A combined method for pore-scale optical and thermal characterization of SAGD

Abstract

Steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) is an important oil recovery strategy for extra heavy oil and bitumen. Operators are under pressure to improve both the environmental and economic performance of SAGD. Through direct visualization, micromodels provide insight into SAGD, but methods to date cannot fully resolve the temperature field which is essential to this thermal recovery process. In this work, infrared and optical pore-scale imaging of the SAGD process within a micromodel with reservoir-relevant pore geometries, fluids, and temperatures was performed, and both recovery and pore-scale fluid behavior was quantified for different concentrations of alkaline additive. Combined microscale flow and high-resolution temperature analysis provide insight into pore-scale phenomena, and shed light on the link between the rapid temperature drop at the steam chamber interface, drainage modes, efficiency and ultimate recovery achieved in SAGD.