Defining the Ideal Range for Reducing Oil Viscosity and the Optimal Rate of Steam Injection for a Heavy Oil Field

Abstract

Heavy oil reservoirs often lend themselves well to thermal enhanced recovery techniques. Traditional methods like primary production or water injection are less effective due to the high viscosity of the oil. Steam stimulation primarily aims to elevate the reservoir's temperature, thereby reducing the oil's viscosity and improving its flow properties. Steam injection stands as one of the most prevalent thermal recovery methods, commonly applied in heavy oil reservoirs. The primary goal is to validate the process for selecting suitable reservoirs, the physical mechanisms involved, and the simulation characteristics essential for steam recovery. This study establishes the optimal multiplier for reducing oil viscosity and the ideal steam injection rate for heavy oil fields.