Patent ID: 9022119
Filing Date: 2015-05-05
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
1. A well assembly for injecting steam into a subterranean reservoir, the well assembly comprising: a string of tubing in fluid communication with a producing zone of a subterranean reservoir, the string of tubing comprising a substantially vertical section and a substantially horizontal section extending from a lower portion of the substantially vertical section, the substantially horizontal section defining at one end a heel portion and at an opposite end a toe portion; a reduced cross-sectional flow area positioned between the heel portion and the toe portion of the substantially horizontal section, the reduced cross-sectional flow area comprising an inwardly tapered surface; an opening formed on the inner surface of the substantially horizontal section that defines an inlet, the inlet is formed at least partially on the inwardly tapered surface; an opening formed on the outer surface of the substantially horizontal section that defines an outlet; a passageway extending between the inlet and the outlet such that steam received by the inlet is delivered to the outlet; and the inlet being formed in the string of tubing axially closer to the heel portion than the outlet so that when steam is received by the passageway an axial momentum of the steam is maintained for a steam quality difference between the inlet and the outlet ranging from −15 to +15 stem quality units; and wherein the injected steam is a two-phase steam having a steam quality of less than 100% and over 40%.