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

Thermal recovery method for optimum in-sity visbreaking of heavy oil

Patent ·
OSTI ID:5587238
A method for the recovery of oil from a subterranean, viscous oil-containing formation by injecting a predetermined amount of steam into the formation via a well completed in the middle portion of the oil-containing formation for a distance between 40 to 60 percent of the vertical thickness of the oil-containing formation, terminating injection of steam and producing fluids including oil through the same well used for the injection of steam. The steps of injecting steam and producing oil can be repeated for a plurality of cycles. Injecting steam through a selected completion interval in the middle of the formation induces maximum visbreaking of the viscous oil within the formation by controlling heat losses to the over and under strata.
Assignee:
Mobil Oil Corp.
Patent Number(s):
US 4503911
OSTI ID:
5587238
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English