Method for automatically initiating in situ combustion for enhanced thermal recovery of hydrocarbons from a well

摘要

A method for initiating an in situ combustion operation for heating a well to recover petroleum from a subterranean reservoir in the well comprises lowering an elongated combustion chamber suspended from a hollow electrical cable with an air supply tube therearound which supplies electricity, fuel gas, and air to the combustion chamber, mixing an air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber, and igniting the air-fuel mixture with an ignitor responsive to the thermocouple detecting burning in the combustion chamber for providing an automatic, reliable, and flame-out proof method for initiating heat deep in the well.