US20090301704A1 - Recovery of Hydrocarbons Using Horizontal Wells - Google Patents

Recovery of Hydrocarbons Using Horizontal Wells Download PDF

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Publication number
US20090301704A1
US20090301704A1 US12/300,981 US30098107A US2009301704A1 US 20090301704 A1 US20090301704 A1 US 20090301704A1 US 30098107 A US30098107 A US 30098107A US 2009301704 A1 US2009301704 A1 US 2009301704A1
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Prior art keywords
wellbore
steam
wellbores
approximately
feet
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Abandoned
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US12/300,981
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English (en)
Inventor
Peter M. Dillett
Pat R. Perri
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Chevron USA Inc
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Chevron USA Inc
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Priority to US12/300,981 priority Critical patent/US20090301704A1/en
Assigned to CHEVRON U.S.A. INC. reassignment CHEVRON U.S.A. INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: DILLETT, PETER M., PERRI, PAT R.
Publication of US20090301704A1 publication Critical patent/US20090301704A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK 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
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK 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
    • E21B43/30—Specific pattern of wells, e.g. optimising the spacing of wells
    • E21B43/305—Specific pattern of wells, e.g. optimising the spacing of wells comprising at least one inclined or horizontal well

Definitions

  • a method that relates to the recovery of hydrocarbons in subsurface formations, particularly the recovery of heavy oil from reservoirs in which steam fracturing operations have been conducted.
  • a method of drilling a wellbore useful for the recovery of hydrocarbons from a subsurface reservoir comprising drilling a wellbore having a substantially horizontal productive portion lying within the subsurface reservoir.
  • the subsurface reservoir is penetrated by one or more wellbores previously injected with steam.
  • a method of drilling a wellbore useful for the recovery of hydrocarbons from a subsurface reservoir comprising drilling a wellbore having a substantially horizontal productive portion lying within the subsurface reservoir, drilling one or more substantially vertical wellbores; and perforating the one or more substantially vertical wellbores according to a depth of the substantially horizontal productive portion of the wellbore.
  • FIG. 1 shows a cross-section of the first horizontal well of the Example.
  • the productive interval (slotted liner) for the first horizontal well of the Example intersects intervals above top perforations of vertical wells.
  • the intervals above the top perforations of the vertical wells are interpreted to be heated and highly fractured, due to steaming of the vertical wells: (prior to abandonment).
  • FIG. 2 shows a cross-section through an oil saturation model depicting the lateral section of the first horizontal well of the Example.
  • the view is looking to the north-northwest direction at the steep dips of the formation, and the schematic indicates that gravity drainage could be a significant component of the producing mechanism for the first horizontal well of the Example.
  • a surface expression can lead to a moratorium on drilling/steaming new replacement or infill wells in the area of the surface expression, as well as a moratorium on operating remaining wells around the surface expression by conventional cyclic steaming means, for fear of agitating the surface expression. It was surprisingly discovered that such remaining wells, when converted to artificial lift (rod-pump) without active steam injection, in order to help reduce surface dilation and continue to recover reserves in close proximity to the surface expression, produced at rates exceeding expectations.
  • the area near a surface expression can be characterized as one that has both steam-induced fractures as well as existing natural fractures.
  • the high frequency of natural fractures can be documented near surface expressions through a detailed FMI/EMI (electromagnetic interference) study.
  • FMI/EMI electromagnetic interference
  • the natural fractures, along with steam-induced fractures likely create a network that can be supplied with steam and can become “pressured”, as well as further heated, which allows for the production of oil through an artificial lift mechanism and does not necessarily require active injection in the producing wellbore.
  • rod-pump response to aggressive steaming suggests that the methods disclosed herein are a viable mechanism for continual resurgence in production.
  • the phrase “substantially vertical” refers to an orientation of approximately 30° or less from vertical, while the phrase “substantially horizontal” refers to an orientation of approximately 30° or less from the horizontal.
  • criteria are used to create a “best-fit” line for a lateral section of the well.
  • Exemplary criteria include:
  • horizontal rod-pump wells are viable options to cyclic steaming in thermally mature areas, by taking advantage of a combination of steam-induced and natural fractures and gravity drainage of hot, mobile oil.
  • Exemplary uses include:
  • the depth range is within approximately 200 feet TVDSS (height) from the top perforation of the vertical wells or approximately 50 feet TVDSS (depth) below bottom perforation of the vertical wells.
  • the productive portion of the horizontal well can be defined as any well completion (perforated or slotted liner) that is at an angle of 90°, or higher, and is used for inflow of oil and water.
  • the horizontal well disclosed herein employs a “fracture/heat salvage” approach for production in heavy oil fields such as, for example, thermal diatomite settings.
  • the exemplary well planning criteria as disclosed herein were focused on to ensure that the wellpath would be close enough to the abandoned wells, so as to capitalize on steam-induced fracturing and heating (see FIG. 1 ).
  • the productive portion, or productive interval (slotted liner) for the first horizontal well intersected intervals above the top perforations of the vertical wells.
  • the intersected intervals above the top perforations were interpreted to be heated and highly fractured, due to steaming of the vertical wells (prior to abandonment).
  • the path of the first horizontal well targeted four previously abandoned wells in the area of the surface expression.
  • the first horizontal well took a little over a week to drill and complete.
  • the well was put on production with an initial production (IP) exceeding 1000 Barrels of Oil Per Day (BOPD).
  • IP initial production
  • BOPD Oil Per Day
  • the first horizontal well had sustained production exceeding the average well production in the field by a factor of ten.
  • the hypothesized mechanism for production was that the horizontal well would take advantage of the years of historic steam injection in the area by intersecting both steam-induced and natural fractures and also benefit from gravity drainage in the reservoir and wellbore (heel-to-toe elevation change rises 12°).
  • the performance of the first horizontal well substantiates the hypotheses and suggests contribution from the majority of lateral section.
  • the two additional horizontal wells were planned and drilled parallel to the first horizontal well, with the path of the second and third additional horizontal wells targeting six and five previously abandoned wells in the area of the surface expression, respectively.
  • FIG. 2 is a cross section through an oil saturation model for the oil field in which the surface expression occurred, showing the steep dips of the formation.
  • steep dips of the formation of the oil field in which the surface expression occurred along with natural and steam-induced fractures, allow for the likelihood that gravity drainage could have been a significant component of the production mechanism for some horizontal wells at the oil field. Bedding dips can exceed 45° in the part of the field where the three horizontal wells were drilled and hot, mobile oil can drain down the steep beds. If a gravity drainage mechanism was taking place, then lateral portions of the three horizontal wells were in favorable position to capture the hot, mobile oil.

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  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Geology (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
  • Production Of Liquid Hydrocarbon Mixture For Refining Petroleum (AREA)
  • Earth Drilling (AREA)
US12/300,981 2006-05-16 2007-05-16 Recovery of Hydrocarbons Using Horizontal Wells Abandoned US20090301704A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US12/300,981 US20090301704A1 (en) 2006-05-16 2007-05-16 Recovery of Hydrocarbons Using Horizontal Wells

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US80101606P 2006-05-16 2006-05-16
PCT/US2007/069027 WO2007137061A2 (en) 2006-05-16 2007-05-16 Recovery of hydrocarbons using horizontal wells
US12/300,981 US20090301704A1 (en) 2006-05-16 2007-05-16 Recovery of Hydrocarbons Using Horizontal Wells

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US20090301704A1 true US20090301704A1 (en) 2009-12-10

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US12/300,981 Abandoned US20090301704A1 (en) 2006-05-16 2007-05-16 Recovery of Hydrocarbons Using Horizontal Wells

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US (1) US20090301704A1 (zh)
CN (1) CN101484662B (zh)
BR (1) BRPI0711475A2 (zh)
CA (1) CA2652159A1 (zh)
EA (1) EA018256B1 (zh)
WO (1) WO2007137061A2 (zh)

Cited By (20)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20090101335A1 (en) * 2007-10-19 2009-04-23 Baker Hughes Incorporated Device and system for well completion and control and method for completing and controlling a well
US20090101330A1 (en) * 2007-10-19 2009-04-23 Baker Hughes Incorporated Device and system for well completion and control and method for completing and controlling a well
US20090101349A1 (en) * 2007-10-19 2009-04-23 Baker Hughes Incorporated Device and system for well completion and control and method for completing and controlling a well
US20090101336A1 (en) * 2007-10-19 2009-04-23 Baker Hughes Incorporated Device and system for well completion and control and method for completing and controlling a well
US7775277B2 (en) 2007-10-19 2010-08-17 Baker Hughes Incorporated Device and system for well completion and control and method for completing and controlling a well
US7784543B2 (en) 2007-10-19 2010-08-31 Baker Hughes Incorporated Device and system for well completion and control and method for completing and controlling a well
US7789152B2 (en) 2008-05-13 2010-09-07 Baker Hughes Incorporated Plug protection system and method
US7789151B2 (en) 2008-05-13 2010-09-07 Baker Hughes Incorporated Plug protection system and method
US7913755B2 (en) 2007-10-19 2011-03-29 Baker Hughes Incorporated Device and system for well completion and control and method for completing and controlling a well
WO2011081665A1 (en) * 2009-12-28 2011-07-07 Enis Ben M Sequestering co2 and releasing natural gas from coal and gas shale formations
US8056627B2 (en) 2009-06-02 2011-11-15 Baker Hughes Incorporated Permeability flow balancing within integral screen joints and method
US8113292B2 (en) 2008-05-13 2012-02-14 Baker Hughes Incorporated Strokable liner hanger and method
US8132624B2 (en) 2009-06-02 2012-03-13 Baker Hughes Incorporated Permeability flow balancing within integral screen joints and method
US8151881B2 (en) 2009-06-02 2012-04-10 Baker Hughes Incorporated Permeability flow balancing within integral screen joints
CN102889071A (zh) * 2011-07-20 2013-01-23 普拉特及惠特尼火箭达因公司 原地萃取烃材料的方法
US8555958B2 (en) 2008-05-13 2013-10-15 Baker Hughes Incorporated Pipeless steam assisted gravity drainage system and method
US8833474B2 (en) 2009-12-28 2014-09-16 Ben M. Enis Method and apparatus for using pressure cycling and cold liquid CO2 for releasing natural gas from coal and shale formations
CN104863559A (zh) * 2014-02-26 2015-08-26 中国石油化工股份有限公司 一种提高超深层低渗稠油油藏单井产能的方法
US10065223B2 (en) * 2015-12-03 2018-09-04 Geo-Bohrtechnik Gmbh Method and system for the in-situ decontamination of contaminated soils
WO2023146804A1 (en) * 2022-01-26 2023-08-03 Chevron U.S.A. Inc. Systems and methods for estimating well interference on a target well from other potential wells in a subsurface volume of interest

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN102213089A (zh) * 2011-06-02 2011-10-12 中国石油天然气股份有限公司 一种浅层稠油油藏采油方法及采油系统
AU2013378802B2 (en) * 2013-02-22 2016-06-30 Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company Subwater heat exchanger

Citations (3)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5085273A (en) * 1990-10-05 1992-02-04 Davis-Lynch, Inc. Casing lined oil or gas well
US5305829A (en) * 1992-09-25 1994-04-26 Chevron Research And Technology Company Oil production from diatomite formations by fracture steamdrive
US6050335A (en) * 1997-10-31 2000-04-18 Shell Oil Company In-situ production of bitumen

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5085276A (en) * 1990-08-29 1992-02-04 Chevron Research And Technology Company Production of oil from low permeability formations by sequential steam fracturing
CN1081288C (zh) * 1999-03-25 2002-03-20 金军 一种开采稠油的方法

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5085273A (en) * 1990-10-05 1992-02-04 Davis-Lynch, Inc. Casing lined oil or gas well
US5305829A (en) * 1992-09-25 1994-04-26 Chevron Research And Technology Company Oil production from diatomite formations by fracture steamdrive
US6050335A (en) * 1997-10-31 2000-04-18 Shell Oil Company In-situ production of bitumen

Cited By (35)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7913755B2 (en) 2007-10-19 2011-03-29 Baker Hughes Incorporated Device and system for well completion and control and method for completing and controlling a well
US20090101330A1 (en) * 2007-10-19 2009-04-23 Baker Hughes Incorporated Device and system for well completion and control and method for completing and controlling a well
US20090101349A1 (en) * 2007-10-19 2009-04-23 Baker Hughes Incorporated Device and system for well completion and control and method for completing and controlling a well
US20090101336A1 (en) * 2007-10-19 2009-04-23 Baker Hughes Incorporated Device and system for well completion and control and method for completing and controlling a well
US7775271B2 (en) 2007-10-19 2010-08-17 Baker Hughes Incorporated Device and system for well completion and control and method for completing and controlling a well
US7775277B2 (en) 2007-10-19 2010-08-17 Baker Hughes Incorporated Device and system for well completion and control and method for completing and controlling a well
US7784543B2 (en) 2007-10-19 2010-08-31 Baker Hughes Incorporated Device and system for well completion and control and method for completing and controlling a well
US20090101335A1 (en) * 2007-10-19 2009-04-23 Baker Hughes Incorporated Device and system for well completion and control and method for completing and controlling a well
US7789139B2 (en) 2007-10-19 2010-09-07 Baker Hughes Incorporated Device and system for well completion and control and method for completing and controlling a well
US8151875B2 (en) 2007-10-19 2012-04-10 Baker Hughes Incorporated Device and system for well completion and control and method for completing and controlling a well
US7793714B2 (en) 2007-10-19 2010-09-14 Baker Hughes Incorporated Device and system for well completion and control and method for completing and controlling a well
US8171999B2 (en) 2008-05-13 2012-05-08 Baker Huges Incorporated Downhole flow control device and method
US8776881B2 (en) 2008-05-13 2014-07-15 Baker Hughes Incorporated Systems, methods and apparatuses for monitoring and recovery of petroleum from earth formations
US7814974B2 (en) * 2008-05-13 2010-10-19 Baker Hughes Incorporated Systems, methods and apparatuses for monitoring and recovery of petroleum from earth formations
US7931081B2 (en) 2008-05-13 2011-04-26 Baker Hughes Incorporated Systems, methods and apparatuses for monitoring and recovery of petroleum from earth formations
US9085953B2 (en) 2008-05-13 2015-07-21 Baker Hughes Incorporated Downhole flow control device and method
US7819190B2 (en) 2008-05-13 2010-10-26 Baker Hughes Incorporated Systems, methods and apparatuses for monitoring and recovery of petroleum from earth formations
US8555958B2 (en) 2008-05-13 2013-10-15 Baker Hughes Incorporated Pipeless steam assisted gravity drainage system and method
US8069919B2 (en) 2008-05-13 2011-12-06 Baker Hughes Incorporated Systems, methods and apparatuses for monitoring and recovery of petroleum from earth formations
US8113292B2 (en) 2008-05-13 2012-02-14 Baker Hughes Incorporated Strokable liner hanger and method
US7789152B2 (en) 2008-05-13 2010-09-07 Baker Hughes Incorporated Plug protection system and method
US8159226B2 (en) 2008-05-13 2012-04-17 Baker Hughes Incorporated Systems, methods and apparatuses for monitoring and recovery of petroleum from earth formations
US7789151B2 (en) 2008-05-13 2010-09-07 Baker Hughes Incorporated Plug protection system and method
US8151881B2 (en) 2009-06-02 2012-04-10 Baker Hughes Incorporated Permeability flow balancing within integral screen joints
US8132624B2 (en) 2009-06-02 2012-03-13 Baker Hughes Incorporated Permeability flow balancing within integral screen joints and method
US8056627B2 (en) 2009-06-02 2011-11-15 Baker Hughes Incorporated Permeability flow balancing within integral screen joints and method
US20110209882A1 (en) * 2009-12-28 2011-09-01 Enis Ben M Method and apparatus for sequestering CO2 gas and releasing natural gas from coal and gas shale formations
US8833474B2 (en) 2009-12-28 2014-09-16 Ben M. Enis Method and apparatus for using pressure cycling and cold liquid CO2 for releasing natural gas from coal and shale formations
US8839875B2 (en) 2009-12-28 2014-09-23 Ben M. Enis Method and apparatus for sequestering CO2 gas and releasing natural gas from coal and gas shale formations
WO2011081665A1 (en) * 2009-12-28 2011-07-07 Enis Ben M Sequestering co2 and releasing natural gas from coal and gas shale formations
US9453399B2 (en) 2009-12-28 2016-09-27 Ben M. Enis Method and apparatus for using pressure cycling and cold liquid CO2 for releasing natural gas from coal and shale formations
CN102889071A (zh) * 2011-07-20 2013-01-23 普拉特及惠特尼火箭达因公司 原地萃取烃材料的方法
CN104863559A (zh) * 2014-02-26 2015-08-26 中国石油化工股份有限公司 一种提高超深层低渗稠油油藏单井产能的方法
US10065223B2 (en) * 2015-12-03 2018-09-04 Geo-Bohrtechnik Gmbh Method and system for the in-situ decontamination of contaminated soils
WO2023146804A1 (en) * 2022-01-26 2023-08-03 Chevron U.S.A. Inc. Systems and methods for estimating well interference on a target well from other potential wells in a subsurface volume of interest

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
BRPI0711475A2 (pt) 2012-08-14
CA2652159A1 (en) 2007-11-29
WO2007137061A2 (en) 2007-11-29
EA200870537A1 (ru) 2009-04-28
EA018256B1 (ru) 2013-06-28
CN101484662B (zh) 2013-06-19
CN101484662A (zh) 2009-07-15
WO2007137061A3 (en) 2008-11-13

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Owner name: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC., CALIFORNIA

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:DILLETT, PETER M.;PERRI, PAT R.;REEL/FRAME:022357/0131;SIGNING DATES FROM 20090225 TO 20090303

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

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