Method for displacement of water from a porous and permeable formation

Inactive Publication Date: 2012-08-16
CENOVUS ENERGY
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Benefits of technology

[0007]In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for displacing water from a target region of a permeable geological formation with a volume of injected gas, the method comprising the steps of: identifying a target region of the formation from which water is to be displaced; providing a series of barrier wells along permeable boundaries of the target regi

Problems solved by technology

However, producing such water is a challenge, particularly when the porous and permeable reservoir is very large, and when the water is in hydraulic contact with other resources.
In such situations, application of in situ recovery techniques to harvest the underlying bitumen may be less economically feasible in the presence of such overlying water.
Notably, when a water zone or aquifer is in hydraulic contact with an oil sand, the

Method used

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  • Method for displacement of water from a porous and permeable formation
  • Method for displacement of water from a porous and permeable formation
  • Method for displacement of water from a porous and permeable formation

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Example

[0047]Generally, the present invention provides a method and system for efficiently displacing a volume of water from a permeable underground reservoir with an amount of pressurized gas.

[0048]In sloping formations, simple displacement of water with gas is typically accomplished, at least in part, by exploiting the inherent difference in density and viscosity between water and gas. That is, injection of gas at an upslope location will tend to displace water in a down-slope direction for production. However, the efficiency of this displacement process can be poor due to the viscosity difference between the gas and the water which can lead to the gas moving horizontally outward from the point of injection most rapidly, at or near the top of the formation. Under these circumstances the water displacement can take a very long time and cannot be accelerated by injecting the gas faster. The present methods permit isolation of a target region within the formation, and permits immiscible dis...

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Abstract

A method and system for displacing water from a porous geological formation are provided. The zone to be displaced is defined by the injection of water into one or more barrier wells around the zone. One or more gas injection wells and water production wells are located within the zone. During pressurized gas injection within the zone, the barrier wells are operated to achieve a hydraulic pressure barrier surrounding the zone that is sufficient to prevent penetration therethrough by the injected gas. The well system is operated to concurrently limit gas entry into the water production well. Accordingly, the gas displaces water downward within the zone such that water is produced at the water production wells.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION DATA[0001]This application claims the benefit of and priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 441,970 filed Feb. 11, 2011, entitled “Method for Displacement of Water from a Porous Formation” and Canadian Application No. ______ filed May 11, 2011.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates generally to the displacement of water from a porous and permeable formation. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for isolating a displacement zone within a porous and permeable formation, and then replacing water in the isolated zone with a non-condensing gas.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Many commercial operations require access to underground reservoirs, including mining operations, oil and gas production, natural gas storage, compressed air energy storage, and carbon dioxide sequestration. In some cases, gaining access to such reservoirs would require the production of water from formations within or around the reservoir. Howe...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): E21B43/30E21B43/12
CPCE21B43/166G01V9/02E03B3/12E21B43/20Y02A20/00
Inventor CHHINA, HARBIRGITTINS, SIMONSTAVROPOULOS, KATHERINELIU, XIAOHUANWINESTOCK, ALVIN
Owner CENOVUS ENERGY
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