Experiments on Steam Injection Into Preformed Steam Chambers of Various Shapes for Maximum Condensate Recovery

Abstract

Recently, in a previous study, we have experimentally shown the existence of an optimal
 injected steam mass flow rate, per unit length, ϕopt, which produces the maximal recovery of con-
 densate in a preformed steam chamber with an elliptical cross section of horizontal semi-major axis.
 Mutatis mutandis, in this work we present experimental studies in preformed steam chambers, one
 elliptical and the other circular. In both cases, we also have found the existence of unique optimal
 values. These configurations try to recreate the steam condensation, at a given time lapse, as it would
 occur during the growth stage of the steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) process, a method used
 in the recovery of heavy and extra-heavy oil from homogeneous reservoirs. Finding the optimal
 mass flow rates in actual recovery process could become useful in the design of optimized SAGD
 processes.