Process and system for delivering steam

Abstract

A system, process and apparatus for delivering steam to a wellhead associated with a steam-assisted hydrocarbon recovery operation is disclosed. The process involves receiving a steam flow having a first steam quality at an inlet of a steam conduit, the inlet being located at a remote location with respect to the wellhead. The process also involves transporting the steam flow along the steam conduit to an outlet at the wellhead, the steam flow being subject to losses during transport along the steam conduit causing formation of condensate within the steam flow thereby reducing the steam quality at the outlet. The process further involves delivering a heat flux through a wall of the steam conduit, the heat flux being sufficient to cause at least a portion of the condensate to be vaporized before reaching the outlet of the steam conduit thereby increasing the steam quality to a second steam quality for delivery to the wellhead.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.