Crisman Annual Report 2009 - Harold Vance Department of ...

Experimental and Simulation Modeling Studies of Steam Assisted Gravity
Objectives
Our main research objectives are to conduct
experimental and simulation modeling studies to
investigate oil recovery mechanisms and steam
injection efficiency during production of heavy oil
under Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD).
Additionally, the research will also investigate the
feasibility of petroleum distillates as steam additives
to improve SAGD efficiency.
Approach
A 2-D scaled physical model made of Teflon has been
fabricated and successfully pressure tested. The
physical model will contain the sand mix, consisting
of sand and heavy oil (Athabasca oil). Expansion
of the steam chamber, its shape and area, and
temperature distribution (Fig.1) will be visualized
using a thermal (infra-red) video camera. Isotherms
and steam chamber interface will be analyzed to
study oil recovery and drainage mechanisms. Other
data including model pressure, steam injection rate,
oil and water production volumes will be recorded
using a data logger and a personal computer.
Simulation will be conducted to investigate the effect
of different solvent types and ratios on production
performance.
efficiency and steam injections. Co-injecting low
concentration ratios of multi-component solvents can
deliver higher production rates and recovery factors
along with taking advantage of both vaporized and
liquid solvents.
Experimental work will be continued to investigate
SAGD performance and steam injection efficiency
using Athabasca oil. Pure steam injection, coinjecting
different solvent, including pure solvent
and solvent mixture, and different solvent ratio
conditions will be studied.
Fig. 2. SAGD simulation shows the effect of different solvent types and
ratios on oil displacement.
CRISMAN INSTITUTE
Fig. 1. Typical photo captured by thermal (infra-red) video camera to
show steam chamber temperature distribution.
Accomplishments
Simulation of SAGD using CMG has been performed.
Results show solvent types and ratios affect
production performance (Fig.2). Meanwhile,
vaporized solvent can be delivered by steam to
the entire steam chamber to reduce the bitumen
viscosity. Liquid solvent accelerates near-well bore
flow, and so improves the mobility oil drainage
Project Information
1.3.13 Experimental and Analytical Modeling Studies of
Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) with NaOH and
Petroleum Distillate as Steam Additives
Related Publications
Butler, R.M. 1991 Thermal Recovery of Oil & Bitumen, 285-
359. Prentice Hall Inc., New Jersey.
Nasr, T.N., Beaulieu, G., Golbeck, H. and Heck, G. Novel
expanding solvent-SAGD process “ES-SAGD”. January
2003. J. Cdn. Pet. Tech. 42 (1): 13-16
Contacts
Daulat Mamora
979.845.2962
daulat.mamora@pe.tamu.edu
Weiqiang Li
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Crisman Annual Report 2009