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Catalytic down-hole upgrading of heavy oil and oil sand bitumens

a technology of heavy oil and oil sand bitumen, applied in the direction of physical/chemical process catalysts, fluid removal, borehole/well accessories, etc., can solve the problems of difficult production and upgrading, the project of upgrading mostly does not provide a high degree of upgrading, and the reaction can be both destructive and non-destructiv

Inactive Publication Date: 2010-08-26
THE UNIV OF CALGARY
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
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  • Claims
  • Application Information

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Benefits of technology

The invention provides a method and system for upgrading heavy oil in a production well within a hydroprocessing zone. The method involves introducing a controlled amount of heat and a selected quantity of hydrogen to the hydroprocessing zone to promote a desired hydrocarbon upgrading reaction. The upgraded hydrocarbons are then recovered at the surface. The system includes a downhole heater, a hydrogen delivery system, and a surface recovery system. The method and system can be used in various oil production processes, such as steam flooding. The technical effects of the invention include improved heavy oil upgrading efficiency and reduced water contamination.

Problems solved by technology

Heavy oil and bitumen are highly viscous oils that are difficult to produce and require upgrading before being sent into refineries.
Costly processing methods and problematic transportation make heavy oils a reasonable substitute for conventional oil only when energy prices are high enough to justify their processing costs.
These upgrading projects mostly do not provide a high degree of upgrading in terms of contaminant removal and API gravity increase.
Such reactions can be both destructive and non-destructive.
The existence of sulfur and metals is a challenge in hydrotreating reactions because these compounds poison the catalyst.

Method used

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  • Catalytic down-hole upgrading of heavy oil and oil sand bitumens
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  • Catalytic down-hole upgrading of heavy oil and oil sand bitumens

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Embodiment Construction

[0097]In accordance with the invention and with reference to the figures, systems and methods for upgrading hydrocarbons within a petroleum reservoir are described. In particular, the methods enable upgrading of heavy, extra heavy and shale oils and bitumen within a production well bore using selective downhole heating elements, hydrogen and catalyst injection so as to integrate exploitation with in-situ upgrading. The methods of the invention are particularly applicable to steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) and vapor extraction (VAPEX), and cyclic steam stimulation (CSS) recovery methodologies.

[0098]In a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the invention provides a system for hydrocarbon upgrading in a well bore system having both horizontal and vertical sections. As discussed below, the methodologies of the invention may be applied to other EOR techniques including wells having only a single vertical section. As shown in FIG. 1, the horizontal section 10 serves to collect...

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Abstract

The invention relates to systems and methods for catalytic down-hole upgrading of heavy oil and oil sand bitumens. The method enables upgrading heavy oil in a production well within a hydroprocessing zone including the steps of: introducing a controlled amount of heat to the hydroprocessing zone; introducing a selected quantity of hydrogen to the hydroprocessing zone to promote a desired hydrocarbon upgrading reaction; and, recovering upgraded hydrocarbons at the surface. The invention further includes the hardware capable of performing the method.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The invention relates to systems and methods for catalytic down-hole upgrading of heavy oil and oil sand bitumens. The method enables upgrading heavy oil in a production well within a hydroprocessing zone including the steps of: introducing a controlled amount of heat to the hydroprocessing zone; introducing a selected quantity of hydrogen to the hydroprocessing zone to promote a desired hydrocarbon upgrading reaction; and, recovering upgraded hydrocarbons at the surface. The invention further includes the hardware capable of performing the method.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Heavy oil and bitumen are highly viscous oils that are difficult to produce and require upgrading before being sent into refineries. Costly processing methods and problematic transportation make heavy oils a reasonable substitute for conventional oil only when energy prices are high enough to justify their processing costs. Due to the sharp increase in oil prices in the 21st cent...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): E21B43/24
CPCB01J27/049E21B43/24B01J27/0515
Inventor MOINI ARAGHI, BEHDADKANTZAS, APOSTOLOSPEREIRA-ALMAO, PEDROLARTER, STEPHEN
Owner THE UNIV OF CALGARY
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