Enhanced methods for recovering viscous hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation as a follow-up to thermal recovery processes
US10487636B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 16, 2018 |
| Grant date | Nov 26, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 16, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B43/168
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
Enhanced methods for recovering viscous hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation as a follow-up to thermal recovery processes. The methods include injecting a solvent flood vapor stream into a first thermal chamber, which extends within the subterranean formation, via a solvent flood injection well that extends within the first thermal chamber. The injecting includes injecting to generate solvent flood-mobilized viscous hydrocarbons within the subterranean formation. The methods also include, at least partially concurrently with the injecting, producing the solvent flood-mobilized viscous hydrocarbons from a second thermal chamber, which extends within the subterranean formation, via a solvent flood production well that extends within the second thermal chamber. The first thermal chamber was formed via a first thermal recovery process, and the second thermal chamber was formed via a second thermal recovery process, and the first thermal chamber and the second thermal chamber are in fluid communication with one another.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.