Deep heavy oil recovery by steam injection using twin horizontal drainholes

Conference · Tue Dec 01 00:00:00 EST 1992

OSTI ID:10191806

Cooper, G A; Zeyrek, M S ^[1]; Gondouin, M ^[2]

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1. California Univ., Berkeley, CA (United States)
2. S-Cal Research Corp., San Rafael, CA (United States)

We propose a novel method for improving the efficiency of recovery of heavy oil. Two horizontal drainholes are made at the bottom of a vertical well so that one may be steamed while the other is in production. Downgoing steam and rising produced fluids are carried in the same vertical casing so that heat from the produced fluids reduces heat losses from the steam. This arrangement requires a downhole valve that will switch steam and produced fluids between the boreholes. We discuss the design of a suitable well and of the valves, and report results of tests to select suitable materials to function in the high temperature downhole environment.

• Research Organization: S-Cal Research Corp., San Rafael, CA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: FG01-92CE15553
• OSTI ID: 10191806
• Report Number(s): CONF-920383-3; ON: DE93002456
• Resource Relation: Conference: Western regional meeting of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE),Bakersfield, CA (United States),30 Mar - 1 Apr 1992; Other Information: PBD: [1992]
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
OIL WELLS
STEAM INJECTION
PETROLEUM
VISCOSITY
ENHANCED RECOVERY
VALVES
MATERIALS
WELL CASINGS
020300
DRILLING AND PRODUCTION