Patent ID: 6708759
Filing Date: 2004-03-23
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
A process for recovering viscous oil from a subterranean deposit penetrated by at least one well, which process comprises:(a) injecting steam into said deposit and then; (b) shutting said steam in said deposit to lower viscosity of at least a portion of said viscous oil and then; (c) recovering oil of lowered viscosity from said deposit; and (d) repeating steps (a) to (c) to form a steam chamber in said deposit and then; (e) co-injecting steam and a hydrocarbon solvent into said deposit and then; (f) shutting said steam and said hydrocarbon solvent in said deposit to lower viscosity of at least a portion of said viscous oil and then; (g) recovering oil of lowered viscosity from said deposit; and (h) optionally, repeating steps (e) to (g).