WO2008060311A2 - Method for cagd recovery of heavy oil - Google Patents
Method for cagd recovery of heavy oil Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2008060311A2 WO2008060311A2 PCT/US2007/003562 US2007003562W WO2008060311A2 WO 2008060311 A2 WO2008060311 A2 WO 2008060311A2 US 2007003562 W US2007003562 W US 2007003562W WO 2008060311 A2 WO2008060311 A2 WO 2008060311A2
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- oil
- steam
- chamber
- oxygen
- deposit
- Prior art date
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 20
- 239000000295 fuel oil Substances 0.000 title claims description 14
- 238000011084 recovery Methods 0.000 title description 3
- 239000001301 oxygen Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 21
- 229910052760 oxygen Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 21
- QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N atomic oxygen Chemical compound [O] QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 20
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 9
- 239000003921 oil Substances 0.000 claims description 27
- 238000002485 combustion reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 11
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000000446 fuel Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 229920006395 saturated elastomer Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N Atomic nitrogen Chemical compound N#N IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims 2
- 239000003575 carbonaceous material Substances 0.000 claims 1
- 229910052757 nitrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 claims 1
- 238000010796 Steam-assisted gravity drainage Methods 0.000 description 12
- 238000011065 in-situ storage Methods 0.000 description 6
- 238000002347 injection Methods 0.000 description 6
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 description 6
- 238000010793 Steam injection (oil industry) Methods 0.000 description 2
- AMRUKLMZDPPJNU-IOLLQWDPSA-N (2-hydroxy-3-octadecanoyloxypropyl) (5e,8e,11e,14e)-icosa-5,8,11,14-tetraenoate Chemical compound CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC(=O)OCC(O)COC(=O)CCC\C=C\C\C=C\C\C=C\C\C=C\CCCCC AMRUKLMZDPPJNU-IOLLQWDPSA-N 0.000 description 1
- OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon Chemical compound [C] OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- UFHFLCQGNIYNRP-UHFFFAOYSA-N Hydrogen Chemical compound [H][H] UFHFLCQGNIYNRP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910052799 carbon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000005336 cracking Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229930195733 hydrocarbon Natural products 0.000 description 1
- 150000002430 hydrocarbons Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 239000001257 hydrogen Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052739 hydrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000001483 mobilizing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003647 oxidation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007254 oxidation reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000035699 permeability Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B43/00—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
- E21B43/16—Enhanced recovery methods for obtaining hydrocarbons
- E21B43/24—Enhanced recovery methods for obtaining hydrocarbons using heat, e.g. steam injection
- E21B43/243—Combustion in situ
Definitions
- This invention relates to a method for the recovery of heavy oil. More specifically, this invention relates to reducing the energy inputs required in Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) methods now employed commercially. This invention also relates to improved methods for in-situ combustion.
- SAGD Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage
- SAGD steam chamber reduces the amount of steam required to produce a barrel of oil.
- the resulting in-situ combustion referred to herein as Combustion Assisted Gravity Drainage (“CAGD”) provides heat to reduce the amount of steam required to produce a barrel of oil and provides for temperatures high enough for oil upgrading.
- CAGD Combustion Assisted Gravity Drainage
- In-situ combustion in the presence of steam allows control of reaction temperature by control of the oxygen concentration in the gases within the steam chamber. Temperatures at the chamber wall may be well above the saturated steam temperature at the pressure within the chamber. Oil may be upgraded by cracking and high enough temperatures for steam reaction with carbon or hydrocarbons to produce hydrogen are achievable.
- oxygen may be mixed with the steam being injected via an injection well. A separate oxygen injection well may be used to inject the oxygen at a higher elevation than the existing steam injection well.
- a chamber is a region within a heavy oil deposit bounded by low permeability walls.
- a steam chamber is a chamber in an oil reservoir formed by injecting steam into the reservoir replacing all or a portion of the chamber oil with steam.
- Figure 1 depicts a SAGD steam chamber in a heavy oil deposit operated in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 1 depicts a SAGD steam chamber 30 in heavy oil deposit 40 operated in accordance with the present invention.
- SAGD drained oil is withdrawn through production well 33.
- Oxygen in admixture with steam is injected via well 34 to maximize upgrading of produced oil.
- oxygen in admixture with steam is injected via optional well 31 into an upper region of chamber 30.
- oxidation and upgrading of oil draining toward production well 33 may be limited by injection of oxygen-free or reduced-oxygen content fluid, as for example steam, via well 34 in sufficient quantity to limit access of oxygen to drained oil being withdrawn through well 33.
Abstract
The invention provides a novel method of recovering oil by injecting oxygen into a chamber within an oil deposit thereby combusting oil at the chamber walls. The heated oil to drains towards the reservoir floor and is recovered oil via a production well.
Description
METHOD FOR CAGD RECOVERY OF HEAVY OIL
Cross-Reference [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application
No. 60/773,410 filed February 15, 2006, and U.S. Patent Application No. TBD filed on February 9, 2007.
Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to a method for the recovery of heavy oil. More specifically, this invention relates to reducing the energy inputs required in Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) methods now employed commercially. This invention also relates to improved methods for in-situ combustion.
Background Of The Invention
[0003] In-situ combustion of heavy oil is a potentially attractive method of mobilizing heavy oil for production. No external source of fuel is required and temperatures can be high enough for oil upgrading. However, few commercial trials have been successful because of the difficulty in controlling combustion. An improvement known as Toe to Heel
Air Injection (THAI) is one attempt to solve this issue. Another approach to heavy oil production is heating by steam injection. A recent break-through is Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD). SAGD is now widely used to produce heavy oil from oil sands such as are found throughout Alberta.
[0004] Although heavy oil can be economically produced, little or no upgrading of the oil is achieved. In SAGD, steam is injected into a heavy oil deposit forming an expanding steam chamber avoiding loss of steam through cracks. Heated oil drains to a production well located under the injection well. Both wells are typically horizontal wells. Typically, the amount of steam required to produce a barrel of oil decreases with time for a period following initial operation. The minimum steam requirement is usually reached after three or four years of operation. Inasmuch as a major cost of such an operation is the cost of providing the steam, there is a need to reduce the amount of steam required to an amount below the minimum now achievable.
[0005] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a significant reduction in the amount of steam required to produce oil. It is a prime object of the invention to make possible utilization of in-situ combustion to replace at least a portion of the steam required in SAGD production of heavy oil from oil sands. Further it is an object of the invention to provide a method to produce upgraded oil.
Summary Of The Invention
[0006] It has now been found that injection of oxygen along with steam into a
SAGD steam chamber reduces the amount of steam required to produce a barrel of oil. The resulting in-situ combustion, referred to herein as Combustion Assisted Gravity Drainage
("CAGD") provides heat to reduce the amount of steam required to produce a barrel of oil and provides for temperatures high enough for oil upgrading.
[0007] In-situ combustion in the presence of steam allows control of reaction temperature by control of the oxygen concentration in the gases within the steam chamber. Temperatures at the chamber wall may be well above the saturated steam temperature at the pressure within the chamber. Oil may be upgraded by cracking and high enough temperatures for steam reaction with carbon or hydrocarbons to produce hydrogen are achievable. For existing SAGD operations, oxygen may be mixed with the steam being injected via an injection well. A separate oxygen injection well may be used to inject the oxygen at a higher elevation than the existing steam injection well.
[0008] Injecting oxygen into a SADG steam chamber for in-situ combustion without a continuing supply of steam eliminates the need for a surface fuel supply to produce steam. In this case, air or oxygen-enriched air may be utilized rather than high purity oxygen. For the purpose of this invention, a chamber is a region within a heavy oil deposit bounded by low permeability walls. A steam chamber is a chamber in an oil reservoir formed by injecting steam into the reservoir replacing all or a portion of the chamber oil with steam.
Brief Description Of The Drawings
[0009] Figure 1 depicts a SAGD steam chamber in a heavy oil deposit operated in accordance with the present invention.
Detailed Description Of The Preferred Embodiments
[0010] Figure 1 depicts a SAGD steam chamber 30 in heavy oil deposit 40 operated in accordance with the present invention. As in SAGD, drained oil is withdrawn through production well 33. Oxygen in admixture with steam is injected via well 34 to maximize upgrading of produced oil. Alternatively, oxygen in admixture with steam is injected via optional well 31 into an upper region of chamber 30. In this mode of operation, oxidation and upgrading of oil draining toward production well 33 may be limited by injection of oxygen-free or reduced-oxygen content fluid, as for example steam, via well 34 in sufficient quantity to limit access of oxygen to drained oil being withdrawn through well 33.
[0011] Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the invention should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein.
Claims
1. A method of recovering oil comprising:
a) injecting oxygen into a chamber within an oil deposit thereby combusting oil at the chamber walls;
b) allowing heated oil to drain towards the reservoir floor; and
c) recovering oil via a production well.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the chamber is a steam chamber.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein the combustion temperature at the chamber walls is above the saturated steam temperature at the steam chamber pressure.
4. The method of claim 2 wherein the combustion temperature is controlled by adjusting the oxygen concentration within the steam chamber.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the oxygen is injected in admixture with steam.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein high purity oxygen is injected in admixture with steam.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein the chamber walls are maintained at a temperature above that at which the in place oil cracks.
8. The method of claim 5 wherein the combustion temperature is high enough to promote reaction of steam with carbonaceous materials.
9. A method of producing upgraded oil from a heavy oil deposit comprising: a) injecting oxygen into a chamber within the deposit;
b) combusting fuel at the chamber walls;
c) maintaining the walls at a temperature above that at which the deposit oil cracks; and
d) withdrawing upgraded oil via a production well.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein the oxygen is injected in admixture with steam.
11. The method of claim 9 wherein the oxygen is injected in admixture with nitrogen.
12. The method of claim 1 wherein oxygen is supplied as air.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
CA002642750A CA2642750A1 (en) | 2006-02-15 | 2007-02-09 | Method for cagd recovery of heavy oil |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US77341006P | 2006-02-15 | 2006-02-15 | |
US60/773,410 | 2006-02-15 | ||
US11/704,618 US20070187094A1 (en) | 2006-02-15 | 2007-02-09 | Method for CAGD recovery of heavy oil |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2008060311A2 true WO2008060311A2 (en) | 2008-05-22 |
WO2008060311A3 WO2008060311A3 (en) | 2008-11-27 |
Family
ID=40029218
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US2007/003562 WO2008060311A2 (en) | 2006-02-15 | 2007-02-09 | Method for cagd recovery of heavy oil |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20070187094A1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2642750A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2008060311A2 (en) |
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2014089685A1 (en) * | 2012-12-14 | 2014-06-19 | Nexen Energy Ulc | Steam assisted gravity drainage with added oxygen ("sagdox") in deep reservoirs |
US9163491B2 (en) | 2011-10-21 | 2015-10-20 | Nexen Energy Ulc | Steam assisted gravity drainage processes with the addition of oxygen |
US9328592B2 (en) | 2011-07-13 | 2016-05-03 | Nexen Energy Ulc | Steam anti-coning/cresting technology ( SACT) remediation process |
US9803456B2 (en) | 2011-07-13 | 2017-10-31 | Nexen Energy Ulc | SAGDOX geometry for impaired bitumen reservoirs |
US9828841B2 (en) | 2011-07-13 | 2017-11-28 | Nexen Energy Ulc | Sagdox geometry |
Families Citing this family (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7909094B2 (en) | 2007-07-06 | 2011-03-22 | Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. | Oscillating fluid flow in a wellbore |
US20130062058A1 (en) | 2011-03-03 | 2013-03-14 | Conocophillips Company | In situ combustion following sagd |
WO2013166586A1 (en) * | 2012-05-07 | 2013-11-14 | Nexen Energy Ulc | Satellite steam-assisted gravity drainage with oxygen (sagdox) system for remote recovery of hydrocarbons |
WO2014035788A1 (en) | 2012-08-28 | 2014-03-06 | Conocophillips Company | In situ combustion for steam recovery infill |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4006778A (en) * | 1974-06-21 | 1977-02-08 | Texaco Exploration Canada Ltd. | Thermal recovery of hydrocarbon from tar sands |
US4722395A (en) * | 1986-12-24 | 1988-02-02 | Mobil Oil Corporation | Viscous oil recovery method |
US20040050547A1 (en) * | 2002-09-16 | 2004-03-18 | Limbach Kirk Walton | Downhole upgrading of oils |
Family Cites Families (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3284281A (en) * | 1964-08-31 | 1966-11-08 | Phillips Petroleum Co | Production of oil from oil shale through fractures |
US3537528A (en) * | 1968-10-14 | 1970-11-03 | Shell Oil Co | Method for producing shale oil from an exfoliated oil shale formation |
US3964546A (en) * | 1974-06-21 | 1976-06-22 | Texaco Inc. | Thermal recovery of viscous oil |
US3978925A (en) * | 1974-06-21 | 1976-09-07 | Texaco Exploration Canada Ltd. | Method for recovery of bitumens from tar sands |
US4133382A (en) * | 1977-09-28 | 1979-01-09 | Texaco Canada Inc. | Recovery of petroleum from viscous petroleum-containing formations including tar sands |
US4691771A (en) * | 1984-09-25 | 1987-09-08 | Worldenergy Systems, Inc. | Recovery of oil by in-situ combustion followed by in-situ hydrogenation |
-
2007
- 2007-02-09 US US11/704,618 patent/US20070187094A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2007-02-09 WO PCT/US2007/003562 patent/WO2008060311A2/en active Application Filing
- 2007-02-09 CA CA002642750A patent/CA2642750A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4006778A (en) * | 1974-06-21 | 1977-02-08 | Texaco Exploration Canada Ltd. | Thermal recovery of hydrocarbon from tar sands |
US4722395A (en) * | 1986-12-24 | 1988-02-02 | Mobil Oil Corporation | Viscous oil recovery method |
US20040050547A1 (en) * | 2002-09-16 | 2004-03-18 | Limbach Kirk Walton | Downhole upgrading of oils |
Cited By (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US9328592B2 (en) | 2011-07-13 | 2016-05-03 | Nexen Energy Ulc | Steam anti-coning/cresting technology ( SACT) remediation process |
US9803456B2 (en) | 2011-07-13 | 2017-10-31 | Nexen Energy Ulc | SAGDOX geometry for impaired bitumen reservoirs |
US9828841B2 (en) | 2011-07-13 | 2017-11-28 | Nexen Energy Ulc | Sagdox geometry |
US9163491B2 (en) | 2011-10-21 | 2015-10-20 | Nexen Energy Ulc | Steam assisted gravity drainage processes with the addition of oxygen |
US9644468B2 (en) | 2011-10-21 | 2017-05-09 | Nexen Energy Ulc | Steam assisted gravity drainage processes with the addition of oxygen |
WO2014089685A1 (en) * | 2012-12-14 | 2014-06-19 | Nexen Energy Ulc | Steam assisted gravity drainage with added oxygen ("sagdox") in deep reservoirs |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2008060311A3 (en) | 2008-11-27 |
US20070187094A1 (en) | 2007-08-16 |
CA2642750A1 (en) | 2008-05-22 |
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