Abstract: A method using an "inverted" production well for recovering hydrocarbons from a subterranean reservoir wherein the production wellbore has a substantially vertical, non-inverted portion with angle building to near 90.degree.; an integral, substantially horizontal portion which extends into said reservoir; and an integral, upwardly curving tail portion which terminates near the top of the reservoir. A string of production tubing which may include a downhole pump is positioned within the non-inverted portion of wellbore. The inverted well increases the production interval within the reservoir and reduces bottom-water coning. Further, a plug can be set in the tail portion to reduce the production of steam through the wellbore. In another embodiment of the present invention, a single inverted well may be used both for injecting steam and producing fluids by extending a string of injection tubing through or adjacent to the production tubing and into the tail portion of the wellbore.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the intrusion of steam (e.g. breakthrough) from a zone of a producing formation into a slotted liner of a gravel-packed, production well of a steam flood recovery operation. An assembly including a blank, scab conduit is lowered into the upper portion of the slotted liner to effectively block those openings in the slotted liner which lie adjacent the steam intrusion zone. A seal, (e.g. deformable metal seal, metal seal rings, etc.) is provided at the upper end of the blank conduit to block upward flow between the liner and blank conduit when the blank conduit is in place. In a further embodiment, a second set of seals can be provided to block the downward flow of steam between the blank conduit and the slotted liner.

Abstract: A process vessel has an inlet for receiving a process fluid and an outlet for exhausting process fluid into the atmosphere should the pressure within the vessel exceed a preset limit. A pneumatic safety device positioned within such inlet shuts down the flow of process fluid into the process vessel when actuated pneumatically. A pressure-relieving device positioned within such outlet exhausts process gas into the atmosphere when the pressure within the process vessel exceeds the preset limit as established by the burst pressure level of the pressure relieving device. A pneumatic control link connects the pressure-relieving device to the pneumatic safety device. Such control link actuates the pneumatic safety device to shut-down the flow of process fluid into the process vessel in response to the exhausting of process fluid from the process vessel into the atmosphere.