In situ combustion performance in heavy oil carbonate reservoirs: A triple-porosity numerical model

Abstract

This study aims to address the challenges of oil recovery in highly heterogeneous carbonate reservoirs by employing a novel triple-porosity numerical model approach for in-situ combustion (ISC). The primary focus is on the performance of ISC within isolated vuggy pore spaces, a characteristic feature of such reservoirs. By simulating triple-porosity through artificially induced vuggs, core matrix, and fractures, we evaluated the feasibility of the ISC technique for heavy oil recovery in a dolomite reservoir using a combustion tube setup.The numerical model, calibrated through history matching, incorporates an extended kinetic reaction scheme to better represent high-temperature oxidation processes. Experimental and simulation results show a strong correlation in temperature profiles, ignition timing, and fluid production, effectively reproducing the observed gas compositions. This integrated experimental and numerical approach demonstrates the potential for applying ISC in triple-porosity systems, offering valuable insights for field-scale implementations in similarly complex carbonate reservoirs. The novelty of this research lies in its comprehensive modeling of the first ISC experiment in a triple-porosity framework, providing a deeper understanding of the interactions between matrix, fracture, and vugg networks, and paving the way for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) strategies in challenging reservoir environments.