Simulation Study Of The LETC TS-2C In Situ Combustion Test In Utah Tar Sands

A series of laboratory experiments was conducted at the University of Wyoming to determine the steamflood recovery mechanisms for the Asphalt Ridge Tar Sands deposit located near Vernal, Utah. Steam at various temperatures and qualities, hot water and also nitrogen were injected into an adiabatic tube containing the tar sands, and the recovery curves were measured. From the results of the experiments, it was concluded that the Asphalt Ridge steamflood mechanisms consist of viscosity reduction, solvent extraction-enrichment, liquid displacement, and steam distillation. In addition to determining the steamflood mechanisms, it was also shown that, for the Asphalt Ridge Tar Sands (1) steam injection recovered more oil than did a hot waterflood at the same temperature (2) thick, viscous oil was produced during low quality steam runs, whereas a lighter oil has produced at higher qualities, and (3) intermediate quality steam will recover more of the original oil in place than will either high quality steam or hot water. Introduction Among the so-called alternate sources of energy which have been and are being examined by various grouts within the U.S. are the tar sands deposits which lie in eastern and southern Utah. The Laramie Energy Technology Center of the U.S. Department of Energy has conducted two field tests of in situ combustion and one test of steam injection in the N.W. Asphalt Ridge deposit near Vernal, Utah, the results which have previously presented. In conjunction with these tests presented. In conjunction with these tests a number of experimental and numerical studies have been performed to help predict and evaluate the results of these tests. This paper reports the results of a laboratory investigation of the mechanisms involved in the recovery of the Asphalt Ridge bitumen by injection of steam. In general the bitumen from tar sands of Utah exhibits a viscosity over an order of magnitude higher than that of similar materials from Canada, as shown by Fig. 1. This makes the problem, of mobilization somewhat more difficult, although it is expected that the same type of in situ processes that work in northern Alberta will be processes that work in northern Alberta will be applicable in eastern Utah. However it is necessary to attempt to quantify the similarity and determine what the design parameters are for the different resources. The strategy employed in the current set of experiments was suggested by the classic work of Willman, et. al.. Possible mechanisms of recovery were identified and experiments were then devised to test for the individual presence and effectiveness of these component mechanisms. The effects of temperature and steam quality on recovery were also examined. Theory In 1961, Willman et. al. experimentally showed that the following mechanisms were present in the displacement of conventional heavy crude oil by steam:viscosity reduction due to increase in temperature,thermal swelling of the oil,steam distillation,solvent extraction, andgas drive effects. Johnson, et. al. later confirmed the importance of vaporization mechanism in the recovery of oil by steam displacement. Although the above studies contributed significantly to our understanding of the steam displacement process, that were conducted on conventional heavy crudes and used 100% steam quality. Thus, work was needed to check the results with the bitumen type hydrocarbon found in tar sand deposits. The Canadian deposits have been studied fairly extensively. Among the steam work performed was that reported by Ehrlich. performed was that reported by Ehrlich.

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“…5. Intermedi ate quality steam will recover more of the original oil in place than will high quality steam or a hot waterflood.…”

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confidence: 99%

Experimental Investigation of the Steam Drive Process for the Asphalt Ridge Tar Sands Deposit, Utah

Watts

Hutchinson

Johnson

et al. 1982

SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition

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“…of Energy, and its contractors have conducted a set of theoretical, laboratory and field experiments directed at understanding the application of these processes to the tar sand deposits in Utah (26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33). Both combustion processes (26)(27)(28)(29)(30) and steam injection (31)(32)(33) have been demonstrated to be capable of producing hydrocarbons from Utah tar sand deposits. As a follow up the use of gas phase co-additivescarbon dioxide, nitrogen and air -was studied.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experimental Study of Coinjection of Steam With Air or Other Coinjections Into Asphalt Ridge Tar Sands

Hutchinson

Ip²

1983

All Days

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Coinjection of steam and nitrogen, carbon dioxide, or air at low pressures (400 psi) (2760 kPa) into Utah tar sands was studi ed. Sl i ght enhancement of steam dri ve was observed with all three (if no combustion occurred with the air) and significant improvement occurred when the tar spontaneously ignited during air injection. Little difference in recovery between simultaneous and alternating modes of injection was observed.

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Reduciendo la incertidumbre en la ejecución de un piloto de combustión in situ en un campo de crudo extra pesado colombiano mediante la realización de una prueba de conectividad con nitrógeno

Trujillo¹,

Rodríguez²,

Delgadillo³

et al. 2018

Rev. fuentes reventón enrg.

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Antes de comenzar cualquier proceso de recuperación mejorada de petróleo (EOR), es deseable caracterizar el patrón de flujo dentro del volumen del yacimiento afectado. Esto se vuelve de importancia crítica para la combustión in situ en yacimientos de petróleo pesado, donde la relación de movilidad es altamente desfavorable, a menudo dando como resultado una canalización o un avance temprano del frente de inyección o combustión. Una prueba de conectividad entre pozos a través de inyecciones de gas inmiscible contribuye a mejorar la caracterización de la distribución de flujo de gas, además de: 1) Estimar eficiencias de barrido, 2) evidenciar características geológicas que pueden conducir a un flujo preferencial hacia un pozo o grupo particular de ellos, o falta de conexión entre ellos, 3) creación de una ruta de gas entre el inyector y los pozos productores para permitir una progresión segura del frente de combustión, y 4) evaluación del rendimiento de los sistemas de levantamiento artificial y sistemas de control de pozos en condiciones de alta relación gas-líquido. Se diseñó, implementó y evaluó una prueba de conectividad usando nitrógeno en el campo Chichimene, antes del inicio del piloto de combustión in situ. Este proceso se resume y describe en este documento. Esta será la primera prueba de combustión in situ en un yacimiento de petróleo extra-pesado profundo (≈ 8000 pies) a nivel mundial y servirá como una fuente de datos para evaluar el desarrollo de recursos en condiciones similares en la cuenca de los llanos orientales de Colombia. Este conjunto de yacimientos tiene una fracción significativa de los recursos de hidrocarburos en el país y están bajo la operación de Ecopetrol. La importancia de este piloto hace que esta prueba de conectividad tenga una relevancia aún mayor para reducir las incertidumbres de subsuelo y operativas, identificar riesgos y aumentar la probabilidad de éxito del proceso de combustión como una opción para producir estos recursos de manera económicamente rentable

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Simulation Study Of The LETC TS-2C In Situ Combustion Test In Utah Tar Sands

Cited by 5 publications

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Experimental Investigation of the Steam Drive Process for the Asphalt Ridge Tar Sands Deposit, Utah

Experimental Investigation of the Steam Drive Process for the Asphalt Ridge Tar Sands Deposit, Utah

Experimental Study of Coinjection of Steam With Air or Other Coinjections Into Asphalt Ridge Tar Sands

Reduciendo la incertidumbre en la ejecución de un piloto de combustión in situ en un campo de crudo extra pesado colombiano mediante la realización de una prueba de conectividad con nitrógeno

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