SINGLE HORIZONTAL WELLBORE PROCESS/APPARATUS FOR THE IN-SITU EXTRACTION OF VISCOUS OIL BY GRAVITY ACTION USING STEAM PLUS SOLVENT VAPOR

摘要

A conduction heating, gravity assisted, single well, process for removing viscous hydrocarbonaceous fluids from a reservoir penetrated by a horizontal wellbore. Steam and a gas soluble in hydrocarbon- aceous fluids are circulated into the wellbore at or below the reservoir pressure through an upper perforated conduit of the horizontal wellbore. Circulation is continued so as to allow steam to heat the reservoir by conductance while gas enters the hydrocarbonaceous fluids. Thus, heated hydrocarbon- aceous fluids having a reduced viscosity flow from the reservoir around the horizontal wellbore where the fluids are produced to the surface by a lower conduit within the horizontal wellbore. The lower conduit is open along its length so as to be in fluid communi- cation with the reservoir for the length of the horizontal wellbore.