Electromagnetic Assisted Ceramic Materials for Heavy Oil Recovery and In-Situ Steam Generation

• US 20150021013A1
• Filed: 01/06/2014
• Published: 01/22/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Government of Saudi Arabia)
• Original Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Government of Saudi Arabia)
• Inventors: Batarseh, Sameeh Issa
• Granted Patent: US 9,353,612 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 166/248
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/24 using heat, e.g. steam injection
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/2401 by means of electricity
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/2406 Steam assisted gravity drainage [SAGD]
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/2408 SAGD in combination with other methods
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/04 Adaptation for subterranean or subaqueous use
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 6/108 for heating a fluid
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 6/36 Coil arrangements

Abstract

The disclosure provides a downhole tool, and method of using the downhole tool, for enhancing recovery of heavy oil from a formation. A method for enhancing recovery of heavy oil from a formation includes placing a downhole tool in a first wellbore. The downhole tool has an outer core having at least one ceramic portion and at least one electromagnetic antenna located within the outer core. Electromagnetic radiation is emitted from the at least one electromagnetic antenna to heat the at least one ceramic portion.

Claims

1. A method of for enhancing recovery of heavy oil from a formation, comprising:

placing a downhole tool in a first wellbore, the downhole tool comprising an outer core having at least one ceramic portion and at least one electromagnetic antenna located within the outer core; and

emitting electromagnetic radiation from the at least one electromagnetic antenna to heat the at least one ceramic portion.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the downhole tool further comprises an inner core and the at least one ceramic portion comprises at least one mesh ceramic portion the method further comprising injecting a fluid into the inner core and flowing the fluid from the inner core through the at least one mesh ceramic portion to the formation.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising converting the fluid from liquid to steam as it flows through the at least one mesh ceramic portion.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the fluid is water.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of heating the at least one ceramic portion comprises heating the at least one ceramic portion to at least about 1000°

C.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of emitting electromagnetic radiation comprises emitting electromagnetic radiation with frequency ranges from 300 MHz to 300 GHz.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the downhole tool further comprises an inner core and the at least one ceramic portion comprises at least one mesh ceramic portion, the method further comprising:

injecting a proppant comprising ceramic particles into the inner core; and

heating the ceramic particles in the proppant with the electromagnetic radiation from the at least one electromagnetic antenna as the proppant flows from the inner core through the at least one mesh ceramic portion to the formation.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the ceramic particles range in size from about 106 micrometers to about 2.36 millimeters.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the ceramic particles are less than 2 micrometers.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the downhole tool further comprises an inner core and the at least one ceramic portion comprises at least one mesh ceramic portion, the method further comprising:

injecting a fluid into the inner core;

converting the fluid from liquid to steam as it flows through the at least one mesh ceramic portion;

placing production tubing in a second wellbore below the first wellbore;

reducing the viscosity of heavy oil located in the formation with the steam to produce a reduced viscosity heavy oil;

draining the reduced viscosity heavy oil to a region containing the second wellbore;

flowing the reduced viscosity heavy oil into the production tubing to be produced from the formation.

11. A method of for enhancing recovery of heavy oil from a formation, comprising:

placing a downhole tool in a wellbore, the downhole tool comprising an inner core that is operable to allow the flow of fluid, an outer core comprising at least one mesh ceramic portion and at least one solid ceramic portion, and at least one electromagnetic antenna disposed between the inner core and outer core;

emitting electromagnetic radiation from the at least one electromagnetic antenna to heat the at least one mesh ceramic portion and the at least one solid ceramic portion to a temperature higher than the boiling point of the fluid;

injecting the fluid into the inner core;

flowing the fluid from the inner core through the at least one mesh ceramic portion to the formation;

converting the fluid to steam as it flows through the at least one mesh ceramic portion.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the fluid is water.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of heating the at least one mesh ceramic portion and the at least one solid ceramic portion comprises heating the at least one mesh ceramic portion and the at least one solid ceramic portion to at least about 1000°

C.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of emitting electromagnetic radiation comprises emitting electromagnetic radiation with frequency ranges from 300 MHz to 300 GHz.

15. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

injecting a proppant comprising ceramic particles into the inner core; and

heating the ceramic particles in the proppant with the electromagnetic radiation from the at least one electromagnetic antenna as the proppant flows from the inner core through the at least one mesh ceramic portion to the formation.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the ceramic particles range in size from about 106 micrometers to about 2.36 millimeters.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the ceramic particles are less than 2 micrometers.

18. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

placing production tubing in a second wellbore below the first wellbore;

reducing the viscosity of heavy oil located in the formation with the steam to produce a reduced viscosity heavy oil;

draining the reduced viscosity heavy oil to a region containing the second wellbore;

flowing the reduced viscosity heavy oil into the production tubing to be produced from the formation.