Near Well Simulation of Extra Heavy Oil Production Using SAGD

Steam-Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) is an enhanced oil recovery method. One challenge for SAGD process is that part of the injected steam flows directly into the production well without condensation, which causes energy loss and lower oil production rate. Autonomous Inflow Control Valves (AICVs) can shut off water and gas autonomously, and can therefore be useful in the SAGD process. The multiphase simulator OLGA in combination with the near well simulation tool ROCX are used for simulation of the application of AICVs in the SAGD process. The result shows that AICVs are able to close for water (and thereby also for steam), and the closing time depends on controller set point of water cut. It is also observed that the production rate of water increases significantly after water breakthrough.