Cenovus Energy has patented a method for producing hydrocarbons from subterranean reservoirs using a production well with multiple fluid-inlet components. By injecting a solvent, adjusting pump speed, and selectively actuating components based on gas content, the process optimizes production fluid composition. GlobalData’s report on Cenovus Energy gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
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According to GlobalData’s company profile on Cenovus Energy, Wellbore drilling optimization was a key innovation area identified from patents. Cenovus Energy's grant share as of March 2024 was 55%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
Method for producing hydrocarbons by modulating gas-liquid ratio
A recently granted patent (Publication Number: US11965403B2) outlines a method for producing hydrocarbons from a subterranean reservoir using a unique approach. The method involves injecting an injection fluid comprising a solvent into the reservoir through an injection well to mobilize hydrocarbons, leading to the formation of a drainage fluid in the production well. This drainage fluid consists of a liquid phase and a gas phase, with the gas phase containing a portion of the solvent. The production fluid is then produced at a specific rate via a pump, with the liquid and gas phases of the drainage fluid defining the liquid phase: gas phase ratio of the production fluid. The patent details a process of identifying higher-gas zones within the production well through distributed measurements of temperature or acoustic energy, and selectively actuating fluid-inlet components to optimize the liquid phase: gas phase ratio of the production fluid.
The patent further elaborates on the use of inflow-control devices, such as shiftable ports, to manage the flow of the drainage fluid and enhance the production process. These devices can be remotely operated and respond to changes in parameters like distributed acoustic sensing, distributed temperature sensing, or the liquid phase: gas phase ratio of the production fluid. The method also includes orchestrating variations in the pump speed to modulate the production-flow rate and account for the variations in the fluid-inlet components. Additionally, the patent specifies the composition of the injection fluid, which may include steam and a solvent like propane, butane, diluent, or natural gas condensate. Overall, the method described in the patent aims to optimize hydrocarbon production from subterranean reservoirs, particularly thin pay reservoirs, by efficiently managing the fluid dynamics within the production well.
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GlobalData’s Patent Analytics tracks patent filings and grants from official offices around the world. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
