US3705625A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Steam drive oil recovery process
Assignee: Shell USA Inc
•
Filing: 1971-10-22
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Granted: 1972-12-12
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Expires: 1991-10-22
Abstract
Abstract A line drive steam injection process in a dipping formation is improved by injecting steam into a row of up-dip wells and producing oil from two or more rows of down-dip wells. After steam breaks through into the first row of down-dip producing wells, steam injection is stopped in the up-dip wells and steam injection is initiated in the row of down-dip wells into which steam has broken through. Simultaneously, a non-condensing gas is injected into the up-dip wells to prevent upward migration into the segment of the formation contacted by steam injected through the original up-dip injectors of steam injected into the new row of down-dip injectors.
Inventors
- 👤 Derrill Gene Whitten
- 👤 Peter Vanmeurs
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 12:17
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/16; E21B43/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
222 words
An improved method for producing oil from a dipping, viscousoil containing, subsurface earth formation comprising the steps of: providing at least three spaced wells which intersect and are in fluid communication with the formation, the point of intersection of the second of the wells with the formation being down-dip from the point of intersection of the first of the wells with the formation and the point of intersection of the third of the wells with the formation being down dip from the point of intersection of the second of the wells with the formation; injecting steam into the formation through the first well to drive oil through the formation toward the second and third wells; producing oil from the formation through the second and third wells while simultaneously injecting steam through the first well; continuing to inject steam through the first well and to produce oil through the second and third wells until steam breakthrough into the second well; thereafter, stopping the injection of steam through the first well and the production of oil through the second well; and then injecting a non-condensing gas into the formation through the first well; injecting steam into the formation through the second well to drive oil through the formation toward the third well; and continuing to produce oil from the formation through the third well.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
222 words
An improved method for producing oil from a dipping, viscousoil containing, subsurface earth formation comprising the steps of: providing at least three spaced wells which intersect and are in fluid communication with the formation, the point of intersection of the second of the wells with the formation being down-dip from the point of intersection of the first of the wells with the formation and the point of intersection of the third of the wells with the formation being down dip from the point of intersection of the second of the wells with the formation; injecting steam into the formation through the first well to drive oil through the formation toward the second and third wells; producing oil from the formation through the second and third wells while simultaneously injecting steam through the first well; continuing to inject steam through the first well and to produce oil through the second and third wells until steam breakthrough into the second well; thereafter, stopping the injection of steam through the first well and the production of oil through the second well; and then injecting a non-condensing gas into the formation through the first well; injecting steam into the formation through the second well to drive oil through the formation toward the third well; and continuing to produce oil from the formation through the third well.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the non-condensing gas is a gas less dense than steam at formation conditions of temperature and pressure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the non-condensing gas is methane or helium.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the non-condensing gas is injected into the first well at a volumetric rate sufficient to maintain that portion of the formation contacted by steam injected into the formation through the first well substantially free from steam injected into the formation through the second well.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
122 words
The method of claim 1 wherein a zone of non-condensing gas is formed adjacent the first well; wherein steam advances into this zone of non-condensing gas down-dip from the first well; wherein the non-condensing gas is injected into the formation through the first well at an injection rate sufficient to advance the zone of non-condensing gas through the formation; and including the steps of: determining the rate of advance of steam into the zone of non-condensing gas; and injecting non-condensing gas into the formation through the first well at an injection rate selected such that the rate of advance of the non-condensing gas through the formation is substantially equal to the rate of advance of steam into the zone of non-condensing gas.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 including the step of injecting a stable foam into the formation through the first well after the initiation of steam injection through the second well.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the non-condensing gas is carbon monoxide.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
78 words
The method of claim 1 including the steps of: stopping the injection of steam through the second well after a period of steam injection through the second well; injecting water into the formation through the second well to scavenge heat from the formation and to drive oil through the formation toward the third well; continuing to produce oil from the formation through the third well; and continuing to inject non-condensing gas into the formation through the first well.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
91 words
The method of claim 1 including: the step of prior to the injection of steam into the formation through the first well to drive oil to the second and third wells, steam soaking the formation, to mobilize fluids therein, through one or more steam soak cycles each cycle comprising the steps of injecting steam into the formation through the first, second and third wells for a selected period of time; and thereafter, producing fluid from the fOrmation through the first, second and third wells for a second selected period of time.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-12-12 | 1976-06-12 | 1976-12-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-12-12 | 1980-06-12 | 1980-12-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-12-12 | 1984-06-12 | 1984-12-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |