In-situ recovery of viscous hydrocarbonaceous crude oil
US4501326A · kind A · utility
290Cited by
10References
21Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 17, 1983 |
| Grant date | Feb 26, 1985 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 17, 2003 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B43/305
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A process for recovering heavy hydrocarbonaceous oil in situ is disclosed. After a communication path is established between injection and production wells, a hot viscous fluid at least 20% of which is produced hydrocarbonaceous oil from the production well is circulated between the wells providing high sweep efficiency and good recovery of oil in place. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid comprises recirculated bitumen from the production well, steam, and small amounts of inert gas and emulsified water. The final stage is a recovery by conventional means.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.