Efficient oil displacement near the chamber edge in ES-SAGD

A semi-analytical solution to optimize single-component solvent coinjection with steam during SAGD

“…(12) is less than one for coinjection cases. This term captures the mechanism of improved displacement efficiency as a result of solvent coinjection with steam during SAGD, as discussed by Keshavarz et al [31]. Values of S Li and S edge Lres are 0.75 and 0.13 in this study.…”

“…This can be beneficial in terms of displacement efficiency enhancement as discussed in Keshavarz et al [23,31]. However, Fig.…”

“…In coinjection processes, the condensed solvent in the L phase beyond the chamber edge increases the L-phase saturation and thus the L-phase relative permeability, in comparison with SAGD. Keshavarz et al [31] showed in their numerical simulations that saturation distributions in coinjection may be significantly different from those in SAGD. To our knowledge, however, no closed-form expression has been given in the literature for multiphase saturation distributions near the chamber edge in coinjection processes.…”

“…Keshavarz et al [23,31] conducted a mechanistic simulation study of coinjection with a SAGD well pattern. They pointed out three main factors yielding increased oil production rate in coinjection; i.e., solvent accumulation, temperature distribution, and bitumen dilution with solvent near the chamber edge.…”

“…In prior numerical research [23,31], the primary mechanisms were speculated for oil production rate enhancement when solvent was coinjected with steam during SAGD. The semi-analytical model in this research confirms that the enhancement of oil production rate can be largely explained by the fundamental mechanics expressed semi-analytically.…”