The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.

The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.

Date of Patent:
Feb. 04, 2020

Filed:

Apr. 09, 2018
Applicant:

Conocophillips Company, Houston, TX (US);

Inventors:

Robert S Redman, Houston, TX (US);

Siluni L. Gamage, Houston, TX (US);

T. J. Wheeler, Houston, TX (US);

Assignee:

ConocoPhillips Company, Houston, TX (US);

Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
E21B 43/24 (2006.01); E21B 43/16 (2006.01); E21B 47/06 (2012.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
E21B 43/2408 (2013.01); E21B 43/168 (2013.01); E21B 43/2401 (2013.01); E21B 47/065 (2013.01);
Abstract

A proposed methodology to startup wells with electrical downhole heating as a preconditioning method for a steam injection process. The downhole electrical heating recovers oil which results in a reduction in the reservoir pressure. Once oil has been recovered for a period of time and the operating pressure and temperature has been reduced, SAGD well pairs are provided between the downhole heater wells, and SAGD or a SAGD-like method used to produce oil. The method reduces heat losses due to steam injection at lower pressure and temperature and therefore, improves efficiency and lowers operating costs. Operating at lower pressure and temperature will also reduce the risk of melting the permafrost and consequent well failure issues. When oil production drops below an economical level, remaining oil can be collected at the DHH wells using the SAGD wellpair for gas or solvent or steam sweeps, or combinations thereof.


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