Patent · US Expired

Mixed well steam drive drainage process

US5417283A · kind A · utility

30Cited by
8References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 28, 1994
Grant dateMay 23, 1995
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 28, 2014

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
  • CPC primaryE21B43/305
  • WIPO fieldCivil engineering
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A thermal oil recovery process is disclosed for use in an oil reservoir containing a plurality of laterally separated generally vertical wells that have been used for cyclic steam stimulation and that have left in the reservoir at least one of a heated depletion zone and a channel. The process includes the steps of: drilling a well having a horizontal section and an opening therein that is located laterally between at least two of the vertical wells and at a depth within the lower part of the reservoir; injecting a heated fluid through the two vertical wells to establish thermal communication with said horizontal well; and using steam drive and gravity drainage to recover oil from the reservoir through the horizontal well.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.