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Thermal process for recovering viscous petroleum

Patent ·
OSTI ID:7123715
A thermal process for recovering heavy viscous petroleum from a subterranean hydrocarbon formation having low relative permeabilities to water and oil wherein a well bore penetrating the formation and surrounding subterranean strata are initially heated by injecting a heated fluid containing steam into the well and simultaneously venting a portion of the fluid at the surface to lift any condensed liquids forming in the well bore toward the surface to keep the well essentially free of condensed fluids. The well injection and venting are continued until the well and surrounding subterranean strata are heated sufficiently for the heated fluid to be injected into the formation without condensed liquids forming in the well at a rate greater than the formation can accept. The heated fluid is then injected directly into the formation at a high injection rate to raise the formation temperature to a desired level, followed by withdrawing the resulting heated petroleum therefrom through the well. 5 claims, 1 drawing figure
Assignee:
Carmel Energy, Inc.
Patent Number(s):
US 3993135
OSTI ID:
7123715
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English