Modified analytical model for prediction of steam flood performance

Ankit Dutt,Ajay Mandal

doi:10.1007/s13202-012-0027-9

Ankit Dutt, Ajay Mandal

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s13202-012-0027-9

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Abstract

Steam flooding as a tertiary recovery method for recovery of oil from heavy oil reservoir has been of interest in recent years. Analytical models are very useful to predict oil recovery by steam flooding for preliminary forecasting purposes and sensitivity studies. Though different models are available, the predicted values did not satisfy the field value because of presumptions. In the present study, an attempt has been made to modify the existing Jeff Jones model and Chandra and Mamora model by considering the true profile of steam zone size in reservoir and vertical sweep efficiency for calculation of capture efficiency. The reservoir characteristics and production data of three oil fields, viz., Schoonebeek in the eastern part of Netherlands, San Ardo in Monterey County, California, USA and Hamaca in Venezuela’s Orinoco heavy oil belt were analyzed for performance prediction of oil production. The modified model gave very satisfactory results for production performance, compared to the original Jeff Jones and Chandra and Mamora model.

Highlights

Steam flooding as a tertiary recovery method for recovery of oil from heavy oil reservoir has been of interest in recent years
Steam flooding is a major EOR process applied to heavy oil reservoirs (Alajmi 2011)
The results obtained using the modified volumetric model agrees with the actual field data in comparison to those obtained from Jeff Jones model and Chandra and Mamora model

Summary

Introduction

Steam flooding is a major EOR process applied to heavy oil reservoirs (Alajmi 2011). As the world is moving toward a depletion era, EOR is required in every field. The demand for energy has been increasing day by day, while the conventional oil reserves are shrinking speedily. In this scenario, heavy oil reserves have become a good source of energy and can fulfill oil demand for a long time in the future. Billions of barrels of heavy oil and tar sand which cannot be produced by conventional techniques have been reserved. Many EOR techniques (Thermal Method, Chemical flooding etc.) are used, of which the thermal method is widely used presently

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