ESTABLISHING COMMUNICATION BETWEEN WELL PAIRS IN OIL SANDS BY DILATION WITH STEAM OR WATER CIRCULATION AT ELEVATED PRESSURES

摘要

A method of establishing fluid communication between a well pair in an oil-sand reservoir is provided, where dilatable oil sands in the reservoir form a barrier to fluid communication between the well pair. Steam or water is circulated within at least one well to apply a steam or water pressure to a region of the oil sands adjacent to the well. The steam or water pressure is increased to a dilation pressure sufficient to dilate the oil sands in the region. While circulating steam or water within the well at a substantially steady state, the steam or water pressure is maintained at a level sufficient to enlarge the dilated region, until detection of a signal indicative of fluid communication between the well pair. The rates of steam or water injection and production may be monitored and adjusted, and the steam or water pressure may be controlled by adjusting the rate of steam or water injection or production to vary a bottom-hole pressure in the well.