THERMAL RECOVERY

Any process by which heat energy is used to reduce the viscosity of bitumen in situ to facilitate recovery. Thermal oil recovery methods such as Cyclic Steam Stimulation (CSS), Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) and In-situ Combustion are being used for recovering heavy oil and bitumen. These processes expend energy to recover oil. Thermal recovery comprises the techniques of: -Steam flooding. -Cyclic steam stimulation. In situ combustion

STEAM FLOODING
Recovery by steam flooding is commonly used in heavy-oil reservoirs containing oil whose high viscosity is a limiting factor for achieving commercial oil-producing rates Procedure: High-temperature steam is continuously injected into a reservoir. As the steam loses heat to the formation, it condenses into hot water, which, coupled with the continuous supply of steam behind it, provides the drive to move the oil to production wells. As the formation heats oil, recovery is increased by: 1. The heated oil becomes less viscous, making it easier to move through the formation toward production wells. 2. Expansion or swelling of the oil aids in releasing it from the reservoir rock. 3. Lighter fractions of the oil tend to vaporize, and as they move ahead into the cooler formation ahead of the steam they condense and form a solvent or miscible bank. 4. Finally, the condensed steam cools as it moves through the reservoir and results in what amounts to an ordinary Water flood ahead of the heated zone.

 CYCLIC STEAM STIMULATION

("Huff-and-Puff') (A well-stimulation method) This method is sometimes applied to heavy-oil reservoirs to boost recovery during the primary production phase. Procedure: A predetermined amount of steam is injected into wells that have been drilled or converted for injection purposes. These wells are then shut in to allow the steam to heat or "soak" the producing formation around the well. - After a sufficient time has elapsed to allow adequate heating, the injection wells are back in production until the heat is dissipated with the produced fluids. This cycle of soak-and-produce, or "huff-and-puff," may be repeated until the response becomes marginal because of declining natural reservoir pressure and increased water production. -At this time a continuous steam flood is usually initiated to continue the heating and thinning of the oil and to replace declining reservoir pressure so that production may continue. -When the steam flooding is started, some of the original injection wells will be converted for use as production wells, along with the others drilled or designated for that purpose.

 IN SITU COMBUSTION or "Fire flooding This method is sometimes applied to reservoirs containing oil too viscous or "heavy" to be produced by conventional means. Burning some of the oil in situ (in place), creates a combustion zone that moves through the formation toward production wells, providing a steam drive and an intense gas drive for the recovery of oil. Procedure: This process is sometimes started by lowering a heater or igniter into an injection well. Air is then injected down the well, and the heater is operated until ignition is accomplished. -After heating the surrounding rock, the heater is withdrawn, but air injection is continued to maintain the advancing combustion front. -Water is sometimes injected simultaneously or alternately with air, creating steam which contributes to better heat utilization and reduced air requirements. Notice in the accompanying illustration that the lighter steam vapors and combustion gases tend to rise into the upper portion of the producing zone, lessening the effectiveness of this method. Injection of water alternately or simultaneously with air can lessen the detrimental overriding effect.

Thermal Recovery Methods

Thermal Recovery Methods describes the basic concepts of thermal recovery and explains the injection patterns used to exploit reservoir conditions. Basic reservoir engineering is reviewed with an emphasis on changes in flow characteristics caused by temperature. The authors discuss an energy balance for steam and combustion drive, and they explain in situ reactions. Heat loss, combustion drive, and steam displacement also are examined in detail, as well as cyclic steam injection, downhole ignition, well heating, and low-temperature oxidation. Contents: Thermal processes; Formation and reservoir evaluations; Well patterns and spacing; Flow and process equations; Laboratory simulation of thermal recovery; Heat loss and transmission; Displacement and production; Equipment; Basic data for field selection; Laboratory evaluation of combustion characteristics; Thermal properties of reservoirs and fluids.

Name: Paryal Muhammad Class: Petroleum Engineering-Tech: Roll No: 11