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A Numerical Model for Investigating the Steam Conformance along the Dual-String Horizontal Wells in SAGD Operations

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  • Peng Li

    (School of Petroleum Engineering, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao 266580, China
    Key Laboratory of Unconventional Oil & Gas Development (China University of Petroleum (East China)), Ministry of Education, Qingdao 266580, China)

  • Yanyu Zhang

    (School of Petroleum Engineering, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao 266580, China
    Key Laboratory of Unconventional Oil & Gas Development (China University of Petroleum (East China)), Ministry of Education, Qingdao 266580, China)

  • Xiaofei Sun

    (School of Petroleum Engineering, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao 266580, China
    Key Laboratory of Unconventional Oil & Gas Development (China University of Petroleum (East China)), Ministry of Education, Qingdao 266580, China)

  • Huijuan Chen

    (Shanghai Institute of Applied Mathematics and Mechanics, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200072, China)

  • Yang Liu

    (Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration and Development, PetroChina, Beijing 100083, China)

Abstract

Non-uniformity of the steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) steam chamber significantly decreases the development of heavy oil reservoirs. In this study, to investigate the steam conformance in SAGD operations, a wellbore model is developed for fluid flow in dual-string horizontal wells. Then, a three-dimensional, three-phase reservoir model is presented. Next, the coupled wellbore and reservoir model is solved with a fully implicit finite difference method. Finally, the effects of the injector wellbore configuration, steam injection ratio and injection time on the steam conformance are investigated. The results indicate that under different injector wellbore configurations, the closer the differences between the pressure drop from the landing position of the short string to the heel of the wellbore and the pressure drop from the landing position of the short string to the toe of the wellbore, the better is the steam conformance. The smaller the difference in the steam injection rate between the long and short injection strings, the higher is the uniformity of the steam chamber. The injector annular pressure profile uniformity is consistent with the steam conformance. Creating a more uniform steam pressure in the annulus of the injector improves the uniformity of the steam chamber. The steam conformance decreases with increasing injection time, so the optimization method of steam chamber uniformity should be adjusted according to different injection times.

Suggested Citation

  • Peng Li & Yanyu Zhang & Xiaofei Sun & Huijuan Chen & Yang Liu, 2020. "A Numerical Model for Investigating the Steam Conformance along the Dual-String Horizontal Wells in SAGD Operations," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-38, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:13:y:2020:i:15:p:3981-:d:393498
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gu, Hao & Cheng, Linsong & Huang, Shijun & Du, Baojian & Hu, Changhao, 2014. "Prediction of thermophysical properties of saturated steam and wellbore heat losses in concentric dual-tubing steam injection wells," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 75(C), pages 419-429.
    2. Dong, Xiaohu & Liu, Huiqing & Chen, Zhangxin & Wu, Keliu & Lu, Ning & Zhang, Qichen, 2019. "Enhanced oil recovery techniques for heavy oil and oilsands reservoirs after steam injection," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 239(C), pages 1190-1211.
    3. Cheng, Wen-Long & Huang, Yong-Hua & Lu, De-Tang & Yin, Hong-Ru, 2011. "A novel analytical transient heat-conduction time function for heat transfer in steam injection wells considering the wellbore heat capacity," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 36(7), pages 4080-4088.
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