SOLVENT-ASSISTED METHOD FOR MOBILIZING VISCOUS HEAVY OIL

The invention provides a solvent-assisted method for mobilizing viscous heavy oil or bitumen in a reservoir under reservoir conditions without the n eed to adjust the temperature or pressure. The invention utilizes mixtures of hydro carbon solvents such as ethane, propane and butane, which dissolve...

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Bibliographische Detailangaben
Hauptverfasser:	LILLICO, DOUGLAS A, FRAUENFELD, THEODORE J.W
Format:	Patent
Sprache:	eng ; fre
Schlagworte:	EARTH DRILLING EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS MINING OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR ASLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
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Beschreibung
Zusammenfassung:	The invention provides a solvent-assisted method for mobilizing viscous heavy oil or bitumen in a reservoir under reservoir conditions without the n eed to adjust the temperature or pressure. The invention utilizes mixtures of hydro carbon solvents such as ethane, propane and butane, which dissolve in oil and reduc e its viscosity. Two or more solvents are mixed in such proportions that the dew p oint of the solvent mixture corresponds with reservoir temperature and pressure cond itions. The solvent mixture, when injected into a reservoir, exists predominantly in the vapor phase, minimizing the solvent requirement. The invention can be practised in the context of paired injector and producer wells, or a single well cyclic syste m.