Recovery of heavy hydrocarbons from underground formations
US3964547A · kind A · utility
10Cited by
11References
2Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 29, 1974 |
| Grant date | Jun 22, 1976 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 29, 1994 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B43/162
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A method of producing highly viscous oil from an underground formation penetrated by a well. Steam is injected through a first channel into the lower part of the formation. At the same time, previously recovered oil from the formation is injected through the well in a channel surrounding the steam channel to the upper part of the formation. This native oil insulates the formation from the steam and also serves to block the steam from rising in the formation. The heated oil can then be recovered from an adjacent well or injection can be stopped and the oil can be recovered from the well through which the fluid was injected.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.