Simulation Modeling and Kinetics for Low-Temperature Oxidation of Light Crude Oil

Abstract

Air injection into water-flooded light oil reservoirs has been found to be a potential technique for improving oil recovery. We have used physical simulation to study the low-temperature oxidation (LTO) behavior of different light crude oils. The amount of oxygen consumed in the reaction decreases as the oil content in the oil-bearing rock decreases. We have found that the aromatic hydrocarbon content in the oil has a significant effect on the oxidation rate. The Arrhenius equation for calculating the kinetic parameters of the reaction is refined, taking into account the aromatic hydrocarbon content in the oil.

Enhanced Oil Recovery with Air Injection: Effect of the Temperature Variation with Time

“…21,22 ISC processes are usually categorized into low-temperature oxidation below 350 °C, thermal cracking in the range of 350−550 °C, and high-temperature oxidation above 600 °C. 17,23 ISC causes complex reactions of hydrocarbon oxidation, which generate gaseous products, including carbon dioxide at high pressures, and heat oil reserves. 22 The end effect is the desired mobilization of heavy oil toward production wells.…”

“…Air injection is an interesting process for heavy oil recovery because of its free availability. , For in situ combustion (ISC) of reservoirs, air injection has been investigated in a number of studies − and some field tests , in the past to recover light, medium, and heavy oil. ISC processes use the injection of air (or oxygen-enriched air) into the reservoirs to sustain combustion of a part of the reserves. , ISC processes are usually categorized into low-temperature oxidation below 350 °C, thermal cracking in the range of 350–550 °C, and high-temperature oxidation above 600 °C. , ISC causes complex reactions of hydrocarbon oxidation, which generate gaseous products, including carbon dioxide at high pressures, and heat oil reserves . The end effect is the desired mobilization of heavy oil toward production wells.…”