Method for reduced water coning in a horizontal well during heavy oil production

摘要

A method to reduce water coning in viscous oil formations during primary oil production wherein a horizontal wellbore is heated by circulating steam therein thereby heating a radial area near the wellbore. Near wellbore heating alters a pressure profile in the radial area near the wellbore. Reduced inflow pressure gradients near the wellbore flatten out a pressure sink associated with the wellbore. This reduces substantially water coning which allows more oil to be produced before high water production begins.