Abstract
Thermal recovery methods involving steam injection have long been considered as an effective means of extracting heavy oil resources. In addition, the high recovery performance of SAGD makes it a popular option for these non-conventional oil resources. Steam processes are energy intensive and result in generation of emissions which are detrimental to humankind and the environment. The use of non-thermal processes involving CO2 as a miscible or immiscible gas phase in combination with steam for heavy oil recovery is considered as a viable alternative to limit the drawbacks of steam generation. These processes have the capability to enhance oil recovery through CO2 utilization during production and also provide an avenue to dispose CO2 after production. Numerical simulation studies have been carried out utilizing STARS (a three phase, multi-components reservoir simulator) to optimize a baseline SAGD process and wind-down process with CO2 Injection. The baseline process was operated until maturity then CO2 injection was used to initiate wind-down after 4, 6 and 8 years of a 12 year production operation. Following each of the wind-down processes, CO2 disposal was undertaken for 25 years and the storage potential evaluated. The baseline SAGD process had a recovery factor of 76%. The SAGD wind-down processes with CO2 injection after 4, 6 and 8 years had recovery factors of 54%, 77% and 79% respectively. This and other parameters proved the feasibility of SAGD wind-down process with CO2 injection and its potential to enhance oil recovery. Copyright 2008, Society of Petroleum Engineers.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | 16th SPE/DOE Improved Oil Recovery Symposium 2008 - "IOR: Now More Than Ever." |
Pages | 349-362 |
Number of pages | 14 |
Volume | 1 |
Publication status | Published - 2008 |
Event | 16th SPE/DOE Symposium on Improved Oil Recovery 2008 - Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States Duration: 20 Apr 2008 → 23 Apr 2008 |
Conference
Conference | 16th SPE/DOE Symposium on Improved Oil Recovery 2008 |
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Country/Territory | United States |
City | Tulsa, Oklahoma |
Period | 20/04/08 → 23/04/08 |