Research on Feasibility Analysis and Parameter Optimization of Steam Flooding in Heavy Oil Reservoir

Abstract

Steam flooding has been used widely in the exploitation of heavy oil reservoirs, but there are some problems with the increase of gas injection period, such as the decrease of formation pressure and field production. In view of the current situation and long-term development, conducting the research on the parameter optimization and steam flooding development effectiveness prediction is of great importance. Based on the actual oilfield geological data and formation fluid data, the accurate geologic model and numerical model were established. Meanwhile, the influence of correlative factors on the steam flooding was studied systematically, which contains reservoir permeability, crude oil viscosity, and injection–production parameters. Then multiple parameters optimization was carried out by using orthogonal design, including the well pattern, well spacing, the disposal of the steam injecting parameters. The results indicate that the optimum well pattern is five-spot, which yields an exciting sweep efficiency and oil displacement effect, with the optimized well spacing of 350 m and the optimal row spacing of 300 m. Finally, an optimum scheme was selected based on the comparison of different simulation results, with steam quality of 0.7, steam injection rate of 300 m3/d, production–injection ratio of 1.2, steam injection temperature of 360 °C, which has guiding significance and broad prospects for the development of heavy oil reservoir.