A novel optimization technique for Fast-SAGD process in a heterogeneous reservoir using discrete variables and repetition inhibitory algorithm

Ameli, Forough; Mohammadi, Kaveh

doi:10.1016/j.petrol.2018.08.008

Cited by 27 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…Fast-SAGD was proposed in this background, which normally requires the drilling of a wedge well or several vertical wells along horizontal sections to force the development of a steam chamber [24]. The feasibility of the Fast-SAGD process in naturally fractured heavy oil reservoirs has been evaluated [25,26], the discrete variables and repetition inhibitory algorithm were utilized to optimize the Fast-SAGD process [27], and a comparative numerical simulation was carried out to compare the production performance of Fast-SAGD and SAGD [28,29]. For SAGD projects with harsh surface conditions or strict environment policies, the infill drilling is not only officially disadvantaged but also requires more sophisticated surface networks.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mechanisms and Operational Strategies of Multi-Lateral Steam-Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) for Heterogeneous Reservoirs

Luo,

Wu,

et al. 2023

Energies

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As the SAGD steam chamber and production performance in heavy oil reservoirs under fluvial sedimentation environment are heavily impacted by reservoir heterogeneity, an innovative strategy was proposed in this study coupling rock dilation and multi-lateral wells in SAGD projects to break the mud barriers and achieve uniform steam chamber growth. True tri-axial experiments and numerical simulation were designed to validate the feasibility of this strategy, based on which the branches of the SAGD well pairs were designed and the operational parameters were optimized for different geologic heterogeneity conditions. The tri-axial experiment results indicate that the rock formations in the heavy oil reservoirs of the F oilfield exhibit significant shear dilation effects under low confinement pressure conditions, with a volumetric dilation capacity of up to 7%. The branches should be deployed in an interleaved manner, with a horizontal displacement of 20 m and a vertical displacement of 6 m. The optimal results are achieved when the branches intersect the interbeds, allowing for enhanced steam chamber conformance and enlarged volume. Dilation zones of 3–8 m can be created above the steam-injection horizontal wells and around the branches in the reservoir during the dilation of SAGD steam chambers. The maximum volume of dilation fluid used for hydraulic dilation is suggested to be less than 2000 m3. This strategy has been validated as being successful in the pilot SAGD well pair in the F oilfield, China, with the SAGD preheating time reduced by 50% and an incremental oil rate of 4.5 tones/day, indicating encouraging potentials in similar heavy oil reservoirs.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mechanisms and Operational Strategies of Multi-Lateral Steam-Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) for Heterogeneous Reservoirs

Luo,

Wu,

et al. 2023

Energies

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“…SAGD is an efficient recovery process for producing heavy oils and bitumen resources (Ameli and Mohammadi 2018;Kamari et al 2015). This method was first proposed and developed by Butler et al (1981).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of SAGD process. The main mechanisms of oil recovery in SAGD method are reduction in oil viscosity and gravity drainage at edges of the steam-oil interface (Ameli and Mohammadi 2018;Delamaide 2018;Kamari et al 2015; Khan and Awotunde 2017; Mohammadzadeh and Chatzis 2016). The vaporizing-condensing is another mechanism that improves oil recovery from SAGD process)Ghasemi and Whitson 2015; Golombok and Ineke 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Significant effect of compositional grading on SAGD performance in a fractured carbonate heavy oil reservoir

Ghalenavi

Norouzi-Apourvari

Schaffie

et al. 2019

J Petrol Explor Prod Technol

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In reservoir simulation, the fluid composition is usually assumed uniform for the whole reservoir, while in many reservoirs, oil and gas composition changes with depth. This phenomenon which is known as compositional grading could be significant in heavy and super heavy oil reservoirs. In these reservoirs, biodegradation and asphaltene precipitation are considered as the main reasons behind this phenomenon. Compositional grading in heavy oil reservoirs could affect fluid viscosity and vaporizing-condensing mechanism in steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) operations. In this paper, through a simulation study, one of the Iranian heavy oil reservoirs which have a significant compositional grading was selected to investigate the effect of compositional grading on the performance of simulated SAGD method. The reservoir is a fractured carbonate reservoir, and its compositional grading is maintained because of the lack of convection inside the reservoir. To verify the importance of compositional grading, the performance results of the SAGD method for compositional grading case were compared with that of uniform composition case. The result showed that ignoring compositional grading would lead to underestimation of ultimate recovery in the fractured model. The study of SAGD process in a non-fractured reservoir model showed that considering compositional grading has an insignificant effect on SAGD performance.

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Optimization strategies and impact of low oil price on long term SAGD projects

2020

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Steam assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) has been known as a commercially proven high ultimate recovery process for bitumen and heavy crudes. It is an energy intensive process, which is economical when oil price is above certain value. When the oil price goes below the economic threshold of project, steam injection can be decreased or completely stopped for a certain period of time, and can resume thereafter when the condition alters. The objective of this study is to provide comprehensive information about the effect of steam injection interruptions on thermal project performance. An optimization strategy for the SAGD process, in cases where steam injection interruption occurs, is discussed using actual reservoir models of different geological formations. An economical model is used to evaluate operating strategy effect on the net present value (NPV) of the project. The parameters, like shut‐in period, initial steam injection period, etc, are optimized for Athabasca type oil sand reservoirs. The results show several key mechanisms exist in the life cycle of the SAGD process that must be included to reflect the field scale behaviour; otherwise, the mechanistic simplicity of the models could lead to directional and semi‐quantitative conclusions. Among the mechanisms, temperature effect on basic petrophysical properties of reservoir rocks was found to have an important role in the oil recovery, and considerably impacts the results of optimization. When the steam injection is interrupted, an optimum shut‐in period can be determined to maximize the oil recovery. The optimum length of steam injection interruption depends on the initial steam injection period.

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A novel optimization technique for Fast-SAGD process in a heterogeneous reservoir using discrete variables and repetition inhibitory algorithm

Cited by 27 publications

References 42 publications

Mechanisms and Operational Strategies of Multi-Lateral Steam-Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) for Heterogeneous Reservoirs

Mechanisms and Operational Strategies of Multi-Lateral Steam-Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) for Heterogeneous Reservoirs

Significant effect of compositional grading on SAGD performance in a fractured carbonate heavy oil reservoir

Optimization strategies and impact of low oil price on long term SAGD projects

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