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US 5,685,371 AGranted
Hydrocarbon-assisted thermal recovery method
AssigneeTexaco Inc.
InventorsWilliam Charles Richardson, Donald Stephen Mims, Kevin David Kimber, Arthur Ruch Deemer
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Abstract
A method of enhancing recovery of viscous petroleum is provided. A hydrocarbons mixture comprising hydrocarbons having a selected range of boiling points, all higher than that of water, is injected at relatively low concentrations along with steam. The range and distribution of hydrocarbon boiling points in the mixture to be injected may be selected by experiment or calculations.
Claims11
A method for increasing recovery of viscous petroleum from a subterranean formation having at least two wells penetrating the formation, comprising the steps of:
- injecting steam into a first well penetrating the formation;
- injecting a mixture of hydrocarbons into the well, the hydrocarbon mixture predominantly comprising hydrocarbons having a boiling point in the range between 212.degree. F. and 910.degree. F.;
- and
- producing petroleum from a second well penetrating the same formation.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.