Open surface flotation method
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Interior
InventorsDan M. Bass, Fun-Den Wang
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for the in situ separation of viscous crude oil from a reservoir such as, oil sand, or tar sand is disclosed. Hot water is introduced to the top surface of the reservoir while steam is injected into the reservoir through drill holes. The hot water and steam may contain a surfactant. The bouyancy of the crude oil creates an artificial water drive which causes the water and oil to "flip-flop" so that the oil rises to the top of the reservoir and separates from the remainder of the reservoir material. If the overburden is deep, underground mining techniques may be used to reach the reservoir prior to applying the present method.
Claims10
A method for the in situ removal of hydrocarbonaceous material from an earth formed reservoir of said material located within the earth, said method comprising the steps of:
- introducing hot water upon at least a portion of a top surface of said reservoir forming a layer of hot water above said top surface and in contact therewith,
- injecting a heated fluid into said reservoir, where the earth formation thereof remains in situ, and the viscosity of said material is lowered by heat from said fluid and water, whereby said water moves down in said formation and said material of lowered viscosity is driven upwardly with displacement thereof being through said formation and said layer of water to and above the surface of said water layer, and
- collecting said displaced material from said surface of said water layer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.