Method for improving steam stimulation in heavy oil reservoirs

摘要

A method for controlling formation fines when producing heavy oil from an unconsolidated sand formation where at least two wells are utilized. Both wells are perforated and hydraulically fractured at a lower interval via a viscous gel fluid having a sized and high temperature resistant proppant therein. The proppant is a size sufficient to filter fines from the oil, thereby keeping the fracture clear. Cyclic steam injection and oil production are conducted in one well, while the other is shut-in. This sequence is continued until a desired amount of solids free hydrocarbonaceous fluids have been produced from the lower interval. Thereafter the lower interval is blocked off mechanically while cyclic steam injection and oil production are conducted in one well and the other well is shut-in until a desired amount of solids free hydrocarbonaceous fluids have been produced from a higher interval.