Abstract

SummaryMethods to optimize steamflood performance of a California heavy-oil reservoir were evaluated numerically. Simulation and field results show that a reduction in steam (heat) injection rate after steam breakthrough is beneficial. A linear heat-reduction schedule resulted in the highest discounted net or salable oil production with less steam injection compared with the constant injection schedule. For unconfmed patterns, steam migrates and drains oil from outside the pattern boundaries; therefore, rate reduction may not be beneficial in such cases. For mature steamfloods, conversion to hot waterflood or injector shut-in results in somewhat higher net oil production than for continued steam injection. Recompleting the producer after steam breakthrough resulted in increased recovery.

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