IN SITU UPGRADING VIA HOT FLUID INJECTION

摘要

The invention relates to systems, apparatus and methods for integrated recovery and in-situ (in reservoir) upgrading of heavy oil and oil sand bitumens. The systems, apparatus and methods enable enhanced recovery of heavy oil in a production well by introducing a hot fluid including a vacuum or atmospheric residue fraction or deasphalted oil into the production well under conditions to promote hydrocarbon upgrading. The methods may further include introducing hydrogen and a catalyst together with the injection of the hot fluid into the production well to further promote hydrocarbon upgrading reactions. In addition, the invention relates to enhanced oil production methodologies within conventional oil reservoirs.

主权项

1. A method for recovery and in situ upgrading of hydrocarbons in a well pair having an injection well and a recovery well within a heavy hydrocarbon reservoir comprising the steps of:
a) introducing a selected quantity of a hot injection fluid including a heavy hydrocarbon fraction into the injection well to promote hydrocarbon recovery and in situ upgrading; and b) recovering hydrocarbons from the recovery well.