Enhanced oil recovery techniques - petrofed.winwinho...

Thermal EOR ProcessIn-situ Combustion ProcessThis process involves starting a fire in the reservoir and injectingair to sustain the burning of some of the crude oil, usually incombination with water. A combustion front is formed at whichthe injected air burns a small portion of the reservoir oil. Theprocess combustion can be achieved through low temperatureoxidation and high temperature oxidation. Low temperatureoxidation is suited for light oil. Hot flue gas and steam resultingfrom combustion and water vaporization displace the oil aheadof the combustion front. Vaporization of the light ends andthermal cracking also occur. Ahead of the combustion front, thevaporized light ends condense, providing some assistance todisplacement by solvent dilution of the virgin crude.