US3421583A - Recovering oil by cyclic steam injection combined with hot water drive - Google Patents

Recovering oil by cyclic steam injection combined with hot water drive Download PDF

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US3421583A
US3421583A US664478A US3421583DA US3421583A US 3421583 A US3421583 A US 3421583A US 664478 A US664478 A US 664478A US 3421583D A US3421583D A US 3421583DA US 3421583 A US3421583 A US 3421583A
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well
strata
steam
fluids
oil
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David S Koons
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ExxonMobil Oil Corp
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Mobil Oil Corp
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    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21EARTH DRILLING; MINING
    • E21BEARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B43/00Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
    • E21B43/16Enhanced recovery methods for obtaining hydrocarbons
    • E21B43/24Enhanced recovery methods for obtaining hydrocarbons using heat, e.g. steam injection
    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21EARTH DRILLING; MINING
    • E21BEARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B43/00Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
    • E21B43/16Enhanced recovery methods for obtaining hydrocarbons
    • E21B43/20Displacing by water

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  • a method for producing oil from upper and lower oilbean'ng permeable strata of a subterranean reservoir Low-grade steam is separated into hot water and steam phases.
  • the water and steam phases are introduced into the lower and upper strata, respectively, from a first well for a first period.
  • hot fluids which include oil are produced from the upper strata through the first well.
  • Cold water is indirectly heat exchanged with these hot fluids in the first well, and then, the heated water is injected during the second period into the lower strata.
  • a continuous hot water drive moves from the first well toward a second well in the lower strata during the first and second periods. Oil is produced from the lower strata through the second well.
  • the water indirectly heated by the hot fluids in the first well may be about equal in volume to them, or any volume such that all of the injected water is heated to above the initial temperature of the subterranean reservoir.
  • This invention relates to a method of recovering oil from a subterranean reservoir. More particularly, it relates to a method employing steam and hot water to produce oil from upper and lower strata in such reservoir.
  • the injected steam releases large amounts of heat upon its condensation to the liquid phase in the reservoir.
  • the recovery of oil from the reservoir is greatly improved when the single well is changed from an injection to a production function.
  • the hot water injected in a liquid phase with the steam releases only a small part of its latent heat to the reservoir.
  • this hot water must first be pushed back into the reservoir by injected steam. Later, this water must be pushed by hot produced fluids from the reservoir back into the well during the production cycle.
  • the water is responsible for heating only a small part of the oil recovered from the reservoir.
  • this water wastes the energy of the steam and the hot produced fluids that move it between the reservoir and the well. The wasted energy thereby reduces the amount of oil recovered from a given amount of injected steam.
  • the ever-present problems in pumping and separating oil from the produced fluids are further magnified by the large concentration of hot water and steam in the produced fluids.
  • a method for producing oil from a subterranean reservoir having upper and lower oil-bearing permeable strata. These strata are penetrated by spaced first and second wells.
  • An aqueous fluid is heated to a temperature suflicient to produce a low-grade steam.
  • the steam contains a hot water phase at the pressure these fluids are injected into the strata.
  • the hot water phase is separated from the steam phase.
  • the steam and hot water phases are injected into the upper and lower strata, respectively, via the first well, for a first period. Hot fluids are produced from the upper strata through the first well for a second period.
  • Water having a temperature less than the produced hot fluids is passed through a separate flow path in indirect heat exchange with the hot fluids in the second period.
  • the indirectly heated water is injected in the second period into the lower strata, via the first well, to effect a continuous hot water drive from the first well toward the second well in the lower strata, during the first and second periods.
  • Oil is produced from the lower strata through the second well. Also, oil is included in the hot fluids produced from the upper strata, via the first well, in the second period.
  • the drawing illustrates, in vertical section, a subterranean reservoir having upper and lower oil-bearing permeable strata, and various apparatus, by which the method of this invention can be practiced.
  • the drawing shows a subterranean reservoir 10 which is comprised of upper and lower oil-bearing permeable strata 11 and 12, respectively.
  • oil as used herein includes all hydrocarbonaceous fluids recoverable from subterranean reservoirs.
  • An overburden 13 resides above the strata 11.
  • the strata 12 rest upon a bedrock 14.
  • the strata 11 and 12 are sufficiently isolated as to fluid flows so that separate oil-recovery procedures may be carried out, without interference, in them.
  • the strata 11 and 12 may be the upper and lower portions of a thick geological structure containing recoverable oil.
  • the strata 11 and 12 may be separated by an intervening shale, or other barrier structure, to restrict vertical fluid flows.
  • the reservior 10 has a structure that steam may be injected into the strata 11, and a hot water drive may be carried out in the strata 12, without deleterious interaction between them. More particularly, the hot water drive in the strata 12 should not move upwardly to commingle with the fluids produced from the strata 11.
  • the reservoir 10 is provided with suitable means for the introduction and removal of the various fluids employed in the present method.
  • spaced first and second wells 16 and 17, respectively extend from the earths surface 18 downwardly into the strata 11 and 12.
  • the well 16 contains a casing 19 which extends through the strata 11 and 12 to terminate adjacent bedrock 14. Openings 21 and 22 provide for fluid communication to the strata 11 and 12, respectively, from the interior of the casing 19.
  • a packer 23 in the casing 19 separates the well 16 into two separate fluid zones.
  • a conduit 24 extends downwardly in the well 16 through the packer 23 and terminates adjacent the openings 22.
  • a conduit 26 extends downwardly into the up per portion of the well 16 and terminates above the packer 23.
  • a control valve 25 in the conduit 26 regulates the flow of fluids therethrough. The fluids may be pumped from the conduit 26, if desired.
  • One or more openings 27 in the conduit 26 provide for fluid flows to the upper portion of the well 16 above the packer 23.
  • a connecting conduit 28 traverses the packer 23 and connects with the conduit 26 through a valve 29.
  • the valve 29 operates to regulate the flow of fluid in the conduit 28 through the packer 23.
  • the valve 25 is operatively interconnected to the valve 29.
  • a dash line 31 indicates an operative interconnection for the selective operation of the valves 25 and 29 at the earths surface 18.
  • the valves associated with the well 16 may be operated manually, if desired.
  • Inlet conduits 32 and 33 connect a source of water, such as water supply 34, and a source of lowgrade steam, such as steam generator 36, to the conduit 24.
  • the inlet conduit 32 contains a valve 37.
  • the inlet conduit 33 contains a valve 38.
  • the valves 37 and 38 may be of any suitable design for regulating the flow of fluids through the conduits 32 and 33, respectively, into the conduit 24.
  • the valves 37 and 38 may be interconnected, as by dash line 31, in their operation to the valves 25 and 29.
  • a controller 39 may be used to regulate the various fluid flows by adjusting the valves through an operative interconnection illustrated by the dash line 31 in response to temperatures of the fluids in the well 16.
  • the well 17 has a casing 40 which extends downwardly into the strata 11 and 12 and terminates adjacent the bedrock 14. One or more openings 41 and 42 provide for the flow of fluids between these strata and the well 17.
  • a packer 43 separates the Well 17 into two fluid Zones.
  • a conduit 44 extends downwardly through the well 17 to below the packer 43.
  • a conduit 46 extends downwardly in the well 17 to above the packer 43.
  • the well 17 may be completed with a single tubing string and no packer where fluid production from strata 11 and 12 is commingled. The fluids may be pumped from the well 17, if desired.
  • the fluids from the reservoir which flow through the conduits 26, 44, and 46 may be passed to a suitable production facility for the separation of oil from other produced fluids.
  • Production facilities are well known, and any one of suitable construction to the functioning of the present invention can be used.
  • an aqueous liquid from any source, is heated in the steam generator 36 to a temperature suflicient to produce a low-grade steam.
  • the steam contains a hot water phase at the pressure at which these fluids are injected into the strata 11 and 12.
  • the output of the steam generator 36 will be a low-grade steam of about 80 percent quality.
  • the low-grade steam may be of other percentages in quality.
  • the low-grade steam is introduced through the conduit 33, with the valve 38 open and the valve 37 closed, to pass through the conduit 24 downwardly into the well 16. The low-grade steam flows into the area of the well 16 below the packer 23.
  • the hot water phase separates from the steam phase in the lower portion of the well 16 below the packer 23. It is preferred for convenience to effect the separation of the hot water phase from the steam phase within the well 16. This separation of phases, however, may be effected at other places than in the well 16.
  • the separated steam phase flows upwardly through the conduit 28 and open valve 29 into the conduit 26.
  • the valve in the conduit 26 is closed at this time.
  • the steam flows from the openings 27 in the conduit 26 and then through the openings 21 into the strata 4 11. This flow of steam heats the strata 11 and the connate fluids therein for a first period. 7
  • the pressure of the steam in the conduit 24 causes the hot water in the well 16 below the packer 23 to be forced through the openings 22 into the strata 12.
  • the hot water phase separated from the low-grade steam forms a hot water drive in the strata 12 in the first period.
  • This hot water drive moves the oil in the strata 12 toward the well 17 from which it is produced through the conduit 44.
  • the step of steam injection is terminated.
  • the valves 29 and 38 are closed, and valves 25 and 37 are opened.
  • hot fluids which include oil are produced from the strata 11 into the well 16 and then through the conduit 26 to a suitable production facility for a second period. Oil may be recovered from these fluids.
  • the hot fluids from the strata 11 are produced from the well 16 until the rate of production has decreased to undesired amounts.
  • the injection of the steam and subsequent production of hot fluids can again be undertaken to repeat the first and second periods as often as desired.
  • cold water from water supply 34 is passed through the conduits 32 and 24 into the well 16 below the packer 23.
  • the conduit 24 provides a separate flow path for the indirect heat exchange of the water flowing downwardly in the conduit 24 into the strata 12 with the hot fluids produced into the well 16 from the strata 11.
  • the water flowing through the conduit 24 is heated to elevated temperatures by the hot fluids produced from the strata 11.
  • the well 17 may produce about 5 barrels of oil with 20 barrels of water when it is cold.
  • the well 16 may produce fluids at above 212 F. and at a stimulated rate of barrels per day of oil withlOO barrels per day of water.
  • the produced hot fluids could heat indirectly barrels of cold water per day from about 90 F. to about F.
  • the amount of water which is heat exchanged with the produced hot fluids can be about equal in volume to these hot fluids for good results.
  • the amount of the indirectly heated water can be such volume that all of the injected water is heated to above the initial temperature of the subterranean reservoir 10.
  • the temperature of the heated Water may be measured prior to injection, if desired, by any suitable means.
  • the rate at which these amounts of Water flow in the conduit 24 may be set by adjusting the valve 37.
  • the water flow may be varied in magnitude and with time.
  • the rate of water flow in the conduit 24 may be decreased as the temperature of the produced hot fluids decreases for the optimum transfer of heat between these fluids.
  • the hot fluids are indirectly cooled so that vapor-lock problems are avoided and no live steam is carried through the conduit 26 into surface production facilities. Thus, the dangers of handling live steam in production facilities are avoided.
  • the indirectly heated water from the conduit 24 flows through the openings 22 into the strata 12 during the second period.
  • a continuous hot water drive is effected from the well 16 towards the well 17 in the strata 12 during the first and second periods.
  • oil is produced from the strata 12 through the openings 42 into the well 17. Thence, the produced oil is recovered through the conduit 44 to the earths surface 18 for suitable utilization.
  • a cyclic steam injection and production of oil procedure effected from the well 16 is combined with a continuous hot water drive for the production of oil from the well 17.
  • the heat of the produced hot fluids from the well 16 is employed in the second period to continue the hot water drive in the strata 12 associated with steam injection during the first period.
  • the strata 11 adjacent the well 17 may be steam stimulated in a manner similar to that described relative to the well 16. Additionally, if desired, the present method may be continued to be practiced until the formation adjacent the well 17 is heated by the cyclic steam injection from the well 16. After steam stimulating the well 16 in the described manner, a continuous steam drive may be established in the strata 11 from the well 16 towards the well 17 with produced oil recovered through conduit 46.
  • a continuous steam drive may be established in the strata 11 from the well 16 towards the well 17 with produced oil recovered through conduit 46.
  • a pattern of wells may be used wherein one or more wells are employed in the manner of the well 16 and one or more wells are employed in the manner of the well 17 in carrying out the priorly described steps of the present method.
  • a method for producing oil from a subterranean reservoir having upper and lower oil-bearing permeable strata penetrated by spaced first and second wells which comprises the steps of:
  • step (d) 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the amount of said water which is passed in heat exchange with said hot fluids in step (d) is about equal in volume to said hot fluids.
  • step (d) 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the amount of said water which is passed in heat exchange with said hot fluids in step (d) is such that all of the injected water has been heated to above the initial temperature of the subterranean reservoir.
  • a method for producing oil from a subterranean reservoir having upper and lower oil-bearing permeable strata penetrated by spaced first and second wells which comprises the steps of:
  • step (d) 5. The method of claim 4 wherein the amount of said water which is passed in heat exchange with said hot fluids in step (d) is about equal in volume to said hot fluids.
  • step (d) 6. The method of claim 4 wherein the amount of said water which is passed in heat exchange with said hot fluids in step (d) is such that all of the injected water has been heated to above the initial temperature of the subterranean reservoir.

Description

Jan. 14, 1969 D. s. KOONS 3,421,583
RECOVERING OIL BY CYCLIC STEAM INJECTION COMBINED WITH HOT WATER DRIVE Fil'ed Aug. 30, 196'? PRODUCTION PRODUCTION CONTROLLER INVENTOR DAV! S. KOONS ATTORNEY SUPPLY STEAM GENERATOR WATER United States Patent Ofice 3,421,583 Patented Jan. 14, 1969 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This specification discloses:
A method for producing oil from upper and lower oilbean'ng permeable strata of a subterranean reservoir. Low-grade steam is separated into hot water and steam phases. The water and steam phases are introduced into the lower and upper strata, respectively, from a first well for a first period. For a second period, hot fluids which include oil are produced from the upper strata through the first well. Cold water is indirectly heat exchanged with these hot fluids in the first well, and then, the heated water is injected during the second period into the lower strata. As a result, a continuous hot water drive moves from the first well toward a second well in the lower strata during the first and second periods. Oil is produced from the lower strata through the second well. The water indirectly heated by the hot fluids in the first well may be about equal in volume to them, or any volume such that all of the injected water is heated to above the initial temperature of the subterranean reservoir.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention This invention relates to a method of recovering oil from a subterranean reservoir. More particularly, it relates to a method employing steam and hot water to produce oil from upper and lower strata in such reservoir.
Description of the prior art The injection of steam and production of oil in alternate periods, through a single well, have been used to advantage in recovering oil from a subterranean reservoir. One example of such procedure is described in U.S. Patent No. 3,292,702. In this procedure, steam is injected into the reservoir for a first period. Then, heated fluids in a liquid phase are produced from the reservoir for a second period. Only one well is used in carrying out this procedure. The steam generating equipment commonly employed in such a procedure produces steam of less than 100 percent in quality. This low-grade steam contains a significant hot water phase when injected into the reservoir. Commonly, the low-grade steam is of 80 percent quality, which means it contains, as a liquid phase, 20 percent of the water from which the steam was formed.
The injected steam releases large amounts of heat upon its condensation to the liquid phase in the reservoir. As a result of the released heat, the recovery of oil from the reservoir is greatly improved when the single well is changed from an injection to a production function.
However, the hot water injected in a liquid phase with the steam releases only a small part of its latent heat to the reservoir. Also, this hot water must first be pushed back into the reservoir by injected steam. Later, this water must be pushed by hot produced fluids from the reservoir back into the well during the production cycle. Thus, the water is responsible for heating only a small part of the oil recovered from the reservoir. However, this water wastes the energy of the steam and the hot produced fluids that move it between the reservoir and the well. The wasted energy thereby reduces the amount of oil recovered from a given amount of injected steam. Also, the ever-present problems in pumping and separating oil from the produced fluids are further magnified by the large concentration of hot water and steam in the produced fluids.
Summary of the invention In accordance with this invention, a method is provided for producing oil from a subterranean reservoir having upper and lower oil-bearing permeable strata. These strata are penetrated by spaced first and second wells. An aqueous fluid is heated to a temperature suflicient to produce a low-grade steam. The steam contains a hot water phase at the pressure these fluids are injected into the strata. The hot water phase is separated from the steam phase. The steam and hot water phases are injected into the upper and lower strata, respectively, via the first well, for a first period. Hot fluids are produced from the upper strata through the first well for a second period. Similutaneously, Water having a temperature less than the produced hot fluids is passed through a separate flow path in indirect heat exchange with the hot fluids in the second period. The indirectly heated water is injected in the second period into the lower strata, via the first well, to effect a continuous hot water drive from the first well toward the second well in the lower strata, during the first and second periods. Oil is produced from the lower strata through the second well. Also, oil is included in the hot fluids produced from the upper strata, via the first well, in the second period.
Description of the drawing The drawing illustrates, in vertical section, a subterranean reservoir having upper and lower oil-bearing permeable strata, and various apparatus, by which the method of this invention can be practiced.
Description of specific embodiments The drawing shows a subterranean reservoir 10 which is comprised of upper and lower oil-bearing permeable strata 11 and 12, respectively. The term oil as used herein includes all hydrocarbonaceous fluids recoverable from subterranean reservoirs. An overburden 13 resides above the strata 11. The strata 12 rest upon a bedrock 14. The strata 11 and 12 are sufficiently isolated as to fluid flows so that separate oil-recovery procedures may be carried out, without interference, in them. The strata 11 and 12 may be the upper and lower portions of a thick geological structure containing recoverable oil. The strata 11 and 12 may be separated by an intervening shale, or other barrier structure, to restrict vertical fluid flows. Whatever the geological status, the reservior 10 has a structure that steam may be injected into the strata 11, and a hot water drive may be carried out in the strata 12, without deleterious interaction between them. More particularly, the hot water drive in the strata 12 should not move upwardly to commingle with the fluids produced from the strata 11.
The reservoir 10 is provided with suitable means for the introduction and removal of the various fluids employed in the present method. For example, spaced first and second wells 16 and 17, respectively, extend from the earths surface 18 downwardly into the strata 11 and 12. The well 16 contains a casing 19 which extends through the strata 11 and 12 to terminate adjacent bedrock 14. Openings 21 and 22 provide for fluid communication to the strata 11 and 12, respectively, from the interior of the casing 19. A packer 23 in the casing 19 separates the well 16 into two separate fluid zones. A conduit 24 extends downwardly in the well 16 through the packer 23 and terminates adjacent the openings 22.
Similarly, a conduit 26 extends downwardly into the up per portion of the well 16 and terminates above the packer 23. A control valve 25 in the conduit 26 regulates the flow of fluids therethrough. The fluids may be pumped from the conduit 26, if desired. One or more openings 27 in the conduit 26 provide for fluid flows to the upper portion of the well 16 above the packer 23. A connecting conduit 28 traverses the packer 23 and connects with the conduit 26 through a valve 29. The valve 29 operates to regulate the flow of fluid in the conduit 28 through the packer 23. The valve 25 is operatively interconnected to the valve 29. A dash line 31 indicates an operative interconnection for the selective operation of the valves 25 and 29 at the earths surface 18. The valves associated with the well 16 may be operated manually, if desired.
Inlet conduits 32 and 33, respectively, connect a source of water, such as water supply 34, and a source of lowgrade steam, such as steam generator 36, to the conduit 24. The inlet conduit 32 contains a valve 37. The inlet conduit 33 contains a valve 38. The valves 37 and 38 may be of any suitable design for regulating the flow of fluids through the conduits 32 and 33, respectively, into the conduit 24. The valves 37 and 38 may be interconnected, as by dash line 31, in their operation to the valves 25 and 29. A controller 39 may be used to regulate the various fluid flows by adjusting the valves through an operative interconnection illustrated by the dash line 31 in response to temperatures of the fluids in the well 16.
The well 17 has a casing 40 which extends downwardly into the strata 11 and 12 and terminates adjacent the bedrock 14. One or more openings 41 and 42 provide for the flow of fluids between these strata and the well 17. A packer 43 separates the Well 17 into two fluid Zones. A conduit 44 extends downwardly through the well 17 to below the packer 43. A conduit 46 extends downwardly in the well 17 to above the packer 43. The well 17 may be completed with a single tubing string and no packer where fluid production from strata 11 and 12 is commingled. The fluids may be pumped from the well 17, if desired.
The fluids from the reservoir which flow through the conduits 26, 44, and 46 may be passed to a suitable production facility for the separation of oil from other produced fluids. Production facilities are well known, and any one of suitable construction to the functioning of the present invention can be used.
Although the reservoir 10, and various associated apparatus therewith, have been described in specific embodiments, other structures can be employed to practice the present method.
In carrying out the method of the present invention, an aqueous liquid, from any source, is heated in the steam generator 36 to a temperature suflicient to produce a low-grade steam. The steam contains a hot water phase at the pressure at which these fluids are injected into the strata 11 and 12. Usually, the output of the steam generator 36 will be a low-grade steam of about 80 percent quality. However, the low-grade steam may be of other percentages in quality. The low-grade steam is introduced through the conduit 33, with the valve 38 open and the valve 37 closed, to pass through the conduit 24 downwardly into the well 16. The low-grade steam flows into the area of the well 16 below the packer 23.
The hot water phase separates from the steam phase in the lower portion of the well 16 below the packer 23. It is preferred for convenience to effect the separation of the hot water phase from the steam phase within the well 16. This separation of phases, however, may be effected at other places than in the well 16.
The separated steam phase flows upwardly through the conduit 28 and open valve 29 into the conduit 26. The valve in the conduit 26 is closed at this time. As a result, the steam flows from the openings 27 in the conduit 26 and then through the openings 21 into the strata 4 11. This flow of steam heats the strata 11 and the connate fluids therein for a first period. 7
The pressure of the steam in the conduit 24 causes the hot water in the well 16 below the packer 23 to be forced through the openings 22 into the strata 12. Thus, the hot water phase separated from the low-grade steam forms a hot water drive in the strata 12 in the first period. This hot water drive moves the oil in the strata 12 toward the well 17 from which it is produced through the conduit 44.
After an amount of steam enters the strata 11 to stimulate oil production therefrom, the step of steam injection is terminated. At this time, the valves 29 and 38 are closed, and valves 25 and 37 are opened. As a result, hot fluids which include oil are produced from the strata 11 into the well 16 and then through the conduit 26 to a suitable production facility for a second period. Oil may be recovered from these fluids. The hot fluids from the strata 11 are produced from the well 16 until the rate of production has decreased to undesired amounts. The injection of the steam and subsequent production of hot fluids can again be undertaken to repeat the first and second periods as often as desired.
Simultaneously with the production of hot fluids from the strata 11 in the second period, cold water from water supply 34 is passed through the conduits 32 and 24 into the well 16 below the packer 23. The conduit 24 provides a separate flow path for the indirect heat exchange of the water flowing downwardly in the conduit 24 into the strata 12 with the hot fluids produced into the well 16 from the strata 11.
The water flowing through the conduit 24 is heated to elevated temperatures by the hot fluids produced from the strata 11. For example, the well 17 may produce about 5 barrels of oil with 20 barrels of water when it is cold. However, after being stimulated by the injection of steam, the well 16 may produce fluids at above 212 F. and at a stimulated rate of barrels per day of oil withlOO barrels per day of water. Under these circumstances, the produced hot fluids could heat indirectly barrels of cold water per day from about 90 F. to about F. The amount of water which is heat exchanged with the produced hot fluids can be about equal in volume to these hot fluids for good results. However, for acceptable results, the amount of the indirectly heated water can be such volume that all of the injected water is heated to above the initial temperature of the subterranean reservoir 10. The temperature of the heated Water may be measured prior to injection, if desired, by any suitable means. The rate at which these amounts of Water flow in the conduit 24 may be set by adjusting the valve 37. The water flow may be varied in magnitude and with time. The rate of water flow in the conduit 24 may be decreased as the temperature of the produced hot fluids decreases for the optimum transfer of heat between these fluids.
The hot fluids are indirectly cooled so that vapor-lock problems are avoided and no live steam is carried through the conduit 26 into surface production facilities. Thus, the dangers of handling live steam in production facilities are avoided.
The indirectly heated water from the conduit 24 flows through the openings 22 into the strata 12 during the second period. As a result, a continuous hot water drive is effected from the well 16 towards the well 17 in the strata 12 during the first and second periods.
During the first and second periods, oil is produced from the strata 12 through the openings 42 into the well 17. Thence, the produced oil is recovered through the conduit 44 to the earths surface 18 for suitable utilization.
Thus, a cyclic steam injection and production of oil procedure effected from the well 16 is combined with a continuous hot water drive for the production of oil from the well 17. The heat of the produced hot fluids from the well 16 is employed in the second period to continue the hot water drive in the strata 12 associated with steam injection during the first period. Thus, a functional combination is established, by the steps of the present method, between the cyclic steam injection-oil production procedure carried out in the strata 11 and the continuing hot water drive carried out in the strata 12.
It will be apparent that the strata 11 adjacent the well 17 may be steam stimulated in a manner similar to that described relative to the well 16. Additionally, if desired, the present method may be continued to be practiced until the formation adjacent the well 17 is heated by the cyclic steam injection from the well 16. After steam stimulating the well 16 in the described manner, a continuous steam drive may be established in the strata 11 from the well 16 towards the well 17 with produced oil recovered through conduit 46. Various other alterations of the present steps will be apparent to a person skilled in the art.
It will be apparent that the present method may be carried on in more than two wells. A pattern of wells may be used wherein one or more wells are employed in the manner of the well 16 and one or more wells are employed in the manner of the well 17 in carrying out the priorly described steps of the present method.
There has been provided herein a method which combines with great facility the cyclic steam injection-oil production procedure with a continued hot water drive for producing oil from a subterranean reservoir. This com- *bination is effected with avoidance of the problems previously encountered by injecting low-grade steam in a cyclic injection-oil production procedure. Additionally, the formally required externally supplied heat for providing a continuous hot water drive is also avoided.
From the foregoing, it will be apparent that a method is provided for the production of oil from a subterranean reservoir which provides certain advantages over prior procedures. It will be understood that certain features and alterations of disclosed steps may be employed without departing from the spirit of the present invention. This is contemplated by, and is within the scope of, the appended claims. Additionally, it is intended that the present description is to be taken as a means of illustration, and not as alimitation, of the present method.
What is claimed is:
1. A method for producing oil from a subterranean reservoir having upper and lower oil-bearing permeable strata penetrated by spaced first and second wells which comprises the steps of:
(a) heating an aqueous liquid to a temperature sufficient to produce a lowgrade steam containing a hot water phase at the pressure at which these fluids are to be injected into the strata;
(b) separating the hot water phase from the steam phase;
(c) injecting said steam phase into the upper strata, and injecting said hot water phase into the lower strata, via the first well, for a first period;
((1) producing hot fluids which include oil from the upper strata, via the first well, for a second period, and simultaneously passing water at a temperature less than the temperature of said hot fluids through a separate flow path in indirect heat exchange with the said hot fluids, in the second period;
(e) injecting said indirectly heated water into the lower strata, via the first well, to effect a continuous hot water drive from the first well toward the second well in the lower strata, during the first and second periods; and
(f) producing oil from the lower strata via the second well.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the amount of said water which is passed in heat exchange with said hot fluids in step (d) is about equal in volume to said hot fluids.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the amount of said water which is passed in heat exchange with said hot fluids in step (d) is such that all of the injected water has been heated to above the initial temperature of the subterranean reservoir.
4. A method for producing oil from a subterranean reservoir having upper and lower oil-bearing permeable strata penetrated by spaced first and second wells which comprises the steps of:
(a) heating an aqueous liquid to a temperature sufficient to produce a low-grade steam containing a hot water phase at the pressure at which these fluids are to be injected into the strata;
(b) passing the low-grade steam into the first well and therein separating the hot water phase from the steam phase;
(0) injecting said steam phase into the upper strata, and injecting said hot water phase into the lower strata, via the first well, for a first period;
(d) producing hot fluids which include oil from the upper strata, via the first well, for a second period, and simultaneously passing water at a temperature less than the temperature of said hot fluids thnough a separate flow path within said first well in indirect heat exchange with said hot fluids, in the second period;
(e) injecting said indirectly heated water into the lower strata, via the first well, to effect a continuous hot Water drive from the first well toward the second well in the lower strata, during the first and second periods; and
(f) producing oil from the lower strata via the second well.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein the amount of said water which is passed in heat exchange with said hot fluids in step (d) is about equal in volume to said hot fluids.
6. The method of claim 4 wherein the amount of said water which is passed in heat exchange with said hot fluids in step (d) is such that all of the injected water has been heated to above the initial temperature of the subterranean reservoir.
7. The method of chain 4 wherein said steam phase is continuously injected into the upper strata to provide a continuous steam drive from the first well toward the second well in the upper strata after the upper strata of the subterranean reservoir is heated to elevated temperatures about the second well by the injected steam phase.
References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,491,138 4/1924 Hixon l66--11 2,734,579 2/1956 Elkins 166-11 3,167,120 l/1965 Pryor 166-11 3,193,009 7/1965 Wallace et a1. 16611 3,259,186 7/1966 Dietz 166-11 3,294,167 12/1966 Vogel 166-11 3,323,590 6/1967 Gilchrist et a1. 16611 STEPHEN J. NOVOSAD, Primary Examiner.
US. 01. X.R.
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US3500915A (en) * 1968-09-13 1970-03-17 Tenneco Oil Co Method of producing an oil bearing stratum of a subterranean formation in a steeply dipping reservoir
US3572437A (en) * 1969-02-14 1971-03-30 Mobil Oil Corp Oil recovery by steam injection followed by hot water
US3630573A (en) * 1969-12-19 1971-12-28 Amoco Prod Co Sulfur mining with steam
US3903967A (en) * 1974-09-23 1975-09-09 Texaco Inc Method for recovering viscous petroleum
US4019578A (en) * 1976-03-29 1977-04-26 Terry Ruel C Recovery of petroleum from tar and heavy oil sands
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US4060129A (en) * 1976-12-01 1977-11-29 Chevron Research Company Method of improving a steam drive
US4068715A (en) * 1975-10-08 1978-01-17 Texaco Inc. Method for recovering viscous petroleum
US4088188A (en) * 1975-12-24 1978-05-09 Texaco Inc. High vertical conformance steam injection petroleum recovery method
US4093027A (en) * 1976-12-01 1978-06-06 Chevron Research Company Method of assisting the recovery of oil using steam
DE2753248A1 (en) * 1976-12-01 1978-06-15 Chevron Res Oil recovery by steam drive - by maintaining the cumulative quality of the injected steam within predetermined limits
US4396063A (en) * 1981-11-16 1983-08-02 Mobil Oil Corporation Process and system for providing multiple streams of wet steam having substantially equal quality for recovering heavy oil
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US4913236A (en) * 1988-03-07 1990-04-03 Chevron Research Company Method for inhibiting silica dissolution using phase separation during oil well steam injection
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US20100294494A1 (en) * 2009-09-18 2010-11-25 Super Heaters North Dakota Llc Water heating apparatus for continuous heated water flow and method for use in hydraulic fracturing
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US3500915A (en) * 1968-09-13 1970-03-17 Tenneco Oil Co Method of producing an oil bearing stratum of a subterranean formation in a steeply dipping reservoir
US3572437A (en) * 1969-02-14 1971-03-30 Mobil Oil Corp Oil recovery by steam injection followed by hot water
US3630573A (en) * 1969-12-19 1971-12-28 Amoco Prod Co Sulfur mining with steam
US3903967A (en) * 1974-09-23 1975-09-09 Texaco Inc Method for recovering viscous petroleum
US4068715A (en) * 1975-10-08 1978-01-17 Texaco Inc. Method for recovering viscous petroleum
US4088188A (en) * 1975-12-24 1978-05-09 Texaco Inc. High vertical conformance steam injection petroleum recovery method
US4019578A (en) * 1976-03-29 1977-04-26 Terry Ruel C Recovery of petroleum from tar and heavy oil sands
US4057106A (en) * 1976-07-12 1977-11-08 Clingman Walter L Hot water flood
US4060129A (en) * 1976-12-01 1977-11-29 Chevron Research Company Method of improving a steam drive
US4093027A (en) * 1976-12-01 1978-06-06 Chevron Research Company Method of assisting the recovery of oil using steam
DE2753248A1 (en) * 1976-12-01 1978-06-15 Chevron Res Oil recovery by steam drive - by maintaining the cumulative quality of the injected steam within predetermined limits
US4396063A (en) * 1981-11-16 1983-08-02 Mobil Oil Corporation Process and system for providing multiple streams of wet steam having substantially equal quality for recovering heavy oil
US4465137A (en) * 1982-06-25 1984-08-14 Texaco Inc. Varying temperature oil recovery method
US4913236A (en) * 1988-03-07 1990-04-03 Chevron Research Company Method for inhibiting silica dissolution using phase separation during oil well steam injection
US5042583A (en) * 1988-12-30 1991-08-27 Chevron Research And Technology Company Steam foam drive method for enhanced oil recovery
US4969521A (en) * 1989-10-17 1990-11-13 Mobil Oil Corporation Method of ameliorating two-phase flow segregation during wet steam injection in a vertical injection well
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US8025101B2 (en) 2006-06-08 2011-09-27 Shell Oil Company Cyclic steam stimulation method with multiple fractures
US20100101790A1 (en) * 2006-06-08 2010-04-29 Kirk Samuel Hansen Cyclic steam stimulation method with multiple fractures
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