SYSTEM FOR RECOVERING VISCOUS PETROLEUM FROM THICK TAR SAND

摘要

SYSTEM FOR RECOVERING VISCOUS PETROLEUM FROM THICK TAR SAND Recovery of viscous petroleum such as from thick tar sands is assisted using a closed-loop flow path formed in a wall by concentric casing and tubular members extending from the earth's surface through a substantial portion of the formation for conducting hot fluid to reduce the viscosity of the petroleum in the formation to develop a potential passage in the formation outside the flow path into which a drive fluid is injected to promote movement of the petroleum to the wall for production up a production flow line extending up the interior of the tubular member.