Systems and methods for enhanced recovery of hydrocarbonaceous fluids

Abstract

A method for enhanced recovery of hydrocarbonaceous fluids, the method including the steps of connecting each of a plurality of wellbores together in fluid communication with a machined flow path, providing a surface fluid to the flow path, and generating an electrical field within the flow path to cause an electrochemical reaction to produce a gas from the fluid, such that the gas mixes with hydrocarbonaceous fluids and increases pressure within at least one of the plurality of wellbores, the flow path, and combinations thereof, thereby enhancing recovery of the hydrocarbonaceous fluid.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE[0001]1. Field of the Disclosure[0002]Embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to systems and methods that enhance the recovery of hydrocarbonaceous fluids. Specific embodiments relate to systems and methods to stimulate a producing formation by using a gas generated from an electrochemical reaction. Other embodiments relate to the use of AC electrolysis in a machined formation adjacent to and / or within a producing formation to generate a gas that permeates into hydrocarbonaceous fluids disposed in the producing formation.[0003]2. Description of the Related Art[0004]Large deposits of hydrocarbonaceous fluids, such as crude oil, are known to exist in subterranean formations throughout the world. In the past, these fluids were recovered from the formations until the natural energy (e.g., pressure) of the formation expired, at which point the formation was typically abandoned. This primary recovery typically produced as little as 15%-25% of the hydrocar...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present patent relates to a system and method for enhanced recovery of hydrocarbonaceous fluids from underground formations. The system includes electrodes that are placed in wellbores and connected to a power source to create an electrical field. The electrical field causes a chemical reaction in the solution within the wellbore, resulting in the formation of gas that mixes with the hydrocarbonaceous fluids, increasing the pressure and decreasing the viscosity of the fluids. This process can be used to increase the formation pressure and alter the flow characteristics of the fluids. The patent also describes an alternative method of creating an artificial subterranean formation to increase the pressure and decrease the viscosity of the fluids. Overall, the patent provides a technical solution for enhanced recovery of hydrocarbonaceous fluids from underground formations."

Problems solved by technology

This primary recovery typically produced as little as 15%-25% of the hydrocarbonaceous fluids within the formation, with the large majority of hydrocarbons left unrecovered because the economic cost of continued production exceeded the value of the quantity of hydrocarbonaceous fluids recovered.

However, these processes vary greatly, as processes that enable successful recovery from one or more formations may not be economical and / or successful when used in conjunction with other formations.

In addition, the capabilities of secondary recovery methods are limited.

In the absence of formation pressure, even fluids of average viscosity and specific gravity are difficult to produce through secondary recovery methods without addition of external energy to the formation.

Nevertheless, many tertiary processes, such as gas injection, require extensive and / or cost-prohibitive surface equipment and operations, and may also cause damage to the producing formation that hinders or terminates future production ability.

When current passes between the electrodes and the formation, high resistance of the formation causes power to dissipate, which results in a power loss that heats the producing formation and hydrocarbonaceous fluids.

However, this process is generally limited to the immediate area involved in the heating process.

Images