Patent · US Expired

Aquifer-plugging steam soak for layered reservoir

US4064942A · kind A · utility

13Cited by
9References
7Claims
0Family size

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Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJul 21, 1976
Grant dateDec 27, 1977
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 21, 1996

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
  • CPC primaryE21B43/18
  • WIPO fieldCivil engineering
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

An improved steam soak process recovers viscous oil from a reservoir containing a relatively steam impermeable oil-rich layer above a relatively steam permeable water-rich layer. Steam is injected at a rate and volume that displaces an oil bank into the water layer. The cooling of the oil bank impedes the flow of water so that, during the production cycle, the rate of oil recovery is increased.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.