Stimulation and recovery of heavy hydrocarbon fluids

Abstract

The present invention is directed to the use of electromagnetic radiation, acoustic energy, and surfactant injection to recover hydrocarbon-containing materials from a hydrocarbon-bearing formation.

1 . A method for recovering a subterranean hydrocarbon-containing material, comprising:
 (a) from a manned underground excavation emitting, from an emitter, radiation in at least one of the electromagnetic and acoustic energy ranges into a selected region of a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation, to lower a viscosity of a hydrocarbon-containing material in the selected region, the emitter positioned in the excavation being at least one of (i) in direct physical contact with the formation, (ii) for electromagnetic energy, in contact with an impedance transformer, the transformer being, in direct physical contact with the formation and (iii) for acoustic energy, a transducing medium, the transducing medium being in direct physical contact with the formation; and   (b) recovering, by a production well in proximity to the selected region, the irradiated hydrocarbon-containing material.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the radiation is microwave radiation, wherein the microwave radiation is emitted by a waveguide running a length of the excavation, and wherein at least a portion of the production well is positioned below the selected region. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one emitter is in contact with an impedance transformer, the impedance transformer being in direct physical contact with the formation. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the radiation is acoustic energy, and wherein the impedance transformer is a transducing medium, through which the acoustic energy passes, and wherein the transducing medium is in direct physical contact with the formation. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 (c) introducing a surfactant into the selected region before and/or during step (a).   
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the excavation follows generally at least one of a strike and dip of the formation. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the acoustic energy has a frequency in the ultrasonic band. 
   
   
       8 . A method for recovering a subterranean hydrocarbon-containing material, comprising:
 (a) introducing a surfactant into a selected region of a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation;   (b) from an underground excavation, emitting acoustic energy into the selected region to lower a viscosity of a hydrocarbon-containing material in the selected region, wherein the underground excavation has a dimension normal to a heading of the excavation of at least about four feet; and   (c) recovering, by a production well in proximity to the selected region, the hydrocarbon-containing material.   
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the acoustic energy has a frequency in the ultrasonic spectrum, wherein the acoustic energy is emitted by an emitter positioned in the underground excavation, and wherein the emitter is one of in contact with and proximal to the formation. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising before step (c):
 (d) from the underground excavation, emitting electromagnetic energy into the selected region.   
   
   
       11 . A method for recovering hydrocarbon-containing materials, comprising:
 (a) introducing a surfactant into a selected region of a hydrocarbon-bearing formation, the formation comprising at least one hydrocarbon-containing material;   (b) while the surfactant is in the selected region, passing acoustic energy through the selected region of the formation;   (c) passing electromagnetic radiation through the selected region of the formation; and   (d) thereafter recovering the at least one hydrocarbon-containing material.   
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the acoustic energy has a frequency in the ultrasonic spectrum and wherein the electromagnetic radiation has a frequency in the microwave band. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the electromagnetic radiation is emitted by a waveguide positioned in an underground excavation positioned in or proximal to the formation and wherein the underground excavation has a dimension normal to a heading of the excavation of at least about four feet. 
   
   
       14 . A system for recovering hydrocarbon-containing materials, comprising:
 (a) a hydrocarbon-bearing formation comprising a hydrocarbon-containing material;   (b) an underground excavation;   (c) in the underground excavation, at least one electromagnetic radiation emitter to direct radiation into the formation; and   (d) in the underground excavation, at least one acoustic energy emitter to direct acoustic energy into the formation.   
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the underground excavation is lined by a liner, wherein the underground excavation has a dimension normal to a heading of the excavation of at least about four feet, and wherein the liner comprises a passage for the electromagnetic emitter and/or an impedance transformer in contact therewith to contact physically the formation. 
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the underground excavation is lined by a liner, wherein the underground excavation has a dimension normal to a heading of the excavation of at least about four feet, and wherein the liner comprises a passage for the acoustic energy emitter and/or an transducing medium in contact therewith to contact physically the formation. 
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 (e) a production well, at least a portion of which is positioned below the formation.   
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the at least a portion of the production well is generally parallel to a heading of the excavation. 
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the at least a portion of the production well is substantially horizontal. 
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 (e) a plurality of sensors positioned at different locations in the formation; and   (f) a computer operable to receive signals from the sensors and, in response thereto, control operation of the at least one of the electromagnetic radiation emitter and acoustic energy emitter.