Method for producing viscous hydrocarbon using steam and carbon dioxide
AssigneeWorld Energy Systems Incorporated
InventorsCharles H. Ware, Myron I. Kuhlman
Life of this patent
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Abstract
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.
Claims22
A method for producing viscous hydrocarbons from a reservoir, comprising:
- positioning a burner in a first well, wherein the burner includes a combustion chamber;
- supplying a fuel, an oxidant, carbon dioxide, and one of water or steam from the surface to the burner in the first well;
- igniting the fuel and the oxidant in the combustion chamber to generate heat and steam in the burner;
- flowing carbon dioxide through the burner;
- injecting carbon dioxide and steam into the reservoir to heat hydrocarbons within the reservoir;
- and
- recovering hydrocarbons from the reservoir through a second well that is spaced from the first well.
A method for producing viscous hydrocarbons from a reservoir, comprising:
- positioning a burner in a first well, wherein the burner includes a combustion chamber;
- supplying a fuel, an oxidant, and one of water or steam from the surface to the burner in the first well;
- supplying carbon dioxide from the surface to the reservoir in a conduit separate from the fuel, the oxidant, and the at least one of water or steam;
- igniting the fuel and the oxidant in the combustion chamber to generate heat and steam in the burner;
- injecting carbon dioxide and steam into the reservoir to heat hydrocarbons within the reservoir;
- and
- recovering hydrocarbons from the reservoir through a second well that is spaced from the first well.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.