Hot plate at Kern River

After more than 2 years of preparation, the first field test of the hot plate heavy oil recovery method is under way in the Kern River oil field in California. If the experimental technique proves successful, it could have significant implications for the production of heavy oil. The method was conceived as a means of making it possible to recover more oil in less time from fields like Kern River that contain the hard-to-produce heavy crude. Cornell Heavy Oil Process Incorporated began injecting hot water to clean out and test the system. The project involves a wide diameter vertical shaft with a cavern near the bottom from which 8 horizontal shafts have been drilled. The 8 laterals are near the base of the Kern River oil sand. They will serve as conduits through which steam will be injected to create an effect like putting the oil sand over a hot plate. It is anticipated that the application of heat to the Kern River oil sand will make it possible to recover ca. 75% of the oil in place.