Alberta Research Council Incorporated

Malcolm Greaves

Conrad Ayasse

Alex Turta

A well configuration is provided comprising an injection well ( ) completed relatively high in an oil reservoir ( ) and a production well ( ) completed relatively low in the reservoir ( ). The production well has a horizontal leg ( ) oriented generally perpendicularly to a generally linear and laterally extending, upright combustion front propagated from the injection well ( ). The leg ( ) is positioned in the path of the advancing front. Oil upgrading catalyst has been emplaced along the horizontal leg. The production well ( ) is maintained open, thereby providing a low pressure sink which induces the front to advance along the leg. The hot combustion gases react with the commingled oil over the catalyst to provide in situ upgrading.

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Bath, United Kingdom

Malcolm Greaves