Abstract:
When supplemental oil recovery methods such as steam flooding are applied to viscous oil containing formations such as tar sand deposits, poor vertical conformants frequently results, particularly when the oil formation contains one or more zones having a permeability substantially less than other zones in the formation. Recovery efficiency is improved if the injection well is completed so as to establish separate communication means between the surface and each of the zones of different permeability. After injection of a thermal recovery fluid such as steam into the more permeable layer is initiated, injection of a hydrocarbon solvent, either gaseous or liquid, is initiated by the separate communication means into the less permeable zone, and from about .05 to about .5 pore volumes of solvent material is introduced into the less permeable zone. This is displaced with gas such as natural gas or low molecular weight gaseous hydrocarbons, and then steam injection into the less permeable zone will be maintained at a value less than the injection pressure into the more permeable zone for a period until the desired receptivity in the lower permeability zone has been obtained, after which the injection pressure in the two zones is essentially equalized.
Abstract:
The efficiency of an oil recovery process, being applied to a subterranean, viscous petroleum containing formation such as a tar sand deposit involving the injection of a thermal recovery fluid such as steam, heated air or hot water into an injection well to mobilize and displace petroleum toward a production well is improved by drilling a series of secondary injection wells or pressurization wells around the production wells. Unheated air is injected into the secondary injection wells at a pressure from about 10% to about 90% and preferably around 50% of the pressure at which the thermal recovery fluid is being injected into the central injection wells. A pressure gradient is maintained around the production wells which confines the mobilized petroleum and the thermal recovery fluid to the intended pattern. A low temperature oxidation reaction also occurs as a consequence of the unheated air injection which pretreats petroleum in the formation between the air pressurization wells and the production wells so that the next phase of oil recovery is improved.
Abstract:
Viscous, asphaltic petroleum may be effectively recovered from subterranean viscous, asphaltic petroleum containing formations such as tar sand deposits by first injecting into the tar sand formation a quantity of N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone or furfural or a mixture thereof which precipitates asphaltic material from the bituminous petroleum portion of the formation petroleum. Next, solvent injection is terminated and air is injected into the formation, and the formation is ignited by heating or other means to initiate in situ combustion within the petroleum formation utilizing the precipitated asphaltic materials for fuel for the in situ combustion reaction. Reaction temperature higher than normal in situ combustion temperatures are produced, facilitating thermal cracking and in situ hydrogenation to up grade the produced crude within the tar sand reservoir.
Abstract:
THE CORE BARREL OF A CORE DRILL HAS LONGITUDINALLY SPACED PORTS IN ITS SIDEWALLS AND A PLUG SLIDABLE IN THE BARREL. AS THE CORE ENTERS THE BARREL IT RAISES THE PLUG. BLOCKING THE PORTS IN TURN AND THUS PRODUCING PRESSURE CHANGES OR ANOMALIES IN THE DRILLING FLUID INDICATIVE OF THE AMOUNT OF CORE IN THE BARREL.