John Lee Kirkpatrick

US Patent:

42744873, Jun 23, 1981

Filed:

Jan 11, 1979

Appl. No.:

6/002495

Inventors:

Frank H. Hollingsworth - Tulsa OK
George R. Jenkins - Edmonton, CA
John W. Kirkpatrick - Tulsa OK
Lawrence N. Mower - Tulsa OK

Assignee:

Standard Oil Company (Indiana) - Chicago IL

International Classification:

E21B 4324
E21B 43243

US Classification:

166261

Abstract:

A well which is to produce from a heavy oil or tar sands reservoir is thermally stimulated from another well located on the order of 10 to 50 feet away. This adjacent thermal stimulation well can be considered expendable. This thermal stimulation is continued for a number of days, until the hot zone produced extends beyond the location of the production well. Thereafter, the adjacent thermal stimulation well preferably is closed off during the course of the frontal thermal drive or the like from remote injection wells. However, such stimulation may be repeated later of if the oil or tar becomes too viscous in the pay zone near the production well.

US Patent:

42340420, Nov 18, 1980

Filed:

Jan 11, 1979

Appl. No.:

6/002496

Inventors:

John W. Kirkpatrick - Tulsa OK
Lawrence N. Mower - Tulsa OK

Assignee:

Standard Oil Company (Indiana) - Chicago IL

International Classification:

E21B 43243
E21B 4325

US Classification:

166261

Abstract:

In the course of completing a production well in a heavy oil or tar sand reservoir arranged for frontal displacement, thermal drive from at least one injection well, the well is divided into separate, non-communicating lower and upper zones. The lower is connected with the reservoir by perforations; the upper by a large gravel packed zone and preferably a sand screen. The completion process involves starting a local combustion drive adjacent to the bottom of the well by injecting compressed air through the perforations while preventing upward migration of the combustion zone in the vicinity of the well by injection of water or dilute aqueous soap solution through the screen and gravel packed zone. After a suitable time, generally of the order of a month or less, air injection is stopped. Production is started through the screen (no workover or killing operation needed).