Experimental Analysis of Water/Oil Displacement Tests in Horizontal Pipe

SPE Journal ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Roberto Fernando Leuchtenberger ◽  
Jorge Luiz Biazussi ◽  
William Monte Verde ◽  
Marcelo de Souza Castro ◽  
Antonio Carlos Bannwart
Keyword(s):  
Viscous Liquid ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Cold Water ◽  
Tap Water ◽  
Logistic Function ◽  
Oil Field ◽  
Injection Velocity ◽  
Internal Diameter ◽  
Oil Viscosity ◽  
Horizontal Pipe

Summary Production shutdowns occur often throughout the life cycle of an oil field. In offshore fields, shutdown situations are accompanied by an intense heat exchange between pipeline and cold water, which exponentially increases oil viscosity. Such an event may lead to serious difficulty to restart the production, or even render it unfeasible, especially for heavy oil fields. Therefore, a preventive procedure is required to remove the ultraviscous oil from pipelines and risers; for example, by pumping diesel or methanol in a flush procedure. Designing an efficient cleanup procedure is therefore essential in terms of time, amount of fluid injected, and pumping system requirements. However, the amount of research published in this area is limited. In this paper, we propose a comprehensive analysis on how the displacement of a viscous liquid by a less-viscous liquid occurs in a pipeline through footages in different segments, varying the injection velocity. Two mineral oils with different viscosities and tap water were used as working fluids for this study. The experimental setup was built with a horizontal 10-m-long acrylic pipe with 19-mm internal diameter. Two high-speed cameras were placed both in the inlet and outlet segments. Our results demonstrate how water displaces viscous oil in a pipeline, showing different flow configurations as superficial water velocity increases, depending on the oil viscosity and distance from the inlet. A dimensionless analysis was performed by a combination of the forces that govern the flow and dimensionless groups found in literature. The results show an expected area of optimum values regarding cleaning time according to flow configuration. A unidimensional model using a logistic function was proposed and showed a good agreement with the experimental data. The model itself proven to be an easy tool for industry and academic purposes, supporting even more robust and elaborated models in the future. NOTE: Supplemental material is available with this paper and is available online under the Supplementary Data heading at https://doi.org/10.2118/205356-PA.

An Experimental Study of Steam-Assisted Gravity Drainage Using A Large-Scale Physical Model

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kai Sheng ◽  
Ryosuke Okuno ◽  
Muhammad Imran ◽  
Tomomi Yamada
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Study ◽  
History Matching ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Cold Water ◽  
Carbon Number ◽  
Volatile Components ◽  
Internal Diameter ◽  
Oil Viscosity ◽  
Steam Chamber ◽  
Remaining Oil

Abstract This paper presents a large-scale experimental study of the compositional effect on produced bitumen properties in SAGD. The SAGD experiment used a sandpack in the cylindrical pressure vessel that was 1.22 m in length and 0.425 m in internal diameter. The pore volume of the sandpack was 58 L, and the porosity and permeability were 0.33 and 5.5 D, respectively. The sandpack was initially saturated with 93% bitumen and 7% deionized water. The SAGD experiment after preheating was operated mostly at a steam injection rate of 35 cm3/min (cold-water equivalent) at 3600 kPa (244°C). The produced fluids (gas, oil, and water) were analyzed; e.g., ten oil samples were analyzed in terms of carbon number distribution (CND), the asphaltene content, density, and viscosity to investigate the compositional change of the produced bitumen. After the experiment, the sandpack was excavated and samples were taken for analysis of solid, water, oil, asphaltene, and sulfur contents. Experimental data (e.g., propagation of a steam chamber and production of oil and water) were history-matched by using a numerical reservoir simulator. Results showed that the produced bitumen was lighter and contained 1 to 5 wt% less asphaltenes than the original bitumen. Also, the remaining oil inside the steam chamber contained 6 wt% more asphaltenes. As a result, the produced bitumen was 1 to 6 kg/m3 less dense than the original bitumen. In the actual operations, bitumen is diluted with condensate to reduce the oil viscosity for pipeline shipping. This reduction in bitumen density corresponds to a reduction of the diluent cost by 5-10%. The produced bitumen became less dense with increasing steam-chamber volume. The history-matched simulation indicated that the progressively decreasing density of the produced bitumen can be attributed to the vaporization of the relatively volatile components in the remaining oil, and condensation of those components near the chamber edge. The history-matching also indicated that varying flow regimes (counter-current and co-current flow of water and oil) affected the oil recovery during in the SAGD experiment.

scholarly journals Experimental Investigation of Annular Flow Behaviour in Horizontal Pipe

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Osokogwu Osokogwu ◽  
◽  
Uche Uche ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Film Thickness ◽  
Liquid Film ◽  
Slug Flow ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Annular Flow ◽  
Flow Behavior ◽  
Liquid Film Thickness ◽  
Experimental Investigations ◽  
Internal Diameter ◽  
Horizontal Pipe

The experimental investigations of annular flow were conducted in horizontal pipe using water/air in a 0.0504m internal diameter pipe loop with a total length of 28.68m. To understand annular flow behaviors, conductivity ring sensors, conductance probe sensors and Olympia high speed digital camera were used. In all the experiments, emphasis were on annular flow behavior, phase distribution and liquid film thickness. Liquid film thickness was observed to be thicker mostly when the superficial gas velocities were within 8.2699 m/s to 12.0675 m/s. Above the aforementioned superficial gas velocities, the flow became uniformly distributed on the walls of the internal pipe diameter hence reducing the thicker liquid film at the bottom with gas core at the center of the pipe. More so, annular-slug flow was discovered in the investigation. At superficial liquid velocity of 0.0505 m/s-0.1355 m/s on superficial gas velocities of 8.2699 m/s – 12.0675 m/s, annular-slug flow was prominent. Also discovered was at superficial liquid velocities of 0.0903 m/s - 0.1355 m/s with respect to superficial gas velocities of 13.1692 m/s – 23.4575 m/s, the pipe walls are fully covered with liquid film at very high speed at the entire walls (upper walls and bottom). Also discovered in this experiment is the wavy flow of the upper walls. The liquid film thickness that flows at the upper pipe walls, creeps in a wavy flow. Therefore, the entire flow behavior in an annular flow could be grouped into; wavy-flow at the upper walls, annular-slug flow and thicker liquid film at the bottom with gas core at the center.

NONLINEAR SIMULATION OF A HIGH-SPEED, VISCOUS LIQUID JET

1998 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 155-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. H. Hilbing ◽  
Stephen D. Heister
Keyword(s):  
Viscous Liquid ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Liquid Jet ◽  
Nonlinear Simulation

Behavior of Unsteady Turbulent Starting Round Jets

2012 ◽  
Vol 134 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Neerav Abani ◽  
Jaal B. Ghandhi
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Penetration Rate ◽  
Injection Rate ◽  
Injection Velocity ◽  
Time Varying ◽  
Velocity Change ◽  
Rate Of Penetration ◽  
Round Jets ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Sudden Decrease

Turbulent starting jets with time-varying injection velocities were investigated using high-speed schlieren imaging. Two solenoid-controlled injectors fed a common plenum upstream of an orifice; using different upstream pressures and actuation times, injection-rate profiles with a step increase or decrease in injection velocity were tested. The behavior of the jet was found to be different depending on the direction of the injection-velocity change. A step increase in injection velocity resulted in an increased rate of penetration relative to the steady-injection case, and a larger increase in injection velocity resulted in an earlier change in the tip-penetration rate. The step-increase data were found to be collapsed by scaling the time by a convective time scale based on the tip location at the time of the injection-velocity change and the difference in the injection velocities. A sudden decrease in injection velocity to zero was found to cause a deviation from the corresponding steady-pressure case at a time that was independent of the initial jet velocity, i.e., it was independent of the magnitude of the injection-velocity change. Two models for unsteady injection from the literature were tested and some deficiencies in the models were identified.

Study of Flow Boiling Characteristics of a Microchannel Using High Speed Visualization

2013 ◽  
Vol 135 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rashid Ali ◽  
Björn Palm ◽  
Claudi Martin-Callizo ◽  
Mohammad H. Maqbool
Keyword(s):  
Heat Flux ◽  
Flow Pattern ◽  
Indium Tin Oxide ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Liquid Velocity ◽  
Flow Boiling ◽  
Fused Silica ◽  
Internal Diameter ◽  
Electrically Conductive ◽  
Heated Length

This paper presents the visualization results obtained for an experimental study of R134a during flow boiling in a horizontal microchannel. The microchannel used was a fused silica tube having an internal diameter of 781 μm, a heated length of 191 mm, and was coated with a thin, transparent, and electrically conductive layer of indium-tin-oxide (ITO) on the outer surface. The operating parameters during the experiments were: mass flux 100–400 kg/m2 s, heat flux 5–45 kW/m2, saturation temperatures 25 and 30 °C, corresponding to saturation pressures of 6.65 bar and 7.70 bar and reduced pressures of 0.163 and 0.189, respectively. A high speed camera with a close up lens was used to capture the flow patterns that evolved along the channel. Flow pattern maps are presented in terms of the superficial gas and liquid velocity and in terms of the Reynolds number and vapor quality plots. The results are compared with some flow pattern maps for conventional and micro scale channels available in the literature. Rigorous boiling and increased coalescence rates were observed with an increase in the heat flux.

Influence of Gas-Liquid Two-Phase Intermittent Flow on Hydraulic Sand Dune Migration in Horizontal Pipelines

2010 ◽  
Vol 132 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Afshin Goharzadeh ◽  
Peter Rodgers ◽  
Chokri Touati
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Sand Dune ◽  
Front Velocity ◽  
Intermittent Flow ◽  
Sand Particle ◽  
Two Phase ◽  
Horizontal Pipe ◽  
Particle Mobility ◽  
Three Phase ◽  
Gas Ratio

This paper presents an experimental study of three-phase flows (air-water-sand) inside a horizontal pipe. The results obtained aim to enhance the fundamental understanding of sand transportation due to saltation in the presence of a gas-liquid two-phase intermittent flow. Sand dune pitch, length, height, and front velocity were measured using high-speed video photography. Four flow compositions with differing gas ratios, including hydraulic conveying, were assessed for sand transportation, having the same mixture velocity. For the test conditions under analysis, it was found that the gas ratio did not affect the average dune front velocity. However, for intermittent flows, the sand bed was transported further downstream relative to hydraulic conveying. It was also observed that the slug body significantly influences sand particle mobility. The physical mechanism of sand transportation was found to be discontinuous with intermittent flows. The sand dune local velocity (within the slug body) was measured to be three times higher than the averaged dune velocities, due to turbulent enhancement within the slug body.

scholarly journals The Effect of Thermo-Mechanical Processing on Physical Properties of Processed Amaranth and Oat Bran Composites

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 82
Author(s):  
Sean X. Liu ◽  
Diejun Chen ◽  
George E. Inglett ◽  
Jingyuan Xu
Keyword(s):  
Physical Properties ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Functional Foods ◽  
Cold Water ◽  
Essential Amino Acids ◽  
Hot Water ◽  
Blood Cholesterol ◽  
Gluten Free ◽  
Oat Bran ◽  
Amaranth Flour

Amaranth-oat composites were developed using gluten free amaranth flour containing essential amino acids and minerals with oat products containing β-glucan, known for lowering blood cholesterol. Amaranth flour and oat bran concentrate (OBC) composites (1:4) were processed using different technologies, including dry mixing, baking, steaming, cold wet blending, and high speed homogenizing (Polytron PT6000) with cold water or hot water. The results showed that water holding capacities, pasting, and rheological properties were dramatically increased by wet blending, Polytron with cold water, and Polytron with hot water followed by drum drying. The processing procedures created dissimilar physical properties that will enhance the application of ancient grains and oat for functional foods that are suitable for people who are gluten-intolerant. In addition, the dietary fiber contents of composites were increased by the incorporation of OBC. The composites can be inexpensively prepared and processed. The new healthful products will be affordable for people who suffer from celiac disease or gluten-intolerant. These innovative gluten-free functional food products will help millions of gluten sensitive consumers enjoy heart-healthy functional foods.

scholarly journals Impact of cleaning regimes on dental water unit contamination

2011 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 647-652 ◽  
Author(s):  
Soad A. Abdallah ◽  
Ahmed I. Khalil
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Tap Water ◽  
Daily Basis ◽  
Dental Chair ◽  
Dental Clinics ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Hand Piece ◽  
Viable Bacteria ◽  
Dental Unit Waterlines

Microorganisms that have been identified in dental unit waterlines (DUWLs) are of concern because they can cause infections, especially in immunocompromised patients. This study aimed to assess the incidence of microbial contamination in DUWLs before and after intervention to reduce contamination, and to investigate the presence of coliforms, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Water samples were collected aseptically from the waterlines. The high-speed hand-piece and dental chair units were served by one distillation apparatus, which was fed by the potable tap water of four dental clinics. Different interventions were used: chlorination, flushing before clinics and between patients, draining at the end of the day, and freshly distilled water on a daily basis. There was a significant difference between the level of contamination in the high-speed hand-piece (1.5–2.7 log CFU/ml) and dental chair unit water (2.0–3.5 log CFU/ml). Coliforms (0.9%) E. coli (0.9%) and Pseudomonas (1.8%) were detected during 2008. This study indicates the need to monitor water quality regularly and prevent stagnation in DUWLs to reduce the number of viable bacteria to <100 CFU/ml. We recommend flushing the DUWL for 2 min before the first patient and for 10–20 s between patients, flushing the dental unit at the end of the day and draining it overnight to reduce the development of biofilms, and chlorination of the DUWLs.

Experimental Design and Evaluation of Surfactant Polymer for a Heavy Oil Field in South of Sultanate of Oman

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Reham Al-Jabri ◽  
Rouhollah Farajzadeh ◽  
Abdullah Alkindi ◽  
Rifaat Al-Mjeni ◽  
David Rousseau ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oil Recovery ◽  
Heavy Oil ◽  
History Matching ◽  
Oil Field ◽  
Reservoir Rock ◽  
Sultanate Of Oman ◽  
Industrial Chemicals ◽  
Oil Viscosity ◽  
Injection Strategy ◽  
Operational Conditions

Abstract Heavy oil reservoirs remain challenging for surfactant-based EOR. In particular, selecting fine-tuned and cost effective chemical formulations requires extensive laboratory work and a solid methodology. This paper reports a laboratory feasibility study, aiming at designing a surfactant-polymer pilot for a heavy oil field with an oil viscosity of ~500cP in the South of Sultanate of Oman, where polymer flooding has already been successfully trialed. A major driver was to design a simple chemical EOR method, to minimize the risk of operational issues (e.g. scaling) and ensure smooth logistics on the field. To that end, a dedicated alkaline-free and solvent-free surfactant polymer (SP) formulation has been designed, with its sole three components, polymer, surfactant and co-surfactant, being readily available industrial chemicals. This part of the work has been reported in a previous paper. A comprehensive set of oil recovery coreflood tests has then been carried out with two objectives: validate the intrinsic performances of the SP formulation in terms of residual oil mobilization and establish an optimal injection strategy to maximize oil recovery with minimal surfactant dosage. The 10 coreflood tests performed involved: Bentheimer sandstone, for baseline assessments on large plugs with minimized experimental uncertainties; homogeneous artificial sand and clays granular packs built to have representative mineralogical composition, for tuning of the injection parameters; native reservoir rock plugs, unstacked in order to avoid any bias, to validate the injection strategy in fully representative conditions. All surfactant injections were performed after long polymer injections, to mimic the operational conditions in the field. Under injection of "infinite" slugs of the SP formulation, all tests have led to tertiary recoveries of more than 88% of the remaining oil after waterflood with final oil saturations of less than 5%. When short slugs of SP formulation were injected, tertiary recoveries were larger than 70% ROIP with final oil saturations less than 10%. The final optimized test on a reservoir rock plug, which was selected after an extensive review of the petrophysical and mineralogical properties of the available reservoir cores, led to a tertiary recovery of 90% ROIP with a final oil saturation of 2%, after injection of 0.35 PV of SP formulation at 6 g/L total surfactant concentration, with surfactant losses of 0.14 mg-surfactant/g(rock). Further optimization will allow accelerating oil bank arrival and reducing the large PV of chase polymer needed to mobilize the liberated oil. An additional part of the work consisted in generating the parameters needed for reservoir scale simulation. This required dedicated laboratory assays and history matching simulations of which the results are presented and discussed. These outcomes validate, at lab scale, the feasibility of a surfactant polymer process for the heavy oil field investigated. As there has been no published field test of SP injection in heavy oil, this work may also open the way to a new range of field applications.

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