Global Patent Index - EP 2009231 A1

EP 2009231 A1 20081231 - Method of producing crude oil

Title (en)

Method of producing crude oil

Title (de)

Verfahren zur Produktion von Rohöl

Title (fr)

Procédé de production de pétrole brut

Publication

EP 2009231 A1 20081231 (EN)

Application

EP 07111358 A 20070629

Priority

EP 07111358 A 20070629

Abstract (en)

A method of producing crude oil, comprising: a) drilling a well (1) traversing a crude oil containing formation (2); b) creating a cavity (8) in the vicinity of the well; c) creating a flow channel (3A,3B) between the cavity and the well; d) inducing crude oil (20) to flow from the crude oil containing formation into the cavern the flow channel a section of the well, which is equipped with a valve (13); e) closing the valve when a substantial portion of the cavity is filled with crude oil; f) injecting water into the cavity, thereby inducing crude oil to flow from the cavity via the flow channel and the well to a wellhead (15) at the earth surface; g) interrupting water injection into the cavity when a substantial portion of the cavity is filled with water; h) pumping water from the cavity and filling at least a substantial portion of the cavity with a gaseous fluid; i) opening the valve and repeating steps d)-h). The method may make use of a one way valve (13) nitrogen and a salt layer (4).

IPC 8 full level

E21B 43/14 (2006.01); E21B 43/16 (2006.01); E21B 43/20 (2006.01); E21B 43/38 (2006.01)

CPC (source: EP US)

E21B 43/14 (2013.01 - EP US); E21B 43/162 (2013.01 - EP); E21B 43/166 (2013.01 - EP); E21B 43/18 (2013.01 - EP); E21B 43/20 (2013.01 - EP); E21B 43/38 (2013.01 - EP US)

Citation (search report)

Designated contracting state (EPC)

AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MT NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR

Designated extension state (EPC)

AL BA HR MK RS

DOCDB simple family (publication)

EP 2009231 A1 20081231

DOCDB simple family (application)

EP 07111358 A 20070629