Well injection and production method and system

Abstract

A method and system for enhancing petroleum production are provided, in which petroleum is displaced from a fractured formation by selectively injecting fluid into selected fractures in the formation without injecting into the other non-selected fractures. The injected fluid flows out into the fractured formation and enhances recovery from the non-selected fractures. Petroleum is selectively collected from the non-selected fractures.

Description

PRIORITY APPLICATION[0001]This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61 / 763,743, filed Feb. 12, 2013.FIELD[0002]The invention relates to a method and a system for petroleum production, and more specifically to a method and a system for enhancing petroleum production in a well.BACKGROUND[0003]Petroleum recovery from subterranean formations (sometimes also referred to as “reservoirs”) typically commences with primary production (i.e. use of initial reservoir energy to recover petroleum). Since reservoir pressure depletes through primary production, primary production is sometimes followed by the injection of fluids, including for example water, hydrocarbons, chemicals, etc., into a wellbore in communication with the reservoir to maintain the reservoir pressure and to displace (sometimes also referred to as “sweep”) petroleum out of the reservoir. One issue with injecting fluids to enhance petroleum recovery is how to efficiently sweep the reservoir fluid...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a method and system for producing petroleum from a well with fractures in a formation. The method involves creating zones in the well section that communicate with the fractures and selectively injecting fluid into these zones. The system includes a conduit and flow regulators for controlling fluid communication between the wellbore and the fractures. The technical effects of this invention include improved petroleum production from wells with fractures and better control over the production process.

Problems solved by technology

One issue with injecting fluids to enhance petroleum recovery is how to efficiently sweep the reservoir fluids and expedite production.

This reduction in reservoir pressure usually causes a decline in production rates from the well.

Further, the permeability of the desired production fluid (i.e. liquid petroleum) within the reservoir rock reduces in the presence of another phase (e.g. gas phase).

These gas-phase constituents may collect near the well in any region of the reservoir where the pressure has reduced to below the bubble point, which may block liquid petroleum from producing into the wellbore.

However, the decline rates of these MFHW may be very severe, which provides an opportunity for using a method for enhancing petroleum recovery.

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