Patent ID: 9670760
Date: 2017-06-06
CPC Classifications: C09K,C10G,E21B

Claim:
1. A process for in situ upgrading of a heavy hydrocarbon comprising the steps of: (a) positioning a well in a reservoir containing a heavy hydrocarbon having an initial API gravity of less than or equal to about 20, an n-heptane asphaltene content as measured by the ASTM D-6560 of at least about 1 wt. %, and a viscosity at 35° C. greater than about 350 centistokes (cSt); (b) injecting one or more hydrocarbon solvents and one or more asphaltene precipitant additives into the well in any order at a ratio by volume of the solvent to the heavy hydrocarbon of from about 0.1:1 to about 20:1 under reservoir conditions so as to provide a blend containing an upgraded hydrocarbon and precipitated asphaltenes in the reservoir, wherein the upgraded hydrocarbon has an improved API gravity greater than the initial API gravity, a reduced asphaltene content as compared with the heavy hydrocarbon, and a lower viscosity as compared with the heavy hydrocarbon and wherein the blend contains precipitated asphaltenes in a higher amount than in a similar blend not containing the one or more asphaltene precipitant additives; and (c) producing the upgraded hydrocarbon from the well without the precipitated asphaltenes such that the precipitated asphaltenes remain in the reservoir.