Cenovus Energy Inc.

Desmond Larry Procinsky

A process for workover of a hydrocarbon recovery well, wherein hydrocarbons are mobilized and well pressure increased by steam injection, the hydrocarbons produced to surface in emulsion fluids. The emulsion fluids are directed into a produced emulsion line at surface at a first pressure, steam injection is then discontinued into the well while continuing emulsion production at reduced pressure, at least some of the emulsion fluids are redirected to an additional line at a second pressure lower than the first pressure as pressure in the well decreases, the emulsion fluids are pumped from the additional line into the produced emulsion line at a third pressure higher than the second pressure, and a well kill fluid is injected into the well to allow the workover after the well pressure decreases.

Process for workover of a well for a hydrocarbon recovery operation

A process for reducing pressure in a well for well kill, during and after recovery of hydrocarbons from a formation. A mobilizing fluid is injected through the well and into the formation to mobilize the hydrocarbons and increase the well pressure, followed by emulsion fluids production to surface while mobilizing fluid injection is discontinued, which decreases the well pressure in preparation for well kill. The emulsion fluids are directed to a produced emulsion line at a first pressure, with at least some of the emulsion fluids instead redirected to an additional line at a lower second pressure as well pressure decreases, and these fluids from the additional line are then pumped at a third pressure higher than the second pressure into the produced emulsion line.

Process for reducing pressure in a well for well kill in a hydrocarbon recovery operation

A process for preparing a well for use in subsequent recovery of hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon-bearing formation wherein (i) mobilizing fluid is injected into the formation and emulsion fluids are produced to surface and directed to a high-pressure produced emulsion line, reducing pressure in the well, (ii) mobilizing fluid injection is terminated while emulsion production continues at reduced pressure, (iii) redirecting a portion of the reduced-pressure emulsion fluids to an additional low-pressure line instead of the produced emulsion line, and (iv) pumping the portion of the emulsion fluids at an elevated pressure from the additional line into the produced emulsion line.

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Calgary, Canada

Desmond Larry Procinsky