Increasing hydrocarbon recovery from reservoirs

Abstract

A method, system and apparatus for producing hydrocarbons from a low permeability reservoir formation. A wellbore ( 3 ) with a plurality of fractures ( 7, 9 ) designated as one of a first ( 7 ) or a second ( 9 ) set of fractures is provided. A first fluid conduit ( 11 ) is formed by an annulus between an outer casing ( 10 ) of a tubular and an inner tubular ( 16 ) member, and is arranged to transport produced hydrocarbons. An interior of the inner tubular member forms a second fluid conduit ( 12 ) which is arranged to transport an injection fluid. A set of first openings ( 14 ) is provided in fluid connection with the first fluid conduit, each first opening being located to substantially align with one of a first set of fractures. A set of second openings ( 15 ) is provided in fluid connection with the second fluid conduit, each second opening being located to substantially align with one of a second set of fractures. A high pressure fluid is injected into the second set of fractures, which pushes hydrocarbons located in the low permeability reservoir towards the first set of fractures, thereby increasing the recovery rate of hydrocarbons in the low permeability reservoir.

1 . A method of completing a well for producing hydrocarbons from a low permeability reservoir formation, the method comprising:
 drilling a wellbore into the low permeability reservoir formation;   performing a hydraulic fracturing operation to induce a plurality of fractures in the reservoir at known locations;   designating a first set of fractures and a second set of fractures;   completing the well using a tubular, the tubular comprising an outer casing and a tubular inner member disposed within the outer casing, wherein the tubular inner member and the outer casing define an annulus, the annulus forming a first fluid conduit arranged to transport produced hydrocarbons, and an interior of the inner tubular member forming a second fluid conduit arranged to transport an injection fluid, a set of first openings in fluid connection with the first fluid conduit, each first opening being located to substantially align with one of the first set of fractures, and a set of second openings in fluid connection with the second fluid conduit, each second opening being located to substantially align with one of the second set of fractures.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising providing a valve to at least some of the first set of openings, the valve arranged to control a flow of hydrocarbons into the first fluid conduit. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising providing a valve to at least some of the second set of openings, the valve arranged to control a flow of injection fluid from the second fluid conduit. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising providing at least one packer disposed in proximity to an opening of the first set of openings and a further packer disposed in proximity to an opening of the second set of openings, wherein the packers are arranged to ensure no fluid connection between the first set of openings and the second set of openings. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the low porosity reservoir formation comprises a shale formation. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the first set of fractures and the second set of fractures are disposed along a main axis of the well such that a fracture of the first set of fractures alternates with a fracture of the second set of fractures. 
     
     
         7 . A method of producing hydrocarbons from a low permeability reservoir formation, the method comprising, in a well in a low permeability reservoir formation, the well comprising a plurality of hydraulic fractures, each fracture being designated as one of a first set of fractures and a second set of fractures:
 injecting an injection fluid from an inner tubular member disposed in an outer casing of a tubular into at least one of the second set of fractures to increase a pressure in the low permeability reservoir; and   producing hydrocarbons from at least one of the first set of fractures such that the hydrocarbons flow into an annular portion of the tubular defined by the outer casing and the inner tubular member.   
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7 , further comprising controlling a flow of hydrocarbons into the production tubular using a valve 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 7 , further comprising controlling a flow of injection fluid using a further valve. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 7 , further comprising providing at least one packer disposed in proximity to an opening of the first set of openings and a further packer disposed in proximity to an opening of the second set of openings, wherein the packers are arranged to ensure no fluid connection between the first set of openings and the second set of openings. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the injection fluid comprises a gas. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the injection of injection fluid occurs simultaneously with the production of hydrocarbons. 
     
     
         13 . A tubular for producing hydrocarbons from a low permeability reservoir formation, the tubular comprising:
 an outer casing;   a tubular inner member disposed within the outer casing, wherein the tubular inner member and the outer casing define an annulus;   wherein the annulus forms a first fluid conduit arranged to transport produced hydrocarbons;   an interior of the tubular inner member forms a second fluid conduit arranged to transport an injection fluid;   a first opening in the outer casing in fluid connection with the first fluid conduit, the first opening arranged to substantially align with a first fracture in the formation; and   a second opening in the outer casing in fluid connection with the second fluid conduit, the second opening arranged to substantially align with a second fracture in the formation.   
     
     
         14 . The tubular according to  claim 13 , wherein the first opening further comprises a valve, the valve arranged to control a flow of hydrocarbons into the first fluid conduit. 
     
     
         15 . The tubular according to  claim 13 , wherein the second opening further comprises a second valve, the second valve arranged to control a flow of injection fluid out of the second fluid conduit. 
     
     
         16 . The tubular according to  claim 13 , further comprising a first packer disposed in proximity to the first opening and a second packer disposed in proximity to the second opening, wherein the packers are arranged to ensure no fluid connection between the first opening and the second opening. 
     
     
         17 . A system for producing hydrocarbons from a low permeability reservoir formation, the system comprising:
 a wellbore in the low permeability reservoir formation, the wellbore having plurality of fractures in the formation induced by hydraulic fracturing at known locations;   a tubular comprising an outer casing and an inner tubular member, the outer casing and the inner tubular member forming an annulus therebetween;   the annulus forming a first fluid conduit located in the wellbore and arranged to transport produced hydrocarbons;   an interior of the inner tubular member forming a second fluid conduit located in the wellbore and arranged to transport an injection fluid;   a set of first openings in fluid connection with the first fluid conduit, each first opening being located to substantially align with one of a first set of fractures;   and a set of second openings in fluid connection with the second fluid conduit, each second opening being located to substantially align with one of a second set of fractures.   
     
     
         18 . The system according to  claim 17 , further comprising a valve at at least some of the first set of openings, the valve arranged to control a flow of hydrocarbons into the tubular. 
     
     
         19 . The system according to  claim 17 , further comprising a further valve at at least some of the second set of openings, the valve arranged to control a flow of injection fluid from the tubular. 
     
     
         20 . The system according to  claim 17 , further comprising at least one packer disposed in proximity to each opening of the first set of openings and a further packer disposed in proximity to each opening of the second set of openings, wherein the packers are arranged to ensure no fluid connection between the first set of openings and the second set of openings. 
     
     
         21 . The system according to  claim 17 , further comprising:
 a second wellbore in the low porosity reservoir formation, the second wellbore having plurality of fractures induced by hydraulic fracturing at known locations, and the second wellbore being located adjacent to the wellbore.   
     
     
         22 . The system according to  claim 17 , wherein a fracture of the plurality of fractures of the wellbore substantially aligns with a fracture of plurality of fractures of the second wellbore.