Subterranean Trench for Hydrocarbon Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hydrocarbon recovery methods from subterranean formations face challenges due to low permeability, heterogeneous permeability, and permeability barriers, which reduce the effectiveness of processes like steam assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) by limiting fluid flow and heat transfer.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a trench extending through the subterranean formation with a high permeability, constructed using methods such as trench cutting tools and filled with permeable materials like sand or gravel, to enhance fluid circulation and heat distribution, thereby overcoming permeability barriers and improving hydrocarbon recovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If steam injection is used to heat hydrocarbon fluids in low permeability formations, then fluid viscosity decreases, but fluid flow remains limited due to permeability barriers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a trench as an intermediary high-permeability pathway that mediates between the low-permeability formation and the production wellbore. The trench acts as a conduit that allows heated fluids to reach the wellbore despite the presence of permeability barriers in the surrounding formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a localized high-permeability zone (the trench) within the low-permeability formation. This local quality change allows fluid flow to be enhanced in specific areas where the trench is constructed, while the rest of the formation maintains its original permeability characteristics.
2Productivity
If conventional wellbore production is used, then equipment complexity is minimized, but recovery effectiveness is reduced due to limited heat and fluid transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the production system into two distinct components: the conventional wellbore for fluid collection and the trench structure for enhanced heat and fluid transfer. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specialized function optimally while working together to improve overall recovery effectiveness.
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
The trench system increases cumulative oil recovery, facilitates rapid steam chamber development, and provides better control over liquid traps, leading to improved economic performance and more efficient hydrocarbon extraction.
Implementation Method 1
The trench has a trench width which extends between a first trench side and a second trench side. The trench system increases cumulative oil recovery... constructed using methods such as trench cutting tools and filled with permeable materials like sand or gravel, to enhance fluid circulation
Implementation Method 2
steam assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) processes depend upon permeability of the formation to transfer heat throughout the formation
Implementation Method 3
The flow of hydrocarbon fluids to the production wellbore may be driven by a variety of forces, including natural formation pressure, external pressurization of the formation, fluid injection fluid drive), a combustion front (i.e., in situ combustion) etc.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for recovering a fluid from a subterranean formation, including a production wellbore having a substantially horizontal production length extending through the formation, and a trench extending through the formation. A method of constructing a trench section in a subterranean formation, including providing within the formation an access wellbore having a substantially horizontal access wellbore length, introducing a trench cutting tool into the access wellbore, and advancing and retracting the trench cutting tool through the access wellbore in order to cut slots in the formation in a trench direction away from the access wellbore, repeatedly until a number of slots required to complete the trench section has been cut.