Steam Assisted Gravity Drain

Abstract

A steam assisted gravity drain for heavy oil, comprising a body sub-assembly having first and second ends; a top sub insertable into the body sub-assembly; a bottom sub insertable into the body sub-assembly; first and second diffuser caps encircling the top sub and the bottom sub, respectively; a plurality of radially arranged flow tubes extending between the diffuser caps and the body sub-assembly; and a sliding sleeve extending between the top and bottom subs. A method of flow conditioning for heavy oil pipelines, comprising the steps of attaching a plurality of steam assisted gravity drains in a closed position to a liner; running the drains vertically downhole into the horizontal leg of a well; and running a shifting tool downhole and selectively opening the sleeve of the drain by stabbing the shifting tool into the sleeve and pulling the sleeve back.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A steam assisted gravity drain for use with heavy oil, comprising:
 a body sub-assembly having first and second ends;   a top sub insertable into the first end of the body sub-assembly;   a bottom sub insertable into the second end of the body sub-assembly;   first and second diffuser caps encircling the top sub at the first end of the body sub-assembly and the bottom sub at the second end of the body sub-assembly, respectively;   a plurality of radially arranged flow tubes extending between the diffuser caps and the body sub-assembly; and   a sliding sleeve extending between the top and bottom subs.   
     
     
         2 . A method of flow conditioning for heavy oil pipelines, comprising the steps of:
 a) attaching a plurality of steam assisted gravity drains in a closed position to a liner;   b) running the drains vertically downhole into the horizontal leg of a well; and   c) running a shifting tool downhole and selectively opening the sleeve of the drain by stabbing the shifting tool into the sleeve and pulling the sleeve back.