooding is frequently unsuccessful in viscous petroleum-containing formations such as tar sand deposits due to loss of steam transmissibility caused by the steam condensing deep in the formation and also caused by heated viscous petroleum forming an oil bank and losing heat and becoming more viscous as it moves through the formation, eventually becoming essentially immobile and blocking further flow through the formation. By injecting a non-condensible, non-oxidizing gas ahead of and/or in combination with steam, this tendency to block or plug the flow channels is reduced or eliminated. Steam and non-condensible, non-oxidizing gas are injected into the formation at a pressure in pounds per square inch not exceeding numerically the overburden thickness in feet in order to avoid fracturing the overburden. Steam and non-condensible, non-oxidizing gas may be mixed prior to injection or injected sequentially or simultaneously to mix in the formation. If steam and non-condensable, non-oxidizing gas are injected separately and simultaneously or sequentially, it is preferred that the gas be injected at a point below where the steam is injected. Steam and gas should be injected so substantially all of the formation to be contacted by injected fluid is contacted by a mixture of steam and the non-condensible, non-oxidizing gas. Suitable non-condensible, non-oxidizing gases include nitrogen, carbon dioxide, flue gas, exhaust gas, natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, methane, ethane, propane, butane, pentane, hydrogen, and mixtures thereof. Saturated or supersaturated steam may be used.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3042114 (1962-07-01), Willman
patent: 3129757 (1964-04-01), Sharp
patent: 3358759 (1967-12-01), Parker
patent: 3360044 (1967-12-01), Lange
patent: 3405761 (1968-10-01), Parker
patent: 3782470 (1974-01-01), West et al.
patent: 3903967 (1975-09-01), Woodward
patent: 3908762 (1975-09-01), Redford
Novosad Stephen J.
Park Jack H.
Ries Carl G.
Suchfield George A.
Texaco Inc.
LandOfFree
Method for recovering viscous petroleum does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Method for recovering viscous petroleum, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method for recovering viscous petroleum will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-256693