Patent · US Expired

Process for in SITU upgrading of heavy hydrocarbon

US6405799B1 · kind B1 · utility

22Cited by

13References

12Claims

0Family size

Assignee

Intevep, S.A. · VE

Inventors

Carlos Vallejos · Ibarra, VE
Tito Vasquez · Findlay, US
Gerson Siachoque · Ibarra, VE
Ignacio Layrisse · Caracas, VE

Key dates

Filing date	Jun 28, 2000
Grant date	Jun 18, 2002
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Jun 28, 2020

Classification

Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
CPC primaryC09K8/58
WIPO fieldBasic materials chemistry
WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A process for in situ upgrading of a heavy hydrocarbon includes the steps of (a) positioning a well in a reservoir containing a heavy hydrocarbon having an initial API gravity of less than or equal to about 8; (b) injecting a light solvent into the well at reservoir conditions so as to provide an upgraded hydrocarbon in the reservoir, the upgraded hydrocarbon having an improved API gravity greater than the initial API gravity; and (c) producing the upgraded hydrocarbon from the well.

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