Method for recovering hydrocarbons using cold heavy oil production with sand (chops) and downhole steam generation

A method for recovering oil from a reservoir, comprising:

• performing a first CHOPS process in one or more first wells;
• performing a second CHOPS process in one or more second wells;
• and
• injecting a fluid into the reservoir using a downhole device located in at least one of the one or more second wells.

A method of recovering oil from a hydrocarbon-bearing reservoir having a first well and a second well, wherein the first well has been at least partially produced using a CHOPS process and includes one or more channels extending from the first well, comprising:

• locating a downhole steam generator in the first well;
• generating steam downhole using the downhole steam generator;
• injecting gas and steam into the channels to form a gas and steam front in the reservoir;
• heating hydrocarbons in the reservoir using the gas and steam front;
• and
• producing the heated hydrocarbons from the second well.

A method for recovering oil from a reservoir, comprising:

• drilling a well into the reservoir;
• producing a first portion of oil and sand from the well;
• locating a downhole steam generator in the well;
• injecting steam into the reservoir using the downhole steam generator;
• and
• producing a second portion of oil and sand from the first well, wherein the second portion of oil and sand is heated by the injected steam.

A method for optimizing reservoir production using a CHOPS process and a drive process, comprising:

• performing a first combined process including a CHOPS process and at least one of a gas and a steam drive process at a first location within a reservoir;
• performing a second combined process including a CHOPS process and at least one of a gas and a steam drive process at a second location within the reservoir;
• and
• comparing production output from the first and second combined processes to optimize subsequent combined CHOPS and at least one gas and steam drive processes for maximum oil recovery.