Thermal Recovery Methods for Heavy Oil Fields Training

Topic 1:  Reservoir Characteristics Analysis and Screening Procedures

Objective: To analyse fundamental parameters related to Thermal Recovery

Porosity; Oil Saturation; Permeability; Reservoir Depth; Reservoir Geology; Viscosity; Temperature; Reservoir Production Mechanics and crude oil composition, Formation Thickness; Oil Gravity and Mobility

Topic 2:  Thermal Properties of Rocks and Fluids
Objective: To study in depth water and rocks thermal properties

A. Thermodynamics Properties of Water (Steam)

•    Water: solid, liquid, and vapor
•    Enthalpy
•    Superheated steam behaviour
•    Tables and charts for enthalpy and specific volume for saturated steam and superheated steam
•    Steam Quality – measurement and methods of calculation and field approximation
•    Thermodynamic Correlations to determine steam properties
•    Problems and solutions/ Exercises

B. Thermal Conductivity: Liquid and Gases – Correlations
-Reservoir Volumetric Heat Capacity Calculation

C. Specific Heat of Liquid and Gases – Correlations

D. Latent Heat of Vaporization

E. Rock Thermal Conductivity and its Variation with Density, Temperature, and Fluid Saturation.

F. Effect of Temperature on Relative Permeability

G. Steam Generators for Thermal Recovery (General Specs. and Practices)

•    Steam Generator Efficiency calculations and Efficiency determination.
•    Water Characteristics for Steam Generation/ Ionic Exchanger Units / Procedures
•    Scale Control in Steam Operations

Topic 3:  STEAM INJECTION PROCESSES

Objective: To study casing and tubing behaviour under thermal stresses and design cycle and drive steam injection projects.

A. Thermal Well Completion – Design/Practices and Procedures

•    Insulation – solids and liquids
•    Thermal packers
•    Pre-stretching method

B. Performance Prediction and Formation Heating Process

•    Marx and Langenheim’s  Mathematical Model
•    Myhill-Stegemeir Technique
•    Other  mathematical Models
C.  Cycle Steam Injection

•    Heat loss and Heat Transmission calculation
•    Oil recovery and its evaluation
•    Steaming period
•    Number of cycles
•    Spacing of wells
•    Quality of steam injected
•    Process factors in steam injection
•    Heat loss Calculations
-generator
-surface
-well-bore
-adjacent formation
D. Steam Flooding

– Theoretical front diagrams
– Heat loss calculation
-Oil recovery calculation – radial flow
– Field cases

Topic 4:  HOT WATER INJECTION PROCESS

Objective: To study the effect of hot water injection as a EOR method.

A. Evaluation of the Process

B. Field Case Histories

Topic 5: PATTERN AND WELL SPACING

Objective: To learn different well patterns and theirs effect on Thermal Recovery Methods

A. Well Pattern for Pilot Test
B. Well pattern for Field Development

Topic 6:  IN SITU COMBUSTION PROCESSES, ANALYSIS, FRONT DIAGRAMS AND PREDICTIONS

Objective: To conduct a technical study on In Situ Combustion Processes, design and review of project case
histories

A. Dry Forward in Situ Combustion

B. Dry Reverse In Situ Combustion

C. Cafcow Process

D. Partial Quenched Combustion

Topic 7:  DOUBLE INJECTION NITROGEN/STEAM/CO2 Cycle Injection

•    Introduction
•    Physical characteristics of Nitrogen
•    A comparison of CO2, Nitrogen and Flue Gas Characteristics
•    Field Experience with Double Injection
•    Analysis of the Mechanism of mixture of N2 and Steam reactivating mature wells
•    Cycle Injection of CO2 in Heavy Oil in Comparison with Steam Injection
•    Results C02 Cycle Injection in Louisiana State, USA.
•    Summary
•    References

Topic 8: NEW METHODS IN THERMAL RECOVERY

Objective: To study the new technology in thermal recovery applied in Heavy and extra-heavy Oils

1.    Cold Heavy Oil Production Technology (CHOPS)
2.    Description of the Process
3.    Field Application, limitations and results
4.    Vapor Extraction Method ( VAPEX)
5.    Description of the Method
6.    Field Application, limitation and results
7.    Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage ( SAGD)
8.    Description of the technology
9.    Field Applications, limitations and Results

Topic 9: REVIEW OF SEVERAL THERMAL MODELS AVAILABLE IN USA

Objective: Present several Mathematical software to assist engineers to predict the performance of thermal methods

The models will be presented and explained how to setup in your computer and how to use the models in general; but no specific case will be presented. Only the general presentation and capability and description and examples available in the CD.

Topic 10: GENERAL DISCUSSION ON THERMAL RECOVERY METHODS

Objective: To review and clarify concepts, and discuss participants field Cases.