Method and system for oil recovery using solvent-assisted electric heating
OwnerThomas Grant Hardinginventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Embodiments herein generally relate to a method and system for oil recovery using solvent-assisted electric heating. In at least one example, the method comprises A method for oil production using solvent-assisted electric heating, comprising conveying liquid solvent into a subsurface formation; operating at least one downhole electric heater to vaporize the solvent in-situ, the at least one downhole electric heater being operated in a temperature range that is: (i) above the vaporization temperature of the solvent; and (ii) below the steam saturation temperature of the reservoir; conveying a mixture comprising oil and solvent from the subsurface formation to a separation subsystem; and separating, using the separation subsystem, the oil from the solvent.
Claims20
A method for oil production, comprising:
- operating at least one downhole electric heater to vaporize liquid solvent conveyed into a subsurface formation, the at least one downhole electric heater being operated in a temperature range that is:
- (i) above the vaporization temperature of the solvent;
- and (ii) below the steam saturation temperature of the subsurface formation,
- wherein operating the at least one downhole electric heater produces a mixture comprising oil and solvent, the mixture being further separable to separate the oil from the solvent, such as to produce oil.
A system for oil production, comprising:
- at least one downhole electric heater operable to vaporize liquid solvent conveyed into a subsurface formation, the at least one electric heater operable in a temperature range that is:
- (i) above the vaporization temperature of the solvent;
- and (ii) below the steam saturation temperature of the subsurface formation,
- wherein operating the at least one downhole electric heater in the subsurface formation produces a mixture comprising oil and solvent, the mixture being further separable to separate the oil from the solvent, such as to produce oil.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.