SYSTEMS AND METHODS THAT UTILIZE A DUAL-DUTY AGENT TO INCREASE VISCOUS HYDROCARBON PRODUCTION FROM A SUBTERRANEAN FORMATION

摘要

Systems and methods for enhancing production of viscous hydrocarbons from asubterranean formation. The systems and methods include supplying a dual-dutyagent andan oxidant to the subterranean formation and combusting a combusted portion ofthedual-duty agent with the oxidant to heat a heated zone of the subterraneanformation. The systemsand methods further include flowing an uncombusted portion of the dual-dutyagent throughthe heated zone to heat the uncombusted portion of the dual-duty agent andgenerate a heateddual-duty agent. The systems and methods also include contacting the viscoushydrocarbonswith the heated dual-duty agent to generate heated and diluted hydrocarbonsthat have alower viscosity than a viscosity of the viscous hydrocarbons.