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Creating fluid injectivity in tar sands formations

  • US 7,730,947 B2
  • Filed: 10/19/2007
  • Issued: 06/08/2010
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2006
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A method for treating a tar sands formation, comprising:

  • heating a portion of a hydrocarbon layer in the formation from one or more heaters located in the portion;

    controlling the heating to increase the permeability of at least part of the portion to create an injection zone in the portion with an average permeability sufficient to allow injection of a fluid through the injection zone;

    controlling the pressure in the portion such that the pressure is below the fracture pressure of the portion;

    providing a drive fluid and/or an oxidizing fluid into the injection zone; and

    producing at least some hydrocarbons from the portion, wherein the injection zone is above a portion of the formation from which the hydrocarbons are produced.

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