WO2009100518A1 - A modified process for hydrocarbon recovery using in situ combustion - Google Patents
A modified process for hydrocarbon recovery using in situ combustion Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2009100518A1 WO2009100518A1 PCT/CA2009/000066 CA2009000066W WO2009100518A1 WO 2009100518 A1 WO2009100518 A1 WO 2009100518A1 CA 2009000066 W CA2009000066 W CA 2009000066W WO 2009100518 A1 WO2009100518 A1 WO 2009100518A1
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- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- horizontal leg
- hydrocarbon
- production well
- vertical section
- well
- Prior art date
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- 150000002430 hydrocarbons Chemical class 0.000 title claims abstract description 165
- 229930195733 hydrocarbon Natural products 0.000 title claims abstract description 164
- 239000004215 Carbon black (E152) Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 130
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 96
- 238000002485 combustion reaction Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 65
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 title claims description 44
- 238000011065 in-situ storage Methods 0.000 title abstract description 24
- 238000011084 recovery Methods 0.000 title abstract description 19
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 163
- 238000002347 injection Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 124
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 124
- 230000001590 oxidative effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 93
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 64
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 claims description 90
- CURLTUGMZLYLDI-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon dioxide Chemical compound O=C=O CURLTUGMZLYLDI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 28
- 238000005553 drilling Methods 0.000 claims description 25
- QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N atomic oxygen Chemical compound [O] QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 19
- 239000001301 oxygen Substances 0.000 claims description 19
- 229910052760 oxygen Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 19
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 16
- 229910002092 carbon dioxide Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 14
- 239000001569 carbon dioxide Substances 0.000 claims description 14
- -1 steam Substances 0.000 claims description 8
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- 238000005086 pumping Methods 0.000 description 2
- 101100328895 Caenorhabditis elegans rol-8 gene Proteins 0.000 description 1
- OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon Chemical compound [C] OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
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Classifications
-
- 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
- E21B43/243—Combustion in situ
-
- 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
- This invention relates to an modified process for hydrocarbon recovery from an underground reservoir by in situ combustion and employing a horizontal production well.
- Air or other oxidizing gas, such as oxygen-enriched air, is injected through the injection well into the hydrocarbon reservoir, typically via perforations in the upper part of a vertical injection well, located in the vicinity of the "toe" of the horizontal leg of the production well.
- the horizontal leg of the production well is oriented generally perpendicularly to a generally quasi-vertical combustion front of combusting hydrocarbon which is produced upon ignition of a portion of the hydrocarbon in the reservoir proximate the injection well.
- combustion front is supplied with oxidizing gas via the injection well.
- the "toe" of the horizontal leg portion is
- U.S. Patent 6,412,557 discloses a similar but modified process having the added step of placing a hydrocarbon upgrading catalyst along, within, or around the horizontal leg to substantially decrease the viscosity of the hydrocarbon and upgrade the quality of the hydrocarbon and increasing the flow of hydrocarbon from the reservoir into the horizontal leg of the production well for subsequent removal to surface.
- Such modified process is known in the industry by the trademark CAPRITM, likewise a registered trademark of Archon Technologies Ltd.
- WO2005121504 (PCT/CA2005/000833) published December 12, 2005, also commonly assigned, teaches a similar process to that of THAITM, further comprising the additional step of providing injection tubing inside the production well within the vertical section and substantially along the length of the horizontal leg to a position proximate the "toe" thereof, for the purpose of injecting a non-oxidizing medium comprising steam, water, or a non-oxidizing gas via said tubing to the "toe" region of said horizontal leg.
- a non-oxidizing medium comprising steam, water, or a non-oxidizing gas
- the injection of such non-oxidizing medium into the "toe" region of the horizontal leg has the effect of displacing any oxidizing gas in such area and thus preventing combustion of upgraded hydrocarbon which has flowed into the horizontal leg, and further increases the ambient pressure in the horizontal leg so as to prevent or reduce further inflow of oxidizing gas from the injection well which is injecting oxidizing gas into the hydrocarbon reservoir.
- oxidizing gas is needed to be injected proximate the toe of the horizontal leg, and remote from the vertical section of the production well.
- site of injection of oxidizing gas is remote from the vertical section of the production well, the surface of the production well being the location where oxidizing gas is typically generated.
- the injection and vertical section of the production wells can be separated by one (1) kilometer or more.
- Such prior art methods thus typically require transport of the oxidizing gas to the site of the injection well via piping from the production well, or alternatively require installation of equipment at the injection well site to permit generation of oxidizing gases for subsequent injection.
- Such requires clear access, via clearcutting, and/or increased space at the injection well site to accommodate additional oxidizing gas delivery and/or generation and compression facilities, thereby increasing the environmental "footprint" and impact of drilling operations on the environment, and also typically results in increased cost.
- the method of the present invention is to a modified in situ hyrdrocarbon recovery process that instead of injecting oxidizing gas near the "toe" portion of the horizontal leg injects oxidizing gas in or near the producing vertical section of the producing well (ie at the "heel" portion).
- the modified process obviates the need for a separate drilling/production pad for oxidizing gas injection, thereby reducing cost and decreasing detrimental environmental impact of in situ recovery methods.
- the process of the present invention in a particular third embodiment described below further eliminates the need for a separate oxidizing gas injection well, in that in such refinement the vertical section of the production well
- CAL LAW ⁇ 1384966V2 also serves as the injection well, thereby reducing well drilling costs and reducing the capital costs.
- the process of the present invention is a "heel-to-toe” process.
- the oxidizing gas injection point is modified to be at the "heel” as opposed to the “toe” so that the combustion front moves in the opposite direction from that of the THAITM process, namely from the direction of the "heel” of the horizontal well towards the "toe”.
- three regions of the reservoir are developed relative to the position of the combustion zone. Near the “heel” and after the passage of the combustion front away from the “heel” lies the burned oil-depleted zone which results after injection of the oxidizing gas and after the combustion front has advanced for a period outwardly and away from the injection well and the "heel" portion of the horizontal leg.
- Such burned zone is filled substantially with oxidizing gas.
- the coke zone which is essentially the area within the reservoir which the oxidizing gas has been able to then penetrate in the reservoir, and is essentially the area at which the combustion front exists (the combustion which occurs being that of the remaining coke which is the hydrocarbon then remaining after the lighter hydrocarbons within such reservoir and ahead of such combustion front have been liquefied or gasified and have flowed into the horizontal leg and thereafter removed to surface.
- the combustion which occurs being that of the remaining coke which is the hydrocarbon then remaining after the lighter hydrocarbons within such reservoir and ahead of such combustion front have been liquefied or gasified and have flowed into the horizontal leg and thereafter removed to surface.
- the region of the reservoir containing hydrocarbons which the combustion front is advancing toward the region of the reservoir containing hydrocarbons which the combustion front is advancing toward.
- oxidizing gas in the burned zone, containing residual oxygen can be forced into the horizontal leg of the production well. This is prevented in the process of the present invention by injecting, either for a limited time, or continuously, a medium such as a non- oxidizing gas such as carbon dioxide, and/or steam or water, to increase the pressure within the horizontal leg of the production well.
- a medium such as a non- oxidizing gas such as carbon dioxide, and/or steam or water
- CAL LAW ⁇ 1384966 ⁇ 2 Accordingly, in one broad aspect of the process of the present invention, to realize the advantage of being able to inject the oxidizing gas proximate or in the vertical section of the production well, a modified process for recovering liquefied or gasified hydrocarbon from an underground hydrocarbon reservoir is disclosed, comprising the steps of:
- the removal of the hydrocarbon from the production well via the production tubing is typically without pumping, but may require pumping in order to be removed from the horizontal leg if sufficient quantities of inert gases such as gasified hydrocarbon, carbon dioxide or nitrogen do not flow into the horizontal leg and thus the production tubing under significant ambient pressure of the hydrocarbon formation, as may occur during a start-up period.
- inert gases such as gasified hydrocarbon, carbon dioxide or nitrogen
- the normal mechanism of producing oil by reducing the mixed-fluid density with gases is called 'gas lift'.
- the injection of the oxidizing gas proximate the vertical section of the production well is accomplished via the drilling of a separate injection well proximate the vertical section of the production well so as to permit the oxidizing gas to be injected into the formation via such injection well proximate the production well.
- the same drilling pad can then be used for drilling both the production well and the injection well, thus saving on expense and cost of well drilling.
- the injection well is situated proximate the production well which typically has power generation equipment used for production, oxidizing gas can usually and more easily be obtained and immediately injected into the injection well, which would not otherwise be capable of being done were the injection well positioned remote from the vertical section of the production well as in the prior art.
- the injection well is a side entry well within the vertical section of the production well, thus again allowing the injection well to be situated proximate the injection well so as to achieve the above benefits, as well as the additional benefit in that the upper portion of the vertical section of the production well can be used when drilling the side entry well, thus further reducing drilling costs.
- the present invention comprises a process for recovering liquefied or gasified hydrocarbon from an underground hydrocarbon formation comprising the steps of:
- the present invention comprises a method of producing hydrocarbon from a hydrocarbon reservoir whereby the necessity of an injection well for injecting the oxidizing gas is completely eliminated, thus reducing the cost of implementing the in situ process of the present invention.
- the vertical section of the production well is perforated to permit an oxidizing gas (which is provided to such vertical section) to escape into the hydrocarbon formation proximate the vertical section.
- an oxidizing gas which is provided to such vertical section
- a medium in the form of a non-oxidizing gas such as carbon dioxide, steam or water is injected either continuously or intermittently into the production well via injection tubing, which extends to the heel portion of the production well.
- a series of "packers" located in the production well may be provided to isolate the oxidizing gas supplied to the
- the method of the present invention comprises a process for recovering liquefied or gasified hydrocarbon from an underground hydrocarbon reservoir, comprising the steps of:
- the third embodiment of the present invention also eliminates the need as in the prior art to "close off (using a cement plug or the like) the horizontal leg of each production well when a series of production wells are situated end to end and when the vertical section of a first production well is subsequently converted to an injection well (see. US '191, col 6, lines 47-col 7, line 9 and Figs. 14D-F thereof).
- the in situ method of the present invention in particular the third embodiment, is a method of further reducing the cost of in situ recovery by reducing the number of steps, including not only eliminating the need to drill injection wells but also eliminating the necessity of "closing off other wells as is necessary in the in situ methods of the prior art, as exemplified in US ' 191 above.
- Figure IA is a perspective schematic view of a prior-art in situ recovery arrangement in a hydrocarbon reservoir, showing air injection wells situated at the toe of each of corresponding horizontal legs of associated production wells;
- Figure IB is a cross section through one injection well and associated production well shown in Figure IA;
- Figure 2 A is a schematic cross-section (not to scale) through one injection well and associated production well of a first embodiment of the present invention, using the method of the present invention of causing a combustion front to propagate in the direction of the "toe" of the horizontal leg of the production well, at a point in time close to the time of ignition of the hydrocarbon and the initial propagation of the combustion front;
- Figure 2B is a similar cross-section to that of Figure 2A, likewise not to scale, at a subsequent point in time when the combustion front has propagated for a time and moved closer to the "toe" portion of the horizontal leg of the production well;
- Figure 2C is a similar cross-section to that of Figure 2B, likewise not to scale, at a still further point in time when the combustion front has further propagated and moved even closer to the "toe" portion of the horizontal leg of the production well;
- Figure 3 is a schematic partial cross-section through a hydrocarbon reservoir containing a hydrocarbon-containing formation, which shows a second embodiment of the method of the present invention, namely a production well and associated side entry injection well (not to scale) and further depicting the method of the present invention of causing a combustion front to propagate in the direction of the "toe" of the horizontal leg of the production well, at a point in time close to the time of ignition of the hydrocarbon and the initial propagation of the combustion front;
- Figure 4 is a schematic partial cross-section through a hydrocarbon reservoir containing a hydrocarbon-containing formation, which shows a third preferred embodiment of the present invention, namely a cross-section through a production well (not to scale) employing the method of the present invention of causing a combustion front to propagate in the direction of the "toe" of the horizontal leg of the
- Figure 5 is a perspective schematic view of an in situ recovery method of Figure 4 , showing the third and preferred embodiment of the method of the present invention for recovering hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon reservoir.
- Figure IA shows a schematic, semi-transparent view of an arrangement of wells utilized in the prior art for in situ recovery of hydrocarbon from a subsurface hydrocarbon reservoir or formation 10.
- Figure IA schematically depicts the prior art method of in situ recovery of hydrocarbon disclosed in US 5,626,191, comprising locating a series of production wells 12, each comprising a substantially vertical section 16 and a substantially horizontal leg 16, having a '"toe” portion 18 and a "heel” portion 20.
- the horizontal leg 16 of production well 12 is located at a lower region of hydrocarbon formation 10, and is substantially porous to allow ingress of fluids.
- a series of injection wells 22 are provided, situated at a region proximate the "toe” and extending downwardly into the formation 10, with perforations in the upper reaches of the oil-bearing reservoir.
- Figure IB shows a schematic cross-section through an injection well 22 and associated production well 12 of Figure IA.
- an oxidizing gas 24 such as air (which contains oxygen), oxygen, or oxygen-enhanced air, is injected into the formation 10 via each of injection wells 22, so as to permit a portion of the hydrocarbon in formation 10 to be combusted. Specifically, a portion of the hydrocarbon in hydrocarbon formation 10 in the region of the injection well 22
- CAL LAW ⁇ 1384966 ⁇ 2 when supplied with the oxidizing gas 26 is caused to be ignited and caused to combust, thereby forming and creating within formation 10 a substantially vertical and laterally-extending combustion front 26.
- Such combustion front 26 by way of heat conduction and creation of heated combusted gases within formation 10, heats hydrocarbons in the formation 10 directly ahead and in advance of combustion front 26, causing the more volatile hydrocarbon compounds in formation 10 to gasify and further cause upgrading of a portion of the hydrocarbon solids or bitumens in the formation simultaneously increasing their viscosity so as to create mobile liquefied hydrocarbons 30.
- Horizontal leg 16 of production well 12 generally has, at least for a limited time, a gas pressure therein less than that of the formation 10 (due to removal of collected liquid hydrocarbons 30 as well as gaseous hydrocarbons therefrom), Such reduced gaseous pressure in horizontal leg 16 as opposed to within formation 10 in advance of combustion front 26 assists in liquid and gaseous hydrocarbon inflow from hydrocarbon formation 10 into the horizontal leg 16.
- horizontal leg 16 may at times may have a gaseous pressure close to, or even in excess of the gas pressure within formation 10.
- injection wells 22 are situated proximate the "toe" of the horizontal leg 16, and oxidizing gas injected into the formation at these locations via the injection wells 22.
- the combustion front 26 which receives oxidizing gas 24 is thus caused to progress outwardly from the injection well 22, and perpendicular to and along the horizontal wells 16 in a direction from the "toe" portion to the "heel" portion.
- Figures 2A-2C herein show a modified (first) in situ recovery process, which is expressly adapted to eliminate at least one of the above expenses in the prior art methods of in situ hydrocarbon recovery, namely the expense of creating a separate drilling pad for the injection well 22.
- a single drilling pad 32 is created by way of clearing of trees and other obstacles, and a single drill platform erected thereon.
- a production well 12 is drilled using conventional drilling techniques, comprising a vertical section 14, and a further horizontal leg 22 in communication with vertical section 14.
- the horizontal leg 16 has a "toe” portion 18 and a "heel” portion 20 where it meets vertical section 14.
- the production well 12 is completed by the usual process of casing well 12, and further by the insertion within such production well 12 of production tubing 40, which extends downwardly in vertical section 14 to such heel portion 20 and preferably along the horizontal leg 16, preferably to toe portion 18 thereof, such production tubing 40 having an open end 42 within said horizontal leg 16.
- Production tubing 40 is typically coiled tubing as is conventionally used in drilling operations.
- Additional injection tubing 50 likewise typically coiled tubing as is conventionally used in drilling operations, is further provided for injection of a medium 52 into production well 12, such medium 52 comprising a non-oxidizing gas, preferably carbon dioxide due to its diluent effect on hydrocarbons, or alternatively or
- injection tubing 50 extends into the "heel" portion 20 of horizontal leg 16.
- At least one isolation packer 54 is provided to allow medium 52 to be injected, if desired, in a pressurized state from time to time or continuously injected, so as to pressurize from time to time or continuously if desired, horizontal leg 16 to assist in forcing liquefied hydrocarbon 30 into production tubing 40 and inhibiting entry of oxidizing gas into the horizontal leg 16.
- injection well 22 is drilled, extending into at least the upper region of the hydrocarbon formation 10.
- Injection well 22 typically has perforations 75 in a lower end thereof to permit infusion and injection of an oxidizing gas 24 such as air or oxygen into the hydrocarbon-containing region of hydrocarbon formation 10.
- Oxidizing gas 24 is injected into formation 10 via injection well 22.
- equipment (not shown) used to create oxidizing gas 24 and inject such oxidizing gas 24 need not be located remote from the production well 12, but instead can, by virtue of the method of the present invention, be located proximate to production well 12, and in particular if desired may be located on drilling pad 32 or closely proximate thereto, thereby eliminating the need for clearing and creating a separate drilling pad at a remote site such as would occur if the injection well 22 were located towards the "toe" of horizontal well 16.
- operation and maintenamce of the oxidizing gas supply equipment can conveniently be conducted at the oil-treating site located near well 12.
- Hydrocarbons proximate the injection well 22 are ignited, and due to the supply of oxidizing gas 24 , a combustion front 26 is created, which in the method shown in Figures 2A-2C, advances as a substantially vertical laterally extending front (see also Fig. 5 herein) from the "heel" 20 of horizontal leg 16 towards the "toe” 18. Viscous and high viscosity hydrocarbons, including bitumen, in the hydrocarbon formation 10 in advance of the advancing combustion front 26, due
- CAL LAW ⁇ 1384966V2 to heat which is generated, are caused to upgrade and become liquid, and in the process become less viscous.
- Some hydrocarbons in the formation 10 in advance of the front 26 will gasify.
- Liquified hydrocarbons 30 and gasified hydrocarbons, now being mobile, flow downwardly and into horizontal leg 16 which is made porous (ie has apertures 60 in an upper portion thereof) to permit infusion of such hydrocarbons 30 and thus collection of such hydrocarbons 30.
- combustion front 26 progresses and thus "sweeps" from the "heel" portion 20 to the "toe" 18 of horizontal leg 16.
- hydrocarbon formation 10 is preferably initially preheated by injection of a heated non-oxidizing medium 52 such as steam, which is injected into the horizontal leg 16 of production well 12 via injection tubing 40, and removed via production tubing 50 or alternatively via annulus 80 in vertical section 16 if isolation packers 54 are not present.
- a heated non-oxidizing medium 52 such as steam
- Pre- injection of a heated medium has the benefit of heating the production well 12 and its production components thereby increasing the flowability of liquefied hydrocarbons 30 which flow into horizontal leg 16 of production well 12. This procedure is useful in bitumen reservoirs because cold oil that may enter the horizontal leg 16 will be very viscous and will flow poorly, possible plugging the horizontal leg 16.
- CAL LAW ⁇ I384966 ⁇ 2 water is injected, either continuously or sporadically via injection tubing 50 into horizontal leg 16, which due to isolation packers 54, can be pressurized.
- the purpose of such non-oxidizing medium 52 is for a number of reasons. Firstly, increased pressure within horizontal leg 16 reduces or prevents oxidizing gas 24 infusing into horizontal leg 16 from formation 10 which could otherwise detrimentally, in combination with liquefied and gaseous hydrocarbons therein, form an explosive mixture with potentially explosive consequences, or alternatively react with oxygen directly so as to form coke which could otherwise seal the horizontal leg 16 of production well 12.
- hydrocarbon (oil) and oxygen together in a wellbore is combustion and potentially an explosion with the attainment of high temperatures, perhaps in excess of 1000 0 C.
- injection of medium 52 can serve to pressurize horizontal leg 16 and assist in driving liquefied and gaseous hydrocarbons 30 collected in horizontal leg 16 into the open end 42 of production tubing 40, thereby assisting in drawdown of such liquids 30 and producing such hydrocarbons 30 from producing well 12.
- medium 52 when injected via injection tubing 50 can be heated.
- means for heating such medium 52 are, in this method, conveniently capable of being located at the surface of production well 12 and on or near drilling pad 32.
- injection thereof into horizontal well 16 serves as not only a convenient carbon "sink” to allow disposal of such greenhouse gas, but further due to the diluent properties on carbon dioxide on liquid hydrocarbons 30, reduces the viscosity thereof and thus aids in the drawdown of collected liquid hydrocarbons 30 via production tubing 40.
- gases and oil drain downward into the horizontal leg 16, drawn by gravity and at times by the low- pressure sink of the horizontal leg 16 when unpressurized.
- the coke zone at the combustion front 26 and the mobile oil zone 80 move laterally from the direction from the heel 20 towards the toe 18 of the horizontal well 16.
- the burned zone section 100 behind the combustion front is depleted of liquids (oil and water) and is filled with oxidizing gas 24.
- the section of the horizontal well 16 opposite this burned zone 100 is in jeopardy of receiving oxygen or oxidizing gas 24 which will combust the oil present inside horizontal well 16 creating extremely high wellbore temperatures that would damage the steel casing and especially the sand screens that are used to permit the entry of fluids 30 but exclude sand.
- the method of the present invention contemplates a number of ways to prevent influx of oxidizing gas 24 from the formation 10 into the horizontal leg 16.
- a first method is to reduce the injection rate of the oxidizing gas 24 in order to reduce the reservoir pressure in formation 10.
- a second method is to reduce the liquefied hydrocarbon 30 drawdown rate via the production tubing 40 (ie reduce the production rate via production tubing 40) to thereby increase wellbore pressure in horizontal leg 16. Both of these methods result in the reduction of hydrocarbon production rates, which is economically detrimental.
- An alternative and preferred method is that as described previously herein, namely the injection of non-oxidizing medium 52 into horizontal leg 16 via injection tubing 50, which is believed to have little effect on gravity draining of hydrocarbon liquids into horizontal well 16.
- thermocouple string can be placed along the horizontal section, or within, and the occurance of elevated temperatures will signal the intrusion of oxidizing gas so that water of steam may be added via tubing 52 to reduce well-bore temperatures, dilute the oxygen present and increase wellbore pressure to inhibit further oxidizing gas entry.
- Figure 3 schematically illustrates a further more preferable embodiment of the method of the present invention, having similar components to those identified in Figures 2A-2C, and having similar methodology.
- an oxidizing gas in injected into formation 10 via injection well 22, and a combustion front 26 created which "sweeps" from heel 20 to toe 18 of horizontal leg 16, causing liquefied hydrocarbons 30 as well as gasified hydrocarbons to flow into horizontal leg 16 and be delivered to surface via production tubing 40.
- injection well 22 in the method depicted in Figure 3 is formed as a side entry well from within vertical section 16 of production well 12.
- injection well 22 is less expensive to drill as an upper portion of such injection well has already been drilled as it is common with vertical section 16 of production well 12.
- Figure 4 depicts a third and most preferred embodiment of the method of the present invention for carrying out in situ recovery of hydrocarbon.
- Such method like the first embodiment of the method of the present invention depicted in Figures 2A- 2C, and like the second embodiment of the invention depicted in Figure 3, includes as an integral component of the method the creation of a combustion front 26 which "sweeps" from “heel” 20 to "toe” 18 of horizontal leg 16, thereby causing liquid hydrocarbons 30 to be collected in horizontal leg 16, and thereafter drawndown by production tubing 40 and produced to surface.
- Oxidizing gas 24 is prevented from injection into horizontal leg 16 by the presence of isolation packers 54 which effectively separate produced liquefied hydrocarbons in horizontal leg 16 from oxidizing gas 24 such as oxygen, thereby preventing formation of explosive mixtures.
- Injection tubing 50 still serves, like in earlier embodiments, to permit sporadic or continuous injection of non-oxidizing gas 52 into horizontal leg 16 to prevent oxidizing gas 24 within the burned zone 80 of the formation from permeating into horizontal leg 16.
- Figure 5 depicts how the method of Figure 4 (ie the third embodiment of the method of the present invention) may be deployed with a series of production wells 12 in a hydrocarbon formation 10, using a combustion front 26 which advances from "heel" 20 to "toe" 18.
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Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (9)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP09710585.2A EP2324195B1 (en) | 2008-02-13 | 2009-01-23 | A modified process for hydrocarbon recovery using in situ combustion |
CN200980113011.8A CN102137986B (en) | 2008-02-13 | 2009-01-23 | A modified process for hydrocarbon recovery using in situ combustion |
MX2010008938A MX2010008938A (en) | 2008-02-13 | 2009-01-23 | A modified process for hydrocarbon recovery using in situ combustion. |
ROA201000735A RO126048A2 (en) | 2008-02-13 | 2009-01-23 | Improved process for hydrocarbon extraction employing in-situ combustion |
GB1014076.2A GB2469426B (en) | 2008-02-13 | 2009-01-23 | A modified process for hydrocarbon recovery using in situ combustion |
AU2009214765A AU2009214765A1 (en) | 2008-02-13 | 2009-01-23 | A modified process for hydrocarbon recovery using in situ combustion |
BRPI0905786A BRPI0905786A2 (en) | 2008-02-13 | 2009-01-23 | modified process for hydrocarbon recovery using in situ combustion |
NO20101134A NO20101134L (en) | 2008-02-13 | 2010-08-11 | Modified hydrocarbon recovery process for incineration |
HK11111040.4A HK1156673A1 (en) | 2008-02-13 | 2011-10-17 | A modified process for hydrocarbon recovery using in situ combustion |
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
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CA2,621,013 | 2008-02-13 | ||
CA 2621013 CA2621013C (en) | 2008-02-13 | 2008-02-13 | A modified process for hydrocarbon recovery using in situ combustion |
US12/068,881 | 2008-02-13 | ||
US12/068,881 US7841404B2 (en) | 2008-02-13 | 2008-02-13 | Modified process for hydrocarbon recovery using in situ combustion |
Publications (1)
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PCT/CA2009/000066 WO2009100518A1 (en) | 2008-02-13 | 2009-01-23 | A modified process for hydrocarbon recovery using in situ combustion |
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EP (1) | EP2324195B1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN102137986B (en) |
AR (1) | AR070424A1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2009214765A1 (en) |
BR (1) | BRPI0905786A2 (en) |
CO (1) | CO6210832A2 (en) |
EC (1) | ECSP10010151A (en) |
GB (1) | GB2469426B (en) |
HK (1) | HK1156673A1 (en) |
MX (1) | MX2010008938A (en) |
NO (1) | NO20101134L (en) |
PE (1) | PE20100024A1 (en) |
RO (1) | RO126048A2 (en) |
RU (1) | RU2444619C1 (en) |
TR (1) | TR201006697T1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2009100518A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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CA2698454C (en) * | 2010-03-30 | 2011-11-29 | Archon Technologies Ltd. | Improved in-situ combustion recovery process using single horizontal well to produce oil and combustion gases to surface |
CN102383772B (en) * | 2011-09-22 | 2014-06-25 | 中国矿业大学(北京) | Well drilling type oil gas preparing system through gasification and dry distillation of oil shale at normal position and technical method thereof |
CN102392626A (en) * | 2011-10-25 | 2012-03-28 | 联合石油天然气投资有限公司 | Method for exploiting thick-layer heavy oil reservoir by in situ combustion assisted gravity drainage |
RU2507388C1 (en) * | 2012-07-27 | 2014-02-20 | Открытое акционерное общество "Татнефть" имени В.Д. Шашина | Method of extra-heavy oil and/or bitumen deposits development with help of inclined wells |
CN103232852B (en) * | 2013-04-28 | 2014-03-26 | 吉林省众诚汽车服务连锁有限公司 | Method and process for extracting shale oil and gas by in-situ shaft fracturing chemical distillation of oil shale |
CN103437748B (en) * | 2013-09-04 | 2016-08-10 | 新奥气化采煤有限公司 | Coal underground gasifying furnace and coal underground gasification method |
CN103726818A (en) * | 2013-12-23 | 2014-04-16 | 新奥气化采煤有限公司 | Underground gasification ignition method |
CN112878978B (en) * | 2021-01-29 | 2022-02-15 | 中国矿业大学 | Supercritical water fracturing synergistic hydrogen production method for underground coal gasification |
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US5626191A (en) | 1995-06-23 | 1997-05-06 | Petroleum Recovery Institute | Oilfield in-situ combustion process |
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WO2007033462A1 (en) * | 2005-09-23 | 2007-03-29 | Alberta Research Council, Inc. | Toe-to-heel waterflooding with progressive blockage of the toe region |
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US5167280A (en) * | 1990-06-24 | 1992-12-01 | Mobil Oil Corporation | Single horizontal well process for solvent/solute stimulation |
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RU2306410C1 (en) * | 2005-12-22 | 2007-09-20 | Государственное образовательное учреждение высшего профессионального образования Российский государственный университет нефти и газа им. И.М. Губкина | Method for thermal gaseous hydrate field development |
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-
2009
- 2009-01-23 GB GB1014076.2A patent/GB2469426B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2009-01-23 MX MX2010008938A patent/MX2010008938A/en active IP Right Grant
- 2009-01-23 RO ROA201000735A patent/RO126048A2/en unknown
- 2009-01-23 BR BRPI0905786A patent/BRPI0905786A2/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2009-01-23 RU RU2010137516/03A patent/RU2444619C1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2009-01-23 EP EP09710585.2A patent/EP2324195B1/en not_active Not-in-force
- 2009-01-23 TR TR2010/06697T patent/TR201006697T1/en unknown
- 2009-01-23 CN CN200980113011.8A patent/CN102137986B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2009-01-23 WO PCT/CA2009/000066 patent/WO2009100518A1/en active Application Filing
- 2009-01-23 AU AU2009214765A patent/AU2009214765A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2009-02-11 PE PE2009000196A patent/PE20100024A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2009-02-12 AR ARP090100498A patent/AR070424A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2009-07-07 CO CO09069914A patent/CO6210832A2/en active IP Right Grant
-
2010
- 2010-05-04 EC EC2010010151A patent/ECSP10010151A/en unknown
- 2010-08-11 NO NO20101134A patent/NO20101134L/en not_active Application Discontinuation
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2011
- 2011-10-17 HK HK11111040.4A patent/HK1156673A1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
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US5626193A (en) * | 1995-04-11 | 1997-05-06 | Elan Energy Inc. | Single horizontal wellbore gravity drainage assisted steam flooding process |
US5626191A (en) | 1995-06-23 | 1997-05-06 | Petroleum Recovery Institute | Oilfield in-situ combustion process |
US6412557B1 (en) | 1997-12-11 | 2002-07-02 | Alberta Research Council Inc. | Oilfield in situ hydrocarbon upgrading process |
WO2005121504A1 (en) | 2004-06-07 | 2005-12-22 | Archon Technologies Ltd. | Oilfield enhanced in situ combustion process |
WO2007033462A1 (en) * | 2005-09-23 | 2007-03-29 | Alberta Research Council, Inc. | Toe-to-heel waterflooding with progressive blockage of the toe region |
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See also references of EP2324195A4 |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CO6210832A2 (en) | 2010-10-20 |
RU2444619C1 (en) | 2012-03-10 |
AU2009214765A1 (en) | 2009-08-20 |
GB2469426A (en) | 2010-10-13 |
PE20100024A1 (en) | 2010-02-26 |
EP2324195B1 (en) | 2014-09-10 |
EP2324195A4 (en) | 2013-06-26 |
GB2469426B (en) | 2012-01-11 |
RO126048A2 (en) | 2011-02-28 |
EP2324195A1 (en) | 2011-05-25 |
CN102137986A (en) | 2011-07-27 |
MX2010008938A (en) | 2010-11-09 |
TR201006697T1 (en) | 2011-04-21 |
HK1156673A1 (en) | 2012-06-15 |
ECSP10010151A (en) | 2010-06-29 |
BRPI0905786A2 (en) | 2016-06-07 |
CN102137986B (en) | 2014-05-07 |
AR070424A1 (en) | 2010-04-07 |
NO20101134L (en) | 2010-09-10 |
GB201014076D0 (en) | 2010-10-06 |
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