Natural reservoir pressure or simple mechanical pumps are the two most common approaches used to raise oil to the surface. Most heavy oil reserves have to be pumped. Several recovery techniques can be considered for heavy oil in primary production:
Horizontal and Multilateral Wells
Horizontal and multilateral wellbores provide a way to increase pay zone contact in your field with ever faster and more accurate drilling technologies, supported with appropriate completions systems to maximize production.
Cold Heavy Oil Production with Sand (CHOPS)
CHOPS can be very effective, even in thin beds where other methods are inefficient. CHOPS system design requires a good understanding of the production mechanisms based on operational experience. This understanding must include the consequences of high levels of sand production and the fact that very high drawdown can lead to water production, which will reduce recovery. In CHOPS, vertical wells are drilled into the zone of interest, and sand production is encouraged using special screens and slotted liners. Producing sand from unconsolidated formations produces “wormholes” which facilitate oil flow to the surface by creating liquefied zones around the borehole surrounded by areas of high permeability.
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