Most of the evaluations of thermal enhanced oil recovery (EOR) methods in numerical simulations mainly focus on the identification of recovery processes with the greatest potential to increase oil recovery. In some cases, the economic aspects of the EOR methods evaluated are also considered. However, these studies often lack the evaluation of the energy efficiency of the proposed methods as a strategy to support the selection of profitable recovery processes. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the potential of different hybrid cyclic steam stimulation (CSS, with flue gas, foam, nanoparticles, or solvents) methods based on a numerical simulation study using a radial model representative of a large heavy oil reservoir in the Middle Magdalena Basin, Colombia. The simulation results were used to estimate the benefit–cost (B/C) ratios and energy efficiency (EE) indices that can be used to screen and rank the hybrid CSS methods studied. When comparing different hybrid methods, it was found that CSS with nanoparticles or solvents performed better during the first two steam cycles (higher oil saturations). However, CSS with foam and flue gases showed higher incremental oil production (≥3564 bbls or 567 m3) during the sixth steam cycle. Based on an energy cost index (ECI = [(B/C) / EE]), CSS with foam outperformed (ECI ≈ 453) cyclic steam injection with flue gases (ECI ≈ 21) and solvents (ECI ≈ 0.1) evaluated during the sixth steam cycle. The results show that this methodology can be used to guide decision-making to identify hybrid CSS methods that can increase oil recovery in a cost-effective manner and provide an efficient energy balance.
Tracer technology has been used in the oil industry to investigate the fluid flow behavior into the reservoir. Using this technology is possible to obtain relevant data from the reservoir such as remaining oil accumulations, estimate volumetric sweep efficiency, define reservoir heterogeneities, identify flow channeling, and determine residual oil saturation (Sor). This technology has been one of the most useful tools for reservoir characterization for several decades. The tracer is injected in the injector well and then monitored in the producer wells through the tracer concentration measurements. Although many tracer studies have been documented for reservoir characterization, the available information and methodologies related to the design, implementation, and interpretation of tracer tests are limited or confidential. The goal of his article is to show a methodology for the design, execution, and interpretation of interwell tracer tests, which includes procedures for field implementation, sampling, and monitoring of these tests. Laboratory analysis using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography is described in the experimental evaluation of tracer tests. Additionally, for a better understanding of the technology, examples of laboratory and field cases are presented.
La inyección cíclica de vapor (CSS, por sus siglas en inglés) es un método de recobro mejorado (EOR) térmico de los más aplicados a nivel mundial; sin embargo, presenta desafíos relacionados con la eficiencia energética del proceso y costos asociados a su operación. En el caso de Colombia, la CSS se viene aplicando en diferentes campos de crudo pesado desde hace muchos años, encontrándose en algunos casos la necesidad de implementar y combinar tecnologías para extender el límite técnico económico de dicho proceso de recobro mejorado. En ese sentido, este trabajo se fundamenta en analizar diversas alternativas que permitan mejorar la eficiencia energética y la recuperación de petróleo de forma rentable. Para llevar a cabo el análisis, se construyó un modelo de simulación numérica semi-conceptual, representativo de un campo colombiano de crudo pesado, en el cual se realizó la simulación de escenarios de producción en frío, inyección cíclica de vapor, calentamiento en fondo de pozo y la combinación del vapor con diferentes sustancias (métodos híbridos de inyección de vapor); estos resultados, evaluados bajo condiciones similares en todos los casos, permiten establecer el potencial de las tecnologías y enfocar de esta forma los esfuerzos investigativos en aquellas que se consideren más promisorias. Adicionalmente, se realizó un estudio preliminar de visualización de tecnologías de generación de vapor a través de energía solar y algunas aplicaciones en campo relevantes, debido a los desafíos de disponibilidad de combustible y altos costos asociados a la generación de vapor convencional, esto alineado con los planes de Ecopetrol del uso de tecnologías limpias. Para el caso particular de las tecnologías de calentamiento de fondo de pozo en sus diferentes modalidades (calentamiento electro-resistivo, electro-inductivo o recirculación de vapor), se evaluó el comportamiento en el modelo a través de un pozo calentador (heater well), lo que permitió definir después de varias sensibilidades que este tipo de tecnologías resultan de mayor beneficio e impacto en pozos nuevos, es decir, previo a procesos de inyección cíclica de vapor.Por otra parte, las tecnologías híbridas de inyección cíclica de vapor evaluadas, corresponden a la adición de espumas, solventes, gases de combustión (flue gas) y nano partículas; todos con características particulares tanto en interacción con el vapor y el yacimiento, como en la forma específica de ser representados en el modelo de simulación. Para realizar la comparación se estableció el mismo ciclo de aplicación para todas las tecnologías; sin embargo, los resultados demuestran que la eficiencia de su desempeño depende fuertemente de las condiciones del yacimiento al momento de su aplicación. De acuerdo a los resultados obtenidos de la simulación numérica, en todos los casos se obtienen incrementos en la producción de petróleo con valores particulares para cada una de las tecnologías evaluadas. Se recomienda continuar con estudios detallados tanto a nivel experimental como de ingeniería de yacimientos que permitan definir viabilidad de posibles aplicaciones en campo.
Cyclic Steam Stimulation (CSS), is the most applied thermal enhanced oil recovery (EOR) method worldwide. However, despite the vast experience gained over the last few decades CSS still has its challenges including but not limited to energy efficiency and operational costs. CSS has been evaluated for several years in Colombian heavy oil reservoirs. As CCS approaches its maturity, new alternatives and injection strategies are required to potentially extend the technical-economic limit of this recovery process. This work is focused on the procedure implemented during the design, execution and monitoring of the hybrid technology of steam plus foam as a strategy to improve the performance of a mature CSS process. The strategy developed for experimental tests, numerical simulations and pilot test is described. The evaluation of well head configuration, injection facilities and schedules to assure a good quality and stability of the preformed foam is also discussed. The CSS-foam injection pilot was performed in Teca - Cocorna field. The cumulative surfactant injection was between 3 to 5 tons distributed between two mature wells under CSS at a concentration of approximately 2500 ppm. The facilities used for the foam generation with nitrogen at surface conditions and well injectivity performance will be discussed. Early incremental production due to foam injection has been positive. The first CSS-foam pilot tests allowed the assimilation of lessons learned to incorporate best practices for the continuous improvement in the operation of CSS processes. The performance of CSS-Foam will be updated based on the pilot results due to the level of uncertainties associated with the scaling of laboratory results. According to the performance of the pilot, Ecopetrol will continue evaluating this hybrid CSS technology to improve oil recovery and energy efficiency in fields with steam injection.
Due to the large amount of heavy oil reserves, thermal recovery projects have been developed in Colombia in the last decade. Several fields under Cyclic Steam Stimulation (CSS), and Steam Flooding (SF) plans are currently underway at field scale. In the country there are also significant reserves of heavy oil which are still under cold production which represent an important opportunity to implement novel technologies that improve energy efficiency. Such technologies should be implemented based on the maturity of the current recovery process and reservoir characteristics. Implementation of steam-based hybrid technologies are under evaluation in Ecopetrol as a strategy to increase both heavy oil recovery and energy efficiency. This work is focused on the design, execution, and results of two physical simulation experiments developed to study the behavior of the Teca Cocorná core and fluids with a combination of steam-based hybrid injection technology. Both tests were performed under similar conditions of temperature and pressure to assess the effect of a hybrid injection process on the residual oil saturation, produced hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and changes in produced fluids. The experimental methodology is described in detail for both experiments as well as relevant test results which constitute important parameters for reservoir simulation forecasts. The first hybrid test was a combination of steam flood and solvent injection (naphtha) which consisted of the injection of 0.38 pore volumes (PV) of cold water equivalent (CWE) superheated steam at 271°C, followed by the injection of 0.05 PV of naphtha solvent (CWE), and finally by the injection of 1.0 PV of superheated steam (CWE). The second hybrid test combined steam flood with injection of flue gas consisting of 15 percent carbon dioxide (CO2) and 85 percent nitrogen (N2). The injection scheme for this test was similar to the first test and consisted of the injection of 0.40 PV of superheated steam at a temperature of 271°C (CWE), followed by 0.30 PV of flue gas (CWE) and finally by 0.71 PV of superheated steam (CWE). This study shows that the Teca Cocorná oil-core system, as tested, responded positively in the laboratory to hybrid steam methods in terms of production and energy efficiency. A detailed comparison including temperature front, steam-oil-ratio, produced fluids and residual saturations is presented. In addition, the energy consumption is estimated. These results provide valuable information required for numerical and economic evaluations of steam-based processes prior to field tests.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.