Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method of recovering viscous hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation using a gravity dominated recovery process with a group of wells, the recovery process incorporating an interwell recovery phase. The group of wells is initially operated independently to establish hydraulic communication between two or more wells in the group. Once hydraulic communication is established, injection of mobilizing fluid and production of hydrocarbons continues in at least one well within the group with an excess amount of mobilizing fluid being injected into the well. At the same time, production only continues in at least one well within the group, without any injection of mobilizing fluid. The wells in the group are spaced closer together than in conventional recovery processes. The recovery process may be SAGD.

Abstract: A process for hydrocarbon recovery from a hydrocarbon-bearing formation utilizing an injection well for the injection of a mobilizing and displacing fluid, such as steam, into the formation and a production well, spaced from the injection well, and through which hydrocarbon is recovered. The process includes injecting a surfactant and a gas into the production well for a first period of time to thereby emplace or form foam to an extent sufficient to modify the path of flow in an inter-well region between the injection well and the production well and in an area spaced from the inter-well region of the reservoir, which area is in fluid communication with at least one of the injection well and the production well. The process also includes injecting fluid into the injection well to cause the flow of hydrocarbon in the formation and recovering the hydrocarbon through the production well.

Abstract: In selected aspects, the present invention provides methods and systems for recovering hydrocarbons from a reservoir involving gravity-dominated recovery processes, such as steam assisted gravity drainage (SAGD). Aspects of the invention involve the use of multilateral wells in staged production processes, so that alternative segments of wells may be used in alternative ways during a recovery process, for example repurposing sections of an injection well as a production well at a stage in a recovery process when there is surplus injection well infrastructure in place.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method for the recovery of hydrocarbons using a single horizontal well having both injection and production means. The well has a means for increasing fluid flow resistance in the wellbore. The injection and production means are operated so as to increase the fluid flow into the reservoir and reduce the fluid flow in the well. The means to increase fluid flow includes a constriction in the wellbore between the injection and production means, flow conditioners placed along a portion of the well between the injection and production means, and sealing elements placed in the well between the injection and production means. The production and injection openings are also positioned relative to the flow conditioners and sealing elements.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for selectively displacing water from a hydraulically continuous water zone in a porous geological formation. The target zone to be displaced is defined by a hydrodynamically maintained pressure differential, which has been shown to be capable of confining an expanding injected gas zone. One or more gas injection wells and water production wells are located within the zone. During pressurized gas injection within the zone, the gas displaces water downward within the confined zone such that water is selectively produced from the target zone and the injected gas zone is confined within the hydraulically continuous water zone.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for selectively displacing water from a hydraulically continuous water zone in a porous geological formation. The target zone to be displaced is defined by a hydrodynamically maintained pressure differential, which has been shown to be capable of confining an expanding injected gas zone. One or more gas injection wells and water production wells are located within the zone. During pressurized gas injection within the zone, the gas displaces water downward within the confined zone such that water is selectively produced from the target zone and the injected gas zone is confined within the hydraulically continuous water zone.

Abstract: A method and system for displacing water from a porous geological formation are provided. The zone to be displaced is defined by the injection of water into one or more barrier wells around the zone. One or more gas injection wells and water production wells are located within the zone. During pressurized gas injection within the zone, the barrier wells are operated to achieve a hydraulic pressure barrier surrounding the zone that is sufficient to prevent penetration therethrough by the injected gas. The well system is operated to concurrently limit gas entry into the water production well. Accordingly, the gas displaces water downward within the zone such that water is produced at the water production wells.