Assessment of Thermal Recovery: Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) to Improve Recovery Efficiency in the Heavy-Oil Fields of the Peruvian Jungle

Abstract

Abstract The decline of medium and light oil production of most of the fields in Peru in the last years, the increase of the domestic demand, the rising of oil prices and the recent discoveries of large heavy oil resources in the Marañon Basin, makes the suitable scenario to economically develop such heavy oil reservoirs. The technical recoverable volumes estimated for heavy oil fields in Peru (with API degree of 12 or even less) represent a significant energy resource for the country. Reasons for applying SAGD process to improve recovery factor in these fields. Cold production technologies in heavy oil fields with API degree of 12 or even less, yielded low recovery factors (no more than 15%). The fluid property that most affects the productivity and recovery of heavy crude oil is viscosity; therefore, it is expected that thermal process like SAGD would increase the recovery efficiency of heavy oil fields by adding heat. An screening criteria matrix was prepared based on worldwide analogous projects, which includes the fluid and rock properties to apply in Heavy Oil Fields of the Peruvian Jungle; then, a conceptual local-grid refined simulation model was built to evaluate production performance and estimate a recovery factor for the zone. The SAGD process was compared in performance to conventional cold production methods of the region (deviated and horizontal wells with ESP pumps). As a result, a matrix with recovery factors of SAGD process is provided; which with an average recovery factor of 25% looks very promising for a feasibility study. With the success of SAGD process in analogous heavy oil fields around the world, this study aims to bridge the gap that Peru has in Thermal Recovery and EOR processes, with Screening matrix and Reservoir Simulation of SAGD process to apply a pilot program, increasing the national production.