Patent ID: 8528642

Claim:
A system for distributing a viscosity reducing injectant, in an injection phase and for producing hydrocarbons in a production phase from a well in a reservoir, comprising: a base pipe having a plurality of spaced-apart slots in a wall of the base pipe, wherein the plurality of spaced-apart slots represent an open area in the base pipe of less than 0.5%, and wherein the plurality of spaced-apart slots are sized to limit influx of particulate matter in the production phase; a plurality of second pipe sections around the base pipe, and a spacing element for spacing each of the plurality of second pipe sections from the base pipe to form an annulus between the base pipe and each of the plurality of second pipe sections; each of the plurality of second pipe sections having a distribution element for distributing the injectant in the injection phase and for limiting influx of particulate matter in the production phase; each of the plurality of second pipe sections around the base pipe such that at least a portion of the distribution element is over at least one of the plurality of spaced-apart slots, wherein the injectant flowing through the base pipe flows outwardly through the plurality of spaced-apart slots and is distributed outwardly to the reservoir through the distribution element during the injection phase; and, in the production phase, hydrocarbons flow inwardly through the distribution element to the plurality of spaced-apart slots and into the base pipe; and at least two first dividers between the base pipe and each of the plurality of second pipe sections compartmentalizing the annulus into first compartments for feeding the inwardly flowing hydrocarbons to at least one of the plurality of spaced-apart slots.