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

Patterns of horizontal and vertical wells for improving oil recovery efficiency

Patent ·
OSTI ID:7096553
A method is described of recovering hydrocarbons from an underground formation by employing a seven well pattern, which comprises: four substantially horizontal production wells, each horizontal well forming a side of a substantially rectangular pattern; a fifth substantially horizontal production well aligned on a diagonal running between two opposite corners of the substantially rectangular pattern formed by the four horizontal wells, the five horizontal production wells extending from the ground surface and running a substantially horizontal distance within the hydrocarbon formation, the five horizontal wells located so that a sufficient distance exists between the ends of the five horizontal wells to prevent direct communication between the different horizontal production wells; first and second substantially vertical injection wells, the first injection well approximately located near the center of one of the two substantially triangular patterns formed by the five horizontal wells, and the second injection well approximately located near the center of the other substantially triangular pattern formed by the five horizontal wells.
Assignee:
Texaco Inc., White Plains, NY
Patent Number(s):
US 4645003
OSTI ID:
7096553
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English