Steam INJECTION

Steam injection introduces heat to the reservoir by pumping steam into the well in a

pattern similar to that of water injection. In the steam zone the oil evaporates and in

the hot water zone the oil expands. As a result, the viscosity drops and the

permeability increases. This is the principal enhanced oil recovery program in use

today. Steam is injected continuously, and it forms a steam zone which advances

slowly. Oil is mobilized due to viscosity reduction.

Mechanism of this process includes,

 Thermal expansion of the crude oil.

 Viscosity reduction of the crude oil.

 Changes in surface forces as the reservoir temperature increases.

 Steam distillation of the lighter portions of the crude oil.

Steam is injected into several injection wells while the oil is produced from other

wells. Some thermal energy is lost in heating the formation rock and water. The steam

moves through the reservoir and comes in contact with cold oil, rock, and water. As

the steam comes in contact with the cold environment, it condenses and a hot water

bank is formed. This hot water bank acts as a water flood and pushes additional oil to

the producing wells.

Oil saturation in the swept zone can be as low as 10%. Typical recovery factors are in

the range 50-60% OIP. Oil recoveries have ranged from 0.3 to 0.6 barrels of oil per

barrel of steam injected.

Limitations

 This application is limited due to loss of heat energy.

 In deep wells, steam will be converted to liquid water.

 Expensive compared to other thermal methods.