Improvement of Porous Medium Permeability by Injecting Overheated Steam

Abstract

According to laboratory physical simulation methods, Achieve the infiltration experiment of overheated steam in the porous medium. The experiment researched overheated steam’s improvement to damage and undamaged porous mediums. Permeability was increased 1 to 4 times in the damaged porous mediums, 3 to 6 times in those undamaged. The microstructure of porous medium is characterized by scanning electron microscope photos. A lots of mineral microcrystal adhered on the initial rock particle surface. After the infiltration experiment of overheated steam, mineral microcrystal decreased obviously, and the rock particle surface changes into even and smoothly, which made the filtration resistance precipitous declined. Based on theory assumptions, production calculation formulas were derived in some given conditions. And the regular pattern plate map out, which affected by overheated steam heating radius and water-damaged radius. The results turns out that, inject overheated steam can achieve obviously production increasing.