Patent ID: 9388676
Filing Date: 2016-07-12
CPC Classification: E21B

Claim Text:
1. A method for recovering oil or bitumen from a development region of a hydrocarbon-containing subterranean formation utilizing a modified steam assisted gravity drainage production well, wherein the well is modified to comprise a plurality of substantially parallel horizontal collector wells, the method comprising the steps of: (i) drilling an injection well having a vertical or inclined portion and further having a horizontal portion extending into said development region adapted for injecting a medium comprising a heated fluid or viscosity-reducing agent into said development region; (ii) drilling a production well having a common downwardly extending inclined or vertical shaft portion and, using multi-lateral well drilling techniques, drilling said plurality of substantially parallel horizontal collector wells each extending outwardly therefrom into said development region, each of said plurality of substantially parallel horizontal collector wells extending parallel and proximate to said horizontal portion of said injection well but spaced vertically below said horizontal portion of said injection well; (iii) injecting a medium comprising a heated fluid or viscosity-reducing agent into said injection well and thereby into the development region via said horizontal portion of said injection well to mobilize oil or bitumen; and (iv) collecting, via said plurality of substantially parallel horizontal collector wells, said mobilized oil or bitumen from said development region that has flowed into said plurality of substantially parallel horizontal collector wells; and (v) producing said mobilized oil or bitumen to surface, wherein at least two of said plurality of substantially parallel horizontal collector wells are drilled for every injection well that is drilled.