In-well heat exchange method for improved recovery of subterranean fluids with poor flowability

摘要

An in-well heat exchange method for improved recovery of subterranean fluids with poor flowability. The method includes conducting a fluid from a subterranean formation through a well in fluid communication therewith to the surface, and flowing a heated gas enriched in C5 plus hydrocarbons from the surface into the well in heat exchange relationship with the fluid conducted from the formation. In one embodiment,the heated gas is injected into the subterranean fluid as a lift gas to artificially lift the subterranean fluid to the surface, wet gas is separated from the produced fluid, and a portion of the recovered gas is heated and compressed for recycle as the lift gas.