SPE Journal
Online First
Summary
We present a numerical simulation approach that allows incorporation of
emulsion modeling into steam-assisted gravity-drainage (SAGD) simulations with
commercial reservoir simulators by means of a two-stage pseudochemical
reaction. Numerical simulation results show excellent agreement with
experimental data for low-pressure SAGD, accounting for approximately 24%
deficiency in simulated oil recovery, compared with experimental data.
Incorporating viscosity alteration, multiphase effect, and enthalpy of
emulsification appears sufficient for effective representation of in-situ
emulsion physics during SAGD in very-high-permeability systems. We observed
that multiphase effects appear to dominate the viscosity effect of emulsion
flow under SAGD conditions of heavy-oil (bitumen) recovery. Results also show
that in-situ emulsification may play a vital role within the reservoir during
SAGD, increasing bitumen mobility and thereby decreasing cumulative steam/oil
ratio (cSOR). Results from this work extend understanding of SAGD by examining
its performance in the presence of in-situ emulsification and associated flow
of emulsion with bitumen in porous media.
© 2013. Society of Petroleum Engineers
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History
- Original manuscript received:
17 April 2012
- Meeting paper published:
12 June 2012
- Revised manuscript received:
12 September 2012
- Manuscript approved:
31 October 2012
- Published online:
31 January 2013
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