Horizontal Water Producers Increase Heavy-oil Recovery Factors SPE 69560
Language: Inglés Series: Boardman, D.W ; Publication details: Dallas, Texas Society of Petroleum Engineers 2001Online resources: Summary: API heavy oil field located in the Venezuelan Orinoco Heavy-Oil Belt. The reservoir comprises unconsolidated, Darcy permeability channel sands at a depth of 3-5000 ft, and contains a STOIIP of 8.7x10 9 stb. Development has been on-going since 1956 with a 2% recovery factor to date. A history matched thermal numerical simulation model showed that recovery is unlikely to exceed 4% of STOIIP using conventional production methods, due to viscous fingering by the aquifer and artificial lift related production problems. Using the simulation model, the authors show that in a relatively undeveloped area of the reservoir close to the aquifer, placing horizontal wells to pump off the aquifer influx substantially reduces viscous fingering and sustained dry oil production can be achieved updip, increasing the recovery factor above 10%. Dry oil production is additionally expected to reduce emulsion problems and costs, improve pump efficiency and reduce disposal costs from uncontaminated produced water.| Current library | Status | Barcode | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biblioteca virtual | Not for loan | 200003150 |
API heavy oil field located in the Venezuelan Orinoco Heavy-Oil Belt. The reservoir comprises unconsolidated, Darcy permeability channel sands at a depth of 3-5000 ft, and contains a STOIIP of 8.7x10 9 stb. Development has been on-going since 1956 with a 2% recovery factor to date. A history matched thermal numerical simulation model showed that recovery is unlikely to exceed 4% of STOIIP using conventional production methods, due to viscous fingering by the aquifer and artificial lift related production problems. Using the simulation model, the authors show that in a relatively undeveloped area of the reservoir close to the aquifer, placing horizontal wells to pump off the aquifer influx substantially reduces viscous fingering and sustained dry oil production can be achieved updip, increasing the recovery factor above 10%. Dry oil production is additionally expected to reduce emulsion problems and costs, improve pump efficiency and reduce disposal costs from uncontaminated produced water.
