Abstract: A process for hydrocarbon recovery performs a steam assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) operation by injecting steam in a steam injection well of a SAGD well pair and continuing to inject steam to establish fluid communication between the steam injection well and an oxidizing gas injection well that includes an oxidizing gas injection well segment that is spaced generally above the steam injection well segment, and producing hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon production well of the SAGD well pair, the hydrocarbon production well including a generally horizontal production well segment disposed generally parallel to and vertically below a generally horizontal steam injection well segment of the steam injection well such that the steam injection well segment is disposed generally vertically between the production well segment and the oxidizing gas injection well segment.

Abstract: A process for hydrocarbon recovery from an oil sands reservoir having a mobile fluid zone above a bitumen zone. The process includes generating, in the bitumen zone a mobilized and through a mobility enhancing process. The process also includes recovering at least some of the original oil-in-place and injecting an oxidizing gas through an oxidizing gas injection well into the reservoir to support in situ combustion in the reservoir. The process includes generating fluid communication between the mobile fluid zone and the mobilized zone and recovering hydrocarbons mobilized by the in situ combustion using a hydrocarbon production well that is in fluid communication with the mobile fluid zone and the mobilized zone.

Abstract: A process for hydrocarbon recovery from an oil sands deposit includes injecting an oxidizing gas into an oil sands reservoir through an injection well. The oxidizing gas supports in situ combustion (ISC) in the reservoir. A generally horizontal well pair is used that is in fluid communication with the injection well to recover hydrocarbons mobilized by the ISC. The well pair includes: a generally horizontal segment of a hydrocarbon production well, and a generally horizontal segment of a combustion gas production well. The generally horizontal segment of the combustion gas production well is generally parallel to and spaced vertically above the horizontal segment of the hydrocarbon production well. The segment of the oxidizing gas injection well is spaced generally above the segment of the hydrocarbon production well and generally above the segment of the combustion gas production well.

Abstract: A modified method for in situ recovery of hydrocarbon from an underground hydrocarbon-containing formation. An “L” shaped production well, having a vertical section, and a lower horizontal leg positioned low in the formation, is provided. The horizontal leg connects to the vertical section at a heel portion, and has a toe portion at an opposite end thereof. Oxidizing gas is injected into the formation in or proximate the vertical section. A combustion front sweeps outwardly from the vertical section and laterally within the formation above the horizontal leg, from the heel to the toe, causing hydrocarbons in the formation above the horizontal leg to drain downwardly into the horizontal leg, which are then delivered to surface via production tubing. A non-oxidizing gas is injected into at least the heel portion and preferably additional portions of the horizontal leg via injection tubing contained within the vertical section of the production well.

Abstract: A modified method of in situ recovery of hydrocarbon from an underground hydrocarbon-containing formation. An “L” shaped production well, having a vertical upper section, and a lower horizontally-extending leg which is positioned low in the hydrocarbon formation, is provided. The horizontal leg connects to the vertical section of the production well at a heel portion and has a toe portion at an opposite end thereof. An oxidizing gas is injected into the formation proximate the vertical section of the production well. A vertical combustion front is created which is caused to sweep outwardly therefrom and laterally within the formation above the horizontal leg, from the heel to the toe of the horizontal leg, causing hydrocarbons in the formation above the horizontal leg to be upgraded and liquify, and thereafter to drain downwardly into the horizontal leg which is permeable, where such liquified hydrocarbons are then delivered to surface via production tubing.