Well production start up method
US4665989A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 1, 1986 |
| Grant date | May 19, 1987 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 1, 2006 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B43/24
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A method for starting up the production of hydrocarbonaceous fluid from a wellbore which has been shut-in for a time such that the ratio of water to hydrocarbon present in the hydrocarbonaceous fluid in the wellbore is sufficiently high as to make it uneconomic to produce hydrocarbonaceous fluid from said wellbore, the improvement comprising heating the reservoir around said wellbore and the hydrocarbonaceous fluid contained therein suficiently to cause the said hydrocarbonaceous fluid to be substantially less viscous and to cause at least some thermal expansion of said hydrocarbonaceous fluid whereby the water to hydrocarbon ratio is decreased to a value at which hydrocarbonaceous fluid can be economically produced from said wellbore and thereafter starting up production of hydrocarbonaceous fluid from said wellbore.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.