Steam distribution apparatus and method for enhanced oil recovery of viscous oil

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for enhanced and improved viscous oil recovery are disclosed. A horizontal well is drilled through the viscous oil formation. A specially designed tubing string includes outlets that deliver steam more uniformly into the entire horizontal extent of the well borehole. Heat from the steam mobilizes and lowers the viscosity of the heavy crude wherein the crude is then produced to the surface via conventional lift arrangements.

1 . A well assembly for injecting steam into a subterranean reservoir, the well assembly comprising:
 a string of tubing in fluid communication with a producing zone of a subterranean reservoir, the string of tubing comprising a substantially vertical section and a substantially horizontal section extending from a lower portion of the substantially vertical section, the substantially horizontal section defining at one end a heel portion and at an opposite end a toe portion;   an opening formed on the inner surface of the substantially horizontal section that defines an inlet;   an opening formed on the outer surface of the substantially horizontal section that defines an outlet;   a passageway extending between the inlet and the outlet such that steam received by the inlet is delivered to the outlet; and   the inlet being formed in the string of tubing axially closer to the heel portion than the outlet so that when steam is received by the passageway an axial momentum of the steam is maintained.   
     
     
         2 . The well assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the passageway extends about fifteen degrees from the inner surface. 
     
     
         3 . The well assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the string of tubing further comprises a reduced cross-sectional flow area; and   the inlet is formed in the reduced cross-sectional flow area.   
     
     
         4 . The well assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the string of tubing further comprises a reduced cross-sectional flow area, the reduced cross-sectional flow area comprising an inwardly tapered surface; and   the inlet is formed at least partially on the inwardly tapered surface.   
     
     
         5 . The well assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the string of tubing further comprises a reduced cross-sectional flow area comprising an inwardly tapered surface, an outwardly tapered surface, and a reduced diameter surface extending between the inwardly tapered surface and the outwardly tapered surface so that a velocity of the steam is increased by the inwardly tapered surface and the velocity of the steam is reduced by the outwardly tapered surface. 
     
     
         6 . The well assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising an annulus formed in the outer surface of the string of tubing that extends around the circumference thereof, the annulus being in fluid communication with the outlet. 
     
     
         7 . The well assembly of  claim 6 , further comprising a nozzle positioned within the annulus to control the flow of steam received from the outlet. 
     
     
         8 . A well assembly for injecting steam into a subterranean reservoir, the well assembly comprising:
 a string of tubing in fluid communication with a producing zone of a subterranean reservoir, the string of tubing having a substantially vertical section and a substantially horizontal section extending from a lower portion of the substantially vertical section, the substantially horizontal section defining at one end a heel portion and at an opposite end a toe portion;   a reduced cross-sectional flow area positioned between the heel portion and the toe portion of the substantially horizontal section;   an opening formed on the inner surface of the reduced cross-sectional flow area that defines an inlet;   an opening formed on the outer surface of the substantially horizontal section that defines an outlet; and   a passageway extending between the inlet and the outlet to deliver steam from the inlet to the outlet.   
     
     
         9 . The well assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the reduced cross-sectional flow area comprises an inwardly tapered surface, an outwardly tapered surface, and a reduced diameter surface extending between the inwardly tapered surface and the outwardly tapered surface so that a velocity of the steam is increased by the inwardly tapered surface and the velocity of the steam is reduced by the outwardly tapered surface. 
     
     
         10 . The well assembly of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the reduced cross-sectional flow area comprises an inwardly tapered surface, an outwardly tapered surface, and a reduced diameter surface extending between the inwardly tapered surface and the outwardly tapered surface;   the inlet is formed on the reduced diameter surface; and   the inlet is axially closer to the heel portion than the outlet so that when steam is received by the passageway an axial momentum of the steam is maintained.   
     
     
         11 . The well assembly of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the reduced cross-sectional flow area comprises an inwardly tapered surface, an outwardly tapered surface, and a reduced diameter surface extending between the inwardly tapered surface and the outwardly tapered surface;   the inlet is formed on the reduced diameter surface; and   the inlet and the outlet are formed at substantially the same axial locations between the heel portion and the toe portion.   
     
     
         12 . The well assembly of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the reduced cross-sectional flow area comprises an inwardly tapered surface; and   the inlet is formed at least partially on the inwardly tapered surface.   
     
     
         13 . The well assembly of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the inwardly tapered surface is tapered about fifteen degrees from an axis of the substantially horizontal section; and   the inlet is about parallel to the axis of the substantially horizontal section.   
     
     
         14 . The well assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the passageway is normal to an axis of the string of tubing. 
     
     
         15 . The well assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the passageway extends fifteen degrees from the inner surface. 
     
     
         16 . The well assembly of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 an annulus formed in the outer surface of the string of tubing that extends around the circumference thereof, the annulus being in fluid communication with the outlet; and   a nozzle positioned within the annulus to control the flow of steam received from the outlet.   
     
     
         17 . A well assembly for injecting steam into a subterranean reservoir, the well assembly comprising:
 a string of tubing in fluid communication with a producing zone of a subterranean reservoir, the string of tubing having a substantially vertical section and a substantially horizontal section extending from a lower portion of the substantially vertical section, the substantially horizontal section defining at one end a heel portion and at an opposite end a toe portion;   a reduced cross-sectional flow area positioned between the heel portion and the toe portion of the substantially horizontal section, the reduced cross-sectional flow area comprising an inwardly tapered surface, an outwardly tapered surface, and a reduced diameter surface extending between the inwardly tapered surface and the outwardly tapered surface;   an opening formed on the inner surface of the reduced cross-sectional flow area that defines an inlet;   an opening formed on the outer surface of the substantially horizontal section that defines an outlet; and   a passageway extending between the inlet and the outlet such that steam received by the inlet is delivered to the outlet;   the inlet being formed in the string of tubing axially closer to the heel portion than the outlet so that when steam is received by the passageway an axial momentum of the steam is maintained.   
     
     
         18 . The well assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the inlet is formed on the reduced diameter surface. 
     
     
         19 . The well assembly of  claim 17 , wherein:
 the inwardly tapered surface is tapered about fifteen degrees from an axis of the substantially horizontal section; and   the inlet is formed at least partially on the inwardly tapered surface, the inlet being about parallel to the axis of the substantially horizontal section.   
     
     
         20 . The well assembly of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 an annulus formed in the outer surface of the string of tubing that extends around the circumference thereof, the annulus being in fluid communication with the outlet; and   a nozzle positioned within the annulus to control the flow of steam received from the outlet.