Method for optimizing steamflood performance
AssigneeChevron Research and Technology Company
InventorMridul Kumar
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Disclosed is an invention for optimizing recovery of petroleum from a subterranean, petroleum containing formation by improving the efficiency of a steam drive through a linear heat reduction schedule and a partial shut-in of the producing well after steam breakthrough. The linear heat reduction schedule and the partial shut-in to compensate for steam override results in maximized discounted net oil recovery with optimal utilization of steam generation capacity.
Claims4
A steamflood method for optimizing recovery of petroleum from a subterranean, petroleum containing formation, which is penetrated by at least a first well, and a second well, said wells being spaced apart and having well perforations in fluid communication with a substantial portion of said formation, said method comprising the steps of:
- injecting heat into a first injection well at a constant rate until a steam breakthrough occurs in a second producing well, said first and second wells being patterned after a confined reservoir grid system;
- and reducing said heat injection rate using a linear rate reduction schedule after said breakthrough.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.