Patent · US Active

Gravity drainage startup using RF and solvent

US8978755B2 · kind B2 · utility

2Cited by
23References
26Claims
0Family size

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Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 13, 2011
Grant dateMar 17, 2015
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 23, 2033

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
  • CPC primaryE21B43/2408
  • WIPO fieldCivil engineering
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

The method begins by forming a gravity drainage production well pair within a formation comprising an injection well and a production well. The pre-soaking stage begins by soaking at least one of the wellbores of the well pair with a solvent, wherein the solvent does not include water. The pre-heating stage begins by heating the soaked wellbore of the well pair to produce a vapor. The squeezing stage begins by introducing the vapor into the soaked wellbore of the well pair, and can thus overlap with the pre-heating stage. The gravity drainage production begins after the squeezing stage, once the wells are in thermal communication and the heavy oil can drain to the lower well.

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