Production of hydrocarbon using direct-contact steam generation
AssigneeSuncor Energy Inc.
InventorsHugo Acosta Ramirez, Todd Pugsley
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A process for in situ thermal recovery of hydrocarbons from a reservoir is provided. The process includes: providing an oxygen-enriched mixture, fuel, feedwater and an additive including at least one of ammonia, urea and a volatile amine to a Direct-Contact Steam Generator (DCSG); operating the DCSG, including contacting the feedwater and the additive with hot combustion gas to obtain a steam-based mixture including steam, CO2 and the additive; injecting the steam-based mixture or a stream derived from the steam-based mixture into the reservoir to mobilize the hydrocarbons therein; and producing a produced fluid including the hydrocarbons.
Claims20
A process for in situ thermal recovery of hydrocarbons from a reservoir, comprising:
- providing an oxygen-enriched mixture, fuel, feedwater and an additive to a direct-contact steam generator (DCSG), the additive being carried by a heat carrier gas;
- operating the DCSG, comprising contacting the feedwater and the additive with hot combustion gas to obtain a steam-based mixture comprising steam, CO2 and the additive, the heat carrier gas providing stability to the additive during operation of the DCSG;
- injecting the steam-based mixture or a stream derived from the steam-based mixture into the reservoir to mobilize the hydrocarbons therein;
- and
- producing a produced fluid comprising the hydrocarbons.
A process for steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) recovery of hydrocarbons from a reservoir, comprising:
- providing an oxygen-enriched mixture, fuel, feedwater and an additive to a direct-contact steam generator (DCSG), the additive comprising a well integrity agent chosen from the group consisting of an anticorrosive agent, an antifouling agent, a scale inhibitor and a thermally stable cement;
- operating the DCSG, comprising contacting the feedwater and the additive with hot combustion gas to obtain a steam-based mixture comprising steam, CO2 and the additive;
- injecting the steam-based mixture or a stream derived from the steam-based mixture into the reservoir via a SAGD injection well to mobilize hydrocarbons therein;
- and
- recovering the hydrocarbons as produced fluids from a SAGD production well.
A process for in situ thermal recovery of hydrocarbons from a reservoir, comprising:
- providing an oxygen-enriched mixture, fuel, feedwater and an additive in liquid state to a DCSG;
- operating the DCSG, comprising contacting the feedwater and the additive with hot combustion gas to obtain a steam-based mixture comprising steam, CO2 and the additive in a gaseous state and/or a dispersed state;
- injecting the steam-based mixture or a stream derived from the steam-based mixture into the reservoir to mobilize the hydrocarbons therein;
- and
- producing a produced fluid comprising the hydrocarbons.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.