CA2039919A1 - Method for improving steam simulation in heavy oil reservoirs - Google Patents
Method for improving steam simulation in heavy oil reservoirsInfo
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- CA2039919A1 CA2039919A1 CA 2039919 CA2039919A CA2039919A1 CA 2039919 A1 CA2039919 A1 CA 2039919A1 CA 2039919 CA2039919 CA 2039919 CA 2039919 A CA2039919 A CA 2039919A CA 2039919 A1 CA2039919 A1 CA 2039919A1
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- well
- formation
- fines
- interval
- producing
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Abstract
METHOD FOR IMPROVING STEAM
STIMULATION IN HEAVY OIL RESERVOIRS
ABSTRACT
A method for controlling formation fines when producing heavy oil from an unconsolidated sand formation where at least two wells are utilized. Both wells are perforated and hydraulically fractured at a lower interval via a viscous gel fluid having a sized and high temperature resistant proppant therein. The proppant is a size sufficient to filter fines from the oil, thereby keeping the fracture clear. Cyclic steam injection and oil production are conducted in on well, while the other is shut-in. This sequence is continued until a desired amount of solids free hydrocarbonaceous fluids have been produced from the lower interval.
Thereafter the lower interval is blocked off mechanically while cyclic steam injection and oil production are conducted in one well and the other well is shut-in until a desired amount of solids free hydrocarbonaceous fluids have been produced from a higher interval.
STIMULATION IN HEAVY OIL RESERVOIRS
ABSTRACT
A method for controlling formation fines when producing heavy oil from an unconsolidated sand formation where at least two wells are utilized. Both wells are perforated and hydraulically fractured at a lower interval via a viscous gel fluid having a sized and high temperature resistant proppant therein. The proppant is a size sufficient to filter fines from the oil, thereby keeping the fracture clear. Cyclic steam injection and oil production are conducted in on well, while the other is shut-in. This sequence is continued until a desired amount of solids free hydrocarbonaceous fluids have been produced from the lower interval.
Thereafter the lower interval is blocked off mechanically while cyclic steam injection and oil production are conducted in one well and the other well is shut-in until a desired amount of solids free hydrocarbonaceous fluids have been produced from a higher interval.
Description
04/0~1991 17:15 FF~0~1 M0~31L FClf~ OhK5 CQM~S. Ti:~ E3 513~6331~6~ P.06 .
2 ~
F--5644 --~L -~ETHOn FOR I~PROVING E~TEAi~
8'rI~,l~ Q~ 71F!AYY C'IL RES131~0I~e~
Thi~ inv~nti~n relat~ to a proa~ or exkraoting h~rdrocarbon~: from the ~arth. ~or~ parl~iaulA~ly, thi~
lnvl3ntion rela~eEI to 8~ rnethod ror r~cDverillg e~pecially ~ol~d~-~ree hy~dr~carbons e.g., bil:um~n fr~m ~
5 su~err~ne.~n ~c,rm~ticn u~ing At le~ 'cwo well~3.
In may areas of ~he world, there are lar~
d~3po~it~ e~ vi~cou~ potroleum, suGh ~ e At.h~b~ca Rnd Peaee River rcgiDn~; in Canada, 1:he Jobo ~glon in Vonezu~31a ~nd th~ Edna and ~i~quoc r~gi~n~ ln 1~ Cali~orniA, rh~6e d~pos are s3eneral1y oalled tar ~and d~poæi~s àu~3 to t:he high vi~~ity 03e the hydroc:~rb~nEi which th~y con1 ~in and m~y ~xtend i~or many fflilesl and ocaur in ~ryinç~ thickne~ o~ up to mo~e th~n ~o~ eet:, Althou~h t~r 3ands may lie at c~r near l:he IS ~ eh'~ sura~e, generall)~ they are looa~od under ~ub~tant~al ov~rhurde~n which m~y b~ a3 gre~t aa several thou~nn~ ~e~t thick. 'rar s4nd~ ].ocatQd a~ th~ d~pth~
~on~ ut~ ~ome of the w~r].d ' ~ ~ arg~t pre,~ r~ntly known pe~rolel~m depo~its.
~0 Tar ~an~ a~n~ai~l a vi scou~ hydroc:~rbon m~teriAl, ~ommonly rel~erred ~o 4~ bit~men, in an ~mount whi~:h rnhqe~ ~rom about 5 to ~bout ~ pr rcent by w~ight.
13i~umen is u~u~lly immobile at typ~ cal re~ervor tempetature~. ~or example, ~t re~ervoir t.emperatures ~5 ~ o~1t 4~F~, bi~cu~nen is immobile" hAving ~ visco~i~y P~equelltly exceedinq sover~l th~u~and paise~. h1;
higher temp~ratur~s, ~uch a~ t~mpora1;ur~ Qxaeedln~
200F, ~itumen gon~rally l~eaomes mobLle with a vlrae~i.ty o~ s th~n 34s ~entipvi~e~.
8inc~ mo~t t~r ~?~nd de~o~ ars too d~ep ko ~e ~ined economiaally, a ~ario,u~ ad ~xis~ ~or an in ~itu r-3aovery pr~ce~ wh~roin ~he bi.tum~n ie ne.p~raked ~rom the ~and in the ormation and re~overed ~rou~h pr4du~ o me~ang ~ . A welJ. drilled int~ the depo~ik.
E~/~4,~1991 1~:15 FROt~l ~10~31L Ff~IR O~KS C0M1~5. T0 3 6135633~363 P.07 9 t-J .
~-5~44 -~ ~
In ~ltU ~ove~y proc~ss~ kn~wn ln ~ste ~rt inclllde e!mul~ificAtion drivo p~ herm~1 te~hni.que~ uch A~ ir6~ ~10~clin~, in Bit~l combucl;ion, ~t~m rlooding elnd combination6~ or th~6~ proco~o3.
5 Any in ~i~u rec~v~ry proce~ ; mu~t aaaomp1 ish ~wo ~unat10nn. J~lr~c, the vi~ao~it~r o~ the bitumen muBt be rsdu~e~ o ~ su~ficien~1y low 1evel ~o ~1ui.dize the bitumen un~ h~ p~evai1ing aon~i.tion~, ~ecDndly, sU~icient: driv:lng en~3r~y mu~t b~ app1i~d ~o tre~3t~d 10 ~itum~n th~reby indu~ g it to mov~ througb the ~orm~1on ~o a well or othe~ m~ans ~o~ t~n~p~rt:ing it to tl~e e~r~ ura~e~
A~ prev1ously not~d, Among th6l variou; met:hod~
tha~ hn~e ~Qn propo~ed for re~o~ering bitumRn in 'ca~
lS ~an~ ~epo~t ~ro h~ating t~chn~quu~. Boa~u60 st~am ik:
~n~r~lly th~ mo~t ec:orl~mical and ~3~fici~nt therma~
~n~rgy ~g~slt, i'c iB cle~rly the mo~t wld~ly ~mpleyod.
~ everal ~3am in~ea'c~c~n pro¢e~e~ h~e been BUggeEl~:OCI ~or h~ing tho bitum~n. one ~ hod 1nve1ve~
2() A ~te~m ~insulAtaon toc~ uo, com~nonly ~alled l;h~
"hu~ and pu~" pr~cu~c. In suah a prOtYQ6E~ eam i~
injecte~ into a well ~or ~ ar~rtain p~3riod e~ tlme. The w~ th~n shut i.n to p~ h6~ eam ~o h~ he oil. ~ub~e~uently, ~ormAtion fluid~ cluding 25 bitumen, w~e~ and E:teJam, are produced ~rom the well alar~g wikh ~nd. l~r~du~ n l~ la~er terminat.ed fl~d ~tshm in~ction 1~ pre~era~ly re~u~nad ~4r A ~Urt~ex pQriod, Sts~am injec~:ion ~nd prc~duction a~e ~ltexn~ted ~or ~ many c~cl~ de~ired. A principle drawba~k to 30 the "llu~ and pu~" teahniqus 1~ that lt do~ not heat the~ bulX of the 4i.1 in th~ reservoir ~nd oon~e~u~ 1y ~duaoa ~he oil reaovexy .
Ano'che~ problom with ~te~m drive i~ ~hat th~
driving ~r~e of ths ~team ~loclding t~ahnlque is 3S ultlmatoly lo~t when brealcthrough oaaurs a~ the produc~ti~n w~ll. S~eam breakthrough oc:cur~ when the ~team f~c~nt adv~nae~ to ~ ~roductlon wel 1 a~d ~t~a~n ~4/0d,~1g91 l7: 16 FR011 MO~IL F~IR 0~ COI~MS. TO a 613563386g P. 08 ~-~64~ ~-3~
~re~uro i~ la~gely dlal3iph~ thY~ gh khe prQduc~ n wQll . lrlui.d br~.~kthrough C~UE:~ R 14~ oi' ~te~m driving pre~ur~ c:~la.rc~ c3ri~0d l3y ~ ~narkod di~1llutlon in the ~f~icienc:y o~' the prwcos~. A~t~r ~I:eam 5 ~r~aXthrough ~he usual prac~ , as ~ugg~3s~cQd 1n l~nited State~ Pstent N~. 3,367,41~ ~Looke~en~ and Un~ted State~ Pat~nt No. 3,354,g54 ~Buxton), i~ t~ produc:e without ste~am drive until ~urthor ~team ~ n; eot:Lon 1G
noasa~lt~ted o~ pro~uc:~cion terminated. Th~e patent6 ] o are lnaorp~r~ed hcr~ln ~y regershc~ .
~1n1t~ ate~ Patcnt ~o. 3,2S~ 6 (Dle~ or ~x~mpl~, ~pp~Ar~ to ha~e ~n ~arly t~chin~ for ao~ventional ~IhurP ~n~ pU~ h~ patQnt disclose~ a ~Qtho~ ~o~ recovering viscous oil ~rom ~ubterranean lS ~ormation~ by ~lmui~so~ly inje~ting steQm into ~n ~njection w~l} to heat the ~ormation. I~`orm~ion ~ id~
~r~ th~n produ~ed ~r~m thn ln~ection well. A~t2r ~ever~l aycl~ 3t~am ~Iriv~ ~an lJe e~3tab~i0hed i~
s~ ral ~d~acent inj~ction wG~ have been u~ed by 20 1n~ctlng ~e~n i.nto on~ in~otien well whil~ ueing Rnctl~er ~or produc~ion. Unit~d St~te~ Patont No.
F--5644 --~L -~ETHOn FOR I~PROVING E~TEAi~
8'rI~,l~ Q~ 71F!AYY C'IL RES131~0I~e~
Thi~ inv~nti~n relat~ to a proa~ or exkraoting h~rdrocarbon~: from the ~arth. ~or~ parl~iaulA~ly, thi~
lnvl3ntion rela~eEI to 8~ rnethod ror r~cDverillg e~pecially ~ol~d~-~ree hy~dr~carbons e.g., bil:um~n fr~m ~
5 su~err~ne.~n ~c,rm~ticn u~ing At le~ 'cwo well~3.
In may areas of ~he world, there are lar~
d~3po~it~ e~ vi~cou~ potroleum, suGh ~ e At.h~b~ca Rnd Peaee River rcgiDn~; in Canada, 1:he Jobo ~glon in Vonezu~31a ~nd th~ Edna and ~i~quoc r~gi~n~ ln 1~ Cali~orniA, rh~6e d~pos are s3eneral1y oalled tar ~and d~poæi~s àu~3 to t:he high vi~~ity 03e the hydroc:~rb~nEi which th~y con1 ~in and m~y ~xtend i~or many fflilesl and ocaur in ~ryinç~ thickne~ o~ up to mo~e th~n ~o~ eet:, Althou~h t~r 3ands may lie at c~r near l:he IS ~ eh'~ sura~e, generall)~ they are looa~od under ~ub~tant~al ov~rhurde~n which m~y b~ a3 gre~t aa several thou~nn~ ~e~t thick. 'rar s4nd~ ].ocatQd a~ th~ d~pth~
~on~ ut~ ~ome of the w~r].d ' ~ ~ arg~t pre,~ r~ntly known pe~rolel~m depo~its.
~0 Tar ~an~ a~n~ai~l a vi scou~ hydroc:~rbon m~teriAl, ~ommonly rel~erred ~o 4~ bit~men, in an ~mount whi~:h rnhqe~ ~rom about 5 to ~bout ~ pr rcent by w~ight.
13i~umen is u~u~lly immobile at typ~ cal re~ervor tempetature~. ~or example, ~t re~ervoir t.emperatures ~5 ~ o~1t 4~F~, bi~cu~nen is immobile" hAving ~ visco~i~y P~equelltly exceedinq sover~l th~u~and paise~. h1;
higher temp~ratur~s, ~uch a~ t~mpora1;ur~ Qxaeedln~
200F, ~itumen gon~rally l~eaomes mobLle with a vlrae~i.ty o~ s th~n 34s ~entipvi~e~.
8inc~ mo~t t~r ~?~nd de~o~ ars too d~ep ko ~e ~ined economiaally, a ~ario,u~ ad ~xis~ ~or an in ~itu r-3aovery pr~ce~ wh~roin ~he bi.tum~n ie ne.p~raked ~rom the ~and in the ormation and re~overed ~rou~h pr4du~ o me~ang ~ . A welJ. drilled int~ the depo~ik.
E~/~4,~1991 1~:15 FROt~l ~10~31L Ff~IR O~KS C0M1~5. T0 3 6135633~363 P.07 9 t-J .
~-5~44 -~ ~
In ~ltU ~ove~y proc~ss~ kn~wn ln ~ste ~rt inclllde e!mul~ificAtion drivo p~ herm~1 te~hni.que~ uch A~ ir6~ ~10~clin~, in Bit~l combucl;ion, ~t~m rlooding elnd combination6~ or th~6~ proco~o3.
5 Any in ~i~u rec~v~ry proce~ ; mu~t aaaomp1 ish ~wo ~unat10nn. J~lr~c, the vi~ao~it~r o~ the bitumen muBt be rsdu~e~ o ~ su~ficien~1y low 1evel ~o ~1ui.dize the bitumen un~ h~ p~evai1ing aon~i.tion~, ~ecDndly, sU~icient: driv:lng en~3r~y mu~t b~ app1i~d ~o tre~3t~d 10 ~itum~n th~reby indu~ g it to mov~ througb the ~orm~1on ~o a well or othe~ m~ans ~o~ t~n~p~rt:ing it to tl~e e~r~ ura~e~
A~ prev1ously not~d, Among th6l variou; met:hod~
tha~ hn~e ~Qn propo~ed for re~o~ering bitumRn in 'ca~
lS ~an~ ~epo~t ~ro h~ating t~chn~quu~. Boa~u60 st~am ik:
~n~r~lly th~ mo~t ec:orl~mical and ~3~fici~nt therma~
~n~rgy ~g~slt, i'c iB cle~rly the mo~t wld~ly ~mpleyod.
~ everal ~3am in~ea'c~c~n pro¢e~e~ h~e been BUggeEl~:OCI ~or h~ing tho bitum~n. one ~ hod 1nve1ve~
2() A ~te~m ~insulAtaon toc~ uo, com~nonly ~alled l;h~
"hu~ and pu~" pr~cu~c. In suah a prOtYQ6E~ eam i~
injecte~ into a well ~or ~ ar~rtain p~3riod e~ tlme. The w~ th~n shut i.n to p~ h6~ eam ~o h~ he oil. ~ub~e~uently, ~ormAtion fluid~ cluding 25 bitumen, w~e~ and E:teJam, are produced ~rom the well alar~g wikh ~nd. l~r~du~ n l~ la~er terminat.ed fl~d ~tshm in~ction 1~ pre~era~ly re~u~nad ~4r A ~Urt~ex pQriod, Sts~am injec~:ion ~nd prc~duction a~e ~ltexn~ted ~or ~ many c~cl~ de~ired. A principle drawba~k to 30 the "llu~ and pu~" teahniqus 1~ that lt do~ not heat the~ bulX of the 4i.1 in th~ reservoir ~nd oon~e~u~ 1y ~duaoa ~he oil reaovexy .
Ano'che~ problom with ~te~m drive i~ ~hat th~
driving ~r~e of ths ~team ~loclding t~ahnlque is 3S ultlmatoly lo~t when brealcthrough oaaurs a~ the produc~ti~n w~ll. S~eam breakthrough oc:cur~ when the ~team f~c~nt adv~nae~ to ~ ~roductlon wel 1 a~d ~t~a~n ~4/0d,~1g91 l7: 16 FR011 MO~IL F~IR 0~ COI~MS. TO a 613563386g P. 08 ~-~64~ ~-3~
~re~uro i~ la~gely dlal3iph~ thY~ gh khe prQduc~ n wQll . lrlui.d br~.~kthrough C~UE:~ R 14~ oi' ~te~m driving pre~ur~ c:~la.rc~ c3ri~0d l3y ~ ~narkod di~1llutlon in the ~f~icienc:y o~' the prwcos~. A~t~r ~I:eam 5 ~r~aXthrough ~he usual prac~ , as ~ugg~3s~cQd 1n l~nited State~ Pstent N~. 3,367,41~ ~Looke~en~ and Un~ted State~ Pat~nt No. 3,354,g54 ~Buxton), i~ t~ produc:e without ste~am drive until ~urthor ~team ~ n; eot:Lon 1G
noasa~lt~ted o~ pro~uc:~cion terminated. Th~e patent6 ] o are lnaorp~r~ed hcr~ln ~y regershc~ .
~1n1t~ ate~ Patcnt ~o. 3,2S~ 6 (Dle~ or ~x~mpl~, ~pp~Ar~ to ha~e ~n ~arly t~chin~ for ao~ventional ~IhurP ~n~ pU~ h~ patQnt disclose~ a ~Qtho~ ~o~ recovering viscous oil ~rom ~ubterranean lS ~ormation~ by ~lmui~so~ly inje~ting steQm into ~n ~njection w~l} to heat the ~ormation. I~`orm~ion ~ id~
~r~ th~n produ~ed ~r~m thn ln~ection well. A~t2r ~ever~l aycl~ 3t~am ~Iriv~ ~an lJe e~3tab~i0hed i~
s~ ral ~d~acent inj~ction wG~ have been u~ed by 20 1n~ctlng ~e~n i.nto on~ in~otien well whil~ ueing Rnctl~er ~or produc~ion. Unit~d St~te~ Patont No.
3,280,~0'~ ~Cloam~n ~ disclo~e~ a con~rentional ~t~m drl~,re cDmprislng ~te~m in~ection tb produc~
interconneatin~ Pr~oturo~, `out insuf~l~iant t~ produc~
oil, ~o~lowe~ b~ Yte~m dri~e ~t conven~ional pre~ure~
~nd rA~e~. ~hue, the he~tlng and driving phase~ a~
Rn~irely di~inc~. ~ho6~ pa~en ~ are incorpora~e~ ,~
herein by rQ~eren~e.
~teAm ~l~o r~le~s~6 un~on ~lidatod ~ormation ~and 3n gr4~n~ a~ it lowers the vi~ao~ity o~ the ~ormation oll.
Form~tion oil, thu~ rel~as~d, will be fr~ to mov~ with th~ oll ~f ~educ~d Vl~oGi~y A~ tho ~orm~ti~n 1 produaed.
~ere~ore, wh~ ; needed i~ an e~Piai~:nt method 3~5 to produco ~he ~o~mation, aontrol formation ~ines, ~nd ~till allow ~teAm con~ct with oll ln plAce ln the fo~mhtion.
04/04~1991 17:16 FROM MOE3]L F~ COI~MS. TO a 6135639~9 P. 09 F-!i6~ 4 -Thls invention i~ direated to a m~hod ~or pr~dua1 ng vi~aous ~ubstanklal~y 601~dE~ ee hydroaarl3s~naceous ~lul~ r~m an unconsolidatQd ~or~natlon. In~ ]~ lsa~c two apaa~d ap~rt ~
5 and 6eoDnd well~ are drlllad into a lowor pro~uctive va3. o~ ~h~ fs~ ion~ A~tQrt7ard~3, th~s~3 ~ell~ ar~
hyd~auli.~lly ~ractured wlth a ~raatu;rinç1 ~luid c:ont:ainin~ a proppan~ ~o a~ ~o cr~ate and prop frao~u~e~ ln ~he ~ormatlon. Th~roafte~, a 10 pre-dete~mined ~toluma o~ ~team i~ injecte~ into the ~ir~t wel~ in ~n amount ~u~ici~nt to Yc~g'Ce~ the Vi~ 0UB ~luid ~nd reduce the vl~a~ y o~ ~aid fluid acljac:ent ~o es ~r~c~u~e ~aa~ he ~ r~t w~ then produoed ~ a ra~e ~u~ci~nt to a~low ~o~ula~lon 15 f ~ nes 'co bulld up on l:ho pr~ppod ~ractu~e ~CQ
conanunioatin~ wlth ~aid Pir~1: w~ll, th~re~y, re~ultin~
in a Pilter which is suf~iclent to sllb~tant~ally remov~
~ormati~n ~i.nes ~rom the ViE~C~oUE; hydr~aar~oneou~ i~luid.
Once ~ d~si~ed ~mount of Yi~CoU~ ~flllid ha~ ~en 20 produoed Prom the ~ir6t woll, lt 1 Es shu~ in ~nd pre-determined ~mount of E~t~am ~ g ln~ eated into th~
~cond well. .S~eAm ~.n~eation into the ~eoond wel~
th~n ~a~ad and hydr~c~sboneou~ f~uids ar¢ produ~ed ~xom tho ~eo~nd well at a rate ~uf ~iczien~ to allow 25 ~ormasi.on ~ine~ to build on a ~raoture ~ace ~ommunioatlng with said sl3c~nd wqll. The bu11~3up o~
formation fino~ on ~ho ra~ura ~ac~ results in a ~ilter screen ~u~ci.ent to ~emo~e ~'ormatiDn ~ines ~rom ~ho hydrocArboneotl~ f~uid~ ~hl~h ~e prGduaed to the 6ur~Ac~, Sub6~quentl~, a ~econd volume o~ ~eam i~ t"je~ted into th~ s~cond woll and ~ub~t~nti~y ~olida-l're~
hydro~ar~oneDu~ ~luld~ produ~qd ~xom th~ Pir~t well. The~ea~er, the seaDnd well iB ~hut i.n ~nd a pre-de~rm~ned volu~e o~ ~team ie in~ected lnt~ the first w~ll. Oncs the ~ir~t wall ha~ been produae~, the second wQl~ i~ opened and hyd~oc~b~nAaQou~ Pluid~ ~re ~0~1991 17:17 FROM MOBIL FFIIR ~RkS COI~IMS, TO a 613~;63~69 P. 10 ~.3~ ~3~ 1 ~
F-5644 ~
produaud ~ro~ it. The well~ ~e alt~rnat01y injsc~ed wi~h ~teAm ~nd produae~ untll a de~ired ~mount of sol~ds ~ree hyd~o~arbonaaeou~ ~luld~ h~v~ been ~omov~d Pro~ the lowar int~rv~ t~rwarde, the low~r S lntarYal i~ b~o~ked u~ an~ hs ~ep eP ~raGturing t propplng th~ ~ractu~e, building ~ ~ine~ ~creen, cy~llc ~team in~nction ~nd producing ~re ~epeated ln an ~pp~r pr~ductivo intervai. Th3g~ stap~ ar~ repeated until a - de~i~od am~unt o~ s~lid~ ~ee h~drocar.bo~aceou~ ~luld~
hav~ ~een r~mov~d ~rom the upp~r int~rval.
~ t~t~r~ore an ~b~e~t o~ thi~ lnvantlon to f~r~ a th4~mal~ ~t~ble in ~tu ~ormation Pln~ eun ~o a~ to i3.t~r finos ~r~m ~h~ produaed ~11.
It 1~ anokhor ohjec~ o~ 1-hi~ in~ention to provid~
~or a method tD thr~ughly t~At A fo~m~tion surroUndlng a well with h$gh temperature ~te~m.
~ t i~ yet anothe~ o~i~ct o~ thi~ invention to pro~lde ~r an o~illatory ~t~m ~reatm~t procedt~r~
b~tw~n a flrst ~nd ~Qcond well ~o as tv ~xovide ~or a zo more ~fic.i~nt ~weep o~ thc ~ay~ono wi~h ~toam.
~ t i~ an even ~ill yet urther o~eat o~ thls invention ~o ~ccumulate ga~or ~team p~oduc~d ~rom an upper in~erv~l of R ~Ol~ak~ 0 aB e~lly s~par~te them at the su~a~e ~nd ~UbBequontly r~-in~uct ~t~am lnto the fQrmation.
Fi~ure 1 i~ a ~ch~m~tic rcpre~entation o~ a ~rst and ~cond wel~ ~howin~ A f~actur~ ln th~ ~rm~tlon, W~ich ~raoture ha~ ~ ~luid and proppant therein.
Flgure 2 i~ a schematic repre~entation whioh show~
a lr~t and Escond ~11 pen~t~ting ~ ~mation where sald fo~mation ha~ been ~actU~ed And ~he ~raoture pr~ped with a fraaturin~ ~lul~ aon~aining ~ proppant ~u~icien~ to Po~m a ~ine~ ~cre~n ~ the f~oo o~ the ~x~turo.
Flgur~ 3 i~ a schemati~ repres~ntation showlng ste~m entering in~o a ~orma~ion Prom a Çlr~ ~nd ~econd W~ll .
04~04,19~1 17:18 FROi~ tlOE~IL FFIlR Of K5 COM15. TO a 6135639E~69 P.11 g ~ ~
F-564 4 ~S-~i.gure 4 i~ a ~chem~tic r~presentatiDn oP a ~ir~'c and ~eaond well p~n~t~at~ng ~ fnrm~'cion a31d which ~ormation ~on'calns p~opp~ ~x~¢tur~ in a 1DWer and upp~3r i~t~rv~l.
S In the prac~lce c~i th~ i.n~en~ion two well~ are dr~ ad in~o ~ forrn~lon. ~he wells ~r~ ~c-~d and ~hen ~electlvely p~r~orated ov~r A one to two ~oot lnterval in tA~ low~r produotiva la~ v~l oP ~he ~orrnation. Due to ~hQ ~hallow dept~ o~ the tax ~and or other viscous hydroaarbon aontainirlg fo~natlon, the nature of th0 .~o~ ~ormatlon ru;:~ m3.kes it m~re probable th~l:
horizunal ~rac~ure.s will be produc~d in the ~or~tion durin~ hydr~ullc ~rauturin~. A hydr~ullc Practurin~
te~ChJli(~U~ iB s~ UE;EI~ i.ll U.S- P~te~t No~ 4,067~3~9 IS which i.s~ued to SavinF~ on JanUhry 10, 1~7~. Ano'cher mothod Por initia1~ing hydraulic ~r~cturing i~ cl~;e~
by Medlin e~ al. in U.S. ~atent ~c~. 4, 37~ 9 which ~s~ d on Apr~ 83. Both p~t~n~ ~re h~3reby in~orporated by re~erence her~in. A~ i3 Xnown by to 2() tho~e ~ 3d in tho Art, i~ rder t~.o init1at~o hydraulic ~racturint3 in a f~rnation, 'che hydraulic p~ ure o,ppliod ~UE~t exe~d the Po~mat~ on pre~ura~ in ordelr ~o c~us~ a ~raa~ure 'cc~ ~rm. Th~ ~racture which ~orm~ w~lJ genorally run l?erpandlcular to ~h~ lea~l:
2S princlple ~trBBB ill the ~o~nation or reaarvoir.
'rhe ~rat::turt ng ~luld which i~ u~ed tC
hydr~uliaally rra~tu~a the ormation compri~ a u~ gel. ~he vi~cous ~el c~n inalude a water-ba~e hydroxypropyl guar ~ G), hydroxy~thyl cellulose (~EC), carboxymethylhydroxyethyl cellulo~e ~CMHEC), ~uar or oil-based dleEcll ~i.l, and ~c~so~3ene ge~ d wi~h aluminuTn pho~3pha~3 eE~ter~ (o . g ., l~allihu~t~n Se~rioa~ MY-T OilTM
II, ~c~well/Schlumbe~ r ~ ~ YP-GO~M ~. J, q!l~an ~ .
A~OFR~Cq~M, and The West~rn Comp~ny o~ Nor1;h hm~loa 3S ~AXI-o ~M ~1 ) .
~ Proppan~ ooncen~xa'cion in t:h~ vi~ou~ gel ~l-ould b6~ in concen~cra~ion o~ ~Ibout lo to about 18 04iE~4~1g91 17:18 FRO~I MOi3;L FFilli~ 0~5 C~IMS. TO 0 5135~3g~ 3 P. lZ
~ .~3~ ~Y~
P 56~ -7-pound~/gallon~ and c~n inaludo a ~ilicon carb.id~, sili~on nitride or ~arnet proppant. q'ho~e prDppant~
~re p~rtlc~larly ~r~rred ~ince they ~ndur~ tho high temp~rature eP~ect~ oP ~t~am. h hyd~aullc ~racturlng method ~mployiny ~pecial BAnd con~rol i~ d~.~clos~d by Stowe ~t al. in ~.8. P~ent No. 4,5499608 whioh i~ ed on ~c~,ober ~, 198~ p~ken~ ic hQr~by in¢orpor~t~d by re~eronce h0rein. S~licon carbid~ or ~lllaon nitrido whi~h ~an b~ u~ed horeln should bs o~ a ~iZ~ o~ ~rom abou~ ~o ~o about 100 U.~. .S~eve. ~hi~
~used ~e~raoturi"~ material ~hould have a ~oh6 hardne~s o~ about ~. B~h ~ilicon cax~ifle ~nd ~ilicon ni~ri~o have excellent thermal ~onduo~v~ty. Sllicon ni~ri.de, f~r example, ha~ a thsrmal aonducti~ y of a~out 10.83 B~U~n G~. ~t~hr./~F. at 400 ~o about 24003F.
~u1table filli~on carbido m~terial 1G ~Dld uod~r thQ
Cry~tolo" ~ trademar~ ~nd can he pu~a~a~od from No~ton Company, Metal~ ~lvi~.ion, N~wton, Ma6~ uitable ~ilicon nitride mat~rial oan bo als~ purcha~ed ~rom Norton Co~pany. lrho size oP ~he p~oppant u~ed h~rein ~ould be ha~o~ on the p~rticle slzo distribu~lon ~
the ~ormation . il~e~ ~o a~ to r~rict ~orm~ion 1'~.~es m~v~mont in~v the propp~d ~raaturs by ~he ~orma~ion of a ~ln~ s~reen.
A~ hown in F1gu~e 1, pxopp~nt l~ ha~ entored ~racturu~ 16 in ~ormation lo ~i~ p~r~ora~ions 14.
Wells 12 an~ 20 ~e slm~larly ~raotwred a~ a lower ~nterval ol Poxmation ~Ø A~ter ~r~c~u~ln~ bo~h w~
pr~-det~rmin~d volu~e o~ ateam i.s i~ject~d in~o well lZ wh~re lt enter~ ~ra~ture 16 to ~o~t~ tar s~nd ~nd to roduce ~he vieao~lty of oll adjacen~ to the ~ra~ure Paco. ~Pt~r inje~k~ng staam into w~ll 12 ~or a d~ir~d pe~iod ~ tim~, well 12 i~ ~hu~ ln and aarefully produced ~o allow Porm~lon Pine~ 22 to bull~ up on the r~ulting ~aa~ur~ ~c~ as ~hown ~chematiaally in Fiqure 2. As ln ~hown in ~i~urs 2, ~in~s ~2 c~ntinu~
ko build up 5~ ~ to ~aXe ~ ~ilt~r ~ar~n ~hich filters 04~0'1/1991 17:19 FR01`1 I~IOBIL F~ O~KS C01'1~15. Tt:l 8 61356:39e6g P. 13 ~-~ 64~ -8-foa~mation Pin~ ~rom ~he produ~ed oil. A~r pr~uaing w~ll 12 Por ~hR df~ir~ mc~un~c of tim~, wsll 12 is ~hut-in and 6;team in~eat~n 1~ c~omm~na~3d i~l well 20.
~t~am i~ lnjeoted int~ well 20 Xor a dt3~lrE~d period o~
5 tim~ and sub~eguentl~ ~e~m in~ec~ion is c~a~d. Well 20 i~ th~n ~hut-in and ~ub~:~quen~ly oil of ~ r~duc:~d viaco~ity iE; produaQ~ to the ~ur~act3 ~rom w~ll 20.
Well 20, a3 i~ ~hown in Fl~urG~ 2, i~ care~ully producsd t~ all~w form~,~ion ~ine~3 to bu.i~.d up on the fra¢ture ~o fac~ ~ wa~s done wi~h well l~ to m~ke R ~in~s filt~r ~r~en. 1~ ~econd volume of ~I;e~m i~ t:hen injeoted int:o wsll 20 and w~ll 12 iB th~n oponod to production again.
~e~l 20 i~ ~ub~e~uently ~hut-ln and anoth0r volums oP
~t~am is inj~ctQd in~o w~ll 12. There~f~er, w~ll 2~ i~
lS opened and o~l o~ reduced v$~o~i~y whioh i~
~;ub6tantially Eolide-~ree iB prDdUC:ed to the ~ur~aao.
The ~tep~ o~ altern~tely ln~eating ~team in~o on~ well and produo~ng ~olid~ ~ree or ~lne~ free oil o1~ r~duc~d vlsao~cy to ~he ~ur~a~a ~om kha1: w~ ep~t~d :20 until a d~lr~d a~ou~ c>f oi~ has be~n ~em~v~sd from the fo~nation ~ ~ lower interval . A~ter a d~EIired amount of sollds ~r~e o~l ha~ be~n rornov~3d ~om th2 low~r int~rval, ~hat int~rval i9 blooked ~f~ ~y aem~n~: or ~ridge plugs 2~ a6 i9 6hown in Flgu~e 4.
Ona~ th~ lower intsrval i~ blocked o~f wellL 12 and 20 ar~ ~raa~ured an~ proppod in a higher inte~val aa wa~ done in the l~w~r interval ~ th~ formation.
Steam i~ ~n~e~ted into well 12 and oil i~ c~refully producod ~o A~ to allow a ~olid~ or Pine~ ~cr~on ~Q
build up. ~hu~, a ~u~t~nti~].l.y ~olid~ or fine~ ~r~e oil of roduaed vi~aooit~ ie p~oduae~ t~ the ~urP~o~.
Well 12 ge ~hut 1~ and ~am inj~ n iB ~omm~n~d in well 20~ Well 20 $~ than ~re~ully produa~d ~o ~ to allow a ~ine~ ~cr~en ~o ~o~m. W~ o i~ t~n lnj~ct~d :3S with A ~aond volume ~ ~te~m an~ woll 12 i~ opon~ to produation. AB W~B done in th~ ].ower leYel, w~ll 20 i~
th~n opened to produation. ~h~ ~tep~ o~ alt~rnately 04~04/1991 17:19 FROt1 MOBIL F~IR OFKS ~OI~I!~i. TO 0 61356~g~369 P. 14 .~ ~.3 ., ~
-564~ ~9~
~n~c~lng ~team i.nto one well while th~ o1:h~r w~ll iG
E~hut in ~ntl ~hen pxoduc:lng oll ~rom th~ w~ll in whioh ~ta~m h~ b~eln inject~3d axe continued until A ~ir~d amount O:e hydrocAxbonn~o~ ~luid~ h~ be~n remo~d ~rom a hl~her p~o~U~tive lntQrval. ~ highar lntQ~a~ hen ~loaked oPr with ~or~et~ g~
plug~, ~h~ pB above ~nentione~ ~r~ r~eat~d in ~nother upper produ~ ra in~erval o~ the rorm~ion.
~ mentloned pr~viou~ly ~eg~rding th~ l~wo~ and hlgh~r intQrval~, well~ 12 and 20 ar3 peri arat~ over a on~3 t~ two ~Dot in~rval o~ an upper producing lntexv~ll o~` Porm~tion 1 0 . B~th w~ AX'~ hydrnulically Practu~ed a~ was pxevlou~ly done with a vl~aous g~31 c:ontainin~ a p~ppant ther~in ~o as to withs~md the 15 e~ec:~s o~ hi.gh t2mpera~slre ~ehm ~njectlon. A
propp~n'c oP ~lmilar pAr1:la~ e $~ us~d Ln ~he ~r~cturue which are creat~d in upper inte~val o~
~o~m~ti~n 10 ~ were u~3ed in ~he lo~er And higher intervals of s~id for~nntion, ~o ~.to r~ c~
20 ~ormnt~on ~ln~ mov~ment lnto the propp~ rAa~ure.
8ub~3quQntly, ~ pr~-det~rmin~d volume o~ Bt~am 1B
inj ~ct~d int~ th~ fr~cture~3 which h~e b~n cre~ted in woll 12 8~ Q~ ~co ~o~ten tar ~nd a~d r~duc~ tl~e vi~co~lty o~ t~e oil ~d~ acen~ to the ~r~atur~3 ~ace in 25 aaid upper int~val.
Well 12 i~ th~n ~a~ully produc~d ~o ~ to ~llow ~or;nation ~incs to build up on 'chç~ ~racture ~ac~ in the upper interual of ~ormation 10 (not ahown). Thl~
reoults in an improved ~ilter scroen ~o A~ Pllter 30 formation :Eine~ ~rom th~ o~l which 1~ produa~d ~rom the upper intcrval. W~ll 12 is then ~hut-in ~an~ ~t~am ln~ eatior~ ao~monu~d ln'co wc~ 0 whe~eupDn ~toam onters the upper produ::tlve i~lterv~l. A volunn~ o~
s~ceAm i~ then in~cted ln~'co wel~ :l2 ~03: a deslred 3s ~erlod o~ ~elme ~n~ ~;ub~equently ~te~m inJection i~
ce~ed and well ~0 }~a~ a ~u~t~nt~ally ~olids-PreQ oil pr~duc~d to th~a sur~ace. ~terward~3, a ~3cond volum~
04~04/1991 17:20 FR~ MOE3~L FP~IR OP,I<S CO~15. TO B 6135639B69 P. 15 C~ ~J ~
F~5644 --10-o~ ~t~Am i~i in~JRC~te,l~ intC) ~ 20 ~nd li7~ 2 i~ ~pened tD produation ayairl. Thc~rsa~t~r~ well 20 ~ ~h~lt~in and a v~lumo o;t ~teum ~5~aln in~eated int~ w~ where i'c enter~ the upper in~ l o~ Porma~i~n 10.
5 ~ub~quently, well ~ openad and a ~uh~tantially ~olid}~-fr~e oil of r~d~ced VigCo~i~Cy iÇ~ pLoduaed t~ the BurPaa~, Cyalic~ 06ailla~0ry Rtoam injeckion ~nd pxoduc~lon ln ehch well i~ aontinu~d unt~ 1 ~ deslred amount o~ hydroc~rbon~ ous :~lU1~3 have been produa~d lo :~ro~n the upp~r int~rval. I~ needed, ~ch~3 upp~r interval ~an b~ bloc:ked meahanic:~lly and anothor upp~r inte~vAl , slmilarly trQated.
Altilough the pre~3ent in~n~ion has besn dascri bed with pr~arr~d ~mbodimentt3, it is to bfi~ uhdQr~ d ~hat 15 modifica~ion~s and varlatio~ may b~ r~oxted to wi~hout dopartir~ rom the ~pirit E~nd 5COpO of ~h~ lnv~n'cion, a~ thDso skill~d ln th~ art will readily undQrstand.
Su~h snodlPic:Atlonst ~nd ~tarie~t~on~ ~re aona~ dered tD be w$thin ~che purvi.aw ~nd ~cope c~ the ~ppended claim~.
interconneatin~ Pr~oturo~, `out insuf~l~iant t~ produc~
oil, ~o~lowe~ b~ Yte~m dri~e ~t conven~ional pre~ure~
~nd rA~e~. ~hue, the he~tlng and driving phase~ a~
Rn~irely di~inc~. ~ho6~ pa~en ~ are incorpora~e~ ,~
herein by rQ~eren~e.
~teAm ~l~o r~le~s~6 un~on ~lidatod ~ormation ~and 3n gr4~n~ a~ it lowers the vi~ao~ity o~ the ~ormation oll.
Form~tion oil, thu~ rel~as~d, will be fr~ to mov~ with th~ oll ~f ~educ~d Vl~oGi~y A~ tho ~orm~ti~n 1 produaed.
~ere~ore, wh~ ; needed i~ an e~Piai~:nt method 3~5 to produco ~he ~o~mation, aontrol formation ~ines, ~nd ~till allow ~teAm con~ct with oll ln plAce ln the fo~mhtion.
04/04~1991 17:16 FROM MOE3]L F~ COI~MS. TO a 6135639~9 P. 09 F-!i6~ 4 -Thls invention i~ direated to a m~hod ~or pr~dua1 ng vi~aous ~ubstanklal~y 601~dE~ ee hydroaarl3s~naceous ~lul~ r~m an unconsolidatQd ~or~natlon. In~ ]~ lsa~c two apaa~d ap~rt ~
5 and 6eoDnd well~ are drlllad into a lowor pro~uctive va3. o~ ~h~ fs~ ion~ A~tQrt7ard~3, th~s~3 ~ell~ ar~
hyd~auli.~lly ~ractured wlth a ~raatu;rinç1 ~luid c:ont:ainin~ a proppan~ ~o a~ ~o cr~ate and prop frao~u~e~ ln ~he ~ormatlon. Th~roafte~, a 10 pre-dete~mined ~toluma o~ ~team i~ injecte~ into the ~ir~t wel~ in ~n amount ~u~ici~nt to Yc~g'Ce~ the Vi~ 0UB ~luid ~nd reduce the vl~a~ y o~ ~aid fluid acljac:ent ~o es ~r~c~u~e ~aa~ he ~ r~t w~ then produoed ~ a ra~e ~u~ci~nt to a~low ~o~ula~lon 15 f ~ nes 'co bulld up on l:ho pr~ppod ~ractu~e ~CQ
conanunioatin~ wlth ~aid Pir~1: w~ll, th~re~y, re~ultin~
in a Pilter which is suf~iclent to sllb~tant~ally remov~
~ormati~n ~i.nes ~rom the ViE~C~oUE; hydr~aar~oneou~ i~luid.
Once ~ d~si~ed ~mount of Yi~CoU~ ~flllid ha~ ~en 20 produoed Prom the ~ir6t woll, lt 1 Es shu~ in ~nd pre-determined ~mount of E~t~am ~ g ln~ eated into th~
~cond well. .S~eAm ~.n~eation into the ~eoond wel~
th~n ~a~ad and hydr~c~sboneou~ f~uids ar¢ produ~ed ~xom tho ~eo~nd well at a rate ~uf ~iczien~ to allow 25 ~ormasi.on ~ine~ to build on a ~raoture ~ace ~ommunioatlng with said sl3c~nd wqll. The bu11~3up o~
formation fino~ on ~ho ra~ura ~ac~ results in a ~ilter screen ~u~ci.ent to ~emo~e ~'ormatiDn ~ines ~rom ~ho hydrocArboneotl~ f~uid~ ~hl~h ~e prGduaed to the 6ur~Ac~, Sub6~quentl~, a ~econd volume o~ ~eam i~ t"je~ted into th~ s~cond woll and ~ub~t~nti~y ~olida-l're~
hydro~ar~oneDu~ ~luld~ produ~qd ~xom th~ Pir~t well. The~ea~er, the seaDnd well iB ~hut i.n ~nd a pre-de~rm~ned volu~e o~ ~team ie in~ected lnt~ the first w~ll. Oncs the ~ir~t wall ha~ been produae~, the second wQl~ i~ opened and hyd~oc~b~nAaQou~ Pluid~ ~re ~0~1991 17:17 FROM MOBIL FFIIR ~RkS COI~IMS, TO a 613~;63~69 P. 10 ~.3~ ~3~ 1 ~
F-5644 ~
produaud ~ro~ it. The well~ ~e alt~rnat01y injsc~ed wi~h ~teAm ~nd produae~ untll a de~ired ~mount of sol~ds ~ree hyd~o~arbonaaeou~ ~luld~ h~v~ been ~omov~d Pro~ the lowar int~rv~ t~rwarde, the low~r S lntarYal i~ b~o~ked u~ an~ hs ~ep eP ~raGturing t propplng th~ ~ractu~e, building ~ ~ine~ ~creen, cy~llc ~team in~nction ~nd producing ~re ~epeated ln an ~pp~r pr~ductivo intervai. Th3g~ stap~ ar~ repeated until a - de~i~od am~unt o~ s~lid~ ~ee h~drocar.bo~aceou~ ~luld~
hav~ ~een r~mov~d ~rom the upp~r int~rval.
~ t~t~r~ore an ~b~e~t o~ thi~ lnvantlon to f~r~ a th4~mal~ ~t~ble in ~tu ~ormation Pln~ eun ~o a~ to i3.t~r finos ~r~m ~h~ produaed ~11.
It 1~ anokhor ohjec~ o~ 1-hi~ in~ention to provid~
~or a method tD thr~ughly t~At A fo~m~tion surroUndlng a well with h$gh temperature ~te~m.
~ t i~ yet anothe~ o~i~ct o~ thi~ invention to pro~lde ~r an o~illatory ~t~m ~reatm~t procedt~r~
b~tw~n a flrst ~nd ~Qcond well ~o as tv ~xovide ~or a zo more ~fic.i~nt ~weep o~ thc ~ay~ono wi~h ~toam.
~ t i~ an even ~ill yet urther o~eat o~ thls invention ~o ~ccumulate ga~or ~team p~oduc~d ~rom an upper in~erv~l of R ~Ol~ak~ 0 aB e~lly s~par~te them at the su~a~e ~nd ~UbBequontly r~-in~uct ~t~am lnto the fQrmation.
Fi~ure 1 i~ a ~ch~m~tic rcpre~entation o~ a ~rst and ~cond wel~ ~howin~ A f~actur~ ln th~ ~rm~tlon, W~ich ~raoture ha~ ~ ~luid and proppant therein.
Flgure 2 i~ a schematic repre~entation whioh show~
a lr~t and Escond ~11 pen~t~ting ~ ~mation where sald fo~mation ha~ been ~actU~ed And ~he ~raoture pr~ped with a fraaturin~ ~lul~ aon~aining ~ proppant ~u~icien~ to Po~m a ~ine~ ~cre~n ~ the f~oo o~ the ~x~turo.
Flgur~ 3 i~ a schemati~ repres~ntation showlng ste~m entering in~o a ~orma~ion Prom a Çlr~ ~nd ~econd W~ll .
04~04,19~1 17:18 FROi~ tlOE~IL FFIlR Of K5 COM15. TO a 6135639E~69 P.11 g ~ ~
F-564 4 ~S-~i.gure 4 i~ a ~chem~tic r~presentatiDn oP a ~ir~'c and ~eaond well p~n~t~at~ng ~ fnrm~'cion a31d which ~ormation ~on'calns p~opp~ ~x~¢tur~ in a 1DWer and upp~3r i~t~rv~l.
S In the prac~lce c~i th~ i.n~en~ion two well~ are dr~ ad in~o ~ forrn~lon. ~he wells ~r~ ~c-~d and ~hen ~electlvely p~r~orated ov~r A one to two ~oot lnterval in tA~ low~r produotiva la~ v~l oP ~he ~orrnation. Due to ~hQ ~hallow dept~ o~ the tax ~and or other viscous hydroaarbon aontainirlg fo~natlon, the nature of th0 .~o~ ~ormatlon ru;:~ m3.kes it m~re probable th~l:
horizunal ~rac~ure.s will be produc~d in the ~or~tion durin~ hydr~ullc ~rauturin~. A hydr~ullc Practurin~
te~ChJli(~U~ iB s~ UE;EI~ i.ll U.S- P~te~t No~ 4,067~3~9 IS which i.s~ued to SavinF~ on JanUhry 10, 1~7~. Ano'cher mothod Por initia1~ing hydraulic ~r~cturing i~ cl~;e~
by Medlin e~ al. in U.S. ~atent ~c~. 4, 37~ 9 which ~s~ d on Apr~ 83. Both p~t~n~ ~re h~3reby in~orporated by re~erence her~in. A~ i3 Xnown by to 2() tho~e ~ 3d in tho Art, i~ rder t~.o init1at~o hydraulic ~racturint3 in a f~rnation, 'che hydraulic p~ ure o,ppliod ~UE~t exe~d the Po~mat~ on pre~ura~ in ordelr ~o c~us~ a ~raa~ure 'cc~ ~rm. Th~ ~racture which ~orm~ w~lJ genorally run l?erpandlcular to ~h~ lea~l:
2S princlple ~trBBB ill the ~o~nation or reaarvoir.
'rhe ~rat::turt ng ~luld which i~ u~ed tC
hydr~uliaally rra~tu~a the ormation compri~ a u~ gel. ~he vi~cous ~el c~n inalude a water-ba~e hydroxypropyl guar ~ G), hydroxy~thyl cellulose (~EC), carboxymethylhydroxyethyl cellulo~e ~CMHEC), ~uar or oil-based dleEcll ~i.l, and ~c~so~3ene ge~ d wi~h aluminuTn pho~3pha~3 eE~ter~ (o . g ., l~allihu~t~n Se~rioa~ MY-T OilTM
II, ~c~well/Schlumbe~ r ~ ~ YP-GO~M ~. J, q!l~an ~ .
A~OFR~Cq~M, and The West~rn Comp~ny o~ Nor1;h hm~loa 3S ~AXI-o ~M ~1 ) .
~ Proppan~ ooncen~xa'cion in t:h~ vi~ou~ gel ~l-ould b6~ in concen~cra~ion o~ ~Ibout lo to about 18 04iE~4~1g91 17:18 FRO~I MOi3;L FFilli~ 0~5 C~IMS. TO 0 5135~3g~ 3 P. lZ
~ .~3~ ~Y~
P 56~ -7-pound~/gallon~ and c~n inaludo a ~ilicon carb.id~, sili~on nitride or ~arnet proppant. q'ho~e prDppant~
~re p~rtlc~larly ~r~rred ~ince they ~ndur~ tho high temp~rature eP~ect~ oP ~t~am. h hyd~aullc ~racturlng method ~mployiny ~pecial BAnd con~rol i~ d~.~clos~d by Stowe ~t al. in ~.8. P~ent No. 4,5499608 whioh i~ ed on ~c~,ober ~, 198~ p~ken~ ic hQr~by in¢orpor~t~d by re~eronce h0rein. S~licon carbid~ or ~lllaon nitrido whi~h ~an b~ u~ed horeln should bs o~ a ~iZ~ o~ ~rom abou~ ~o ~o about 100 U.~. .S~eve. ~hi~
~used ~e~raoturi"~ material ~hould have a ~oh6 hardne~s o~ about ~. B~h ~ilicon cax~ifle ~nd ~ilicon ni~ri~o have excellent thermal ~onduo~v~ty. Sllicon ni~ri.de, f~r example, ha~ a thsrmal aonducti~ y of a~out 10.83 B~U~n G~. ~t~hr./~F. at 400 ~o about 24003F.
~u1table filli~on carbido m~terial 1G ~Dld uod~r thQ
Cry~tolo" ~ trademar~ ~nd can he pu~a~a~od from No~ton Company, Metal~ ~lvi~.ion, N~wton, Ma6~ uitable ~ilicon nitride mat~rial oan bo als~ purcha~ed ~rom Norton Co~pany. lrho size oP ~he p~oppant u~ed h~rein ~ould be ha~o~ on the p~rticle slzo distribu~lon ~
the ~ormation . il~e~ ~o a~ to r~rict ~orm~ion 1'~.~es m~v~mont in~v the propp~d ~raaturs by ~he ~orma~ion of a ~ln~ s~reen.
A~ hown in F1gu~e 1, pxopp~nt l~ ha~ entored ~racturu~ 16 in ~ormation lo ~i~ p~r~ora~ions 14.
Wells 12 an~ 20 ~e slm~larly ~raotwred a~ a lower ~nterval ol Poxmation ~Ø A~ter ~r~c~u~ln~ bo~h w~
pr~-det~rmin~d volu~e o~ ateam i.s i~ject~d in~o well lZ wh~re lt enter~ ~ra~ture 16 to ~o~t~ tar s~nd ~nd to roduce ~he vieao~lty of oll adjacen~ to the ~ra~ure Paco. ~Pt~r inje~k~ng staam into w~ll 12 ~or a d~ir~d pe~iod ~ tim~, well 12 i~ ~hu~ ln and aarefully produced ~o allow Porm~lon Pine~ 22 to bull~ up on the r~ulting ~aa~ur~ ~c~ as ~hown ~chematiaally in Fiqure 2. As ln ~hown in ~i~urs 2, ~in~s ~2 c~ntinu~
ko build up 5~ ~ to ~aXe ~ ~ilt~r ~ar~n ~hich filters 04~0'1/1991 17:19 FR01`1 I~IOBIL F~ O~KS C01'1~15. Tt:l 8 61356:39e6g P. 13 ~-~ 64~ -8-foa~mation Pin~ ~rom ~he produ~ed oil. A~r pr~uaing w~ll 12 Por ~hR df~ir~ mc~un~c of tim~, wsll 12 is ~hut-in and 6;team in~eat~n 1~ c~omm~na~3d i~l well 20.
~t~am i~ lnjeoted int~ well 20 Xor a dt3~lrE~d period o~
5 tim~ and sub~eguentl~ ~e~m in~ec~ion is c~a~d. Well 20 i~ th~n ~hut-in and ~ub~:~quen~ly oil of ~ r~duc:~d viaco~ity iE; produaQ~ to the ~ur~act3 ~rom w~ll 20.
Well 20, a3 i~ ~hown in Fl~urG~ 2, i~ care~ully producsd t~ all~w form~,~ion ~ine~3 to bu.i~.d up on the fra¢ture ~o fac~ ~ wa~s done wi~h well l~ to m~ke R ~in~s filt~r ~r~en. 1~ ~econd volume of ~I;e~m i~ t:hen injeoted int:o wsll 20 and w~ll 12 iB th~n oponod to production again.
~e~l 20 i~ ~ub~e~uently ~hut-ln and anoth0r volums oP
~t~am is inj~ctQd in~o w~ll 12. There~f~er, w~ll 2~ i~
lS opened and o~l o~ reduced v$~o~i~y whioh i~
~;ub6tantially Eolide-~ree iB prDdUC:ed to the ~ur~aao.
The ~tep~ o~ altern~tely ln~eating ~team in~o on~ well and produo~ng ~olid~ ~ree or ~lne~ free oil o1~ r~duc~d vlsao~cy to ~he ~ur~a~a ~om kha1: w~ ep~t~d :20 until a d~lr~d a~ou~ c>f oi~ has be~n ~em~v~sd from the fo~nation ~ ~ lower interval . A~ter a d~EIired amount of sollds ~r~e o~l ha~ be~n rornov~3d ~om th2 low~r int~rval, ~hat int~rval i9 blooked ~f~ ~y aem~n~: or ~ridge plugs 2~ a6 i9 6hown in Flgu~e 4.
Ona~ th~ lower intsrval i~ blocked o~f wellL 12 and 20 ar~ ~raa~ured an~ proppod in a higher inte~val aa wa~ done in the l~w~r interval ~ th~ formation.
Steam i~ ~n~e~ted into well 12 and oil i~ c~refully producod ~o A~ to allow a ~olid~ or Pine~ ~cr~on ~Q
build up. ~hu~, a ~u~t~nti~].l.y ~olid~ or fine~ ~r~e oil of roduaed vi~aooit~ ie p~oduae~ t~ the ~urP~o~.
Well 12 ge ~hut 1~ and ~am inj~ n iB ~omm~n~d in well 20~ Well 20 $~ than ~re~ully produa~d ~o ~ to allow a ~ine~ ~cr~en ~o ~o~m. W~ o i~ t~n lnj~ct~d :3S with A ~aond volume ~ ~te~m an~ woll 12 i~ opon~ to produation. AB W~B done in th~ ].ower leYel, w~ll 20 i~
th~n opened to produation. ~h~ ~tep~ o~ alt~rnately 04~04/1991 17:19 FROt1 MOBIL F~IR OFKS ~OI~I!~i. TO 0 61356~g~369 P. 14 .~ ~.3 ., ~
-564~ ~9~
~n~c~lng ~team i.nto one well while th~ o1:h~r w~ll iG
E~hut in ~ntl ~hen pxoduc:lng oll ~rom th~ w~ll in whioh ~ta~m h~ b~eln inject~3d axe continued until A ~ir~d amount O:e hydrocAxbonn~o~ ~luid~ h~ be~n remo~d ~rom a hl~her p~o~U~tive lntQrval. ~ highar lntQ~a~ hen ~loaked oPr with ~or~et~ g~
plug~, ~h~ pB above ~nentione~ ~r~ r~eat~d in ~nother upper produ~ ra in~erval o~ the rorm~ion.
~ mentloned pr~viou~ly ~eg~rding th~ l~wo~ and hlgh~r intQrval~, well~ 12 and 20 ar3 peri arat~ over a on~3 t~ two ~Dot in~rval o~ an upper producing lntexv~ll o~` Porm~tion 1 0 . B~th w~ AX'~ hydrnulically Practu~ed a~ was pxevlou~ly done with a vl~aous g~31 c:ontainin~ a p~ppant ther~in ~o as to withs~md the 15 e~ec:~s o~ hi.gh t2mpera~slre ~ehm ~njectlon. A
propp~n'c oP ~lmilar pAr1:la~ e $~ us~d Ln ~he ~r~cturue which are creat~d in upper inte~val o~
~o~m~ti~n 10 ~ were u~3ed in ~he lo~er And higher intervals of s~id for~nntion, ~o ~.to r~ c~
20 ~ormnt~on ~ln~ mov~ment lnto the propp~ rAa~ure.
8ub~3quQntly, ~ pr~-det~rmin~d volume o~ Bt~am 1B
inj ~ct~d int~ th~ fr~cture~3 which h~e b~n cre~ted in woll 12 8~ Q~ ~co ~o~ten tar ~nd a~d r~duc~ tl~e vi~co~lty o~ t~e oil ~d~ acen~ to the ~r~atur~3 ~ace in 25 aaid upper int~val.
Well 12 i~ th~n ~a~ully produc~d ~o ~ to ~llow ~or;nation ~incs to build up on 'chç~ ~racture ~ac~ in the upper interual of ~ormation 10 (not ahown). Thl~
reoults in an improved ~ilter scroen ~o A~ Pllter 30 formation :Eine~ ~rom th~ o~l which 1~ produa~d ~rom the upper intcrval. W~ll 12 is then ~hut-in ~an~ ~t~am ln~ eatior~ ao~monu~d ln'co wc~ 0 whe~eupDn ~toam onters the upper produ::tlve i~lterv~l. A volunn~ o~
s~ceAm i~ then in~cted ln~'co wel~ :l2 ~03: a deslred 3s ~erlod o~ ~elme ~n~ ~;ub~equently ~te~m inJection i~
ce~ed and well ~0 }~a~ a ~u~t~nt~ally ~olids-PreQ oil pr~duc~d to th~a sur~ace. ~terward~3, a ~3cond volum~
04~04/1991 17:20 FR~ MOE3~L FP~IR OP,I<S CO~15. TO B 6135639B69 P. 15 C~ ~J ~
F~5644 --10-o~ ~t~Am i~i in~JRC~te,l~ intC) ~ 20 ~nd li7~ 2 i~ ~pened tD produation ayairl. Thc~rsa~t~r~ well 20 ~ ~h~lt~in and a v~lumo o;t ~teum ~5~aln in~eated int~ w~ where i'c enter~ the upper in~ l o~ Porma~i~n 10.
5 ~ub~quently, well ~ openad and a ~uh~tantially ~olid}~-fr~e oil of r~d~ced VigCo~i~Cy iÇ~ pLoduaed t~ the BurPaa~, Cyalic~ 06ailla~0ry Rtoam injeckion ~nd pxoduc~lon ln ehch well i~ aontinu~d unt~ 1 ~ deslred amount o~ hydroc~rbon~ ous :~lU1~3 have been produa~d lo :~ro~n the upp~r int~rval. I~ needed, ~ch~3 upp~r interval ~an b~ bloc:ked meahanic:~lly and anothor upp~r inte~vAl , slmilarly trQated.
Altilough the pre~3ent in~n~ion has besn dascri bed with pr~arr~d ~mbodimentt3, it is to bfi~ uhdQr~ d ~hat 15 modifica~ion~s and varlatio~ may b~ r~oxted to wi~hout dopartir~ rom the ~pirit E~nd 5COpO of ~h~ lnv~n'cion, a~ thDso skill~d ln th~ art will readily undQrstand.
Su~h snodlPic:Atlonst ~nd ~tarie~t~on~ ~re aona~ dered tD be w$thin ~che purvi.aw ~nd ~cope c~ the ~ppended claim~.
Claims (5)
1. A method for producing viscous substantially solids-free hydrocarbonaceous fluids from an unconsolidated or loosely consolidated formation comprising:
(a) drilling into said formation first and second spaced apart wells into a lower productive interval of said formation;
(b) fracturing hydraulically said wells with a viscous fracturing fluid containing a proppant therein of a size sufficient to prop a created fracture and restrict fines movement into the fracture;
(c) injecting a pre-determined volume of steam into said first well in an amount sufficient to soften said viscous fluid and lower the viscosity of said fluid adjacent and propped fracture face;
(d) producing the first well at a rate sufficient to allow formation fines to build up on a fracture face communicating with said first well thereby resulting in a filter screen sufficient to substantially remove formation fines from the hydrocarbonaceous fluids;
(e) shutting in said first well while injecting steam in a predetermined amount in said second well;
(f) producing hydrocarbonaceous fluids from said second well at a rate sufficient to allow formation fines to build up on a fracture face communicating with said second well which results in a filter screen sufficient to remove formation fines from produced hydrocarbonaceous fluids;
(g) injecting a second volume of steam into the second well and producing a substantially solids-free hydrocarbonaceous fluid from the first well;
(h) shutting in the second well and injecting an additional volume of steam into the said first well;
(i) producing said second well and shutting in the first well;
(j) repeating the injecting and producing steps in both wells until a desired amount of solids free hydrocarbonaceous fluids have been removed; and (k) closing off the lower interval and repeating steps b) through j) in a higher interval.
(a) drilling into said formation first and second spaced apart wells into a lower productive interval of said formation;
(b) fracturing hydraulically said wells with a viscous fracturing fluid containing a proppant therein of a size sufficient to prop a created fracture and restrict fines movement into the fracture;
(c) injecting a pre-determined volume of steam into said first well in an amount sufficient to soften said viscous fluid and lower the viscosity of said fluid adjacent and propped fracture face;
(d) producing the first well at a rate sufficient to allow formation fines to build up on a fracture face communicating with said first well thereby resulting in a filter screen sufficient to substantially remove formation fines from the hydrocarbonaceous fluids;
(e) shutting in said first well while injecting steam in a predetermined amount in said second well;
(f) producing hydrocarbonaceous fluids from said second well at a rate sufficient to allow formation fines to build up on a fracture face communicating with said second well which results in a filter screen sufficient to remove formation fines from produced hydrocarbonaceous fluids;
(g) injecting a second volume of steam into the second well and producing a substantially solids-free hydrocarbonaceous fluid from the first well;
(h) shutting in the second well and injecting an additional volume of steam into the said first well;
(i) producing said second well and shutting in the first well;
(j) repeating the injecting and producing steps in both wells until a desired amount of solids free hydrocarbonaceous fluids have been removed; and (k) closing off the lower interval and repeating steps b) through j) in a higher interval.
2. The method as recited in claim 1 where in step k) said lower interval is closed off with cement or via bridge plugs.
3. The method as recited in claim 1 where the wells are cased and selectively perforated at a one to two foot interval so as to communicate fluidly with a productive interval of the formation.
4. The method as recited in claim 1 where the unconsolidated formation comprises tar sand.
5. The method as recited in claim 1 where in step (b) the proppant size is determined by the particle size distribution of formation fines so as to restrict fines movement into a propped fracture.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2039919 CA2039919A1 (en) | 1991-04-05 | 1991-04-05 | Method for improving steam simulation in heavy oil reservoirs |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2039919 CA2039919A1 (en) | 1991-04-05 | 1991-04-05 | Method for improving steam simulation in heavy oil reservoirs |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2039919A1 true CA2039919A1 (en) | 1992-10-06 |
Family
ID=4147344
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2039919 Abandoned CA2039919A1 (en) | 1991-04-05 | 1991-04-05 | Method for improving steam simulation in heavy oil reservoirs |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2039919A1 (en) |
Cited By (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2008081221A1 (en) * | 2006-12-29 | 2008-07-10 | Schlumberger Canada Limited | Stimulated oil production using reactive fluids |
| US10012064B2 (en) | 2015-04-09 | 2018-07-03 | Highlands Natural Resources, Plc | Gas diverter for well and reservoir stimulation |
| US10344204B2 (en) | 2015-04-09 | 2019-07-09 | Diversion Technologies, LLC | Gas diverter for well and reservoir stimulation |
| CN110685668A (en) * | 2019-11-12 | 2020-01-14 | 重庆大学 | Simulation sample for heavy oil reservoir exploitation test |
| US10954771B2 (en) | 2017-11-20 | 2021-03-23 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Systems and methods of initiating energetic reactions for reservoir stimulation |
| US10982520B2 (en) | 2016-04-27 | 2021-04-20 | Highland Natural Resources, PLC | Gas diverter for well and reservoir stimulation |
-
1991
- 1991-04-05 CA CA 2039919 patent/CA2039919A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (10)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2008081221A1 (en) * | 2006-12-29 | 2008-07-10 | Schlumberger Canada Limited | Stimulated oil production using reactive fluids |
| US8096361B2 (en) | 2006-12-29 | 2012-01-17 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Stimulated oil production using reactive fluids |
| US10012064B2 (en) | 2015-04-09 | 2018-07-03 | Highlands Natural Resources, Plc | Gas diverter for well and reservoir stimulation |
| US10344204B2 (en) | 2015-04-09 | 2019-07-09 | Diversion Technologies, LLC | Gas diverter for well and reservoir stimulation |
| US10385258B2 (en) | 2015-04-09 | 2019-08-20 | Highlands Natural Resources, Plc | Gas diverter for well and reservoir stimulation |
| US10385257B2 (en) | 2015-04-09 | 2019-08-20 | Highands Natural Resources, PLC | Gas diverter for well and reservoir stimulation |
| US10982520B2 (en) | 2016-04-27 | 2021-04-20 | Highland Natural Resources, PLC | Gas diverter for well and reservoir stimulation |
| US10954771B2 (en) | 2017-11-20 | 2021-03-23 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Systems and methods of initiating energetic reactions for reservoir stimulation |
| US11808128B2 (en) | 2017-11-20 | 2023-11-07 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Systems and methods of initiating energetic reactions for reservoir stimulation |
| CN110685668A (en) * | 2019-11-12 | 2020-01-14 | 重庆大学 | Simulation sample for heavy oil reservoir exploitation test |
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