In-situ reduction of oil viscosity during steam injection process in EOR
AssigneeIntevep, S.A.
InventorsRafael E. Campos, Jose A. Hernandez
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Abstract
A method for lowering the viscosity of a heavy hydrocarbon in situ in a well formation so as to improve well production wherein the heavy hydrocarbon has an API gravity in the range between 6.degree. and 12.degree. and a dynamic viscosity in the range between 300 and 900 centipoises @ 195.degree. F. comprising lowering the viscosity of a virgin heavy hydrocarbon outside of a well formation wherein said heavy hydrocarbon has an API gravity in the range between 6 and 12 degrees and a dynamic viscosity above 300 centipoises @ 195.degree. F. so as to make pumpable with conventional pumping equipment comprising mixing said hyrdocarbon at a temperature range between 400.degree. and 500.degree. F with steam and an additive selected.
Claims3
A method for lowering the viscosity of a heavy hydrocarbon outside of a well formation wherein said heavy hydrocarbon has an API.degree. gravity in the range between 6 and 12 and a dynamic viscosity about 300 centipoises @ 195.degree. F. so as to make pumpable with conventional pumping equipment comprising:
- mixing said hydrocarbon at a temperature range between 400.degree. and 500.degree. F. with steam, urea and an additive selected from the group consisting of nickel, iron or mixtures thereof.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.