Crisman Annual Report 2009 - Harold Vance Department of ...
Crisman Annual Report 2009 - Harold Vance Department of ...
Crisman Annual Report 2009 - Harold Vance Department of ...
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Combustion Assisted Gravity Drainage (CAGD): An In-Situ Combustion Method<br />
to Recover Heavy Oil and Bitumen from Geologic Formations using a Horizontal<br />
Injector-Producer Pair<br />
Objectives<br />
In-situ combustion (ISC) is a recovery process<br />
particularly suitable for heavy oil reservoirs at<br />
depths greater than 3500 ft when steam injection<br />
is not feasible due to severe wellbore heat losses.<br />
We have developed a method in which a horizontal<br />
air injector is placed above a horizontal producer<br />
(Fig. 1). In this Combustion Assisted Gravity<br />
Drainage (CAGD) method, a heated chamber is<br />
created that would more uniformly transfer heat<br />
from the combustion front. Mobilized oil is produced<br />
by gravity drainage to the lower horizontal well.<br />
Gravity segregation enhances air flow to propagate<br />
the combustion front. Main research objectives are<br />
as follows:<br />
» Assess CAGD using Computer Modelling Group<br />
(CMG) simulator<br />
» Conduct experiments using a scaled 3D physical<br />
model to test viability <strong>of</strong> CAGD for heavy oil and<br />
Cold Lake bitumen<br />
» Compare CAGD and toe-to-heel air injection<br />
(THAI) processes<br />
» Using CMG simulator, history-match laboratory<br />
CAGD results and scale up to field conditions<br />
experimental results and scale up to field conditions<br />
and evaluate CAGD.<br />
Accomplishments<br />
A 50 cm x 15 cm x 35 cm Cartesian simulation<br />
model was constructed representing the half<br />
symmetry element <strong>of</strong> a 750 m long x 56 m width x<br />
35 m thick drainage volume; we placed the injector<br />
at 7 m above the reservoir base with a producer<br />
5 m below the injector. The model was based on<br />
typical Athabasca oil and rock properties. Runs<br />
were made to compare CAGD with steam assisted<br />
gravity drainage (SAGD) and THAI. Results indicate<br />
CAGD to have the highest oil production with the<br />
lowest energy consumption (Figs. 2 and 3).<br />
The physical model, measuring 60 cm x 40 cm x 15<br />
cm, is nearly completed (Fig. 4). The steel sides<br />
will be lined with ceramic fiber insulation. Seventy<br />
two thermocouples will measure temperature in the<br />
sandmix with an operating pressure at about 30<br />
psig.<br />
CRISMAN INSTITUTE<br />
Fig. 1. Schematic illustration <strong>of</strong> CAGD.<br />
Approach<br />
We will conduct a simulation using CMG for a<br />
preliminary evaluation <strong>of</strong> CAGD. If simulation<br />
results show CAGD to be promising, we will conduct<br />
experimental runs using a physical model to evaluate<br />
performance <strong>of</strong> CAGD. We will also history match<br />
40<br />
Project Information<br />
1.3.24 Combustion Assisted Gravity Drainage (CAGD):<br />
An In-Situ Combustion Method to Recover Heavy Oil and<br />
Bitumen from Geologic Formations using a Horizontal<br />
Injector-Producer Pair<br />
Related Publications<br />
Greaves, M., Xia, T.X. and Turta, A.T. Stability <strong>of</strong> THAI<br />
Process-Theoretical and Experimental Observations. Paper<br />
presented at the 2007 Canadian International Petroleum<br />
Conference, Calgary, Alberta, 12-14 June.<br />
Contacts<br />
Daulat Mamora<br />
979.845.2962<br />
daulat.mamora@pe.tamu.edu<br />
Hamid Rahnema<br />
<strong>Crisman</strong> <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> <strong>2009</strong>
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