The comprehensive model for solvent assisted steam flooding in thin heavy oil reservoirs considering asphaltene deposition

Abstract

Solvent-assisted steam flooding has gained popularity in heavy oil reservoir during recent years. Calculating asphaltene deposition is a key issue in developing heavy oil reservoirs, because asphaltene deposition can significantly reduce permeability by blocking pore throats. In this work, a comprehensive model of solvent assisted steam flooding for thin heavy oil reservoirs considering the influence of asphaltene deposition was proposed. The model is solved by IMPES (Implicit Pressure and Explicit Saturations) method. The amount of deposition is calculated through three mechanisms of entrainment, plugging deposition and surface deposition. Then, the effects of asphaltene deposition on well performance and permeability reduction were analyzed. Furthermore, the solubility parameter is used to investigate the effect of different solvents on alleviating the damage of asphaltene deposition for reservoir. The damage of asphaltene deposition for reservoir can decrease with the increase of solvent concentration. Finally, based on the analysis of oil production, it is found that butane assisted steam flooding is the most effective thermal method to improve the oil recovery. And injection parameters of butane assisted steam are also determined for an oil field by analysis of oil production. Based on the results in this paper, it may be extensive applicability and practical significance for determining the best solvent and reasonable injection parameters during the development of heavy oil reservoirs considering asphaltene deposition to enhance oil recovery.