Electromagnetic Heating of Heavy Oil and Bitumen: A Review of Experimental Studies and Field Applications

Abstract

Viscosity is a major obstacle in the recovery of low API gravity oil resources from heavy oil and bitumen reservoirs. While thermal recovery is usually considered the most effective method for lowering viscosity, for some reservoirs introducing heat with commonly implemented thermal methods is not recommended. For these types of reservoirs, electromagnetic heating is the recommended solution. Electromagnetic heating targets part of the reservoir instead of heating the bulk of the reservoir, which means that the targeted area can be heated up more effectively and with lower heat losses than with other thermal methods. Electromagnetic heating is still relatively new and is not widely used as an alternate or addition to traditional thermal recovery methods. However, studies are being conducted and new technologies proposed that could help increase its use. Therefore, the objective of this study is to investigate the recovery of heavy oil and bitumen reservoirs by electromagnetic heating through the review of existing laboratory studies and field trials.

Energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in the recovery and extraction of crude bitumen from Canada’s oil sands

“…Improved understanding of reservoir characteristics to appropriately drill the wellbore and enhancements in the wellbore liners reduce the operational downtime and energy losses, thus improving the SOR. Addition of volatile solvent and the use of electromagnetic heating to a targeted zone in the reservoir are tested on pilot scale, thus significantly enhance oil production and lower steam requirement [67][68][69]. Cogeneration has the potential to lower the net environmental impact of oil sands activities.…”

Mathematical model to predict unsteady-state heat transfer mechanism and economic feasibility in nanoparticle-assisted electromagnetic heating stimulation technique for bituminous extra-heavy oil reservoir

“…Heavy oil reservoirs, as opposed to EOR methods, presents less gamble due to the fact that the main concern in field development lies on exorbitant viscosity, rendering it uneconomical to be produced utilizing conventional methods. Mukhametsina and Martynova (2013) in [9] highlighted well-developed methods to reduce heavy oil viscosity, namely steam injection, in situ combustion, microwave heating, and electric downhole heating. Based on the criterion of EOR screening developed by Taber et al (1997), in situ combustion is deemed not viable due to the fact that some of Indonesian heavy oil reservoirs are not located in deeper strata, making it prone to contact nearby water reservoir, causing sociological problems.…”

Experimental Characterization of Dielectric Properties in Fluid Saturated Artificial Shales

“…Some recent studies suggest alternative methods for oil recovery in unconventional reservoirs that utilize dielectric heating [9]. This technology allows increasing economical efficiency of exploration and reducing the ecological impact on the environment.…”