Cenovus Energy Inc.
NON-CONDENSABLE GAS MANAGEMENT DURING PRODUCTION OF IN-SITU HYDROCARBONS

Abstract:

Methods for producing hydrocarbons from subterranean reservoirs are disclosed herein. The methods utilize a production well that comprises a plurality of fluid-inlet components that are spaced apart to define a plurality of production-well fluid-inlet zones. The methods comprise injecting an injection fluid comprising a non-condensable gas (NCG) into the reservoir, such that a drainage fluid comprising at least a portion of the NCG occupies the production-well fluid-inlet zones. The method further comprises modulating the gas phase:liquid phase ratio of a production fluid by orchestrating variations in pump speed and the flow states of the plurality of fluid-inlet components to prioritize hydraulic communication with a subset of the plurality of production-well fluid-inlet zones that are not plagued by high NCG content.