In situ combustion process with reduced c02 emissions
AssigneeStatoil ASA
InventorsPentti Paurola, Harald Vindspoll, Knut Vebjørn Grande, Karina Heitnes Hofstad
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Abstract
The present invention provides a method of recovering a hydrocarbon mixture from a subterranean formation comprising: (i) injecting an oxygen-rich gas into said formation; (ii) combusting said oxygen-rich gas in said formation thereby heating and reducing the viscosity of said hydrocarbon mixture and generating CO2-rich gas; (iii) recovering said heated hydrocarbon; and (iv) capturing at least a portion of CO2 from said CO2-rich gas.
Claims20
A method of recovering a hydrocarbon mixture from a subterranean formation comprising:
- (i) injecting an oxygen-rich gas into said formation;
- (ii) combusting said oxygen-rich gas in said formation thereby heating and reducing the viscosity of said hydrocarbon mixture and generating CO2-rich gas;
- (iii) recovering said heated hydrocarbon mixture;
- and
- (iv) capturing at least a portion of CO2 from said CO2-rich gas.
Use of an oxygen and CO2 mixture in a method of recovering a hydrocarbon mixture from a subterranean formation wherein said oxygen and CO2 mixture is combusted thereby heating and reducing the viscosity of said hydrocarbon mixture and generating a CO2-rich gas, wherein at least a portion of said CO2-rich gas is captured.
A well arrangement comprising:
- (a) a vertical injection well having an inlet for injecting an oxygen-rich gas into a formation;
- (b) a substantially horizontal production well for recovering a hydrocarbon mixture;
- and
- (c) a vertical vent well having an outlet for recovering CO2 rich gas;
- wherein said outlet of said vertical vent well is connected to a CO2 purifier.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.