Patent ID: 6158510
Filing Date: 2000-12-12
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
A system for distributing steam in a steam injection phase and for producing hydrocarbon fluids in a production phase from a horizontal well in a reservoir, comprising:a base pipe having a plurality of spaced-apart orifices in the wall thereof, wherein the plurality of orifices represent an open area in the base pipe of less than 0.5%; a plurality of second pipe sections disposed around the base pipe, and means for spacing each second pipe section from the base pipe to form an annulus between the base pipe and each second pipe section;each second pipe section having distribution means for distributing steam in the steam injection phase and for minimizing influx of particulate matter in the production phase; each second pipe disposed around the base pipe such that at least a portion of the distribution means is disposed over an orifice; andwhereby steam flowing through the base pipe flows outwardly through the plurality of orifices and is distributed outwardly to the reservoir through the distribution means during the steam injection phase; and, in the production phase, hydrocarbon fluids flow inwardly through the distribution means to the orifices and into the base pipe.