METHOD FOR ENHANCED OIL RECOVERY THROUGH A HORIZONTAL PRODUCTION WELL IN A SUBSURFACE FORMATION BY IN-SITU COMBUSTION

摘要

F-6524 pwr A METHOD FOR ENHANCED OIL RECOVERY TROUGH A HORIZONTAL PRODUCTION WELL IN A SUBSURFACE FORMATION BY IN-SITU COMBUSTION A horizontal production well is located in the lower portion of a heavy viscous oil-bearing reservoir. A vertical injection well is located in the upper portion of the reservoir. Oxygen-enriched gas is injected down the injector well and ignited in the upper portion of the reservoir to create a combustion zone that reduces viscosity of oil in the reservoir as the combustion zone advances downwardly toward the horizontal production well, the reduced-viscosity oil draining into the horizontal production well under force of gravity.