公开(公告)号：US10550679B2

公开(公告)日：2020-02-04

申请号：US15948460

申请日：2018-04-09

Applicant: ConocoPhillips Company

Inventor： Robert S Redman ,  Siluni L. Gamage ,  T. J. Wheeler

IPC: E21B43/24 ,  E21B43/16 ,  E21B47/06

Abstract: A proposed methodology to startup wells with electrical downhole heating as a preconditioning method for a steam injection process. The downhole electrical heating recovers oil which results in a reduction in the reservoir pressure. Once oil has been recovered for a period of time and the operating pressure and temperature has been reduced, SAGD well pairs are provided between the downhole heater wells, and SAGD or a SAGD-like method used to produce oil. The method reduces heat losses due to steam injection at lower pressure and temperature and therefore, improves efficiency and lowers operating costs. Operating at lower pressure and temperature will also reduce the risk of melting the permafrost and consequent well failure issues. When oil production drops below an economical level, remaining oil can be collected at the DHH wells using the SAGD wellpair for gas or solvent or steam sweeps, or combinations thereof.

公开(公告)号：US10584569B2

公开(公告)日：2020-03-10

申请号：US15955125

申请日：2018-04-17

Applicant: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY

Inventor： Siluni L. Gamage ,  T. J. Wheeler ,  Robert S. Redman

IPC: E21B43/24

Abstract: A method starts wells with electrical downhole heating and injects solvent(s) or NGL mixes as a preconditioning for a steam injection process. The downhole electrical heating and solvent injection recovers oil and reduces the reservoir pressure. Once oil has been recovered for a period of time and the operating pressure and temperature has been reduced, steam or steam and solvent(s) may be injected to produce high oil recoveries at faster production rates than downhole heating or downhole heating and solvent(s) injection alone. The method reduces heat losses due to steam injection at lower pressure and temperature and therefore, improves efficiency and lowers operating costs. Operating at lower pressure and temperature also reduces the risk of melting the permafrost and consequent well failure issues.

公开(公告)号：US10472942B2

公开(公告)日：2019-11-12

申请号：US15625493

申请日：2017-06-16

Applicant: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY ,  Cenovus Energy Inc.

Inventor： Amos Ben-Zvi ,  Jason Abbate ,  Thomas J. Wheeler ,  Siluni L. Gamage ,  Harbir Chhina ,  Alexander E. Filstein ,  Brent D. Seib

IPC: E21B43/24 ,  C09K8/594 ,  E21B43/16 ,  E21B43/18

Abstract: A method and system in which foams are used (instead of, or in addition to, NCG) to maintain pressure in a mature chamber during blowdown operations of a SAGD process or other enhanced oil recovery process. The foam occupies the depleted void space within the mature chamber after injection ceases, maintaining pressure, and improving blowdown performance. This use of the foam in the method and system also improves the performance of less mature chambers that are being operated at higher pressure adjacent to the mature chamber in blowdown. Foaming agents, such as metal carbonates, bicarbonates, and hydroxides, surfactants or any other colloidal foams, aerosols, hydrosols, emulsions or dispersions can be utilized. The method and system can be utilized in conjunction with other known art, such as heat scavenging in the chamber, or enhanced oil recovery utilizing foams, to displace oil in the chamber.