Cenovus Energy Inc.
METHODS OF HYDROCARBON PRODUCTION ENHANCED BY IN-SITU SOLVENT DE-ASPHALTING

Abstract:

Disclosed herein are methods for producing hydrocarbons from a subterranean reservoir that is penetrated by an injection well and a production well. The methods comprise operating the injection well under a set of injection parameters and operating the production well under a set of production parameters to produce a production fluid that has an API gravity that changes over time (.DELTA.API) as the method is advanced towards an ultimate recovery factor (RF.sub.o,u) for the reservoir. The methods further comprises modulating the injection parameters, the production parameters, or a combination thereof to decrease or increase the API gravity of the production fluid depending on whether .DELTA.API and RF.sub.o,u satisfy a set of requirements as disclosed herein.