Apparatus and method for downhole steam generation and enhanced oil recovery

摘要

A burner is arranged for access to a cavity in a target zone of a hydrocarbon reservoir. The burner is operated into the cavity to create and sustain hot combustion gases at a steady state for flowing into and permeating through the target zone. Water is injected into the target zone and permeates laterally therein. The hot combustion gases and the water in the target zone interact to form a steam drive front in the hydrocarbon reservoir.

主权项

1. A process for creating a drive front in a hydrocarbon reservoir for enhanced oil recovery comprising:
accessing a cavity within the hydrocarbon reservoir with a wellbore; arranging a burner assembly in the wellbore uphole of the cavity; creating hot combustion gases with the burner assembly, directing the hot combustion gases from the burner assembly into the cavity and sustaining hot combustion gases therein; injecting water into the hydrocarbon reservoir uphole of the cavity, the water entering into and permeating into the hydrocarbon reservoir and interacting with the hot combustion gases therein for creating steam in the hydrocarbon reservoir; and forming a steam drive front in the hydrocarbon reservoir.