Study on Start-Up Process of SAGD by Solvent: Experiment Research and Process Design
Steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) has been used to develop the “super heavy” oil reservoirs in Canada. The viscosity can reach more than 30,000 cp at 50°C. Moreover, owing to their continental deposit origin, the reservoirs have a low porosity and permeability. Because of these challenges, the...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2021-01-01
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| Series: | Geofluids |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/9985935 |
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| author | Jun Sun Yanping Sun Chengsheng Wang Hui Lin Wenchao Zhou Yunchuan Fu Shuliang Ren |
| author_facet | Jun Sun Yanping Sun Chengsheng Wang Hui Lin Wenchao Zhou Yunchuan Fu Shuliang Ren |
| author_sort | Jun Sun |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) has been used to develop the “super heavy” oil reservoirs in Canada. The viscosity can reach more than 30,000 cp at 50°C. Moreover, owing to their continental deposit origin, the reservoirs have a low porosity and permeability. Because of these challenges, the conventional steam circulation start-up process takes 6 to 12 months before the well pair can be switched to production. Solvent has been used to start-up SAGD with success. But now, low price of oil and high cost of solvent make solvent-assisted start-up process limited. This paper applies experimental schemes, such as viscosity reduction rate evaluation, core flooding, and 3D physical simulation, tests solvent performance, optimizes process parameters, and designs process solutions. Apply numerical simulation to test solvent-assisted SAGD start-up effect and calculate the cost. This paper researches a unique low-cost solvent compare with xylene. The basic properties and core flood experiment show that the two solvents are similar with viscosity reduction rate, asphalt dissolution rate, and injection pressure, and the price of solvent is 18% lower. The 3D model experiment shows that the average start-up time is reduced by 15%, and steam injection volume is reduced by 21.4%. The numerical simulation results show that without solvent, it will take 180 d for start-up process, and with solvent, the time has reduced by 50% and takes 90 days. Cost calculation results show that the cost will reduce 18% by solvent compared to xylene. Moreover, the production rate has been improved in production stage. This paper applies a 3D physical model to simulate the solvent-assisted SAGD start-up process. Research conclusions show the start-up mechanism of solvent and the process of temperature change of steam chamber. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-269cc6a73ec043f184029e6841ff2c0d |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1468-8115 1468-8123 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2021-01-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Geofluids |
| spelling | doaj-art-269cc6a73ec043f184029e6841ff2c0d2025-08-20T03:54:48ZengWileyGeofluids1468-81151468-81232021-01-01202110.1155/2021/99859359985935Study on Start-Up Process of SAGD by Solvent: Experiment Research and Process DesignJun Sun0Yanping Sun1Chengsheng Wang2Hui Lin3Wenchao Zhou4Yunchuan Fu5Shuliang Ren6CNOOC EnerTech-Drilling&Production Co., Tianjin 300452, ChinaCNOOC EnerTech-Drilling&Production Co., Tianjin 300452, ChinaCNOOC EnerTech-Drilling&Production Co., Tianjin 300452, ChinaCNOOC EnerTech-Drilling&Production Co., Tianjin 300452, ChinaCNOOC EnerTech-Drilling&Production Co., Tianjin 300452, ChinaCNOOC EnerTech-Drilling&Production Co., Tianjin 300452, ChinaCNOOC EnerTech-Drilling&Production Co., Tianjin 300452, ChinaSteam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) has been used to develop the “super heavy” oil reservoirs in Canada. The viscosity can reach more than 30,000 cp at 50°C. Moreover, owing to their continental deposit origin, the reservoirs have a low porosity and permeability. Because of these challenges, the conventional steam circulation start-up process takes 6 to 12 months before the well pair can be switched to production. Solvent has been used to start-up SAGD with success. But now, low price of oil and high cost of solvent make solvent-assisted start-up process limited. This paper applies experimental schemes, such as viscosity reduction rate evaluation, core flooding, and 3D physical simulation, tests solvent performance, optimizes process parameters, and designs process solutions. Apply numerical simulation to test solvent-assisted SAGD start-up effect and calculate the cost. This paper researches a unique low-cost solvent compare with xylene. The basic properties and core flood experiment show that the two solvents are similar with viscosity reduction rate, asphalt dissolution rate, and injection pressure, and the price of solvent is 18% lower. The 3D model experiment shows that the average start-up time is reduced by 15%, and steam injection volume is reduced by 21.4%. The numerical simulation results show that without solvent, it will take 180 d for start-up process, and with solvent, the time has reduced by 50% and takes 90 days. Cost calculation results show that the cost will reduce 18% by solvent compared to xylene. Moreover, the production rate has been improved in production stage. This paper applies a 3D physical model to simulate the solvent-assisted SAGD start-up process. Research conclusions show the start-up mechanism of solvent and the process of temperature change of steam chamber.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/9985935 |
| spellingShingle | Jun Sun Yanping Sun Chengsheng Wang Hui Lin Wenchao Zhou Yunchuan Fu Shuliang Ren Study on Start-Up Process of SAGD by Solvent: Experiment Research and Process Design Geofluids |
| title | Study on Start-Up Process of SAGD by Solvent: Experiment Research and Process Design |
| title_full | Study on Start-Up Process of SAGD by Solvent: Experiment Research and Process Design |
| title_fullStr | Study on Start-Up Process of SAGD by Solvent: Experiment Research and Process Design |
| title_full_unstemmed | Study on Start-Up Process of SAGD by Solvent: Experiment Research and Process Design |
| title_short | Study on Start-Up Process of SAGD by Solvent: Experiment Research and Process Design |
| title_sort | study on start up process of sagd by solvent experiment research and process design |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/9985935 |
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