Patent · US Expired

Apparatus for enhanced recovery of viscous oil deposits

US6056050A · kind A · utility

7Cited by
10References
3Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 21, 1998
Grant dateMay 2, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 21, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
  • CPC primaryE21B43/24
  • WIPO fieldCivil engineering
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for enhanced and improved viscous oil recovery are disclosed. A horizontal well is drilled through the viscous oil formation. A specially designed steam stinger is used to inject steam substantially uniformly into the entire horizontal extent of the well borehole without direct steam impingement on the production liner in the viscous oil formation. Heat from the steam mobilizes and lowers the viscosity of the heavy crude wherein the crude is then produced to the surface via conventional lift arrangements.

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