Impact of Inflow and Outflow Rate Control to Minimize Freshwater Usage: Historical Canadian Steam-Assisted Gravity Drainage Operations versus Numerical Simulations

Abstract

This work delves into the effects of utilizing flow control devices (FCDs) to manage inflow and outflow rates on the performance of steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) wells. The focus is on the impact of FCDs on enhancing oil production and reducing the cumulative steam oil ratio (cSOR). A retrospective analysis is conducted using historical data from Canadian SAGD operations to assess the impact of different flow control strategies. Additionally, numerical simulations are performed for various reservoir types, including homogeneous, simple with shale barriers, and heterogeneous reservoirs. FCDs are simulated based on findings from published flow-loop experiments. The primary benefit of incorporating flow-loop experiment data into the simulation lies in creating a mechanistic model grounded in physics as opposed to relying on empirical correlations. By comparison of the outcomes of both real-world data and numerical simulations, this study examines the influence of different flow rate control strategies on SAGD performance. Analyzing historical data extracted from a database encompassing seven major SAGD projects in Western Canada revealed that the optimal approach to enhance oil production and reduce cSOR involves the joint utilization of liner-deployed inflow control devices (LDICDs) and linerdeployed outflow control devices (LDOCDs). Given the limited availability of public information concerning the technical intricacies of flow rate control strategies and their implications on SAGD well performance, a series of simulations across diverse reservoir scenarios were conducted to investigate the mechanisms underlying the impact of FCDs on SAGD well performance. The numerical simulation findings revealed that the combined deployment of LDICDs and LDOCDs effectively managed hot-spot zones, where the inflow rate exceeded that of other sections along the producer well, leading to improved steam distribution. These results showed a potential increase in oil production of up to 26% and a reduction in the cSOR of up to 17%. This research endeavors to enhance our comprehension of how flow rate control through FCDs influences the performance of SAGD wells. The primary objective is to pave the way for more efficient well designs that contribute to reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, aligned with climate change mitigation goals.