Patent · US Active

Cyclic steam stimulation using RF

US9027638B2 · kind B2 · utility

3Cited by
1References
14Claims
0Family size

Assignees

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 15, 2011
Grant dateMay 12, 2015
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 12, 2033

Classification

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

Abstract

A method of producing hydrocarbons from a well. The method begins by injecting steam into a well. The bitumen in the formation is then heated with the injected steam, followed by ceasing the injection of steam into the well and then by soaking the bitumen with the injected steam and collecting the heated oil. Steam that has condensed is revaporized by directing RF/MW radiation to the steam allowing for more bitumen to be produced without injecting more steam. In addition, some of the steam could become superheated, wherein the temperature of the superheated steam is greater than the temperature of the steam. The bitumen is heated by the revaporized steam and the superheated steam, followed by soaking the bitumen with the revaporized steam and the superheated steam. Hydrocarbons are then produced from the well.

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