Mixed well steam drive drainage process
US5860475A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 8, 1994 |
| Grant date | Jan 19, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 8, 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 a heavy oil reservoir having a plurality of laterally separated, generally vertical wells whose use have left the reservoir characterized by a heated depletion zone, a channel, voidage, or mobility and communication. 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 steam through the two vertical wells to establish thermal communication with said horizontal well; and using the combination of 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.