Oil recovery method and apparatus
US5040605A · kind A · utility
15Cited by
9References
22Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 29, 1990 |
| Grant date | Aug 20, 1991 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 29, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B36/02
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A method and apparatus are provided for the recovery of a heavy oil, contained in an outcropping formation, without any significant adverse environmental impact. Broadly, the invention comprises indirectly heating an oil containing formation to reduce the viscosity of the oil therein and concurrently thermally insulating an upper portion of the well, extending into the formation, to eliminate any increased seepage of oil from the formation to the surface.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.