Energy recovery analysis through numerical simulations of steam injection in continental shale oil reservoirs
Abstract In-situ steam injection is a promising method for shale oil extraction from continental reservoirs, addressing China’s growing energy demands. However, optimizing energy utilization to maximize hydrocarbon production remains a significant challenge, particularly in the context of current en...
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SpringerOpen
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1007/s13202-025-01970-4 |
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| author | Maryelin Josefina Briceño Montilla Shouding Li Zhaobin Zhang Yanzhi Hu Jianming He Zheng Bo Xiao Li |
| author_facet | Maryelin Josefina Briceño Montilla Shouding Li Zhaobin Zhang Yanzhi Hu Jianming He Zheng Bo Xiao Li |
| author_sort | Maryelin Josefina Briceño Montilla |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract In-situ steam injection is a promising method for shale oil extraction from continental reservoirs, addressing China’s growing energy demands. However, optimizing energy utilization to maximize hydrocarbon production remains a significant challenge, particularly in the context of current energy limitations. This study compares two steam injection strategies using a thermal-flow-chemical (TFC) simulator to assess energy recovery efficiency. The first strategy involves continuous steam injection with simultaneous production, while the second introduces a hydrocarbon production phase after injection. Results show that stimulating the production area is critical for achieving high energy recovery ratios in both strategies. Energy recovery is primarily influenced by the interaction between the decomposition front and the reservoir’s thermal and physical properties. Low injection rates with extended periods enhance hydrocarbon generation by approximately 66%, although they require high energy inputs. In contrast, an optimized injection rate in two-phase strategies increases hydrocarbon recovery by up to 90%. Continuous injection prioritizes immediate production but demands higher energy, while two-phase injection focuses on short-term energy accumulation, improving recovery by 30% when injection rate and duration are optimized. Continuous injection risks oversaturating the reservoir, increasing energy losses, and reducing production efficiency. The two-phase strategy, with its favorable fluid distribution and higher remaining energy ratio, offers better potential for sustained production and energy recovery in subsequent treatments. This work introduces an approach to optimizing steam injection strategies from an energy perspective, offering valuable insights for enhancing energy efficiency and resource recovery in shale oil production. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-694cf82d08fc4ffba42c9d4d57e891a6 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2190-0558 2190-0566 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | SpringerOpen |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology |
| spelling | doaj-art-694cf82d08fc4ffba42c9d4d57e891a62025-08-20T02:30:20ZengSpringerOpenJournal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology2190-05582190-05662025-03-0115411810.1007/s13202-025-01970-4Energy recovery analysis through numerical simulations of steam injection in continental shale oil reservoirsMaryelin Josefina Briceño Montilla0Shouding Li1Zhaobin Zhang2Yanzhi Hu3Jianming He4Zheng Bo5Xiao Li6Key Laboratory of Deep Petroleum Intelligent Exploration and Development, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of SciencesKey Laboratory of Deep Petroleum Intelligent Exploration and Development, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of SciencesKey Laboratory of Deep Petroleum Intelligent Exploration and Development, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of SciencesKey Laboratory of Deep Petroleum Intelligent Exploration and Development, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of SciencesKey Laboratory of Deep Petroleum Intelligent Exploration and Development, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of SciencesKey Laboratory of Deep Petroleum Intelligent Exploration and Development, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of SciencesKey Laboratory of Deep Petroleum Intelligent Exploration and Development, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of SciencesAbstract In-situ steam injection is a promising method for shale oil extraction from continental reservoirs, addressing China’s growing energy demands. However, optimizing energy utilization to maximize hydrocarbon production remains a significant challenge, particularly in the context of current energy limitations. This study compares two steam injection strategies using a thermal-flow-chemical (TFC) simulator to assess energy recovery efficiency. The first strategy involves continuous steam injection with simultaneous production, while the second introduces a hydrocarbon production phase after injection. Results show that stimulating the production area is critical for achieving high energy recovery ratios in both strategies. Energy recovery is primarily influenced by the interaction between the decomposition front and the reservoir’s thermal and physical properties. Low injection rates with extended periods enhance hydrocarbon generation by approximately 66%, although they require high energy inputs. In contrast, an optimized injection rate in two-phase strategies increases hydrocarbon recovery by up to 90%. Continuous injection prioritizes immediate production but demands higher energy, while two-phase injection focuses on short-term energy accumulation, improving recovery by 30% when injection rate and duration are optimized. Continuous injection risks oversaturating the reservoir, increasing energy losses, and reducing production efficiency. The two-phase strategy, with its favorable fluid distribution and higher remaining energy ratio, offers better potential for sustained production and energy recovery in subsequent treatments. This work introduces an approach to optimizing steam injection strategies from an energy perspective, offering valuable insights for enhancing energy efficiency and resource recovery in shale oil production.https://doi.org/10.1007/s13202-025-01970-4Steam injectionIn-situ heatingContinental shale oilEnergy recovery |
| spellingShingle | Maryelin Josefina Briceño Montilla Shouding Li Zhaobin Zhang Yanzhi Hu Jianming He Zheng Bo Xiao Li Energy recovery analysis through numerical simulations of steam injection in continental shale oil reservoirs Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology Steam injection In-situ heating Continental shale oil Energy recovery |
| title | Energy recovery analysis through numerical simulations of steam injection in continental shale oil reservoirs |
| title_full | Energy recovery analysis through numerical simulations of steam injection in continental shale oil reservoirs |
| title_fullStr | Energy recovery analysis through numerical simulations of steam injection in continental shale oil reservoirs |
| title_full_unstemmed | Energy recovery analysis through numerical simulations of steam injection in continental shale oil reservoirs |
| title_short | Energy recovery analysis through numerical simulations of steam injection in continental shale oil reservoirs |
| title_sort | energy recovery analysis through numerical simulations of steam injection in continental shale oil reservoirs |
| topic | Steam injection In-situ heating Continental shale oil Energy recovery |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1007/s13202-025-01970-4 |
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