SPE Journal
Volume 17, Number 3, September 2012, pp. 671-679

SPE-158236-PA

Block Model for Growth of Steam-Heated Zone in Oil-Bearing Naturally Fractured Carbonate Reservoirs

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DOI  More information 10.2118/158236-PA http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/158236-PA

Citation

  • Closmann, P.J. 2012. Block Model for Growth of Steam-Heated Zone in Oil-Bearing Naturally Fractured Carbonate Reservoirs. SPE J.  17 (3): 671-679. SPE-158236-PA. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/158236-PA.

Summary

A model for steam injection into naturally fractured carbonate reservoirs provides a method of calculating the volume of heated formation for a given amount of steam, provided that the assumptions of the model are satisfied. The model represents the fractured reservoir by a system of blocks, dependent on fracture spacing and dimensions. The amount of oil mobilized can be estimated from prior measurements of oil saturation and laboratory tests of oil-displacement efficiency. Results comparable to observations are obtained. In addition, the temperature distribution along the direction of propagation in the reservoir may also be estimated, provided that there is a guide to variation in the local oil mobility. These results can assist in evaluating the effectiveness of steam injection in the recovery of oil from naturally fractured formations.

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History

  • Original manuscript received: 24 June 2011
  • Revised manuscript received: 30 November 2011
  • Manuscript approved: 6 January 2012
  • Published online: 3 July 2012
  • Version of record: 12 September 2012