Mobil Oil Corporation

J Michael Sanchez

E Thomas Strom

Bassem R Alameddine

Paul Shu

Herbert G Weinstein

A method to reduce water coning in viscous oil formations during primary oil production wherein a horizontal wellbore is heated by circulating steam therein thereby heating a radial area near the wellbore. Near wellbore heating alters a pressure profile in the radial area near the wellbore. Reduced inflow pressure gradients near the wellbore flatten out a pressure sink associated with the wellbore. This reduces substantially water coning which allows more oil to be produced before high water production begins.

Method for reduced water coning in a horizontal well during heavy oil

A foam/steam injection method for forming fractures is a for reservoir penetrated by a horizontal wellbore. Steam is injected into said wellbore at a pressure sufficient to fracture the formation. Water which is used to make the steam contains a foamable composition in an amount sufficient to make a foam upon contact with steam. Steam and foam enter the wellbore and create a fracture in an oil-rich zone. Thereafter, foam blocks further steam entry into the created fracture which causes another fracture to form at a second interval along the horizontal wellbore. These steps are repeated until a fracture system is made along the length of the wellbore.

Foam/steam injection into a horizontal wellbore for multiple fracture

A conduction heating, gravity assisted, single well, process for removing viscous hydrocarbonaceous fluids from a reservoir penetrated by a horizontal wellbore. Steam and a gas soluble in hydrocarbonaceous fluids are circulated into the wellbore at or below the reservoir pressure through an upper perforated conduit of the horizontal wellbore. Circulation is continued so as to allow steam to heat the reservoir by conductance while gas enters the hydrocarbonaceous fluids. Thus, heated hydrocarbonaceous fluids having a reduced viscosity flow from the reservoir around the horizontal wellbore where the fluids are produced to the surface by a lower conduit within the horizontal wellbore. The lower conduit is open along its length so as to be in fluid communication with the reservoir for the length of the horizontal wellbore.

Single horizontal wellbore process/apparatus for the in-situ extraction

A method for recovering viscous oil from a formation having a bottom water zone below an oil containing zone. Steam is directed into the bottom water zone thereby heating this zone and an oil containing zone thereabove. Afterwards, steam injection is ceased and a gellable composition is directed into the bottom water zone where it forms a solid gel. Once the solid gel has formed, steam is injected into the bottom water zone where the solid gel causes it to flow upwardly into the oil containing zone. Oil, water, and steam are removed via a recompleted producer well.

Method of preheating a heavy oil zone through existing bottom water and

A process for increasing the production of hydrocarbonaceous fluids in a reservoir where foam is injected into a gravity override zone. Foam is injected into the override zone via a well placed in the zone. This foam injection wall is positioned between an injector and a producer well. During a steam-flooding or carbon-dioxide flooding, foam is injected into the override area via the foam injection wall thereby blocking the override area and causing flooding fluids to be directed into an oil rich overridden area. Foam utilized herein can be formed in-situ or ex-situ by a noncondensible gas and a surfactant.

Foam injection into a gravity override zone for improved hydrocarbon

A method of ameliorating two-phase flow segregation during wet steam injection in a vertical injection well wherein a compartmentalized tray of variable depth is utilized. This tray traps a liquid phase of the steam near each perforation. A hole within the tray allows steam to pass through to a lower level in the well. In this manner, the liquid phase is held up near the perforations. Steam and water thus pass into the formation uniformly at each perforation. The degree of segregation may be controlled by the tray's depth. A deeper tray allows more water to be trapped near the upper perforations. A shallow tray favors segregation within the wellbore. More than one tray can be used.

Method of ameliorating two-phase flow segregation during wet steam

A process for closing pores in a bottom water zone where steam is directed so as to by-pass a zone of the formation containing hydrocarbonaceous fluids. Once a portion of the bottom water zone has reached a temperature in excess of about 300.degree. F., steam entry is ceased. Afterwards, a temperature activated gellable composition is placed into the bottom water zone. When the composition reaches that portion of the bottom water zone where a temperature in excess of about 300.degree. F. has been reached, the composition activates and forms a rigid gel. Thereafter, a steam flooding method is commenced. Steam is diverted from the bottom water zone and into an upper zone containing hydrocarbonaceous fluids.

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Dallas, TX, United States of America

J Michael Sanchez