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

Oil recovery process using hot fluids

Patent ·
OSTI ID:5959651
A process is described for producing oil from strata containing heavy crude oils and tars which are too viscous to flow like most crude oils under normal reservoir conditions. Heavy oil is produced from a stratum in a production well having a casing and tubing string by isolating a section of the annulus intermediate to the upper and lower boundaries of the stratum. Hot fluid (such as steam) is passed from the well into the stratum below the isolated section to heat the stratum surrounding the section, the oil being fluidized and collected in the well from which it is recovered by pumping or gas lift. Heating fluid is also circulated through the isolated section of the annulus to aid in heating the adjacent stratum. Eventually, fluids including oil are produced in the annulus above the isolated section and heating fluid is then forced through the stratum to one or more offset wells, preferably, after producing oil around the offset well in the manner described. (11 claims)
Assignee:
Phillips Petroleum Co.
Patent Number(s):
US 3379247
OSTI ID:
5959651
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English