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:
Dec. 12, 2006

Filed:

Oct. 06, 2003
Applicants:

David Joe Steele, Irving, TX (US);

Jody R. Mcglothen, Waxahachie, TX (US);

Russell Irving Bayh, Iii, Carrollton, TX (US);

Inventors:

David Joe Steele, Irving, TX (US);

Jody R. McGlothen, Waxahachie, TX (US);

Russell Irving Bayh, III, Carrollton, TX (US);

Assignee:
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
E21B 43/24 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for treating a wellbore using a loop system to heat oil in a subterranean formation contacted by the wellbore. The loop system comprises a loop that conveys a fluid (e.g., steam) down the wellbore via a injection conduit and returns fluid (e.g., condensate) from the wellbore via a return conduit. A portion of the fluid in the loop system may be injected into the subterranean formation using one or more valves disposed in the loop system. Alternatively, only heat and not fluid may be transferred from the loop system into the subterranean formation. The fluid returned from the wellbore may be re-heated and re-conveyed by the loop system into the wellbore. Heating the oil residing in the subterranean formation reduces the viscosity of the oil so that it may be recovered more easily.


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