Reservoir Simulation Study of Water-in-Oil Solubility Effect on Oil Recovery in Steam Injection Process

2005 ◽  
Vol 8 (06) ◽  
pp. 528-533 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shanqiang Luo ◽  
Maria A. Barrufet
Keyword(s):  
Oil Recovery ◽  
Simulation Study ◽  
Reservoir Simulation ◽  
Water Solubility ◽  
Steam Injection ◽  
Production Performance ◽  
Oil Viscosity ◽  
Thermal Reservoir ◽  
Injection Process ◽  
Flash Calculation

Summary Water is usually considered insoluble in the oil phase; however, at the temperatures typically encountered in the steam-injection process, water may have higher than 40 mol% solubility in the oil phase. On a mass basis, experimental results from the literature indicate water solubility as high as33%. We developed a practical and robust algorithm for a water/oil/gas three-phase flash calculation. The algorithm is based on the well-developed vapor/liquid two-phase flash-calculation algorithm and avoids trivial or false solutions commonly found in multiphase flash calculations. We also developed a fully compositional thermal reservoir simulator, considering water/oil mutual solubility, to study the effect of water-in-oil solubility on oil recovery in the steam-injection process. A simulation study shows that when water is soluble in the oil phase, it may increase oil recovery appreciably. We also found that the oil fluids should be characterized with at least three components for accurate compositional thermal reservoir-simulation study. Introduction Steam injection is used widely as an improved-oil-recovery method for the production of heavy oil and many light-oil resources. Conventional reservoir simulation of the steam-injection process simplifies the computations by ignoring water solubility in the oil phase. However, as temperature increases, water solubility in the oil phase increases significantly. Griswold and Kasch studied water/oil mutual solubilities at elevated temperatures. Their data show that for a 54.3°API naphtha, the solubility of water in oil is 16.18 mol% at431.6°F; for a 42°API kerosene, the solubility of water in oil is 34.97 mol% at507.2°F; and for a 29.3°API lube oil, the solubility of water in oil is 43.44mol% at 537.8°F. Nelson also showed that water solubility in oil is as high as42 mol% at 540°F. Heidman et al. showed that the solubility of water in liquidC8 is 38.7 mol% at 500°F. Glandt and Chapman obtained up to 33.3 wt% of water dissolved in crude-oil mixtures and analyzed its effect on oil viscosity. This high solubility will dramatically change the viscosity, density, and thermal expansion of the hydrocarbon phase and, consequently, affect the production performance. Therefore, a rigorous and efficient multiphase flash algorithm is needed to evaluate the phase equilibrium of water/hydrocarbon systems. Also, fully compositional thermal reservoir simulations, which consider water-in-oil solubility, are necessary to evaluate the extent to which the water-in-oil solubility affects oil recovery in the steam-injection process.

scholarly journals Improvement of Steam Injection Processes Through Nanotechnology: An Approach through in Situ Upgrading and Foam Injection

Energies ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (24) ◽  
pp. 4633 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oscar E. Medina ◽  
Yira Hurtado ◽  
Cristina Caro-Velez ◽  
Farid B. Cortés ◽  
Masoud Riazi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Crude Oil ◽  
Oil Recovery ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Steam Injection ◽  
American Petroleum Institute ◽  
Oil Viscosity ◽  
Nitrogen Injection ◽  
Injection Process ◽  
Reservoir Conditions

This study aims to evaluate a high-performance nanocatalyst for upgrading of extra-heavy crude oil recovery and at the same time evaluate the capacity of foams generated with a nanofluid to improve the sweeping efficiency through a continuous steam injection process at reservoir conditions. CeO2±δ nanoparticles functionalized with mass fractions of 0.89% and 1.1% of NiO and PdO, respectively, were employed to assist the technology and achieve the oil upgrading. In addition, silica nanoparticles grafted with a mass fraction of 12% polyethylene glycol were used as an additive to improve the stability of an alpha-olefin sulphonate-based foam. The nanofluid formulation for the in situ upgrading process was carried out through thermogravimetric analysis and measurements of zeta potential during eight days to find the best concentration of nanoparticles and surfactant, respectively. The displacement test was carried out in different stages, including, (i) basic characterization, (ii) steam injection in the absence of nanofluids, (iii) steam injection after soaking with nanofluid for in situ upgrading, (iv) N2 injection, and (v) steam injection after foaming nanofluid. Increase in the oil recovery of 8.8%, 3%, and 5.5% are obtained for the technology assisted by the nanocatalyst-based nanofluid, after the nitrogen injection, and subsequent to the thermal foam injection, respectively. Analytical methods showed that the oil viscosity was reduced 79%, 77%, and 31%, in each case. Regarding the asphaltene content, with the presence of the nanocatalyst, it decreased from 28.7% up to 12.9%. Also, the American Petroleum Institute (API) gravity values increased by up to 47%. It was observed that the crude oil produced after the foam injection was of higher quality than the crude oil without treatment, indicating that the thermal foam leads to a better swept of the porous medium containing upgraded oil.

THE VARIATION OF TEMPERATURE OF DIFFERENT OIL RESERVOIR DENSITIES EXPLOITED BY THERMAL METHODS

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ionescu (Goidescu) Nicoleta Mihaela ◽  
Vasiliu Viorel Eugen ◽  
Onutu Ion
Keyword(s):  
Oil Recovery ◽  
Heavy Oil ◽  
Steam Injection ◽  
Oil Reservoirs ◽  
Oil Viscosity ◽  
Thermal Methods ◽  
Injection Process ◽  
Heavy Oil Reservoirs ◽  
The World ◽  
Recovery Methods

Enhanced oil recovery (E.O.R) is oil recovery by the injection of materials not normally present in the reservoir. Thermal methods such as steam injection process are the best heavy oil recovery methods. Improvement of mobility ratio in the reservoir and economic recovery from heavy oil reservoirs depend mainly on reduction of heavy oil viscosity. For a steam injection process should consider the heat and mass transfer. Heavy oil reservoirs contain a considerable amount of hydrocarbon resources of the world. Meanwhile further demand for oil resources in the world , reduction of natural production from oil reservoirs, and finally price of oil in recent years have attracted notices to production methods from heavy and extra heavy oil reservoirs. High viscosity and great amounts of asphaltene in these hydrocarbons make difficulties in extraction, transportation, and process of heavy oil. In Romania there have been numerous theoretical and laboratory researches, as well as site experiments on the application of secondary recovery methods,Romanian specialists having a wide experience in this field

The Experimental Analysis of the Role of Flue Gas Injection for Horizontal Well Steam Flooding

2018 ◽  
Vol 140 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhanxi Pang ◽  
Peng Qi ◽  
Fengyi Zhang ◽  
Taotao Ge ◽  
Huiqing Liu
Keyword(s):  
Oil Recovery ◽  
Heavy Oil ◽  
Flue Gas ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Steam Injection ◽  
Displacement Efficiency ◽  
Oil Viscosity ◽  
Sweep Efficiency ◽  
Steam Flooding ◽  
Heavy Oil Reservoirs

Heavy oil is an important hydrocarbon resource that plays a great role in petroleum supply for the world. Co-injection of steam and flue gas can be used to develop deep heavy oil reservoirs. In this paper, a series of gas dissolution experiments were implemented to analyze the properties variation of heavy oil. Then, sand-pack flooding experiments were carried out to optimize injection temperature and injection volume of this mixture. Finally, three-dimensional (3D) flooding experiments were completed to analyze the sweep efficiency and the oil recovery factor of flue gas + steam flooding. The role in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) mechanisms was summarized according to the experimental results. The results show that the dissolution of flue gas in heavy oil can largely reduce oil viscosity and its displacement efficiency is obviously higher than conventional steam injection. Flue gas gradually gathers at the top to displace remaining oil and to decrease heat loss of the reservoir top. The ultimate recovery is 49.49% that is 7.95% higher than steam flooding.

Numerical Simulation of Thermal Solvent Replacing Steam under Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage SAGD Process

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Weiqiang Li ◽  
Daulat D. Mamora
Keyword(s):  
High Temperature ◽  
Oil Recovery ◽  
Oil Sands ◽  
Steam Injection ◽  
Thermal Recovery ◽  
Production Performance ◽  
Gravity Drainage ◽  
Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage ◽  
Recovery Technique ◽  
Simulation Results

Abstract Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) is one successful thermal recovery technique applied in the Athabasca oil sands in Canada to produce the very viscous bitumen. Water for SAGD is limited in supply and expensive to treat and to generate steam. Consequently, we conducted a study into injecting high-temperature solvent instead of steam to recover Athabasca oil. In this study, hexane (C6) coinjection at condensing condition is simulated using CMG STARS to analyze the drainage mechanism inside the vapor-solvent chamber. The production performance is compared with an equivalent steam injection case based on the same Athabasca reservoir condition. Simulation results show that C6 is vaporized and transported into the vapor-solvent chamber. At the condensing condition, high temperature C6 reduces the viscosity of the bitumen more efficiently than steam and can displace out all the original oil. The oil production rate with C6 injection is about 1.5 to 2 times that of steam injection with oil recovery factor of about 100% oil initially-in-place. Most of the injected C6 can be recycled from the reservoir and from the produced oil, thus significantly reduce the solvent cost. Results of our study indicate that high-temperature solvent injection appears feasible although further technical and economic evaluation of the process is required.

Environmentally-Friendly Production and Recovery Processes for Heavy Oils

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Celal Hakan Canbaz ◽  
Cenk Temizel ◽  
Yildiray Palabiyik ◽  
Korhan Kor ◽  
Luky Hendrandingrat ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oil Recovery ◽  
Heavy Oil ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Steam Injection ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Green Energy ◽  
Heavy Oils ◽  
Recovery Processes ◽  
Injection Process ◽  
Environmental Footprints

Abstract Oil Industry is going green and there is no solid and comprehensive publication that outlines the use of green energies and methods in oil recovery. Thus, this paper is going to close that gap. As there are more environmental restrictions especially in developed countries, inclusion of green energy methods in petroleum recovery processes is very important for the future of these reserves. We will focus on extra/heavy oil as conventional oil is simpler to produce and doesn't need EOR processes that may come with environmental footprints. The objective of this study is to investigate and outline the ‘green’ production and recovery processes of heavy oil recovery in environmentally-sensitive locations where greenhouse gas emissions, type of energy used to extract oil and gas (e.g., generation of steam using natural gas vs solar), environmental impact of surface facilities, transportation of produced oil and gas and other associated materials/chemica ls required for recovery (e.g. solvents for steam injection process) are critical for the operations as well as economics.

Correlation of Crude Oil Steam Distillation Yields With Basic Crude Oil Properties

1983 ◽  
Vol 23 (06) ◽  
pp. 937-945 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ching H. Wu ◽  
Robert B. Elder
Keyword(s):  
Crude Oil ◽  
Oil Recovery ◽  
Boiling Point ◽  
Steam Distillation ◽  
Recovery Process ◽  
Steam Injection ◽  
Steam Pressure ◽  
Oil Viscosity ◽  
Simulated Distillation ◽  
Distillation Yield

Abstract Steam distillation can occur in reservoirs during steam injection and in-situ combustion processes. To estimate the amount of vaporized oil caused by steam distillation, we established correlations of steam distillation yields with the basic crude oil properties. These correlations were based on steam distillation tests performed on 16 crude oils from various pans of the U.S. The gravity of oils varied from 12 to 40 deg. API [0.99 to 0.83 g/cm3]. The viscosity of oil ranged from 5 to 4,085 cSt [5 to 4085 mm /s] at 100 deg. F [38 deg. C]. The steam distillations were performed at a saturated steam pressure of 220 psia [1.5 MPa]. One oil sample was used in experiments to investigate the effect of steam pressure (220 to 500 psia [1.5 to 3.4 MPa]) on the steam distillation yield. The experiments were carried out to a steam distillation factor (Vw/Voi) of 20, with the factor defined as the cumulative volume of condensed steam used in distillation, Vw, divided by the initial volume of oil, Voi. At a steam distillation factor of 20, the distillation yields ranged from 13 to 57% of the initial oil volume. Several basic crude oil properties can be used to predict steam distillation yields reasonably well. A correlation using oil viscosity in centistokes at 100 deg. F [38 deg. C] can be used to predict the steam distillation yield within a standard error of 4.3 %. The API gravity can be used to estimate wields within 5.6%. A gas chromatographic analysis was made for each crude oil to obtain the component boiling points (simulated distillation temperatures). A correlation parameter was selected from the simulated distillation results that can be used to estimate the steam distillation yields within 4.5%. Introduction Steamflooding has been used commercially to recover heavy oils for several decades. Although it is considered a heavy-oil recovery process, it has been demonstrated to be an effective and commercially feasible process for recovering light oils. To enhance the effectiveness of the oil recovery process, it is important to fully understand and utilize the basic steamflooding mechanisms. Willman et al. investigated the mechanisms of steamflooding. They concluded that oil viscosity reduction, oil volume expansion, and steam distillation are the major mechanisms for oil recovery. Since then, more research has been done on all phases of steam injection. However, steam distillation and its ramifications on recovery have not been quantified fully because of lack of experimental data. Steam distillation can lower the boiling point of a water/oil mixture below the boiling point of the individual components. SPEJ P. 937^

Simulation of Steam Injection Process for Horizontal Well with Heavy Oil Recovery

2017 ◽  
Vol 39 (13-14) ◽  
pp. 1283-1295
Author(s):  
Chun-sheng Guo ◽  
Fang-yi Qu ◽  
Yong Liu ◽  
Jing-ran Niu ◽  
Yong Zou
Keyword(s):  
Oil Recovery ◽  
Heavy Oil ◽  
Horizontal Well ◽  
Steam Injection ◽  
Heavy Oil Recovery ◽  
Injection Process
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