Thermal oil recovery with solvent recirculation
US4418752A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 7, 1982 |
| Grant date | Dec 6, 1983 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 7, 2002 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B43/40
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A process for the production of heavy oil from a subterranean oil reservoir by the injection of a hot aqueous fluid into the reservoir and the injection of a diluent solvent down the production well to produce a blend of solvent and oil having a decreased viscosity. The reservoir oil has a density greater than the density of water. The diluent solvent has a density such that the density of the resulting blend recovered from the production well also has a density greater than the density of the water. The water produced from the production well is separated from the blend and the blend then fractionated to recover a solvent fraction of the requisite density. This solvent fraction is then returned to the production well to produce additional blend within the well in a continuation of the process.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.