Cold heavy oil production with sand
Encyclopedia
Cold heavy oil production with sand (CHOPS) is a technique for extracting difficult heavy crude oil
where sand is used as a means enhancing the productivity of the oil well. CHOPS is now used as a "quasi primary" production approach in unconsolidated sandstone
s. Thousands of wells in Canada
are now stably producing oil through CHOPS.
Heavy crude oil
Heavy crude oil or extra heavy crude oil is any type of crude oil which does not flow easily. It is referred to as "heavy" because its density or specific gravity is higher than that of light crude oil. Heavy crude oil has been defined as any liquid petroleum with an API gravity less than 20°.Extra...
where sand is used as a means enhancing the productivity of the oil well. CHOPS is now used as a "quasi primary" production approach in unconsolidated sandstone
Sandstone
Sandstone is a sedimentary rock composed mainly of sand-sized minerals or rock grains.Most sandstone is composed of quartz and/or feldspar because these are the most common minerals in the Earth's crust. Like sand, sandstone may be any colour, but the most common colours are tan, brown, yellow,...
s. Thousands of wells in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
are now stably producing oil through CHOPS.