Method for induced production of petroleum by means of horizontal fractures

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for produce viscous oil in wells through steam injection into horizontal fractures. The objective of the method is achieved through fracturing operations that form a horizontal fracture being this fracture sustained by a sustaining agent, for example, by a bauxite-type, that is resistant to steam in areas of the well ( 1, 11, 12 ) that reach the oil-producing formation ( 6 ) both in the bottom area ( 61 ) and in the top area ( 62 ). Vapor, associated or not with another fluid, for example, an organic solvent is injected into the producing well ( 1, 11, 12 ) displacing the oil of the formation in a linear manner and through gravity.

1 . Method for induced production of petroleum by means of horizontal fractures, characterized by the following steps in implementation in a single well:
 in one vertical well ( 1 ) perform an initial horizontal hydraulic fracture ( 51 ) in the bottom area ( 61 ) of an oil-producing formation ( 6 );   then perform another horizontal hydraulic fracture ( 52 ) in the same well ( 1 ) in the top area ( 62 ) of the same oil-producing formation ( 6 );   perform a well ( 1 ) completion operation with the installation of a double valve ( 41 ) through which an injection column ( 21 ) and a production column ( 22 ) pass in the area above the second fracture ( 52 ) and, the installation of a simple valve ( 42 ) through which the production column ( 22 ) passes in the area above the first fracture ( 51 ) and under the second fracture ( 52 );   inject steam through the injection column ( 21 ) into the second horizontal hydraulic fracture ( 52 ); and   recover the oil flowing from the first horizontal fracture ( 51 ) through the production column ( 22 ).   
   
   
       2 . Method for induced production of petroleum by means of horizontal fractures, characterized by the following steps in implementation in more than one well:
 in a first vertical well ( 11 ), perform a first horizontal hydraulic fracture ( 51 ) in the bottom area ( 61 ) of an oil-producing formation ( 6 );   in a second vertical well ( 12 ), perform a second horizontal hydraulic fracture ( 52 ) in the top area of the ( 62 ) same oil-producing formation ( 6 );   perform a well completion operation in the first well ( 11 ) with the installation of a single valve ( 42 ) through which a production column ( 22 ) passes in the area above the first fracture ( 51 );   perform a well completion operation in the second well ( 12 ) with the installation of a single value ( 42 ) through which an injection column ( 21 ) passes in the area above the second fracture ( 52 );   inject steam through the injection column ( 21 ) of the second well ( 12 ) into the second, horizontal hydraulic ( 52 ) fracture; and   recover oil flowing from the first, horizontal fracture ( 51 ) through the production column ( 22 ) of the first well ( 11 ).   
   
   
       3 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein the vertical wells ( 1 ,  11 ,  12 ) are new wells. 
   
   
       4 . Method according to  claim 2 , wherein the vertical wells ( 1 ,  11 ,  12 ) are new wells. 
   
   
       5 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein the vertical wells ( 1 ,  11 ,  12 ) are existing wells. 
   
   
       6 . Method according to  claim 2 , wherein the vertical wells ( 1 ,  11 ,  12 ) are existing wells. 
   
   
       7 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein the injection of steam in the interior of the second fracture ( 52 ) can be chosen by: steam injection only; steam injection with production-boosting fluids; cyclical steam injection; and continuous steam injection. 
   
   
       8 . Method according to  claim 2 , wherein the injection of steam into the second fracture ( 52 ) can be chosen by: steam injection only; steam injection with production-boosting fluids; cyclical steam injection; and continuous steam injection.