Application Of Thermal Methods For Heavy Oil Recovery: Phase One

In this study, an integrated research review is conducted to figure out the possibility of applying thermal methods for heavy oil recovery since plentiful heavy oil reserves and increasing demands for energy have encouraged more and more interest in the exploitation of heavy oil mostly found within thin pay zones (less than 10 m) in the world, often found in fractured carbonate reservoirs. The whole recovery of heavy oil is demanding due to its high viscosity, different Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) methods should be considered and implemented appropriately. The conventional thermal recovery process widely used to reduce the viscosity and increase the mobility of heavy oil includes but not limited to Cyclical Steam Stimulation (CSS) or Huff-and-Puff, in situ combustion (ISC), Steam Solvent Hybrid Steam drive process, steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD), Expanding Solvent-Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage (ES-SAGD), Steam injection(Steam Flood) and Vapor Extraction (VAPEX) used with the intention of reducing the high oil viscosity and, as a consequence, improving phase mobility in porous media so as to obtain a more efficient drainage up to the producing well. Vapor extraction (VAPEX) has gained considerable attention because it is energy effective and environmentally friendly. Other emerging Recovery Technologies (Non-Steam) VAPEX (Vapor Extraction) inclusive are JIVE (Joint Implementation of Vapor Extraction), N-Solvent, THAI (Toe to Heel Air Injection), ET-DSP (Electro-Thermal Dynamic Stripping Process) and ESEIEH (Enhanced Solvent Extraction Incorporating Electromagnetic Heating). Thermal Recovery Technology for Heavy Oil has been successfully applied in many parts of the world like Shengli, Henan and Jilin and other heavy oil producing areas of China, and also in heavy oil producing countries of Sudan, Kazakhstan and Venezuela. Conventional thermal recovery techniques are not cost-effective for many heavy oil reservoirs, due to unnecessary heat loss through the overburden which can be reduced through non-conventional thermal methods of either; controlled heating of the pay zone by introducing heat to the reservoir in a controlled manner or Hybrid SAGD and warm VAPEX studied combining the effects of heat conduction and solvent dissolution to be discussed in the next phase of this study.