Abstract: Methods and systems related to SAGD injection and/or production wells that utilize flow distribution control devices. Additionally, methods and systems using limited vertical spacing separating the wells are described. These methods and systems improve steam assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) oil production, reduce SAGD start-up time and costs, and improve overall SAGD performance.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a particularly effective well configuration that can be used for SAGD and other steam based oil recovery methods. Fishbone multilateral wells are combined with SAGD, effectively expanding steam coverage. Preferably, an array of overlapping fishbone wells cover the pay, reducing water use and allowing more complete production of the pay.

Abstract: Methods and systems relate to SAGD injection and/or production wells that utilize flow distribution control devices. Additionally, methods and systems using limited vertical spacing separating the wells are described. These methods and systems improve steam assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) oil production, reduce SAGD start-up time and costs, and improve overall SAGD performance.

Abstract: A “passive” apparatus and method for isolating flow within a thermal wellbore wherein inflow apertures are plugged with a temporary fusible alloy plug that can be selectively removed by increasing the wellbore temperature.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a particularly effective well configuration that can be used for SAGD and other steam based oil recovery methods. A central wellpad originates injector and/or producer wells, arranged in a radial pattern, and either or both provided with multilateral wells, thus effectively expanding the coverage.

Abstract: Select geopolymers are mixed, at high shear, with fluid fine tailings from an oil sand operation to increase the yield strength of deposits of the geopolymer-treated fluid fine tailings stream and to enhance the dewaterability of the deposits for meeting the regulated, minimum undrained shear strength of 5 kilopascals (kPa) in the fluid fine tailings deposited in the previous year.

Abstract: A grid of pipes for conducting steam at a pressure greater than a vessels' operating pressure and delivering the steam throughout the grid forms the internals for a tailings solvent recovery unit. The delivery of steam throughout the grid aids in maintaining a relatively low partial pressure throughout the vessel to act as a driver for mass transfer. Conducting the steam at the higher pressure through the pipes in the grid permits a surface of the pipes to be heated to a temperature higher than possible in a conventional vessel, increasing the heat transfer to the feed stream which flows through the grid.

Abstract: A method of recovering bitumen from a froth utilizes solvent and a single settling vessel having a plurality of internals. The froth is diluted with enough solvent to reduce viscosity and is added to the vessel above the internals. Additional solvent is added below the internals, intermediate the internals or both and is flowed counter-current to the diluted froth flowing downwardly over the internals, forming a gradient of solvent concentration relative to hydrocarbon concentration throughout the internals, acting as multiple stages of separation. The bitumen and other light components, rise with the solvent to the top of the vessel. The heavier components, such as water, solids and asphaltene aggregates fall to the bottom by gravity. Where paraffinic solvents are used, the solvent-to-bitumen ratio (S:B) for the initial dilution of froth is below that at which asphaltenes are rejected. Substantially all asphaltene rejection occurs in the vessel as S:B increases therein.

Abstract: An apparatus and methodology for storing bitumen froth comprising a fluidized bottom, froth first feed holding tank for maintaining effective tank capacity while reducing overall solid bed build up at side walls and minimizing sloughing of solids to the froth discharge outlet. Froth is fed to the tank through one or more feed inlets located between the froth outlet and side walls for fluidizing settling solids. The feed inlets urge solids to settle in sub-beds about the feed inlets, the height of which that manifests adjacent the side walls being less that some design threshold height; if not, then successive feed inlets are located between the side walls and the precious feed inlets to build further sub-beds that have a height at the wall that is less than the threshold height.

Abstract: Methods and systems relating to steam assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) utilizing well pairs that are at least initially in fluid communication through drilled bores toward their toe ends. At least one of a horizontal injection well and horizontal production well of such a well pair includes a hooked length toward toe ends of each other connecting said injection well and said production well. The methods and systems improve SAGD oil production, reduce SAGD start-up time and costs, and improve overall SAGD performance.

Abstract: A “passive” apparatus and method for isolating flow within a thermal wellbore wherein inflow apertures are plugged with a temporary fusible alloy plug that can be selectively removed by increasing the wellbore temperature.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a particularly effective well configuration that can be used for SAGD and other steam based oil recovery methods. Fishbone multilateral wells are combined with SAGD, effectively expanding steam coverage. Preferably, an array of overlapping fishbone wells cover the pay, reducing water use and allowing more complete production of the pay.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a particularly effective well configuration that can be used for SAGD and other steam based oil recovery methods. A central wellpad originates injector and/or producer wells, arranged in a radial pattern, and either or both provided with multilateral wells, thus effectively expanding the coverage.

Abstract: A process for treating bitumen froth with paraffinic solvent is provided which uses three stages of separation. Froth and a first solvent are directed to a first stage at a solvent/bitumen ratio for precipitating few or substantially no asphaltenes. A first stage underflow is directed to a second stage and a first stage overflow is directed to a third stage. A second stage underflow is directed to waste tailings and the second stage overflow joins the first stage overflow. A third stage underflow is recovered as an asphaltene by-product and a third stage overflow is recovered as a diluted bitumen product. At least a second solvent is added to one or both of the second or third stages for controlling a fraction of asphaltenes in the third stage underflow. Asphaltene loss to waste tailings is minimized and asphaltenes are now recovered as asphaltene by-product.

Abstract: A method for treating and disposal of fluid fine tailings utilizes two stages of thickening prior to disposal of the thickened tailings. The fluid fine tailings are adjusted to a sand-to-fines ratio of 0.5 to 1.3 using hydrocyclones or centrifuges in required. In a first stage of thickening a first flocculant is added to the fluid fine tailings which are fed to one or more conventional thickeners to produce a pumpable thickened tailings underflow having a solids content of between about 20 wt % to 40 wt %. The pumpable thickened tailings underflow is centrifugally pumped through a pipeline towards a disposal area. Adjacent the disposal area a second flocculant is added to the pumpable tailings underflow in a second stage of thickening to flocculate the tailings sufficient to produce a secondary thickened tailings underflow which when deposited has a solids content of about 50 wt % or higher at least one day after disposal.

Abstract: A tailings solvent recovery vessel substantially without conventional internals utilizes nozzles for forming very fine solvent-containing hydrocarbon droplets from a solvent-containing tailings feedstream. The hydrocarbon droplets are discrete from water droplets. The hydrocarbon droplets are small enough to result in a large surface area and a desired fall residence time but sufficiently large that they are not entrained with the rising vapor in the vessel. The feedstream is introduced to the vessel with a pressure drop to result in an initial flashing of the solvent from the solvent-containing droplets. Heat from the vessel atmosphere or from steam flowing countercurrent to the falling hydrocarbon droplets is transferred to the falling hydrocarbon droplets resulting in vaporization of any residual solvent therefrom. A substantially solvent-depleted pool is collected in the bottom of the vessel and retained only so long as is required to pump the underflow stream from the vessel.

Abstract: A process for treating bitumen froth with paraffinic solvent is provided which uses three stages of separation. Froth and a first solvent are directed to a first stage at a solvent/bitumen ratio for precipitating few or substantially no asphaltenes. A first stage underflow is directed to a second stage and a first stage overflow is directed to a third stage. A second stage underflow is directed to waste tailings and the second stage overflow joins the first stage overflow. A third stage underflow is recovered as an asphaltene by-product and a third stage overflow is recovered as a diluted bitumen product. At least a second solvent is added to one or both of the second or third stages for controlling a fraction of asphaltenes in the third stage underflow. Asphaltene loss to waste tailings is minimized and asphaltenes are now recovered as asphaltene by-product.

Abstract: Method, devices and systems are provided for measuring deformation in subterranean formations. Such methods include introduction of spaced-apart depth magnetic markers along the longitudinal length of a well bore and measuring the position of each depth marker over time so as to determine deformation of the subterranean formation. In certain embodiments, depth markers comprise rare earth magnets. In further embodiments, orientation of each magnetic bullet is determined over time to determine the change in orientation of each magnetic bullet. Advantages of the methods and devices herein include, but are not limited to, improved accuracy and reliability of deformation measurements and reduced environmental impact due to the avoidance of radioactive markers used by the present invention.

Abstract: A method for recovery of bitumen from a bitumen-containing froth utilizes solvent and a single, froth settling vessel having a plurality of internals therein. The froth is first diluted with enough solvent to reduce the viscosity of the froth and the diluted froth is added to the vessel above the internals. Additional of the solvent is added to the vessel, either below the internals, intermediate the internals or both and is flowed counter-current to the diluted froth which is flowing downwardly over the plurality of internals. A gradient of solvent concentration relative to hydrocarbon concentration is formed through the internals which act as multiple stages of separation. The product, being bitumen and other light components, are carried with the solvent to the top of the vessel. The heavier components such as water, solids and asphaltene aggregates fall to the bottom of the vessel by gravity.

Abstract: Select geopolymers are mixed, at high shear, with fluid fine tailings from an oil sand operation to increase the yield strength of deposits of the geopolymer-treated fluid fine tailings stream and to enhance the dewaterability of the deposits for meeting the regulated, minimum undrained shear strength of 5 kilopascals (kPa) in the fluid fine tailings deposited in the previous year.