Controlling steam distribution
US4641709A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 17, 1985 |
| Grant date | Feb 10, 1987 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 17, 2005 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B43/30
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
An enhanced oil recovery technique includes the predetermination of a desired steam distribution within a steam flood pattern, which preferably is proportional to the volumes of oil in place within various sectors of an area of a subsurface formation. These sectors are associated with the various producing wells of the steam flood pattern. Initial steam distribution is then determined. Subsequently, one or more of the producing wells has its production rate modified so that the final steam distribution within the formation will more closely approximate the predetermined preferred steam distribution. A preferred technique for stimulating production from a given producing well includes the steps of initially notching and initiating a small unpropped fracture in the formation adjacent the well, then perforating the well over the entire depth of the formation, and subsequently creating a larger propped fracture at that same location after it has been determined that natural steam flow toward the particular producing well is not as great as is desired.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.