Heavy Oil Production from Unconsolidated Sandstones using Sand Production and SAGD

Abstract

This paper was selected for presentation by an SPE Prcgram Committee fdlcwing reviaw LX information contained in an abstract submitted by the author(s). Contenk of the paper, as presented, have not been reviewad by theSocLetj cd Petroleum Engineers and are subject to cow+ztion by the author(s). The material, as presented, does not necessarily reflect any position of the Society C4 Peboleum Engineers, iks dfims, or members. Papers presented at SPE meetings are subject to publication review by Edtiorial Committees cd the Society d Petrcleum Engineem Electronic reprcdution, distribution, or storage of any part d this papar for ccxnmercial purposes without the written consent C4the Society d Petroleum Engineers is pmhitited, Permission to reproduce in print is restricted to an abstract d not more than X0 work, illustrations may not be copied. The abstract must contain conspicuous acknmvledgment d where and by whom the papar was presented. Write Librarian, SPE, PO. Box 833436, Richardscm, TX 75083-3836, U. S. A., fax 01-972-952-9435. AbstractThee major new technologies developed in the past decade in the heavy oil regions of Alberta and Saskatchewan are long, shallow horizontal wells, &eam-Assisted @avity Drainage (SAGD), and cold lkoduction (C?). These three technologies are briefly reviewed. They can be combined in a geneml approach to heavy oil reservoir development that will give the advantages of reasonable early oil production rates, continued long-term production, and excellent long-term recovew. A combination of vertical wells and horizontal wells are used to achieve early CP, which is then gradually replaced by long-term SAGD production. As the processes progress, vertical CP wells will decline in production rate; when they are no longer economical to produce, these wells are converted to other purposes. They can Ix used as inert gas injectors, control wells, low-rate thermal injection or production wells, or even sand disposal wells, as long as they help maintain the reservoir at the appropriate pressure for SAGD. The proper balance of pressures through injection or production to maintain the long-term stability of processes in the gravitydorninated flow regime is critical to SAGD success.Given price fluctuations and long-term projections, economic factors related to heavy oil must be addressed. It is appropriate to point out that within 10-15 years, the current conditions of low prices and over-supply of conventional crude oil will be replaced by a world-wide shortfall in oil supply, which should bring a permanent increase in oil prices..

An Extensive Review on the Effective Sequence of Heavy Oil Recovery

“…Forth et al conducted a review on the Golden Lake heavy oil field (Forth et al 1996). It was stated that the areal sweep was very poor and the viscosity variation affected the waterflooding performance.…”

“…Several researchers have investigated the appropriate candidates for cold production (Chugh et al 2000;Dusseault et al 2000;Dusseault et al 1995). According to the studies conducted by these researchers, appropriate reservoirs for cold production should have the following specifications:…”

“…Dusseault and El-Sayed noted that in the more viscous oils (µ > 15,000 cP), cold heavy oil production with sand (CHOPS) has not yet been economically successful, despite several attempts (Dusseault 2000). ▪ According to Chugh and Dusseault (Chugh et al 2000;Dusseault et al 1995), unconsolidated formations with less cement bands are better candidates for cold production. According to Dusseault, most of these reservoirs have porosity ranging from 29% to 31%.…”

“…▪ The higher the initial reservoir pressure and the better the initial drawdowns, the more the well will cleanup (i.e., will produce sand with oil) (Chugh et al 2000). The reservoirs are buried at depths 300 to 600 m (Dusseault et al 1995).…”

“…New methods for downhole dielectric heating using electromagnetic radiation, microwaves and radiofrequency are becoming applicable in EOR schemes (Emmons et al 1986;Islam et al 1991). Researchers have conducted successful experiments in the laboratory using different heating techniques.…”