Kern River Hotplate Project launched

Journal Article · Mon Aug 23 04:00:00 EDT 1982 · Oil Gas J.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5932280

Production could begin in September 1982 at a California enhanced oil recovery (EOR) demonstration project which mixes mining and horizontal steaming in a process designed to recovery 75% of the heavy crude in place. A successful project could pave the way for development of many currently uneconomic heavy oil and tar sands prospects. Although more front-end capital intensive than conventional thermal recovery methods, the process offers a better ultimate return by recovering ca. 50% more viscous crude in half the time. Steam injection began in July 1982 at the Cornell Heavy Oil Process Inc. (HOPCO) Project in Kern River Field near Bakersfield, California. HOPCO is targeting ca. 900 to 1000 bpd production from the pilot property. HOPCO's usual Hotplate EOR method uses cyclic steam injection into a heavy oil formation in the hub and spoke pattern from lateral wells. The wells are drilled from a cavern excavated in an unconsolidated oil sand at a depth of 500 ft. Thermal efficiency is improved by exposing all of the formation to the steam front via the laterals.

• OSTI ID: 5932280
• Journal Information: Oil Gas J.; (United States), Journal Name: Oil Gas J.; (United States) Vol. 80:34; ISSN OIGJA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
04 OIL SHALES AND TAR SANDS
040401 -- Oil Shales & Tar Sands-- In Situ Methods
True & Modified
BITUMINOUS MATERIALS
CALIFORNIA
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
DEMONSTRATION PROGRAMS
ECONOMICS
EFFICIENCY
ENERGY SOURCES
ENHANCED RECOVERY
FEDERAL REGION IX
FLUID INJECTION
FLUID INJECTION PROCESSES
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
MATERIALS
MINING
NORTH AMERICA
OIL SANDS
OIL WELLS
PETROLEUM
RECOVERY
STEAM INJECTION
STIMULATION
USA
VISCOSITY
WELL SPACING
WELL STIMULATION
WELLS