CA2374115A1 - Energy efficient method and apparatus for stimulating heavy oil production - Google Patents
Energy efficient method and apparatus for stimulating heavy oil production Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2374115A1 CA2374115A1 CA 2374115 CA2374115A CA2374115A1 CA 2374115 A1 CA2374115 A1 CA 2374115A1 CA 2374115 CA2374115 CA 2374115 CA 2374115 A CA2374115 A CA 2374115A CA 2374115 A1 CA2374115 A1 CA 2374115A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- solvent
- formation
- oil
- extracting
- heat
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
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Classifications
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C09—DYES; PAINTS; POLISHES; NATURAL RESINS; ADHESIVES; COMPOSITIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; APPLICATIONS OF MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- C09K—MATERIALS FOR MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATIONS, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
- C09K8/00—Compositions for drilling of boreholes or wells; Compositions for treating boreholes or wells, e.g. for completion or for remedial operations
- C09K8/58—Compositions for enhanced recovery methods for obtaining hydrocarbons, i.e. for improving the mobility of the oil, e.g. displacing fluids
- C09K8/592—Compositions used in combination with generated heat, e.g. by steam injection
-
- 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
Abstract
A method for extracting oil from a formation is disclosed. The method includes selecting a condensing solvent having a high vapour pressure at low temperatures and injecting the solvent into the formation. Then the solvent is condensed in the formation to deliver a latent heat of condensation to said oil and to mobilize said oil. The oil is then produced, and solvent is recovered from the produced oil. The recovered solvent is then conditioned for reinjection by being heated by means of a heat pump and compressor. Then it is reinjected into the formation. In a preferred aspect the thermal coefficient of production is greater than 1. An oil recovery system for carrying out the process is also disclosed.
Claims (30)
1. A method for extracting oil from a formation, said method comprising:
selecting a condensing solvent having a high vapour pressure at low temperatures, injecting said solvent as a vapour into said formation, condensing said solvent in said formation to deliver a latent heat of condensation to said oil and to mobilize said oil, producing said oil and said solvent;
recovering said solvent from said produced oil, heating said solvent by means of a heat pump, and re-injecting said solvent into said formation.
selecting a condensing solvent having a high vapour pressure at low temperatures, injecting said solvent as a vapour into said formation, condensing said solvent in said formation to deliver a latent heat of condensation to said oil and to mobilize said oil, producing said oil and said solvent;
recovering said solvent from said produced oil, heating said solvent by means of a heat pump, and re-injecting said solvent into said formation.
2. A method for extracting oil from a formation as claimed in claim 1 wherein the solvent evaporates at a temperature below an average ambient temperature of a location where the extraction is occurring, and heat from ambient air is used in said heat pump.
3. A method for extracting oil from a formation as claimed in claim 1 wherein the solvent evaporates at a temperature below an average ambient temperature of a location where the extraction is occurring, and geothermal energy is used in said heat pump.
4. A method for extracting oil from a formation as claimed in claim 3 wherein said geothermal energy is recovered from a previously extracted underground formation.
5. A method for extracting oil from a formation as claimed in claim 1 further including the step of heating said solvent by means of a secondary heat source.
6. A method for extracting oil from a formation as claimed in claim 5 wherein said secondary heat source is a source of waste heat.
7. A method for extracting oil from a formation as claimed in claim 1 wherein said step of heating said solvent by means of a heat pump includes compressing said solvent vapour to a predetermined formation injection pressure and temperature.
8. A method for extracting oil from a formation as claimed in claim 1 wherein said step of recovering said solvent from said produced oil further comprises a dewatering step.
9. A method for extracting oil from a formation as claimed in claims 1 or 8 wherein said step of recovering solvent from said produced oil further comprises stripping at least some noncondensables from said oil.
10. A method for extracting oil from a formation as claimed in claim 9 wherein said step of stripping at least some noncondensables occurs prior to said solvent being recovered from said oil.
11. A method for extracting oil from a formation as claimed in claim 9 wherein said step of stripping at least some noncondensables from said oil occurs prior to said solvent being reinjected into said formation.
12. A method for extracting oil from a formation as claimed in claims 7 to 11 wherein said noncondensables include at least methane.
13. A method for extracting oil from a formation as claimed in claim 1 wherein said step of recovering said solvent from said oil further includes heating said oil by means of a heat pump to evaporate said solvent.
14. A method for extracting oil from a formation as claimed in claim 13 wherein said step of heating said oil to evaporate said solvent further includes a vapour recompression step to supply a portion of the latent heat of evaporation of the solvent.
15. A method for extracting oil from a formation as claimed in claim 1 wherein said step of recovering said solvent from said oil further includes stripping heavies out from said recovered solvent.
16. A method for extracting oil from a formation as claimed in claim 1 to 15 further including the step of adding make up solvent prior to re-injection of the solvent into the formation.
17. A method for extracting oil from a formation as claimed in claim 1 to 16 wherein said solvent has a critical temperature that is higher than a formation extraction temperature.
18. A method for extracting oil from a formation as claimed in claims 1 to 17 wherein said solvent is propane.
19. A method for extracting heavy oil from a formation, said method comprising:
supplying a condensing solvent, injecting said solvent into said formation, condensing said solvent in said formation to deliver a latent heat of condensation to heat said heavy oil, recovering said solvent upon extraction of said heavy oil, supplying thermal energy to said solvent by evaporating said solvent at ambient conditions and compressing said vapour solvent to desired extraction conditions.
supplying a condensing solvent, injecting said solvent into said formation, condensing said solvent in said formation to deliver a latent heat of condensation to heat said heavy oil, recovering said solvent upon extraction of said heavy oil, supplying thermal energy to said solvent by evaporating said solvent at ambient conditions and compressing said vapour solvent to desired extraction conditions.
20. A method for extracting oil from a formation said method comprising the steps of:
producing fluids from a formation;
recovering a solvent from said produced fluids and heating said solvent for re-injection wherein said heating step has a thermal coefficient of performance greater than 1.
producing fluids from a formation;
recovering a solvent from said produced fluids and heating said solvent for re-injection wherein said heating step has a thermal coefficient of performance greater than 1.
21. A method for extracting oil from a formation as claimed in claim 14 wherein said heating step has a thermal coefficient of performance greater than 2.
22. A method of stripping a solvent from produced oil and preparing the solvent for re-injection, said method comprising the steps of:
de-watering said produced oil;
separating said produced oil into a gas fraction and a liquid fraction;
removing non-condensibles from said gas fraction;
passing said liquids through one or more evaporation steps to recover additional solvent; and vaporizing said recovered solvent.
de-watering said produced oil;
separating said produced oil into a gas fraction and a liquid fraction;
removing non-condensibles from said gas fraction;
passing said liquids through one or more evaporation steps to recover additional solvent; and vaporizing said recovered solvent.
23. A method of stripping a solvent from produced oil, and preparing the solvent for re-injection as claimed in claim 21 wherein said step of passing said liquids through one or more evaporation steps comprises heating said liquids by means of one or more heat pumps.
24. A method of stripping a solvent from produced oil and preparing the solvent for re-injection as claimed in claim 22 wherein said step of vaporizing said recovered solvent includes heating said recovered solvent by means of a heat pump.
25. An oil recovery system comprising:
a source of solvent for injection into a hydrocarbon bearing formation;
an injection path into an oil bearing formation;
a recovery path out of said oil bearing formation;
and a solvent recovery and reheating apparatus including at least one heat pump.
a source of solvent for injection into a hydrocarbon bearing formation;
an injection path into an oil bearing formation;
a recovery path out of said oil bearing formation;
and a solvent recovery and reheating apparatus including at least one heat pump.
26. A solvent recovery and reheating system comprising:
a dewaterer;
a non-condensable gas remover;
at least one solvent evaporator to strip the solvent from any recovered hydrocarbons; and a solvent vaporizer having a heat exchanger to vaporize said solvent and a compressor to condition said vaporized solvent to a desired injection pressure and temperature.
a dewaterer;
a non-condensable gas remover;
at least one solvent evaporator to strip the solvent from any recovered hydrocarbons; and a solvent vaporizer having a heat exchanger to vaporize said solvent and a compressor to condition said vaporized solvent to a desired injection pressure and temperature.
27. A solvent recovery and reheating system as claimed in claim 26 wherein said system further includes a source of make up solvent.
28. A solvent recovery and reheating system 26 wherein said heat exchanger obtains heat energy from a latent heat source.
29. A solvent recovery and reheating system as claimed in claim 26 further including a secondary heater for vaporizing said solvent.
30. A solvent recovery and reheating system as claimed in claim 29 wherein said secondary heater utilizes a waste heat source.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2374115A CA2374115C (en) | 2002-03-01 | 2002-03-01 | Energy efficient method and apparatus for stimulating heavy oil production |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2374115A CA2374115C (en) | 2002-03-01 | 2002-03-01 | Energy efficient method and apparatus for stimulating heavy oil production |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2374115A1 true CA2374115A1 (en) | 2003-09-01 |
| CA2374115C CA2374115C (en) | 2010-05-18 |
Family
ID=27792797
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2374115A Expired - Lifetime CA2374115C (en) | 2002-03-01 | 2002-03-01 | Energy efficient method and apparatus for stimulating heavy oil production |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2374115C (en) |
Cited By (12)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US7727766B2 (en) * | 2004-07-28 | 2010-06-01 | N-Solv Corporation | Method and apparatus for testing heavy oil production processes |
| CN102748018A (en) * | 2012-07-23 | 2012-10-24 | 中国石油天然气股份有限公司 | Device and method for thickened oil deposit gas injection huff-puff oil extraction physical simulation experiments |
| US8449764B2 (en) | 2008-11-26 | 2013-05-28 | Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company | Method for using native bitumen markers to improve solvent-assisted bitumen extraction |
| US8455405B2 (en) | 2008-11-26 | 2013-06-04 | Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company | Solvent for extracting bitumen from oil sands |
| US8596357B2 (en) | 2006-06-07 | 2013-12-03 | John Nenniger | Methods and apparatuses for SAGD hydrocarbon production |
| WO2014029009A1 (en) * | 2012-08-21 | 2014-02-27 | Kemex Ltd. | Bitumen recovery process |
| US8776900B2 (en) | 2006-07-19 | 2014-07-15 | John Nenniger | Methods and apparatuses for enhanced in situ hydrocarbon production |
| WO2014177188A1 (en) * | 2013-04-30 | 2014-11-06 | Statoil Canada Limited | Method of recovering thermal energy |
| CN106837292A (en) * | 2017-03-24 | 2017-06-13 | 西安长庆科技工程有限责任公司 | A kind of the surface technology processing system and method for many series of strata yard different disposal scales |
| US10934822B2 (en) | 2016-03-23 | 2021-03-02 | Petrospec Engineering Inc. | Low-pressure method and apparatus of producing hydrocarbons from an underground formation using electric resistive heating and solvent injection |
| CN113790042A (en) * | 2020-05-26 | 2021-12-14 | 中国石油化工股份有限公司 | Experimental system and experimental method for multiple rounds of thermal composite chemical huff and puff |
| WO2022227837A1 (en) * | 2021-04-29 | 2022-11-03 | 西安交通大学 | Supercritical multi-element hot fluid generation system and method with segmented air supply |
Families Citing this family (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CA2639851C (en) | 2008-09-26 | 2016-01-05 | Nsolv Corporation | A method of controlling growth and heat loss of an in situ gravity drainage chamber formed with a condensing solvent process |
| CA2691889C (en) | 2010-02-04 | 2016-05-17 | Statoil Asa | Solvent injection recovery process |
| US10094208B2 (en) | 2010-02-04 | 2018-10-09 | Statoil Asa | Solvent and gas injection recovery process |
| CA2972203C (en) | 2017-06-29 | 2018-07-17 | Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company | Chasing solvent for enhanced recovery processes |
| CA2974712C (en) | 2017-07-27 | 2018-09-25 | Imperial Oil Resources Limited | Enhanced methods for recovering viscous hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation as a follow-up to thermal recovery processes |
| CA2978157C (en) | 2017-08-31 | 2018-10-16 | Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company | Thermal recovery methods for recovering viscous hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation |
| CA2983541C (en) | 2017-10-24 | 2019-01-22 | Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company | Systems and methods for dynamic liquid level monitoring and control |
-
2002
- 2002-03-01 CA CA2374115A patent/CA2374115C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Cited By (13)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US7727766B2 (en) * | 2004-07-28 | 2010-06-01 | N-Solv Corporation | Method and apparatus for testing heavy oil production processes |
| US8596357B2 (en) | 2006-06-07 | 2013-12-03 | John Nenniger | Methods and apparatuses for SAGD hydrocarbon production |
| US8776900B2 (en) | 2006-07-19 | 2014-07-15 | John Nenniger | Methods and apparatuses for enhanced in situ hydrocarbon production |
| US8455405B2 (en) | 2008-11-26 | 2013-06-04 | Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company | Solvent for extracting bitumen from oil sands |
| US8449764B2 (en) | 2008-11-26 | 2013-05-28 | Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company | Method for using native bitumen markers to improve solvent-assisted bitumen extraction |
| CN102748018A (en) * | 2012-07-23 | 2012-10-24 | 中国石油天然气股份有限公司 | Device and method for thickened oil deposit gas injection huff-puff oil extraction physical simulation experiments |
| CN102748018B (en) * | 2012-07-23 | 2015-07-08 | 中国石油天然气股份有限公司 | Device and method for thickened oil deposit gas injection huff-puff oil extraction physical simulation experiments |
| WO2014029009A1 (en) * | 2012-08-21 | 2014-02-27 | Kemex Ltd. | Bitumen recovery process |
| WO2014177188A1 (en) * | 2013-04-30 | 2014-11-06 | Statoil Canada Limited | Method of recovering thermal energy |
| US10934822B2 (en) | 2016-03-23 | 2021-03-02 | Petrospec Engineering Inc. | Low-pressure method and apparatus of producing hydrocarbons from an underground formation using electric resistive heating and solvent injection |
| CN106837292A (en) * | 2017-03-24 | 2017-06-13 | 西安长庆科技工程有限责任公司 | A kind of the surface technology processing system and method for many series of strata yard different disposal scales |
| CN113790042A (en) * | 2020-05-26 | 2021-12-14 | 中国石油化工股份有限公司 | Experimental system and experimental method for multiple rounds of thermal composite chemical huff and puff |
| WO2022227837A1 (en) * | 2021-04-29 | 2022-11-03 | 西安交通大学 | Supercritical multi-element hot fluid generation system and method with segmented air supply |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2374115C (en) | 2010-05-18 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKEX | Expiry |
Effective date: 20220301 |