Non-Newtonian Flow Characteristics of Heavy Oil in the Bohai Bay Oilfield: Experimental and Simulation Studies

Abstract

Abstract:In this paper, physical experiments and numerical simulations were applied to systematically investigate the non-Newtonian flow characteristics of heavy oil in porous media. Rheological experiments were carried out to determine the rheology of heavy oil. Threshold pressure gradient (TPG) measurement experiments performed by a new micro-flow method and flow experiments were conducted to study the effect of viscosity, permeability and mobility on the flow characteristics of heavy oil. An in-house developed novel simulator considering the non-Newtonian flow was designed based on the experimental investigations. The results from the physical experiments indicated that heavy oil was a Bingham fluid with non-Newtonian flow characteristics, and its viscosity-temperature relationship conformed to the Arrhenius equation. Its viscosity decreased with an increase in temperature and a decrease in asphaltene content. The TPG measurement experiments was impacted by the flow rate, and its critical flow rate was 0.003 mL/min. The TPG decreased as the viscosity decreased or the permeability increased and had a power-law relationship with mobility. In addition, the critical viscosity had a range of 42-54 mPa·s, above which the TPG existed for a given permeability. The validation of the designed simulator was positive and acceptable when compared to the simulation results run in ECLIPSE V2013.1 and Computer Modelling Group (CMG) V2012 software as well as when compared to the results obtained during physical experiments. The difference between 0.0005 and 0.0750 MPa/m in the TPG showed a decrease of 11.55% in the oil recovery based on the simulation results, which demonstrated the largely adverse impact the TPG had on heavy oil production.

Viscosity–Temperature–Pressure Relationship of Extra-Heavy Oil (Bitumen): Empirical Modelling versus Artificial Neural Network (ANN)

“…Viscosity is a crucial parameter in engineering design and simulation, which is useful in the recovery, production, and transportation operations of heavy and extra-heavy oils including bitumen [1][2][3][4][5][6][7]. In addition, extra-heavy oil (bitumen) exists under pressure in the reservoir [8], and viscosity affects its mobility and production flow [9,10]. Thus, several efforts have been directed toward the prediction of the viscosity of bitumen (and of mixtures with solvents) at various temperatures and pressures [2][3][4][6][7][8][11][12][13][14][15][16].…”

Ultrasonic and Heat Treatment of Crude Oils

“…The methods of friction reduction include the flow of oil limited by a thin layer of water in the boundary area [4,5] and the use of various additives [6][7][8][9]. Methods of viscosity reduction include heating [10][11][12], ultrasonic treatment [13][14][15][16][17], emulsification of oil in water [18][19][20][21][22], and dilution (mixing with a thinning liquid with lower viscosity, for example, condensate from natural gas extraction, naphtha, kerosene, lighter crude oil, etc.) [23][24][25].…”

Experimental Study on Medium Viscosity Oil Displacement Using Viscoelastic Polymer

“…In China, offshore heavy oil resources have been estimated at 4 billion barrels, and Bohai Bay is one of the most important oil basins, the reserves of which account for twothirds, and 70% of which is viscous oil [32][33][34]. The viscosity of the crude oil in Bohai Bay basin is from 13 to 380 mPa•s, and the average viscosity is 70 mPa•s, which can be defined as medium viscosity oil [35][36][37][38]. Therefore, the development of an offshore oilfield is significant for the maximum utilization of oil resources.…”

“…Therefore, the development of an offshore oilfield is significant for the maximum utilization of oil resources. As of 2013, there were ten blocks using polymer flooding or alkali-surfactant-polymer (ASP) flooding in the Bohai Bay offshore oilfield, covering reserves of approximately 5.7 billion barrels [37,39,40]. The polymers used in viscous oil field development including hydrophobically modified partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamides (HMHPAMs) and partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (HPAM).…”