Well completion and related methods for enhanced recovery of heavy oil

Abstract

A well completion for use in enhanced recovery of heavy oil includes a compressor for pressurizing natural gas captured from a heavy oil formation to a specified pressure while maintaining the pressurized gas at a specified temperature by controlling conduction from the pressurized gas of adiabatic heat produced in its pressurization. The pressurized and heated natural gas is then reintroduced to the heavy oil formation to enhance production therefrom.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A well completion for use in enhanced recovery of heavy oil, said well completion comprising:
 means for capture from a heavy oil formation of natural gas;   means for pressurizing said captured natural gas, said means for pressurizing said captured natural gas comprising means for controlling the temperature of said pressurized natural gas; and   means for reintroduction to said formation of said pressurized captured natural gas.   
     
     
         2 . The well completion for use in enhanced recovery of heavy oil as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said means for pressurizing comprises a gas compressor. 
     
     
         3 . The well completion for use in enhanced recovery of heavy oil as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said gas compressor comprises a multistage compressor. 
     
     
         4 . The well completion as recited in  claim 3 , wherein said means for controlling the temperature of said pressurized natural gas comprises an interstage cooler associated with said multistage compressor. 
     
     
         5 . The well completion as recited in  claim 4 , wherein said interstage cooler comprises a radiator. 
     
     
         6 . The well completion as recited in  claim 5 , wherein said means for controlling the temperature of said pressurized natural gas further comprises means for controlling airflow about said radiator. 
     
     
         7 . The well completion as recited in  claim 6 , wherein said means for controlling airflow about said radiator comprises an adjustable louver. 
     
     
         8 . The well completion as recited in  claim 7 , wherein said adjustable louver is remotely operable. 
     
     
         9 . The well completion as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the operation of said adjustable louver is automated. 
     
     
         10 . The well completion for use in enhanced recovery of heavy oil as recited in  claim 9 , wherein said well completion further comprises means for introduction of remotely produced natural gas to said means for pressurizing. 
     
     
         11 . The well completion for use in enhanced recovery of heavy oil as recited in  claim 10 , wherein said means for introduction comprises an interface with a pipeline system. 
     
     
         12 . The well completion for use in enhanced recovery of heavy oil as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said means for introduction comprises a remotely operable valve system. 
     
     
         13 . The well completion for use in enhanced recovery of heavy oil as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the operation of said valve system is automated. 
     
     
         14 . The well completion for use in enhanced recovery of heavy oil as recited in  claim 13 , wherein said valve system is adapted to selectively control the direction of gas flow between said well completion and said pipeline system. 
     
     
         15 . A method for enhancing production of petroleum from a heavy oil formation, said method comprising the steps of:
 producing a hydrocarbon mixture from within a heavy oil formation;   extracting a quantity of natural formation gas from said hydrocarbon mixture;   pressurizing said quantity of natural formation gas to a specified pressure;   maintaining said pressurized natural formation gas at a specified temperature by controlling conduction from said pressurized natural formation gas of adiabatic heat produced in said pressurizing step; and   reintroducing said pressurized and heated natural formation gas to said heavy oil formation.   
     
     
         16 . A downhole tool for use in oilfield production, said downhole tool comprising:
 a packer body, said packer body comprising an upper surface, a lower surface and an interior region bounded by said upper surface and said lower surface;   a first tubular member, said first tubular member extending through said packer body to provide open communication between said upper surface and said lower surface; and   a second tubular member, said second tubular member originating above said upper surface of said packer body and terminating within said interior region of said packer body in an intersection with said first tubular member, said first tubular member comprising an orifice at said intersection.   
     
     
         17 . The downhole tool for use in oilfield production as recited in  claim 16 , said downhole tool further comprising an aspirator formed within said interior region of said packer body. 
     
     
         18 . The downhole tool for use in oilfield production as recited in  claim 17 , wherein said aspirator is formed at said intersection of said second tubular member with said first tubular member. 
     
     
         19 . The downhole tool for use in oilfield production as recited in  claim 18 , wherein said aspirator comprises a constriction formed in said second tubular member. 
     
     
         20 . The downhole tool for use in oilfield production as recited in  claim 19 , wherein said aspirator comprises an expansion formed in said first tubular member. 
     
     
         21 . The downhole tool for use in oilfield production as recited in  claim 18 , wherein said aspirator comprises an expansion formed in said first tubular member.