Cyclic Steam Stimulation Using RF Reheating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cyclic steam stimulation (CSS) methods for heavy oil and bitumen production are inefficient, recovering only about 20% of the Original Oil in Place (OOIP), and require frequent steam injection and water condensation, which is costly and resource-intensive.

Innovation Solution

Combining CSS with radio frequency (RF) reheating to revaporize condensed steam, superheat it, and maintain heat in the reservoir, reducing the need for additional steam injections and enhancing in-situ upgrading of heavy oil, thereby increasing oil recovery and conserving water resources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If cyclic steam stimulation is used to heat heavy oil and bitumen, then oil viscosity is reduced and production is facilitated, but only about 20% of Original Oil in Place is recovered and frequent steam injection is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoil recovery efficiencyVSAvoidtime for repeated steam injection cycles

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines cyclic steam stimulation with in-situ upgrading processes (such as catalytic cracking or hydrocracking) to simultaneously recover oil and upgrade it to lighter products. This merging of heating and upgrading functions in a single process allows for higher recovery efficiency (up to 50% OOIP) while reducing the need for repeated steam injection cycles, as the upgraded products have lower viscosity and can be produced more efficiently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Productivity

If frequent steam injection is performed to maintain reservoir pressure and heat oil, then oil production continues, but water usage increases and resources are consumed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous oil productionVSAvoidwater consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements water recovery and reuse systems where produced water is treated, desalinated, and reinjected as steam. This closed-loop water management reduces fresh water consumption while maintaining continuous production capability. The in-situ upgrading process also converts heavier oils that would require more water-intensive processing into lighter products with lower water requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Ease of operation

If steam injection is used to heat reservoir, then oil viscosity decreases and flow improves, but the process is costly and resource-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoil flow capabilityVSAvoidenergy cost of steam generation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies in-situ upgrading processes that partially convert heavy oil to lighter products before production, reducing the viscosity and improving flow characteristics in advance. This preliminary upgrading reduces the amount of steam energy required later to achieve the same flow improvement, as the oil is already in a more mobile state due to chemical transformation rather than just thermal heating.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach significantly enhances oil recovery, potentially reaching up to 50% of OOIP, reduces water usage, and allows for more efficient upgrading of heavy oil, making the process more cost-effective and environmentally friendly.

Implementation Method 1

Combining CSS with radio frequency (RF) reheating to revaporize condensed steam, superheat it, and maintain heat in the reservoir

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadio frequency heating: Dielectric Heating

Implementation Method 2

enhancing in-situ upgrading of heavy oil, thereby increasing oil recovery

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal cracking: Pyrolysis

Data Source

PatentUS9027638B2Cyclic steam stimulation using RF

Publication Date: 2015.05.12 CONOCOPHILLIPS CO

AI summary

A method of producing hydrocarbons from a well. The method begins by injecting steam into a well. The bitumen in the formation is then heated with the injected steam, followed by ceasing the injection of steam into the well and then by soaking the bitumen with the injected steam and collecting the heated oil. Steam that has condensed is revaporized by directing RF/MW radiation to the steam allowing for more bitumen to be produced without injecting more steam. In addition, some of the steam could become superheated, wherein the temperature of the superheated steam is greater than the temperature of the steam. The bitumen is heated by the revaporized steam and the superheated steam, followed by soaking the bitumen with the revaporized steam and the superheated steam. Hydrocarbons are then produced from the well.