Research on new technology for offshore heavy oil thermal recovery with rod pumping

Abstract

The high-efficient development of heavy oil is difficult for offshore oil field. Based on the mature technology of onshore heavy oil thermal recovery, a new rod pumping technology of ''heavy oil steam stimulation along with conventional sucker rod pumping system'' is proposed. According to the structure space of aimed offshore platform, we designed one new kind of miniature hydraulic pumping unit with long-stroke, low pumping speed and compact structure. The paper also studies the offshore heavy oil thermal recovery well safety technology, establishes a leakage model of wellhead sealing and a mechanical model of sealed rubber sleeve on downhole nonlinear large deformation. The study shows that a series of equipment for offshore rod pumping oil recovery and the key technology of well safety lay a solid foundation for carrying out rod pumping of offshore heavy oil thermal recovery.

Research on mechanical characteristics and safety of working platform in rod pumping process

“…key equipment suitable for rod pumping system on offshore platform, such as the small hydraulic pumping units (shown in Figure 1), wellhead equipment and downhole equipment, and eventually complete a “steam huff and puff + rod pumping” technology suitable for offshore platform heavy oil production. 12–14…”

“…key equipment suitable for rod pumping system on offshore platform, such as the small hydraulic pumping units (shown in Figure 1), wellhead equipment and downhole equipment, and eventually complete a ''steam huff and puff + rod pumping'' technology suitable for offshore platform heavy oil production. [12][13][14] The development of heavy oil with high-efficiency is a worldwide difficulty for offshore oil fields. The technology of rod pumping provides a possible effective way for offshore heavy oil thermal recovery, but the safety of working platform is the prerequisite for the implementation of this new technology.…”