Solvent Flood Vapor Injection for Viscous Hydrocarbon Recovery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Thermal recovery processes for viscous hydrocarbons in subterranean formations face challenges due to high energy costs and inefficiencies, particularly in maintaining temperature and energy loss, which decrease economic viability as the well ages.

Innovation Solution

Injecting a solvent flood vapor stream with a dew point temperature lower than the thermal recovery streams into thermal chambers formed by previous thermal recovery processes, allowing for the mobilization and recovery of viscous hydrocarbons while reducing energy consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If thermal recovery processes are used to produce viscous hydrocarbons, then hydrocarbon production is achieved, but energy consumption increases and economic viability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrocarbon productionVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the temperature parameter of the injected stream by using a solvent flood vapor stream with a dew point temperature lower than the thermal recovery streams. This allows the solvent to condense in the thermal chamber, releasing latent heat to maintain temperatures necessary for hydrocarbon mobility while reducing the energy input required compared to continuous thermal recovery processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The solvent flood vapor stream utilizes the thermal energy already present in the formation through the condensation of solvent vapor. The condensing solvent releases latent heat that self-maintains the thermal chamber temperature, reducing the need for external heating and decreasing overall energy consumption while continuing to produce viscous hydrocarbons

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If thermal recovery processes are used to produce viscous hydrocarbons, then hydrocarbon production is achieved, but heat loss increases and economic viability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrocarbon productionVSAvoidheat loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent exploits the phase transition of the solvent flood vapor stream from vapor to liquid as it moves through the thermal chamber. This condensation process releases latent heat directly into the formation, compensating for heat losses and maintaining the thermal energy necessary for viscous hydrocarbon production without requiring additional external heating

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

3Productivity

If thermal recovery processes are used to produce viscous hydrocarbons, then hydrocarbon production is achieved, but the ratio of thermal recovery stream volume to mobilized viscous hydrocarbon volume increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveviscous hydrocarbon productionVSAvoidthermal recovery stream volume

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the composition and temperature parameters of the injected stream by using a solvent flood vapor stream with specific dew point characteristics. This allows for more efficient heat transfer through condensation, reducing the volume of stream required to maintain the thermal conditions necessary for viscous hydrocarbon mobilization and production

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 method enhances the recovery of viscous hydrocarbons by decreasing energy consumption and increasing production rates, thereby improving the economic viability of hydrocarbon production and extending the life of the hydrocarbon production system.

Implementation Method 1

a solvent flood vapor stream...into a first thermal chamber...to generate solvent flood-mobilized viscous hydrocarbons

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Implementation Method 2

a solvent flood vapor stream dew point temperature...is less than a first thermal recovery stream dew point temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLatent heat release: Latent Heat

Data Source

PatentUS10487636B2Enhanced methods for recovering viscous hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation as a follow-up to thermal recovery processes

Publication Date: 2019.11.26 EXXONMOBIL UPSTREAM RESEARCH COMPANY(US)

AI summary

Enhanced methods for recovering viscous hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation as a follow-up to thermal recovery processes. The methods include injecting a solvent flood vapor stream into a first thermal chamber, which extends within the subterranean formation, via a solvent flood injection well that extends within the first thermal chamber. The injecting includes injecting to generate solvent flood-mobilized viscous hydrocarbons within the subterranean formation. The methods also include, at least partially concurrently with the injecting, producing the solvent flood-mobilized viscous hydrocarbons from a second thermal chamber, which extends within the subterranean formation, via a solvent flood production well that extends within the second thermal chamber. The first thermal chamber was formed via a first thermal recovery process, and the second thermal chamber was formed via a second thermal recovery process, and the first thermal chamber and the second thermal chamber are in fluid communication with one another.