Abstract: Single well SAGD is improved by having one or more injection segments and two or more production segments between the toe end and the heel end of a flat, horizontal well. The additional injection points improve the rate of steam chamber development as well as the rate of production, as shown by simulations of a central injection segment bracketed by a pair of production segments (-P-I-P-), and by a pair of injection segments with three production segments (-P-I-P-I-P). Although the completion of the single well costs more, this configuration allows the development of thin plays that cannot be economically developed with traditional SAGD wellpairs.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a particularly effective well configuration that can be used for heat based oil recovery methods. Fishbone multilateral wells are combined with inline electric heaters and a thermally conductive proppant. Preferably, an array of overlapping fishbone wells cover the pay, allowing more complete production of the pay, and the use of the proppants prevents the open-hole fishbone laterals from collapsing. These methods can be applied in variety of configurations, including traditional vertically spaced well-pairs, laterally spaced well-pairs, producers only, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a particularly effective well configuration that can be used for single well cross steam assisted gravity drainage (SW-XSAGD) wherein a single well has multiple injection sections each separated by a production segment that is completed with passive FCDs to control steam flashing.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a particularly effective well configuration that can be used for heat based oil recovery methods. Fishbone multilateral wells are combined with inline electric heaters and a thermally conductive proppant. Preferably, an array of overlapping fishbone wells cover the pay, allowing more complete production of the pay, and the use of the proppants prevents the open-hole fishbone laterals from collapsing. These methods can be applied in variety of configurations, including traditional vertically spaced well-pairs, laterally spaced well-pairs, producers only, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a particularly effective well configuration that can be used for single well cross steam assisted gravity drainage (SW-XSAGD) wherein a single well has multiple injection sections each separated by a production segment that is completed with passive FCDs to control steam flashing.

Abstract: Methods and systems relate to recovering hydrocarbons from within formations in which hydrocarbon bearing reservoirs are separated from one another by a fluid flow obstructing natural stratum. Relative to the reservoirs, the stratum inhibits or blocks vertical fluid flow within the formation. Lateral bores divert from lengths of injector and producer wells along where extending in a horizontal direction. These bores pass upward through the formation to intersect the stratum and provide an array of fluid flow paths through the stratum. In a side direction perpendicular to the horizontal direction of the wells, the lateral bores from the injector well pass through the stratum inside of where the lateral bores from the producer well pass through stratum. Fluid communication established by the bores limits counter-current flow through the bores in processes that rely on techniques such as gravity drainage.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a particularly effective well configuration that can be used for single well steam assisted gravity drainage (SW-SAGD), wherein steam injection occurs at one or more points between the heel and toe, instead of at the toe as in the prior art.

Abstract: A method of heating stacked pay zones in a hydrocarbon formation by radio frequency electromagnetic waves is provided. In particular, radio frequency antenna array having multiple antenna elements are provided inside a hydrocarbon formation that has steam-impermeable structure. The antenna elements are so positioned and configured that the hydrocarbons in the place where conventional thermal methods cannot be used to heat due to the steam-impermeable structure can now be heated by radio frequency electromagnetic waves.

Abstract: A process for utilizing microwaves to heat H2O within a subterranean region wherein the heated H2O contacts heavy oil in the subterranean region to lower the viscosity of the heavy oil and improve production of the heavy oil.

Abstract: Methods and systems produce petroleum products with multiple horizontal wells through which injection processes precondition and displace the hydrocarbons in a formation. The wells extend through the formation spaced apart from one another in a lateral direction. Before fluid communication is established between the wells, cyclic injections and production of resulting backflow initiates conditioning of immobile products. Alternating between injection and production at adjacent wells may then facilitate establishing the fluid communication. After the fluid communication is established, a displacement procedure sweeps the hydrocarbons from one of the wells used for injection toward an adjacent one of the wells used for production.

Abstract: Methods and systems relate to recovering hydrocarbons from within formations in which hydrocarbon bearing reservoirs are separated from one another by a fluid flow obstructing natural stratum. Relative to the reservoirs, the stratum inhibits or blocks vertical fluid flow within the formation. Lateral bores divert from lengths of injector and producer wells along where extending in a horizontal direction. These bores pass upward through the formation to intersect the stratum and provide an array of fluid flow paths through the stratum. In a side direction perpendicular to the horizontal direction of the wells, the lateral bores from the injector well pass through the stratum inside of where the lateral bores from the producer well pass through stratum. Fluid communication established by the bores limits counter-current flow through the bores in processes that rely on techniques such as gravity drainage.

Abstract: An underground reservoir is provided comprising an injection well and a production well. The production well has a horizontal section oriented generally perpendicularly to a generally linear and laterally extending, upright combustion front propagated from the injection well. The method relates to controlling location of inflow into a production well during in situ combustion. The horizontal section of the production well includes blocking agents to prevent well failure.

Abstract: A system and method for in situ upgrading of crude oil is provided. The system includes at least one injection well, at least two first production wells, and at least one second production well. The at least one injection well has a vertical portion and a plurality of non-vertical portions connected to the vertical portion. The at least two first production wells are preferably equi-spaced and each has a horizontal portion with a first axial direction, wherein each said horizontal portion of the first production wells is horizontally spaced apart. The at least one second production well has a horizontal portion with a second axial direction. The catalytic reactor is placed at the horizontal portion of the at least one second production well such that oil coming through the second production well will first go through the catalytic reactor for hydroprocessing.

Abstract: Methods and systems relate to in situ combustion utilizing configurations of injection and production wells to facilitate the in situ combustion. The wells define vertically deviated lengths that have different orientations from one another. Further, heating processes such as resistive heating and cyclic steam stimulation may take place in one or both of the injection and production wells to precondition a reservoir prior to the in situ combustion.

Abstract: A process for utilizing microwaves to heat H2O within a subterranean region wherein the heated H2O contacts heavy oil in the subterranean region to lower the viscosity of the heavy oil and improve production of the heavy oil.

Abstract: An underground reservoir is provided comprising an injection well and a production well. The production well has a horizontal section oriented generally perpendicularly to a generally linear and laterally extending, upright combustion front propagated from the injection well. The method relates to controlling location of inflow into a production well during in situ combustion. The horizontal section of the production well includes blocking agents to prevent well failure.

Abstract: Methods and systems relate to in situ combustion utilizing configurations of injection and production wells to facilitate the in situ combustion. The wells define vertically deviated lengths that have different orientations from one another. Further, heating processes such as resistive heating and cyclic steam stimulation may take place in one or both of the injection and production wells to precondition a reservoir prior to the in situ combustion.