Abrégé

A system and method for enhanced hydrocarbon recovery utilizing steam. The system may include a high pressure water pump supplying pressurized water to a heat exchanger within a combustion heater to form supercritical steam that is provided to a reservoir. The combustion heater may be a surface mounted heater or a downhole steam generator.

Classes IPC  ?

• E21B 43/24 - Procédés de récupération assistée pour l'extraction d'hydrocarbures utilisant la chaleur, p. ex. injection de vapeur
• E21B 43/16 - Procédés de récupération assistée pour l'extraction d'hydrocarbures
• E21B 43/243 - Combustion sur place
• F28F 13/00 - Dispositions pour modifier le transfert de chaleur, p. ex. accroissement, diminution
• F24H 1/52 - Appareils de chauffage de l'eau pour chauffage central comprenant des moyens pour chauffer l'eau sanitaire comprenant des échangeurs de chaleur pour l'eau sanitaire
• F24H 9/14 - Raccordement de sections différentes, p. ex. dans les chauffe-eau
• E21B 43/26 - Procédés pour activer la production par formation de crevasses ou de fractures
• E21B 36/00 - Aménagements pour le chauffage, le refroidissement ou l'isolation dans les trous de forage ou dans les puits, p. ex. pour être utilisés dans les zones de permagel

Abrégé

Methods and systems for stimulating light tight shale oil formations to recover hydrocarbons from the formations. One embodiment includes positioning a downhole burner in a first well, supplying a fuel, oxidizer, and water to the burner to form steam, injecting the steam and surplus oxygen into the shale reservoir to form a heated zone within the shale reservoir, wherein the surplus oxygen reacts with hydrocarbons in the reservoir to generate heat; wherein the heat from the reactions with the hydrocarbons and the steam increases permeability in a kerogen-rich portion of the shale reservoir, and producing hydrocarbons from the shale reservoir.

Classes IPC  ?

• E21B 43/24 - Procédés de récupération assistée pour l'extraction d'hydrocarbures utilisant la chaleur, p. ex. injection de vapeur
• E21B 43/247 - Combustion sur place en association avec des procédés de fracturation
• E21B 43/243 - Combustion sur place
• E21B 43/16 - Procédés de récupération assistée pour l'extraction d'hydrocarbures
• E21B 43/26 - Procédés pour activer la production par formation de crevasses ou de fractures

Abrégé

Methods and systems for stimulating light tight shale oil formations to recover hydrocarbons from the formations. One embodiment includes positioning a downhole burner in a first well, supplying a fuel, oxidizer, and water to the burner to form steam, injecting the steam and surplus oxygen into the shale reservoir to form a heated zone within the shale reservoir, wherein the surplus oxygen reacts with hydrocarbons in the reservoir to generate heat; wherein the heat from the reactions with the hydrocarbons and the steam increases permeability in a kerogen-rich portion of the shale reservoir, and producing hydrocarbons from the shale reservoir.

Classes IPC  ?

• E21B 36/02 - Aménagements pour le chauffage, le refroidissement ou l'isolation dans les trous de forage ou dans les puits, p. ex. pour être utilisés dans les zones de permagel utilisant des brûleurs
• E21B 43/24 - Procédés de récupération assistée pour l'extraction d'hydrocarbures utilisant la chaleur, p. ex. injection de vapeur

Abrégé

A system for recovering hydrocarbons comprises a downhole steam generator for coupling with a packer in an injector well, an umbilical device coupled to the downhole steam generator for lifting or lowering the downhole steam generator in the injector well, a first shear point disposed between the downhole steam generator and the packer, and a second shear point disposed between the umbilical device and the downhole steam generator, wherein the first shear point has a shear strength that is different than a shear strength of the second shear point.

Classes IPC  ?

• E21B 43/24 - Procédés de récupération assistée pour l'extraction d'hydrocarbures utilisant la chaleur, p. ex. injection de vapeur
• E21B 43/243 - Combustion sur place

Abrégé

A control system for controlling the operation of a Downhole Steam Generator (DHSG) system includes a cascade control strategy for control of individual final control elements in communication with a local well master controller. The final control elements may control fuel, oxidant, feedwater, and/or carbon dioxide flow to the downhole steam generator. The local well master controller may monitor and adjust the flows to the DHSG to control the operating performance of the DHSG.

Classes IPC  ?

• E21B 36/00 - Aménagements pour le chauffage, le refroidissement ou l'isolation dans les trous de forage ou dans les puits, p. ex. pour être utilisés dans les zones de permagel

Abrégé

A control system for controlling the operation of a Downhole Steam Generator (DHSG) system includes a cascade control strategy for control of individual final control elements in communication with a local well master controller. The final control elements may control fuel, oxidant, feedwater, and/or carbon dioxide flow to the downhole steam generator. The local well master controller may monitor and adjust the flows to the DHSG to control the operating performance of the DHSG.

Classes IPC  ?

• E21B 36/02 - Aménagements pour le chauffage, le refroidissement ou l'isolation dans les trous de forage ou dans les puits, p. ex. pour être utilisés dans les zones de permagel utilisant des brûleurs
• E21B 43/24 - Procédés de récupération assistée pour l'extraction d'hydrocarbures utilisant la chaleur, p. ex. injection de vapeur
• F22B 1/22 - Méthodes de production de vapeur caractérisées par le genre de chauffage utilisant une combustion à une pression dépassant sensiblement la pression atmosphérique
• F22B 35/00 - Systèmes de commande pour chaudières à vapeur

Abrégé

A downhole steam generation system may include a burner head assembly, a liner assembly, a vaporization sleeve, and a support sleeve. The burner head assembly may include a sudden expansion region with one or more injectors. The liner assembly may include a water-cooled body having one or more water injection arrangements. The system may be optimized to assist in the recovery of hydrocarbons from different types of reservoirs. A method of recovering hydrocarbons may include supplying one or more fluids to the system, combusting a fuel and an oxidant to generate a combustion product, injecting a fluid into the combustion product to generate an exhaust gas, injecting the exhaust gas into a reservoir, and recovering hydrocarbons from the reservoir.

Classes IPC  ?

• E21B 43/243 - Combustion sur place
• E21B 36/02 - Aménagements pour le chauffage, le refroidissement ou l'isolation dans les trous de forage ou dans les puits, p. ex. pour être utilisés dans les zones de permagel utilisant des brûleurs
• F22B 1/26 - Chaudières à vapeur du type à flamme immergée, c.-à-d. où la flamme est entourée par l'eau à vaporiser ou entre en contact avec elle
• E21B 43/24 - Procédés de récupération assistée pour l'extraction d'hydrocarbures utilisant la chaleur, p. ex. injection de vapeur
• F22B 1/22 - Méthodes de production de vapeur caractérisées par le genre de chauffage utilisant une combustion à une pression dépassant sensiblement la pression atmosphérique

Abrégé

A downhole steam generation apparatus and method of use are provided. The apparatus may include an injection section, a combustion section, and an evaporation section. The injection section may include a housing, injector elements, and injector plate. The combustion section may include a liner having channels disposed therethrough. The evaporation section may include conduits in fluid communication with the channels and the combustion chamber, and a nozzle operable to inject a fluid from the channels to the combustion chamber in droplet form. A method of use may include supplying fuel, oxidant, and fluid to the apparatus; combusting fuel and oxidant in a chamber while flowing the fluid through a plurality of channels disposed through a liner, thereby heating the fluid and cooling the liner; and injecting droplets of the heated fluid into the chamber and evaporating the droplets by combustion of the fuel and the oxidant to produce steam.

Classes IPC  ?

• E21B 36/02 - Aménagements pour le chauffage, le refroidissement ou l'isolation dans les trous de forage ou dans les puits, p. ex. pour être utilisés dans les zones de permagel utilisant des brûleurs
• E21B 43/24 - Procédés de récupération assistée pour l'extraction d'hydrocarbures utilisant la chaleur, p. ex. injection de vapeur

Abrégé

A downhole steam generation system may include a burner head assembly, a liner assembly, a vaporization sleeve, and a support sleeve. The burner head assembly may include a sudden expansion region with one or more injectors. The liner assembly may include a water-cooled body having one or more water injection arrangements. The system may be optimized to assist in the recovery of hydrocarbons from different types of reservoirs. A method of recovering hydrocarbons may include supplying one or more fluids to the system, combusting a fuel and an oxidant to generate a combustion product, injecting a fluid into the combustion product to generate an exhaust gas, injecting the exhaust gas into a reservoir, and recovering hydrocarbons from the reservoir.

Classes IPC  ?

• E21B 43/243 - Combustion sur place
• E21B 36/02 - Aménagements pour le chauffage, le refroidissement ou l'isolation dans les trous de forage ou dans les puits, p. ex. pour être utilisés dans les zones de permagel utilisant des brûleurs
• F22B 1/22 - Méthodes de production de vapeur caractérisées par le genre de chauffage utilisant une combustion à une pression dépassant sensiblement la pression atmosphérique
• E21B 43/24 - Procédés de récupération assistée pour l'extraction d'hydrocarbures utilisant la chaleur, p. ex. injection de vapeur
• F22B 1/26 - Chaudières à vapeur du type à flamme immergée, c.-à-d. où la flamme est entourée par l'eau à vaporiser ou entre en contact avec elle

Abrégé

A system and method of measuring and controlling the operation of a downhole steam generator. The system may include surface and/or downhole control systems for sending and/or receiving control and measurement signals. The control systems may also communicate with and control surface and/or downhole equipment for supplying process fluids, gasses, and/or mixtures to the downhole steam generator. The control system may control operation of the downhole steam generator by storing, processing, and/or analyzing measured data corresponding to one or more downhole steam generator operations and/or one or more field, formation, reservoir, or other operating objective.

Classes IPC  ?

• E21B 34/16 - Moyens de commande situés à l'extérieur du trou de forage

Abrégé

Embodiments of the invention described herein relate to methods and apparatus for recovery of viscous hydrocarbons from subterranean reservoirs. In one embodiment, a method for recovery of hydrocarbons from a subterranean reservoir is provided. The method includes drilling an injector well to be in communication with a reservoir having one or more production wells in communication with the reservoir, installing casing in the injector well, cementing the casing, perforating the casing, positioning a downhole steam generator in the casing, flowing fuel, oxidant and water to the downhole steam generator to intermittently produce a combustion product and/or a vaporization product in the reservoir, flowing injectants to the reservoir, and producing hydrocarbons through the one or more production wells.

Classes IPC  ?

• E21B 43/22 - Emploi de produits chimiques ou à activité bactérienne
• E21B 43/24 - Procédés de récupération assistée pour l'extraction d'hydrocarbures utilisant la chaleur, p. ex. injection de vapeur

Abrégé

A downhole steam generation apparatus and method of use are provided. The apparatus may include an injection section, a combustion section, and an evaporation section. The injection section may include a housing, injector elements, and injector plate. The combustion section may include a liner having channels disposed therethrough. The evaporation section may include conduits in fluid communication with the channels and the combustion chamber, and a nozzle operable to inject a fluid from the channels to the combustion chamber in droplet form. A method of use may include supplying fuel, oxidant, and fluid to the apparatus; combusting fuel and oxidant in a chamber while flowing the fluid through a plurality of channels disposed through a liner, thereby heating the fluid and cooling the liner; and injecting droplets of the heated fluid into the chamber and evaporating the droplets by combustion of the fuel and the oxidant to produce steam.

Classes IPC  ?

• E21B 43/24 - Procédés de récupération assistée pour l'extraction d'hydrocarbures utilisant la chaleur, p. ex. injection de vapeur

Abrégé

Embodiments of the invention described herein relate to methods and apparatus for recovery of viscous hydrocarbons from subterranean reservoirs. In one embodiment, a method for recovery of hydrocarbons from a subterranean reservoir is provided. The method includes drilling an injector well to be in communication with a reservoir having one or more production wells in communication with the reservoir, installing casing in the injector well, cementing the casing, perforating the casing, positioning a downhole steam generator in the casing, flowing fuel, oxidant and water to the downhole steam generator to intermittently produce a combustion product and/or a vaporization product in the reservoir, flowing injectants to the reservoir, and producing hydrocarbons through the one or more production wells.

Classes IPC  ?

• E21B 36/00 - Aménagements pour le chauffage, le refroidissement ou l'isolation dans les trous de forage ou dans les puits, p. ex. pour être utilisés dans les zones de permagel

Abrégé

A downhole burner is used for producing heavy-oil formations. Hydrogen, oxygen, and steam are pumped by separate conduits to the burner, which burns at least part of the hydrogen and forces the combustion products out into the earth formation. The steam cools the burner and becomes superheated steam, which is injected along with the combustion products into the earth formation. Carbon dioxide is also pumped down the well and injected into the formation.

Classes IPC  ?

• E21B 36/02 - Aménagements pour le chauffage, le refroidissement ou l'isolation dans les trous de forage ou dans les puits, p. ex. pour être utilisés dans les zones de permagel utilisant des brûleurs
• E21B 43/24 - Procédés de récupération assistée pour l'extraction d'hydrocarbures utilisant la chaleur, p. ex. injection de vapeur

Abrégé

A downhole steam generation system may include a burner head assembly, a liner assembly, a vaporization sleeve, and a support sleeve. The burner head assembly may include a sudden expansion region with one or more injectors. The liner assembly may include a water-cooled body having one or more water injection arrangements. The system may be optimized to assist in the recovery of hydrocarbons from different types of reservoirs. A method of recovering hydrocarbons may include supplying one or more fluids to the system, combusting a fuel and an oxidant to generate a combustion product, injecting a fluid into the combustion product to generate an exhaust gas, injecting the exhaust gas into a reservoir, and recovering hydrocarbons from the reservoir.

Classes IPC  ?

• E21B 43/24 - Procédés de récupération assistée pour l'extraction d'hydrocarbures utilisant la chaleur, p. ex. injection de vapeur
• E21B 36/02 - Aménagements pour le chauffage, le refroidissement ou l'isolation dans les trous de forage ou dans les puits, p. ex. pour être utilisés dans les zones de permagel utilisant des brûleurs

Abrégé

A downhole steam generation system may include a burner head assembly, a liner assembly, a vaporization sleeve, and a support sleeve. The burner head assembly may include a sudden expansion region with one or more injectors. The liner assembly may include a water-cooled body having one or more water injection arrangements. The system may be optimized to assist in the recovery of hydrocarbons from different types of reservoirs. A method of recovering hydrocarbons may include supplying one or more fluids to the system, combusting a fuel and an oxidant to generate a combustion product, injecting a fluid into the combustion product to generate an exhaust gas, injecting the exhaust gas into a reservoir, and recovering hydrocarbons from the reservoir.

Classes IPC  ?

• E21B 43/243 - Combustion sur place
• E21B 36/02 - Aménagements pour le chauffage, le refroidissement ou l'isolation dans les trous de forage ou dans les puits, p. ex. pour être utilisés dans les zones de permagel utilisant des brûleurs

Abrégé

A downhole steam generation apparatus and method of use are provided. The apparatus may include an injection section, a combustion section, and an evaporation section. The injection section may include a housing, injector elements, and injector plate. The combustion section may include a liner having channels disposed therethrough. The evaporation section may include conduits in fluid communication with the channels and the combustion chamber, and a nozzle operable to inject a fluid from the channels to the combustion chamber in droplet form. A method of use may include supplying fuel, oxidant, and fluid to the apparatus; combusting fuel and oxidant in a chamber while flowing the fluid through a plurality of channels disposed through a liner, thereby heating the fluid and cooling the liner; and injecting droplets of the heated fluid into the chamber and evaporating the droplets by combustion of the fuel and the oxidant to produce steam.

Classes IPC  ?

• E21B 43/263 - Procédés pour activer la production par formation de crevasses ou de fractures en utilisant des explosifs
• E21B 43/24 - Procédés de récupération assistée pour l'extraction d'hydrocarbures utilisant la chaleur, p. ex. injection de vapeur
• E21B 43/25 - Procédés pour activer la production

Abrégé

The invention relates to methods for increasing the recovery of hydrocarbons from a subterranean reservoir. A method may include the steps of injecting a first fluid into a first horizontal well in the reservoir by a first device; producing hydrocarbons from a second horizontal well disposed below the first well; injecting a second fluid into a third well laterally offset from each of the first and second wells while continuing to produce hydrocarbons from the second well; and selectively ceasing injection into the first well when the second well is in fluid communication with the third well. The first and second fluid may comprise steam, carbon dioxide, oxygen, or combinations thereof. Injection into the first well selectively may be ceased when pressure in the first well is increased to a first injection pressure.

Classes IPC  ?

• E21B 43/16 - Procédés de récupération assistée pour l'extraction d'hydrocarbures
• E21B 43/24 - Procédés de récupération assistée pour l'extraction d'hydrocarbures utilisant la chaleur, p. ex. injection de vapeur

Abrégé

Embodiments of the invention provide methods for recovering petroleum products from a formation by distributing nanocatalysts into the formation and heating the heavy crude oil therein. In one embodiment, a method is provided which includes flowing a catalytic material containing the nanocatalyst into the formation containing the heavy crude oil, exposing the heavy crude oil and the catalytic material to a reducing agent (e.g., H2), positioning a steam generator within the formation, generating and releasing steam from the steam generator to heat the heavy crude oil containing the catalytic material, forming lighter oil products within the formation, and extracting the lighter oil products from the formation. In another embodiment, a method is provided which includes exposing the heavy crude oil and the catalytic material to an oxidizing agent (e.g., O2). The nanocatalyst may contain cobalt, iron, nickel, molybdenum, chromium, tungsten, titanium, oxides thereof, alloys thereof, derivatives thereof, or combinations thereof.

Classes IPC  ?

• E21B 43/24 - Procédés de récupération assistée pour l'extraction d'hydrocarbures utilisant la chaleur, p. ex. injection de vapeur

Abrégé

A downhole burner is used for producing heavy-oil formations. Hydrogen, oxygen, and steam are pumped by separate conduits to the burner, which burns at least part of the hydrogen and forces the combustion products out into the earth formation. The steam cools the burner and becomes superheated steam, which is injected along with the combustion products into the earth formation. Carbon dioxide is also pumped down the well and injected into the formation.

Classes IPC  ?

• E21B 36/02 - Aménagements pour le chauffage, le refroidissement ou l'isolation dans les trous de forage ou dans les puits, p. ex. pour être utilisés dans les zones de permagel utilisant des brûleurs
• E21B 43/16 - Procédés de récupération assistée pour l'extraction d'hydrocarbures
• E21B 43/24 - Procédés de récupération assistée pour l'extraction d'hydrocarbures utilisant la chaleur, p. ex. injection de vapeur

Abrégé

A downhole burner is used for producing heavy-oil formations. Hydrogen, oxygen, and steam are pumped by separate conduits to the burner, which burns at least part of the hydrogen and forces the combustion products out into the earth formation. The steam cools the burner and becomes superheated steam, which is injected along with the combustion products into the earth formation. Carbon dioxide is also pumped down the well and injected into the formation.

Classes IPC  ?

• E21B 43/24 - Procédés de récupération assistée pour l'extraction d'hydrocarbures utilisant la chaleur, p. ex. injection de vapeur