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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Intermittent steam injection

Patent ·
OSTI ID:5212975
This patent describes a method to improve vertical sweep efficiency during intermittent steam injection into a multi-layered oil containing reservoir. It comprises injecting a substantially large volume of steam into the reservoir via at least one injector well into a lower level of the reservoir while at least one producer well is shut in which pressurizes the reservoir and propagates heat away from any induced fracture; allowing the reservoir pressure to increase as steam injection continues until steam has entered each layer of the reservoir; shutting in the injector well and allowing each layer of the reservoir to heat up so as to reduce the viscosity of oil contained in each layer; and opening the producer well and producing oil to the surface thereby completing one cycle.
Assignee:
Mobil Oil Corp., Fairfax, VA (USA)
Patent Number(s):
A; US 4986352
Application Number:
PPN: US 7-413641
OSTI ID:
5212975
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English