Recovery of hydrocarbons by in situ thermal extraction

Patent · Tue Sep 26 04:00:00 EDT 1978

OSTI ID:7127073

Bombardieri, C C; Butler, R M; Slevinsky, B A

A method is described for recovering hydrocarbons from an oil reservoir. A well bore is drilled to penetrate the formation and to extend, preferably substantially horizontally, into the formation for a suitable distance. The well is completed with a slotted or perforated casing and with dual concentric tubing strings. The tubing strings consist of an inner tubing and a surrounding larger diameter outer tubing. The inner tubing cooperates with the outer tubing to form a first annular space, and the outer tubing cooperates with the casing to form a second annular space. After the well bore is suitably completed, a heated fluid is circulated within the casing such that the heated fluid passes through a portion of the first annular space to heat the well and to provide a fluid flow path through both the first and second annular spaces. After the well is suitably heated, a heated fluid is injected into the formation through at least a portion of the second annular space. Subsequently, formation hydrocarbons are produced from formation by means of the well. 22 claims.

• Assignee: Exxon Production Research Co.
• Patent Number(s): US 4116275
• OSTI ID: 7127073
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
ENHANCED RECOVERY
FLUID INJECTION
FLUIDS
HEAT TRANSFER FLUIDS
INJECTION WELLS
LINERS
OIL WELLS
PERFORATION
RECOVERY
STIMULATION
THERMAL RECOVERY
WELL CASINGS
WELL STIMULATION
WELLS