An Improved Reservoir Conduction Heating Model

Steam injection into petroleum reservoirs has become a common method of increasing producing rates and ultimate recovery. In addition, hot fluids are being studied for producing shale oil utilizing conduction heating. This is a study of the temperature distributions resulting from heat conduction. In the new model, superposition distributions resulting from heat conduction. In the new model, superposition of heating rates was used to evaluate temperature distributions for varying heat rates. Assuming that production can be simulated using negative conduction rates, temperature distributions through multiple injection-soak-production cycles were studied. Using this model, it was found that after steam injection, the temperature distribution is characterized by nearly horizontal isotherms. During soaking, little radial spread of the isotherms occurs, but more vertical penetration occurs. Production of fluids results in a removal of heat from above and below the initial heat source. During any production period, a maximum of approx. 36% of the injected heat can be removed in practical times. As a result, heat buildup occurs during successive cycles and both radial and vertical spread of the heated zone occurs. (11 refs.)