SPE Reservoir Evaluation & Engineering
Volume 14, Number 3, June 2011, pp. 320-331

SPE-130802-PA

Solvent-Type and -Ratio Impacts on Solvent-Aided SAGD Process

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DOI  More information 10.2118/130802-PA http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/130802-PA

Citation

  • Li, W., Mamora, D.D., and Li, Y. 2011. Solvent-Type and -Ratio Impacts on Solvent-Aided SAGD Process. SPE Res Eval & Eng 14 (3): 320-331. SPE-130802-PA. doi: 10.2118/130802-PA.

Discipline Categories

  • 6.4 Primary and Enhanced Recovery Processes
  • 6.4.5 Thermal Methods (e.g.,Steamflood, Cyclic Steam, THAI, Combustion)
  • 6.4.6 Chemical Flooding Methods Methods (e.g., Polymer, Solvent, Nitrogen, Immiscible CO2, Surfactant, Vapex)

Keywords

  • Steam assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) , Solvent coinjection , Drainage mechanism, Athabasca

Summary

Coinjecting solvent with steam under a steam-assisted-gravity-drainage (SAGD) process to reduce the required steam for production has gained importance in recent years. An extensive 2D simulation study to better understand the drainage mechanism of steam-with-solvent coinjection in the SAGD process shows that the condensation time difference of solvent and steam results in different films of gas solvent, liquid solvent, and water along the fluid interface. There is an optimal solvent-type and -concentration-ratio range for a particular reservoir and operating condition. Coinjecting the solvent at low concentration ratios can take advantage of the solvent dilution effect without losing too much heat effect from steam. In addition, this study indicates coinjection of suitable solvent mixtures may lead to better performance than injection of pure solvent in the field.

© 2011. Society of Petroleum Engineers

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History

  • Original manuscript received: 2 July 2010
  • Meeting paper published: 9 June 2010
  • Revised manuscript received: 25 December 2010
  • Manuscript approved: 24 February 2011
  • Published online: 18 May 2011
  • Version of record: 7 June 2011