Abstract: A process for recovering hydrocarbons from an in situ formation. The process includes the steps of injecting solvent though an injection well into an underground extraction chamber having a hydrocarbon extraction interface, warming the hydrocarbons at the extraction interface to cause the hydrocarbons to flow downwardly by gravity drainage. Barrier gases naturally emerge in the chamber as a result of the extraction process and are removed from the extraction interface to improve heat transfer from said solvent to said interface. The last step is to recover liquids such as hydrocarbons and water through a production well. The invention provides a separate flow path to remove hydrocarbon gases from the chamber at a preferred location. The preferred location is near the top of the chamber where the accumulated barrier gases help to limit the heat loss and can also provide a barrier to help maintain chamber integrity and confinement.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of testing oil extraction processes including the steps of: 1) placing a sample to be tested in a sample holder which has a configurable temperature profile; 2) placing the sample holder in a pressure vessel; 3) increasing the pressure in the pressure vessel to simulate an over burden pressure; 4) configuring the temperature profile of the sample holder to match a desired temperature profile; 5) applying an oil extraction process to the sample; 6) measuring one or more parameters of the oil extraction process; 7) measuring the temperature of the sample to which the process is being applied; 8) configuring the sample holder to match the measured temperature profile. A device to test oil extraction processes on samples is disclosed. The device has a temperature configurable sample holder having sufficient temperature control to provide a desired heat profile to the sample.

Abstract: A process for recovering hydrocarbons from an in situ formation. The process includes the steps of injecting solvent though an injection well into an underground extraction chamber having a hydrocarbon extraction interface, warming the hydrocarbons at the extraction interface to cause the hydrocarbons to flow downwardly by gravity drainage. Barrier gases naturally emerge in the chamber as a result of the extraction process and are removed from the extraction interface to improve heat transfer from said solvent to said interface. The last step is to recover liquids such as hydrocarbons and water through a production well. The invention provides a separate flow path to remove hydrocarbon gases from the chamber at a preferred location. The preferred location is near the top of the chamber where the accumulated barrier gases help to limit the heat loss and can also provide a barrier to help maintain chamber integrity and confinement.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of testing oil extraction processes including the steps of: 1) placing a sample to be tested in a sample holder which has a configurable temperature profile; 2) placing the sample holder in a pressure vessel; 3) increasing the pressure in the pressure vessel to simulate an over burden pressure; 4) configuring the temperature profile of the sample holder to match a desired temperature profile; 5) applying an oil extraction process to the sample; 6) measuring one or more parameters of the oil extraction process; 7) measuring the temperature of the sample to which the process is being applied; 8) configuring the sample holder to match the measured temperature profile. A device to test oil extraction processes on samples is disclosed. The device has a temperature configurable sample holder having sufficient temperature control to provide a desired heat profile to the sample.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of testing oil extraction processes including the steps of: 1) placing a sample to be tested in a sample holder which has a configurable temperature profile; 2) placing the sample holder in a pressure vessel; 3) increasing the pressure in the pressure vessel to simulate an over burden pressure; 4) configuring the temperature profile of the sample holder to match a desired temperature profile; 5) applying an oil extraction process to the sample; 6) measuring one or more parameters of the oil extraction process; 7) measuring the temperature of the sample to which the process is being applied; and 8) configuring the sample holder to match the measured temperature profile. A device to test oil extraction processes on samples is also disclosed. The device has a temperature configurable sample holder having sufficient temperature control to provide a desired heat profile to the sample.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon bearing formation having an extraction chamber where the extraction chamber has an extraction surface. The process has the steps of heating a solvent, such as propane, and then placing the solvent into the extraction chamber at a temperature and a pressure sufficient for the solvent to be in a vapor state in the chamber and to condense on the extraction surface. The next step is to produce a liquid blend of solvent and heavy oil and then to separate the solvent from said heavy oil. Then the solvent is purified, before being re-injected into the formation again. The purification step removes less condensable fractions from the solvent to ensure a purity that is high enough to support continued heat transfer at extraction conditions. The pressure and temperature are set to levels to cause less condensable fractions to drain away with the liquid bitumen and solvent blend that is produced, thus mitigating heat transfer poisoning.

Abstract: A method of testing oil extraction processes is shown. The method includes the steps of placing a sample to be tested in a sample holder which has a configurable temperature profile. The sample holder is then placed in a pressure vessel and the pressure in the pressure vessel is increased to simulate an over burden pressure. The temperature profile of the sample holder is then configured to match a desired temperature profile. An oil extraction process is then applied to the sample and one or more parameters of said oil extraction process is then measured. In a further step, the temperature of the sample to which the process is being applied is measured, and the sample holder is configured to match the measured temperature profile. A device to test oil extraction processes on samples is disclosed. The device has a temperature configurable sample holder having sufficient temperature control to provide a desired heat profile to said sample.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the recovery of hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon bearing formation having an extraction chamber where the extraction chamber has an extraction surface. The process has the steps of heating a solvent, such as propane, and then placing the solvent into the extraction chamber at a temperature and a pressure sufficient for the solvent to be in a vapor state in said chamber and to condense on said extraction surface. The next step is to produce a liquid blend of solvent and heavy oil and then to separate the solvent from said heavy oil. Then the solvent is purified, before being re-injected into the formation again. The purification step removes less condensable fractions from the solvent to ensure a purity that is high enough to support continued heat transfer at extraction conditions.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon bearing formation having an extraction chamber where the extraction chamber has an extraction surface. The process has the steps of heating a solvent, such as propane, and then placing the solvent into the extraction chamber at a temperature and a pressure sufficient for the solvent to be in a vapor state in the chamber and to condense on the extraction surface. The next step is to produce a liquid blend of solvent and heavy oil and then to separate the solvent from said heavy oil. Then the solvent is purified, before being re-injected into the formation again. The purification step removes less condensable fractions from the solvent to ensure a purity that is high enough to support continued heat transfer at extraction conditions. The pressure and temperature are set to levels to cause less condensable fractions to drain away with the liquid bitumen and solvent blend that is produced, thus mitigating heat transfer poisoning.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the recovery of hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon bearing formation having an extraction chamber where the extraction chamber has an extraction surface. The process has the steps of heating a solvent, such as propane, and then placing the solvent into the extraction chamber at a temperature and a pressure sufficient for the solvent to be in a vapor state in said chamber and to condense on said extraction surface. The next step is to produce a liquid blend of solvent and heavy oil and then to separate the solvent from said heavy oil. Then the solvent is purified, before being re-injected into the formation again. The purification step removes less condensable fractions from the solvent to ensure a purity that is high enough to support continued heat transfer at extraction conditions.