RIASSUNTO
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Introduction
Heavy oil is often found at shallow depths in unconsolidated sands. Furthermore these sands may be considerable thickness intercalated with shales. Under these conditions, the most efficient completion method is usually the open-hole gravel-pack (i.e. a slotted liner gravel-packed in an under-reemed hole).
In order to increase economic recovery from heavy oil reservoirs some method of reducing oil viscosity is required. For the past 15 years steam injection and, in particular, steam soak has proved to be a successful method.
However, under certain conditions, injection profiles are often poor and some method of selective steam injection is required to ensure the depletion of all principal sands.
A method has been developed and extensively field tested to inject steam selectively in a slotted liner completion gravel-packed in an under-reamed production section. production section.