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US 8,555,970 B2Granted
Accelerating the start-up phase for a steam assisted gravity drainage operation using radio frequency or microwave radiation
AssigneeConocoPhillips Company
InventorsThomas J. Wheeler, W. Reid Dreher, Jr., Dwijen K. Banerjee
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for preheating a formation prior to beginning steam assisted gravity drainage production. The method proceeds by forming a steam assisted gravity drainage production well pair within a formation. A preheating stage is then begun by injecting an activator into the formation. The preheating stage is then accomplished by exciting the activator with radio frequencies. This is followed by beginning the steam assisted gravity drainage operation.
Claims13
A method comprising the steps of:
- a) forming a steam assisted gravity drainage production well pair within a formation;
- b) beginning a preheating stage by injecting an activator into the formation;
- c) accomplishing the preheating stage by exciting the activator with microwave and/or radio frequencies;
- and
- d) beginning the steam assisted gravity drainage production.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.