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McMilleu
[45]
[54]
Date of Patent:
4 9 531 a 586
Jul. 30, 1985
3,554,289
1/1971
3,881,550
5/1975
Barry
..... .. 166/303 X
Inventor:
[73]
Asslgmeiz
4,280,559
7/1981
4,293,035
10/1981
Filed:
166/305 R X
Best . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . ..
Fitch
166/303
166/271 X
Dec. 21 1983
.............................. ..
166/263
[58]
[56]
References Cited
2,927,639
166/305 R
2,998,066
8/1961
166/305 R
3,295,601
1/ 1967
10 Claims, No Drawings
4,531,586
a practical procedure.
It is the unexpected discovery of this invention that
the production of heavy oil can be greatly increased by
solvent dilution of heavy crude alone, the dilution re
production.
Production, when commenced after solvent injection
is completed, should be maintained continuously. Any
shut-down should be kept under48 hours, preferably
under 24 hours. Production should be continued until
by resumed production.
formation; and
(b) thereafter producing a solvent-oil mixture.
DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS
As used in speci?cation and claims, heavy crude oil
is a viscous crude oil that has poor flow characteristics
in the reservoir. In general, it is a crude oil that has a
API gravity of about 20 degrees or lower.
The solvent used should be substantially, but not
4,531,586
returning ?uids.
ing Table:
TABLE
Injected
Volume
(Bbl
which comprises:
(a) injecting into the reservoir a liquid solvent having
Total
Incre
mental
Production
Production
Average
Test
of
Solvent
of oil-bearing formation.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the producing in
Fraction
Cycle
Solvent)
(Bbl
Oil)
(Bbl
Oil)
Rate
(BOPD)
Period
(Days)
Recover
ed %
1
2
3
4
5
385
401
394
1181
401
921
935
1022
2302
892
230
227
280
350
185
14.9
14.8
15.0
12.3
13.6
36
36
42
91
36
89
97
97
97
101
25 about 100.
are repeated.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the solvent is a
previous cycle.
55
65