EXTRACTION OF HEAVY OIL AND BITUMEN USING VAPORIZED HYDROCARBON SOLVENTS

摘要

The huge natural resources present in the form of heavy oil and bitumen may be the principal source of fuel for human civilization in the coming century. However, due to very high viscosities of these crudes the use of conventional recovery techniques is not feasible. The viscosity decreases drastically with increase in temperature; this principle is utilized in thermal recovery processes like SAGD. Using long horizontal wells, very high production rates can be achieved in this process. However, steam processes suffer from energy inefficiency largely due to heat losses to the cap and base rock. This can be avoided if instead of steam, solvent is used to reduce viscosity.